Snowflake's Travel Blog

Gibbon's Call in Khao Sok - Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

 This place was Amazing visited Apr 1, 2007

Thailand is one of the countries in the world having rich nature. All the regions in Thailand are characterized by different landscapes of mountains, valleys, rivers, rainforests, mixed deciduous forests, hills, waterfalls, cliffs, beaches, with different kinds of wild plants and wildlife. Thailand's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries cover more than 25,000 square kilometers. Evenly spread throughout the kingdom, such places afford nature lovers opportunities to enjoy Thai flora and fauna in unspoiled surroundings, including adventure activities for those who want more exciting trip, such as Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai, Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima, Sam Roi Yot National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Tarutao Marine National Park in Satun or Ko Samui and Ang Thong Marine National Park in Surat Thani. In this issue, Exotissimo Travel would like to introduce one of the national parks in Thailand, "Khao Sok National Park"� in Surat Thani, where travelers both Thais and foreigners can engage in various activities, relaxing or adventure such as island hopping, canoeing, elephant riding, trekking, rafting, nature trailing, and staying in a hut nestled by evergreen forested surrounding. Covered by the oldest evergreen forest, huge limestone, mountains shooting straight up in the air, deep valleys, breathtaking lakes, exciting caves, wild animals and much more, Khao Sok National Park could easily be the dream adventure in Thailand and relaxing destination for those who seek for nature/ adventure travel At a Glance: Topography Composed of Limestone Mountains, possessing the scattered peaks of Ka Lo Mountain whose form resembles those of towers; the highest peak to reside in the park measures at 961 meters above the sea level; the area in which the park is located contains highly acidic, sandy soil that is easily eroded during rainstorm. Climate The weather is influenced by monsoon winds from both the Indian and Pacific Ocean with rain beginning in late April until late December. Heaviest rain is during May to November. Best time to visit December to April Flora and Fauna Flora: Various types of plant life can be found; this includes a number of very rare sacred tree species such as the Neobalanocarpus heimil. A few other plants include the following: Genus Hoper, Chisocheton and Anisoptera etc., as well as small bushes such as the Rafflesia kerrii, palm, rattan, betel palm, and various types of bamboo. Fauna/ Wildlife: home for a wide variety of wildlife such as the gaur, banteng, sambar deer, bear, Malayan tapir, macaque, gibbon, serow, mouse deer, porcupine, marbled cat, wild boar, and Asian wild dog. It also acts as the natural habitat for several for several bird species. Recommended Tour Gibbon's Call in Khao Sok, arranged by www.exotissimo.com Activities in Khao Sok National Park Imagine walking through a 180 million year old rainforest, the morning filled with the sound of gibbons calling across the canopy above. You reach a clearing and your guide tells you to be quiet and look to the sky. There you see a hornbill flying low as it searches for food in the jungle below. In Khao Sok, this experience is an almost daily occurrence. Khao Sok National Park is the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. It predates the Amazon and can be traced back in time as far as 180 million years when it was part of a great river delta protected by a coral reef six times longer than the Great Barrier Reef. Part of a protected area that covers almost 4,000 sqm of south Thailand, Khao Sok is home to some of Asia's rarest flora and fauna including the world's largest flower, the rare Rafflesia Kerrii. Trekking is the best way to experience the beauty of the area. Several trails lead from the park headquarters into the jungle following jungle paths that take you to waterfalls or caves. Walking under the shade of giant fig and rattan trees, your guides will be on the constant look out for gibbons, hornbills and other wildlife, while monkeys are seen often. Deeper into the park you will find Chao Lam Lake. Created in 1982 when the Rachabrapha dam was built, Chao Lam is famous for the giant limestone Karst Mountains that rise mystically from the water to heights of over 100 meters. Part of a topographical chain that stretches from Phang Nga Bay near Phuket to Guilin in China and also occurs in Vang Vieng in Laos and Halong Bay in Vietnam, the mountains of Chao Lam are one of the travel world's best kept secrets. A longtail boat ride across the lake in the early morning is an unforgettable experience as the waters reflect the giant limestone mountains creating magical memories. When the area was flooded, several villages were lost and 100 metres below the waters are complete communities. As part of the national park, there are no permanent buildings around the lake but the original inhabitants were allowed to build floating raft houses and adventurous travelers can spend the night in the simple bamboo huts in the middle of the lake. As well as trekking through the park, kayaking on the lake or down the Sok River are other ways to discover the area. Located almost half way across peninsula Thailand, Khao Sok is easily reached from Phuket, Krabi, Sutat Thani or Khao Lak and should be an essential part of all visits to south Thailand. View Gibbon's Call in Khao Sok Tour, from this link http://www.exotissimo.com/index.php?id=gibbons_call_khaosok Contact go.thailand@exotissimo.com for asking for further information or making an inquiry Also see other adventure tours in Thailand Chiang Dao Mountain Trek http://www.exotissimo.com/index.php?id=chiang_dao_mountain Shan Homestay in Tham Lod http://www.exotissimo.com/index.php?id=shan_homestay_thamlo The Karens of Sangakhlaburi http://www.exotissimo.com/index.php?id=karens_sangkhlaburi Kaeng Krachan Trekking http://www.exotissimo.com/index.php?id=kaeng_krachan_trekki

