10: Catch a show

Ranging from the strange to the classic to the acrobatic, Thailand’s theaters are full of exotic shows and performances. Ever seen a live elephant outside of a circus? You will in Thailand!

9: Explore Old Phuket Town

What comes to mind when you imagine a Thailand marketplace? If you’re thinking of outdoor stalls, crowded streets, excited vendors and colorful purchases, then you’re imagining Old Phuket Town and its shopping district. From food to fashion, it’s a must-see for anyone with a few baht to spare.

8: Become a Muay Thai warrior

Muay Thai – also known as “art of eight limbs” – is a form of Thai martial arts that dates back centuries. Classes are available all over the country, so if you’re on holiday for awhile or even just a weekend, stop by and learn some real-world defense skills. You might not become Jackie Chan, but you’re guaranteed to get a work out!

7: Visit the landmarks

Interested in Thai history? Explore the 29 Buddhist temples of Phuket, including the famous (and gorgeous) Wat Chalong. Or maybe you’d prefer the Thalang National Museum, which hosts dozens of exhibits and priceless cultural artifacts.

6: Experience Bangla Road

Bangla Road is famous throughout Thailand for its clubs, cabarets, nightlife and after-hours entertainment. While not quite a red-light district, you’ll definitely want to leave the kids at the hotel!

5: Fill your belly

Real Thai food is nothing like your local buffet. Loosen your belt and enjoy – among other things – the wonders of kuay tiew (noodle soup), tom yam goong (herbs, flavors and fish) and nam phrik kung siap (spicy chili served with shrimp).

4: Take a tour

There are all kinds of guided adventures around Phuket, including bike tours, walking tours, sightseeing tours, etc. If you want to explore the country with the security of a group and the firsthand knowledge of a native, this is your best bet. For the daring, you can even book a cruise or travel by helicopter!

3: See the lights at the Two Heroines Monument

The Two Heroines Monument is dedicated to two ancient Thai women who held off an invasion by disguising themselves as male soldiers and refusing to surrender. Today, you can find their bravery immortalized in stone, marble and lights, and it’s always worth a picture or two.

2: Rent a tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks are a kind of three-wheeled taxi that dominate the streets of Phuket. More flexible than a bus and less expensive than rental cars, a tuk-tuk can give you the chance to experience authentic Thailand without breaking the bank. They’re fun to drive, too!

1: Surf, swim and shop at Patong Beach

Because you can’t say you’ve been here without hitting at least one beach. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, Patong Beach is the place to see and be seen. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!

For starters, if cash is lost, it’s almost certain to be gone forever. But if a backpacker loses a prepaid card, or it’s stolen, the card itself and the amount that was on it when it disappeared can be replaced, as long as the card has been used sensibly.

Some also offer free purchase protection, a valuable feature that can help customers to get their money back if the card is fraudulently used. It can also help get money back if the card’s used to buy airline, ferry or coach tickets and the company goes bust.

A prepaid card can help keep the traveller on budget, because the amount that the backpacker can sensibly afford to spend during the trip can be loaded onto it. He or she can then keep the money needed for essentials back home separate, so it can’t be spent by mistake.

But no matter how carefully a traveller budgets, if they get caught up in an emergency abroad (from a political uprising to volcanic ash grounding flights) it can become vital to have a way to get extra funds. That’s why it’s reassuring that a prepaid card can be topped up remotely using online banking, or over the phone.

What’s more, some also offer linked currency cards in other denominations, such as Euro and US Dollar. These can be conveniently topped up with a couple of clicks of a mouse from the GBP Account, whenever and wherever the backpacker has access to the internet. At the end of the break, any remaining money on the currency cards can be moved straight back into the GBP account, ready for use back in the UK. Or just left on the currency card ready for the next adventure.

Finally, acceptance for a prepaid card is guaranteed as long as the cardholder is 18 or over and (when not backpacking) lives in the UK, making this a great choice for pretty much anyone about to go on an adventure travelling around the world.

What is a Kilimanjaro Trek?

A Kilimanjaro trekking holiday will take you from the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania that is 5,895 meters above sea level. The trek is no easy feat, as Mt. Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. These treks are led by very experienced and well-trained guides. The length of a Kilimanjaro trek depends on the route and trekking company’s options. Most of the hikes take between five and eight days.

What are the Popular Routes?

There are three popular routes that trekking companies take. The Rongai Route is the most gradually ascending route. This route is along the northern side of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and it gives tourists a beautiful view of the Masai lands. Tourists have the opportunity to see buffalo and even elephants along the climb. The Marangu Route is a little more challenging, and tourists get to trek through various ecosystems. Trekkers along this route get to enjoy the luxuries of mountain huts. The most difficult of the three popular routes is the Machame Rout. This route is longer and steeper, but tourists get to see the Kibo Peak and a glacier.

