| May 7, 2012 |
| Five Places near Bangkok to Visit Floating Markets |
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| Today Swai, a very popular and consistently well-reviewed guide in Bangkok, is sharing with us five excellent spots to experience Thai floating markets. While most of Thailand – like the rest of the world – has embraced the convenience of modern supermarkets, several floating markets still exist to give locals and visitors alike the chance to witness a piece of traditional Thai heritage. Head to one (or more) of the markets Swai suggests and make sure you have your camera ready! The floating markets are some of Thailand’s most photogenic sites. |
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In Thailand, there have been several floating markets, mostly serving during the weekends starting in the early morning. It is a scenic type of traditional culture as the people sell merchandise by floating boat on a canal or a part of a river. All products are from local communities such as fruit orchards, handicrafts, local meals, etc. People come to visit floating markets not only for the floating market itself but also for touring around the nearby area to see local temples, and even to experience boating on a canal and purchasing and enjoying their own meal with family or friends during the visit.
The following floating markets are some of my favourites in Bangkok and the surrounding area:
1. Damnoen Saduak: It is located in Ratchaburi Province, about 82 kilometers to the southwest of Bangkok. It is the most famous and the top ranked floating market since it is the oldest one in terms of the fame to the tourists. The area is covered with several fruit gardens such as bananas, coconut trees, papayas, and mangoes. There are also a lot of canals of the inner part where the native people spend their days, generation by generation, mostly as agriculturalists. The floating market is open daily between 7am to noon. In the past (1866), the canal was dug to join two main rivers, Tah Chin River and Mae Klong River under the command of King Rama IV.
2. Amphawa: This is one of the famous floating markets in Thailand because of its colorful lifestyle and the location. It is not too far from Bangkok, just about 68 kilometers. Amphawa Floating Market is unique because it is the only floating market starting in the late afternoon and staying open until after dark (9pm), not like others which all start in the dawn and close earlier. The market consists of a variety of local products serving only during the weekends including Fridays. The location is also a part of the area of the Gulf of Thailand where the Mae Klong River flows out from the land to the sea as the final exit way. Hop on a boat to watch the fireflies or lighting bugs at night time. And because of her beauty, Amphawa is also legendary for inspiring musicians and writers to compose great works of music and literature.
3. Khlong Lardmayom: The word, khlong means canal in Thai. There are more than a hundred canals linked as waterways of local people. Khlong Lardmayom floating market is quite new in the Bangkok area, running only during weekends between 7am and 2pm. The surrounding area is used by native people cultivating their land for fruit orchards. There is also a walk-way along the canal to explore the green area.
4. Taling Chan Floating Market: Also open during weekends from 7am-3pm. This is one of many floating markets located in Bangkok at Khlong Chakphra. Most people visit here for their choices of delicious prepared meals. And it is the most centralized urban floating market of Bangkok area which can be reached by local public transportation.
5. Bang Namphurng: It is located at Samut Prakarn Province on the western side of Phrapradaeng District. This floating market also runs during weekends between 7-3pm. The local products for sale are from the community of Morn ethnic peoples (one of the major old Thai local tribes). This floating market is within the Bangkok metropolitan area and can also be reached by public transportation.
There are still some more floating markets in Thailand’s rivers or canals in other provinces throughout the country. And don’t forget that the areas surrounding the floating market are good places to witness uniquely Thai traditions and cultures.
Thank you Swai, for this thoughtful and detailed explanation of some of the Bangkok region’s most accessible and appealing floating markets. If any travelers are headed to Thailand in 2012, consider getting in touch with Swai to learn more about Thai culture and history. |
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| May 4, 2012 |
| European Night of Museums |
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| If you’re traveling to Europe this spring, chances are you’ll visit at least one museum. From the Louvre to the Guggenheim, the Rijksmuseum to the Hermitage, Europe’s museums are the thread holding together the continent’s cultural fabric. |
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On May 19, 2012 the 5th annual Nuit des Musées (Night of Museums) event celebrates the role of the museum in European life. Over 3000 museums in 42 countries will be open and free until 1am to encourage both locals and visitors alike to enter and explore their galleries.
The European Night of Museums was created in 2005 by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. It is sponsored by an impressive trio of cultural organizations: UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Council of Museums. As the sponsors, explain, “The Night of Museums aims to make museums more accessible to the general public and in particular to a new younger public... around a common festive and friendly event.”
The many exhibitions and collections people are invited to explore include ancient, modern and contemporary art, archaeology, decorative arts, photography, science and technology, anthropology, civil and military history, and rural and industrial heritage.
