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10 Fun Facts About Hawaii
1) Hawaii has eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and the "Big Island" of Hawaii. 2) Hawaii is the most isolated population center on earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900...
Bali Shopping Fun
It is said that shopping is a serious hobby, might be. To some,
shopping sometime is considered a way to alleviate stress or
just a fun. In fact shopping is everyone's need, but Bali is a
place where one can examine or to practice one's...
Cruising The Dragon – China’s Yangtze River
Cruising The Dragon – China’s Yangtze River Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Read this entire feature FREE with photos at: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cruise02/china/yangtze/yangtze.html China is a...
Draaksbad Ranch in Lassen National Park
Draaksbad Ranch in Lassen National Park Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/cabinweb/drakesbad/drakesbad.html "There are no keys at Drakesbad," says Billie, our hostess, while...
Vacationers… Did you know?
(NC)—The long-awaited vacations of 1.3 million Canadians may be ruined every year by Travellers' Diarrhea, also referred to as Montezuma's Revenge. While rarely life threatening, Travellers' Diarrhea has a way of disrupting a perfectly planned...
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Thailand Post Tsunamis
It is the dawn of a new morning in the beautiful Andaman Beach
in Phuket. Vendors start arriving with their colourful goods;
resort workers conscientiously prepare the many lounge chairs
and umbrellas that will shield the noonday sun. The masseuses
are waiting near the trees, chatting as they wait for customers.
Life goes on for these Thais who depend on tourism for their
livelihood. Everything is as it has always been, except for one
important detail.
The tourists are nowhere to be found.
After the devastating tsunami that hit this once tourist-dense
area of Southeast Asia the day after Christmas in 2004, the
number of tourists in this picturesque Thai destination has gone
down to a mere handful. Just a year ago you would have seen an
almost frenzied horde of foreigners filling the beaches and the
resorts, but today the picture is less festive, and more sombre.
However, the resilience of the people of Thailand is evident
everywhere, especially where the tsunami's devastation hit the
strongest. They are picking up their lives, continuing to
perform their daily duties even though there is overwhelming
evidence that things have definitely changed.
Tourism in areas near the coast of Thailand is at an all-time
low. Resort operators are feeling the significant lack in
tourist arrivals. Most hotels can only book less than ten
percent of their capacity -despite cut-price rates and cheap
packages being offered to lure back the tourists. In their
frustration, operators now blame unfair media reporting that
focused solely on the tsunami, but failed to report how these
places have 'bounced
back'.
And the truth of the matter is, they're right. There really is
no reason now not to return. The areas that were most damaged by
the calamity is certainly back on its feet. The west coast of
Thailand (which bore the brunt of the tsunami) is bouncing back,
and the infrastructure is back in place. Just take a drive along
the western coast, and you'll be greeted by such striking
natural beauty, the same view that brought travelers here in the
first place. Pristine beaches like Kata Beach, which was spared
from the vicious waves, remains one of the most beautiful in the
area, the gorgeous Phi Phi island is as idyllic as ever, and
even the so-called 'James Bond Island ' off Phang Nga Province
is as lovely as it was before the tsunami. Travelling to and
from islands is back to normal, with boat transfers from the
mainland all fully operational.
If you want a taste of paradise minus the crowds, and at
extremely wallet-friendly prices, there has never been a better
time to visit the western coast of Thailand. All the amenities
and travel conveniences are in place. The cost of a great room
on the beach and a delicious meal is achingly low. Even the wily
street vendors are offering their goods at genuine bargain
prices. The wonderful scenery is undeniably back to its former
beauty, and the Thais are as hospitable as ever. A little
scarred perhaps, but there with a ready smile, and an infectious
optimism. No doubt about it, the crowds will be back sooner than
we think.
About the author:
Henry Vacher, Sticky-Rice.com - For Eating with your fingers!
www.Sticky-Rice.com
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