posted Apr 4, 2007 | Comments (0)

Zen and the Art of Cycling - Zen and the Art of Cycling, Vietnam

 This place was Great visited Mar 25, 2007

The world's oil and natural resource are scarce nowadays. Therefore you have often heard about campaigns to reduce the amount of energy used and sustainable ways to use these resources in order to save them for our future generation. Cycling is one way among them. Accordingly, biking tourism have been operated for travelers who seek for different trip, which move them closer to nature and local living of people, rather than sitting on a coach that drives past those local specialty and that's it. Cycling trip is also friendly to nature in the way that it doesn't hurt an environment. For travelers themselves, cycling helps keep them active, healthy and fresh. There are nowadays many travel agents, which operate cycling trips that bring travelers to different kinds of destinations: remote village, historical attractions, beaches, mountains. One among them is Exotissimo Travel Company, a leading travel agent and inbound tour operator which arrange tailor- made tours around Indochina, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. Exotissimo Travel has got offices in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Yangon, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Vientiane and Luang Prabang. It has offered adventure trips that combine different exciting activities together such as trekking trips with bamboo rafting and elephant riding; cycling trips with short hiking. Trips may also be trekking or biking in a whole trip, to various destinations in Indochina region, such as cycling in Siem Reap's Angkor Wat and Angkor Them, cycling on the beach of Myanmar, cycling along the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos. If you want to get more information about Exotissimo and tailor- made tours arranged by this company, just visit www.exotissimo.com or contact Exotissimo Bangkok at go.thailand@exotissimo.com Exotissimo Vietnam at go.vietnam@exotissimo.com Exotissimo Cambodia at go.cambodia@exotissimo.com Exotissimo Laos at go.laos@exotissimo.com and Exotissimo Myanmar at go.myanmar@exotissimo.com Before making an adventure trip with Exotissimo or with any travel agents you find reliable, let's have a quick reading on this article, and you will find that cycling is much more than pedaling your feet. Most true adventurers are well aware that cycling is really one of the best ways to explore and experience a new place. There are no barriers to separate you from the environment that surrounds you which makes for an experience that is pure, energizing and magically engaging. When combining this essential mode of travel with Southeast Asia's rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and charming friendliness, you will doubtless be rewarded with a rollercoaster ride of a lifetime. Pedaling across sandy beaches and hidden trails, 'saddle travel' gives you exciting access to the remote regional wonders so often bypassed by trains and buses. Explore the ancient kingdoms of Bagan and Ayuthaya, the ethnic tribal towns of Vietnam, or the scenic villages of Bangkok's undiscovered "Urban Jungle", and all at your own pace. Cycling is also the ideal way to fully experience the region's stunning and diverse scenery. Whether pedaling through orchards or rainforests, gliding along the Mekong or spectacular coastal trails, or rising to the challenge of a hilly stretch, cycling is a sensory overload of scenes, smells and even tastes that just can't be replicated in the confines of a car! The freedom of biking also allows for a uniquely intimate interaction with the communities you encounter as you ride. Weaving through temples, market crowds and villagers, you can pause at any time to chat and interact with locals, take a well-earned breather and experience the customary warmth (and tasty delicacies!) of the region. Ready to get in gear? Why not experience the adventure of cycling through Vietnam with our five day Meandering the Mekong Tour Visit this link to see tour details: http://www.exotissimo.com/index.php?id=meandering_mekong0 Contact: go.vietnam@exotissimo.com for further detail or making inquiry

posted Mar 25, 2007 | Comments (0)