During the event, art lovers will be encouraged to explore museums in new ways via shows, events and lectures. But of course, simply wandering through the galleries in the middle of the night, soaking up centuries of great European painting and sculpture is perfectly acceptable too!
Whether you’re in Budapest, Copenhagen, Paris or Prague – or any one of the 42 countries participating on May 19th, don’t miss this magical night. And if you’re hoping to make it extra meaningful, arrange a tour with one of our local guides who specializes in art history to add more depth and context to your visit.
For more information, you can visit the event website: European Night of Museums. |
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| May 3, 2012 |
| What sort of packer are you? |
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| I’ve started to re-evaluate my packing style. The impetus for this is the realization that all those extremely cheap flights throughout Europe aren’t so cheap once you add on baggage fees. While travelers can bring a carry-on at no cost, the flight from Amsterdam to Copenhagen (and the two other routes I’ll be flying) will come close to doubling in price for travelers who want to check a bag. |
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So now I have a challenge: to manage in Europe for two weeks with a carry-on size bag.
European travel guru Rick Steves tells us: “The measure of a good traveler is how light she travels.” That might be over-stating things a bit, but there are clear benefits to packing light, which he takes pains to outline on the travel tips section of his website. Things like:
• Travelers enjoy more mobility and freedom with a smaller bag; getting to and from the airport/train station/hotel will be much easier.
• If you carry-on your own luggage, it’s far less likely to get lost, damaged or stolen.
• No more waiting around the luggage conveyer belt in a jet-lagged fog with similarly dazed-looking travelers! You can walk off the plane with carry-on in tow and hit the ground running.
Clearly, there are benefits to traveling this way that go above and beyond saving a few bucks on EasyJet.
But how to do it? In the past while packing, I’ve often thrown a few extra “just in case” items in my bag, but Rick says this is a big mistake - that we should be careful to pack only what we genuinely need.
Fortunately my trip is in the summer, so bulky coats, boots and sweaters will not be taking up precious space in my bag. Lightweight summer dresses and skirts can roll down to tiny sizes, as do leggings and flimsy cotton t-shirts. I’ll be sure to bring pieces that mix and match in multiple combinations. Instrumental to a lightweight plan is the fact that I will be staying in apartments with their own laundry facilities, so there’s no need to pack 14 changes of clothes.
I was stumped for a bit on how to bring back all the clothing I’m sure to buy while shopping with my sister in London, before I had a stroke of genius: I’ll stuff a flimsy, lightweight duffel into the side pocket of my little suitcase, pack my purchases in there and check it when I fly back to Vancouver (no charge to check bags with Air Transat!)
The only question left is whether I can fit my running gear into a carry-on. I’ve been running almost every day for the past few months, and love the idea of joining European joggers running around the Jardins Luxembourg or Vondelpark. I suppose nothing but a full-scale trial packing attempt will determine whether my trainers will fit or if I’ll have to find another way to burn off all the croissants!
What's your packing style? |
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| Apr 30, 2012 |
| Grizzly Adventures in Canada's North |
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| As the days grow longer and warmer, Canada’s North comes into its own as a tourist destination. When many travelers think of Canada, they imagine the whole country to be one great Northern wilderness, but for the majority of Canadians, who live in close proximity to their American neighbours to the South, anything north of the 49th parallel remains a mystery. |
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ToursByLocals is fortunate to have a wilderness guide in a Canadian region synonymous with outdoors adventure: Prince Rupert and the Khutzeymateen Inlet. If you look on a map, you’ll see Prince Rupert is half-way up the British Columbia coast on the way to Alaska, and indeed the port town is the last stopping point for Alaska-bound cruise ships. But Prince Rupert is much more than just a transportation hub. This northern city boasts a truly spectacular harbour, a wealth of aboriginal culture, and more outdoor adventure than most people could ever dream of.
Our local guide here is Greg, who grew up along BC’s north coast. For the past 25 years, Greg has been traveling to the Khutzeymateen area (about a half hour float plane ride from Prince Rupert) to observe the region’s grizzly bears in the wild. Khutzeymateen is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears on the British Columbia coast. The sanctuary has been established primarily to protect the grizzlies known to range the area, and human activity in the park is strictly controlled.
Greg can recognise particular sow bears and cubs and knows which ones are more comfortable being observed by humans. From a safe distance in a small boat, while eagles soar overhead, visitors on Greg’s Grizzly Bear tours can observe mother bears as they bring their cubs and yearlings to the beach to let them feed and play and teach them where to find food. If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime adventure amongst some of the planet's most splendid creatures, this is it!
Whether you’re a Canadian who has never ventured into the North, or a visitor hoping to access the splendor of our wilderness, you need to get in touch with get in touch with Greg. |
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