Archive for January, 2010
A Day At Koh Larn
Visiting Koh Larn, or the coral island is a great change of pace from Pattaya.
My first trip to Koh Larn was a spur of the moment mini-adventure. I was talking with a young lady in a bar and she asked me where I had visited in Thailand. I rattled off a bunch of cities from north to south and then she asked if I had ever been to Koh Larn. I told her no and she said she had never been either.
It was decided then and there that we would take the short trip the next day. We spent the night together and made arrangements for the boat ride and tour at one of the many street vendor tour ladies.
We booked for a 10 AM boat ride and we were told we would be back at about 4 PM. The price was a whopping 10 US dollars each and this included lunch.
We walked down from Second Road to Beach Road and met out small, longboat that would take us out to the bigger boat for the trip to Koh Larn.
But first, we stopped at a square dock and were offered a kite-flying ride for an additional ten dollars. We declined but watched a couple of the others from our boat get the short round the dock ride.
We then boarded a bigger boat and chugged on out to the island. The ride took about 45 minutes and we were met by another small, long boat to get us to shore. This boat had a glass bottom to observe the coral, but the water was too murky to see anything.
We got ashore and since this was a spur of the moment trip, I bought my girl a swimsuit. We staked out a patch of beach and got 2 lounge chairs for about one dollar for the day for both and just kicked back and relaxed.
The water was clean and refreshing and we just splashed about and lay around on the chairs. We were offered a variety of sea activities from underwater walking to banana boat rides. We declined and just took it easy.
We were served lunch with the rest of the group and it was OK but nothing special. Rice, pork, French fries and a cold drink.
There were a handful of vendors trying to sell their wares but they were not pests. They came by once and left with a smile when I declined.
At about 3 PM it was time to head back. We took the small boat to the bigger boat and relaxed and listened to some music on the way back. The boat moved at a snail’s pace and there was just enough of a breeze to keep things cool.
We met the small boat and were taken back to Pattaya Beach. I dropped my smart card off at the photo processing place and showered, changed, picked up the photos and went back to her bar.
I gave her a set of the pictures to show her friends and to keep for herself. All in all a very nice day that set me back $20 for the trip and another $10 to get her a bathing suit.
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Surviving the Family Road Trip
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, travel is increasing every year and it is predicted that even more people will be on the road this year. Traveling with the family can be a great way to spend quality time together but it can also be stressful. Increase your chances of a fun, stress-free and safe vacation by following these simple tips:
1- Beat boredom with child’s play. “Are we there yet?” What is it about these words that go straight to a parent’s spine? Keep kids entertained with some great car games that make getting where you’re going half the fun. Magnetic board games, portable video games and classics such as the license plate game, “I Spy” and the alphabet game will keep energetic kids in good spirits and actively engaged no matter how long the journey.
2- Stop smart. When stopping at rest stops, make sure it’s just your kids getting back in the car and not the bacteria and germs they pick up in the bathroom. Bring products that keep your family healthy, such as hand sanitizer and Lysol Disinfectant Spray, to kill rest stop germs that can be transferred from the rest room to the surfaces in your car. To prepare for those inevitable spills and “oops” moments, keep paper towels or wet wipes handy.
3- Eat right. Sure, you can stop at the rest stop for food-along with the thousands of other people on the road. But roadside dining doesn’t always offer the healthiest choices. Instead, keep your family’s bellies full with snacks that you can eat right in the car, such as trail mix, string cheese, fruit roll-ups, bottles of water, and fruit. These easy, convenient snacks are yummy (for them) and healthy (for you).
4- Keep everyone happy. Pick a destination that has fun activities for all ages. While it’s tempting to head for the place that the kids will love, make sure there’s something for mom, dad and grandma to do as well. Some top family vacation spots that offer something for everyone include Orlando, Fla., Anaheim, Calif., Williamsburg, Va., Hershey, Pa. and Yellowstone National Park.
Family vacations can be chaotic but immensely rewarding. And if you keep these tips in mind, you can help ensure safe and happy travels-at least until you get there.
When stopping at rest stops, make sure it’s just your kids getting back in the car and not germs they pick up in the bathroom.
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The Perfect Vacation
A beach vacation is something all of us can use, as it provides time away with the family, friends, or just that special someone. Beach vacations are also a great way to unwind from the pressures of life, and just have a blast.
All around the world, there are literally hundreds of places that you can choose for your beach vacation. You can choose from beaches in the United States, or choose to go overseas to more tropical climates and romantic beaches.
Those of you who are looking to get away with a husband or wife, would find the Maui to be the perfect beach vacation. Located in Hawaii, Maui is one of the most romantic beaches in the world. Also well known for honeymoons, Maui offers you plenty of breathtaking beaches with plenty of other things to do as well.
Another well known area for a beach vacation for couples is the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands have been a popular vacation spot for many years, offering couples the chance to get away from it all and just spend some well deserved and well needed time together.
For a family beach vacation, there are many places you can go. One of the most popular is California, as there are many other things to interest the kids as well. There are several beaches in the state, with Huntington beach and plenty of attractions as well, including Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
When you choose the perfect beach vacation, you need to choose a spot that will cater to who you are taking with you. Couples wouldn’t want to go to a family resort destination, while families wouldn’t want to go to a couples resort that offers plenty of romance.
No matter where you decide to go, you can rest assured that there are plenty of locations for you to choose from. You can search online using a search engine, which can help you locate deals that are simply too good to pass up.
Before you decide to rush off to your beach vacation, you should plan first. Decide on where you are going, research your destination spot, and make sure that it offers something for everyone. Beach vacations are truly inspiring, although it also helps to have other activities available as well.
Once you plan your beach vacation very carefully, you’ll be more than ready to take off to your destination and relax. You’ll enjoy yourself much better if you plan carefully, which will also help to remove a lot of the stress that can be involved with planning for a beach vacation – or going on your destination unprepared.
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