Shan Homestay in Tham Lod - Tribal nations, Living the High Life, Thailand

 This place was Amazing visited Sep 22, 2007

Personally, I love trekking. In my opinion, it is another great way, I have just discovered, to be with one self, to concentrate on a track trodden, to meditate even feet are stamping ahead. There is no way out but walking ahead is only the answer when you are in a jungle. Forget about Mac Donald, Pizza Hut, Sizzler, or any modernity to serve you. I could spend this time clearing my mind, or sometimes, rethinking about happenings I have passed through. Three or four years ago, my feet had been through the forest of Jae Son National Park in Lampang, Doi Inthanon National Park, Mae Tang, Mae Malai, Tha Ton in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phu Kradueng National Park in the Northeast Loei, trekking to different local villages, hill tribe villages or even settlements, to see both real ethnic livings and those which are transformed to a kind of "stage- authenticity commodity" for tourism. However, those all impressive me, because no one can deny hospitality of those local people who host us very well. You will have chance to see their living; talking with them to feel them in such environment, the environment which sometimes you think it does not belong to you; to eat local foods which you will need to accept that they are so delicious, especially after a hard trekking. Traveling to this kind of place, you may need to have some basic information about hill tribe. We are a visitor. Visiting them and spending time with them may require an understanding about them, in order for you not to behave yourself in the ways that influence their traditional living, or that make them feel inferior. After that, if you want to try this kind of travel, an adventure travel to hill tribe, a trekking through hill tribe villages, try Exotissimo Travel whose offices locate in Bangkok, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. And there are a collection of adventure tours, trekking, cycling, homestay in Thailand, Cambodia, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, north and south Laos, Luang Prabang, Vietnam, Myanmar, Yangon, and other exotic places which you will find all interesting to experience a "Different and Meaningful Travel". Along the borders of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China, there are dozens of mountain-dwelling semi-nomadic people collectively known as 'hilltribes'. Although they do share an elevated lifestyle, these colorful communities actually represent a diverse myriad of languages, cultures and belief systems. The Akha, one complex hilltribe group in the region, are closely related to the Hani of China's Yunnan province but speak their own distinct language which comes from a branch of the Tibeto-Burman language group. The Akha are traditionally subsistence farmers, and Akha Zang (The Akha Way) combines animism, ancestor worship and their deep relationship with the land. Also originally hailing from Yunnan, the Lisu have primarily earned their name as a tribe alive with color, and are considered to use the greatest variety of colors of all the hill tribes. Their confident decision-making and independence is reflected in the way the Lisu use powerful combinations of colors to decorate their costumes. The Karen are one of the largest hilltribes in Southeast Asia with a total population of about three million spread throughout Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Famed for the 'long necks' of their women, the Karen now live at relatively low elevations in permanent villages, and have developed environmentally sustainable terraced rice fields. The Lahu are a strongly independent and very diverse ethnic group. In Thailand alone there are no fewer than six different Lahu tribes, some of whose languages are not mutually intelligible. Although primarily subsistence farmers, the Lahu are also proud of their hunter-warrior heritage and are strongly committed to principles of unity and working together for survival. This brief look at just a few of these fascinating groups illustrates the complex diversity of Southeast Asian hilltribe communities. Experience these remarkable ethnic groups for yourself on our Shan Homestay in Tham Lod in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand. Just contact Exotissimo Bangkok staff: go.thailand@exotissimo.com

posted Mar 22, 2007 | Comments (0)

Along the Perfume River: Hoi An and Hue - Along the Perfume River, Vietnam

 This place was Amazing visited Jan 1, 2007

�Last year (2006), I was called by a friend inviting me to Hanoi. I accepted her immediately because of many reasons. Well, the three reasons to easily accept to travel to Hanoi were: cheap accommodation we could seek for, and low cost airline like Air Asia, the two that made our trip quite a budget one! All of these, the important reason was all about Vietnam as one among the destination I want to experience. And I would say that the trip was satisfying. This year, last month, I had a break from my work and I thought that was another time to travel to Vietnam. Fortunately, we had got a bonus from the work, which of course, convince us to have Vietnam trip in a more comfortable way. We searched for a travel company which could give us a tailor- made package. We found an interesting one. The name was Exotissimo Travel. Ah, I saw the office once during my trip in Hanoi. And then, I came up to know that Exotissimo also has an office in Bangkok. That was great. So my friend and I went to Exotissimo Bangkok office and asked them to arrange a trip in Vietnam for us. Finally, we got one: Hoi An & the Last Imperial Citadel. It was a 5 days- 4 nights trip to Hoi An and Hue. The trip was very interesting and appealing, catching my interest and reminding me the words about Hue that it was �a masterpiece of urban poetry�, proclaimed by the UNESCO��..� After a visit in 1981, the then Director General of UNESCO proclaimed Hue to be "a masterpiece of urban poetry". Famous for school girls in their white �o D�i - Vietnamese national dress, and N�n B�i Tho -a conical straw hat hiding a secret poem, to the Vietnamese, Hue has ever been synonymous with romance and all that's beautiful. Established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hu� was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. Today the majestic Perfume River meanders past the remains of the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, as well as the tombs of several former emperors. The stunning Tu Duc Mausoleum with its triple arched gateways, lotus filled ponds and pavilions, reflects perhaps the somewhat whimsical character of its host. Emperor Tu Duc was by all accounts a self-absorbed and romantic ruler, preferring to hide away amongst the tranquil gardens and pine trees of the Imperial grounds. He also apparently partook of a delicately fragrant tea made from the dew of lotus blossoms and penned no less than four thousand poems, perhaps to amuse his one hundred wives and harem of concubines. Harems and wives notwithstanding, Tu Duc�s tomb is just one impressive relic of Hu�s Imperial past to be found along the Perfume River. Discover the ancient tombs, pagodas and forbidden citadels of Hu� and the quaint, old town of Hoi An in this five day. Hoi An & the Last Imperial Citadel trip was very appreciating and so the Exotissimo service was. This is another recommended trip you should never miss. Find some free time and travel with Exotissimo. Memorable� You can see the itinerary of Hoi An & The Last Imperial Citadel - 5 Days / 4 Nights from the link below: http://www.exotissimo.com/index.php?id=hoi_an_hue or you can contact Exotissimo Bangkok office Email: go.thailand@exotissimo.com or directly at Vietnam Office Email: go.vietnam@exotissimo.com

posted Feb 22, 2007 | Comments (0)

An Eastern Promise - Bangkok - Koh Lanta - Chiang Mai, Thailand - Chiang Mai, Thailand

 This place was Amazing visited Feb 14, 2007

I�m a woman. Of course, I have dreamed for a romantic and true love, once in my life from a man. Saying that, well, it�s not that easy to find a good and love to be ours, or a fortune may bliss me�.. And here the Valentine�s Day came. Most people went out in couples. All restaurants were filled up with �love�, �romantic dining�, and numbers of �red roses�. Oh, should I exclaim �my love is like a red, red rose�? On that night, I was at home, surfing the Internet to wander into the realm of love and marriage (wanted to get myself be part of this love- full day). Lot of information is interesting. I have just known different customs of marriage, even in the same region like Asia. Yes, it�s true. There is a rich diversity of culture in Asia. �The Colors of Asia�, it says. Alright, let me share with you about a ceremonial, marriage, which is various in each country in Asia region. After reading this, if you have your beloved, you both may look at each other and say �let marry�. White gowns, gold bands, throwing rice, something blue - Weddings are a complex web of symbolic traditions. In Asia, the rich diversity of cultures makes for a variety of ever colorful and fascinating marital customs. Here�s just a few� The traditional wedding gown in China is not white but bright red, which symbolizes luck for the new couple, and you can expect lots of noisy firecrackers at the wedding to scare off evil spirits. In Japan, purple is the color of love. A young bride may choose to wear a silk kimono covered in purple iris-flowers on her big day. If you think you�ve got seating problems take heart: In Indonesia it is not uncommon for more than 1,000 guests to be invited to the wedding reception and it is customary for the bride and the groom to greet each guest in a long receiving line before festivities can begin! A fortune-teller, known as a kung-hap, traditionally looks into a couple�s future in Korea before they are married. A harmonious union is important as gifts alone for a traditional Korean wedding can cost upwards of $40,000. An early Filipino custom required the groom to throw a spear into the front steps of his intended-bride�s home as a dramatic statement to everyone that she had been spoken for, though nowadays a gold band will usually suffice. Carefully observing traditional customs is an important facet of marriage worldwide � Some even say it can be a matter of wife or death! And after the rice and spears are thrown, what better way to celebrate together, than on a Perfect Thai Honeymoon for two blissful weeks? Is this above interesting? I guess that many couples, new or old, after reading this may want to celebrate their love or recall the first year of their marriage again. And I know that you are among them. Let Exotissimo Travel arranges your trip around Indochina. Newly couples- are you seeking a perfect honeymoon trip? Try the Perfect Thai Honeymoon for 14 Days / 13 Nights, an unforgettable once in a lifetime vacation.

posted Feb 16, 2007 | Comments (0)