Is Physical Fitness Required?

Anyone that wants to attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro should be physically fit and experienced with hiking. Anyone considering a Kilimanjaro trek should train by hiking with a weighted backpack as much as possible before attempting the trek. Endurance and strong leg muscles are key when attempting a trek of this caliber because trekkers typically hike for between four and fourteen hours each day. A trekking holiday will be much more enjoyable for tourists if they train for this experience of a lifetime.

What Do Trek Guides Provide?

Most importantly, Kilimanjaro guides provide professional experience in climbing and in wilderness medicine. Guides typically provide hearty meals three times a day along the route, water and camping equipment. Many trekking companies are able to rent any additional equipment that is required for the trip.

What are the Accommodations?

The accommodations depend on the route. The Rongai and Machame routes have no special accommodations, so trekkers must have tents and camping gear. The bathroom facilities are shared pit latrines. Hikers along the Marangu route get to stay in mountain huts, which have dining rooms and either flush toilets or pit latrines.

If a Kilimanjaro trek sounds appealing, check out the different trekking options available through the various trekking companies. Before deciding on a company, be sure to check out the company’s history and reputation. Make sure that the guides are trained, qualified and very experienced. Look for reviews online from individuals who have gone on Kilimanjaro treks with the company to see if the company provides an experience that fits your needs.

On an extensive hike across America, aboard the Greyhound bus and shacking up in hostels, I was on a tight budget. As a result, these four tips are all based around being kind to your wallet!

Free Food

Americans love their food, we all know this! Despite generous portions, and the relative good value of eating out in America, I was notching up a hefty weekly food bill. Nevertheless, the hostels soon stepped in to help me out with offers of Free Food. It’s a standard feature of hostels the world over that cooking facilities are provided, but I wasn’t coping too well with this for 2 reasons:

Firstly, due to the sheer number of things to do in America’s vast cities (and a certain level of laziness) I was none too keen to get back early every day to muscle in on the home cooking scene.

Secondly, I also found that as America generally doesn’t sell food items in small quantities it was quite expensive buying food from shops and then having to throw a lot away as I couldn’t carry it from one location to another.

Hence, the offer of free food at several locations along the route was much appreciated. This ranged from an epic weekly free BBQ in Brooklyn to daily breakfast, lunch and dinner in Miami!

Local Culture

Okay, we do already have a food section, but talking about local culture whilst using New Orleans as a reference point, then ignoring foody nights at hostels such as boiled crayfish night would be a crime. When hostels offer cuisine that taps into the local culture it usually isn’t as budget as the free food options some hostels have, so it also isn’t usually free (yet another reason for not being in the free food section!).

Aside from food, hostels in the States are great at tapping into the local culture by virtue of their locations and discounts. The hostel I stayed at in New Orleans was located plum on Canal street, therefore offering access to the historical tram line and it had some great bohemian décor. These back street addresses may sometimes be away from the glitzy and glamorous city locales, but they are often nestled in the cheaper, livelier and more culture orientated addresses.

Great Nights Out

Nights out in America can be expensive or difficult to select without any local knowledge. The cities are vast and therefore can be costly to get across or home from on nights out. The hostels tap into these identified areas of difficulty, and can escort you to the best night haunts whilst often negotiating great discounts. They achieve this by going to clubs on certain nights out and generating a large lively crowd that clubs find appealing.

This can give you access to clubs in the States that normally charge hefty entrance fees, and queue jumping can occur in parts of America which makes it often impossible to get into the best clubs despite how deep your pockets are. If you aren’t a ‘somebody’ or one of their tag-alongs then you can forget getting into your club of choice without the help of the hostel. On one of the hostel nights out in San Diego, we went to the club early to get a cheap stamp, then back to the hostel to return later so we could get in free. This also turned out to be one of the flash roof top bars in the city, which resulted in a stunning night! Therefore, local knowledge and strategies like these can really come in handy.

In House Entertainment

By bus America took exceedingly long to get across. This often resulted in some overnight journeys or very early leaving times to fit in with the Greyhound schedule. My ability to power through on travel passion alone waned somewhat after the East coast, so a couple of nights in did start to feature. The hostels in the states really came through here, as the American love of a good time really shone through in what the hostel workers (many were Americans, unlike other countries) were prepared and capable of hosting.

Karaoke was a regular feature in San Francisco which is always right up some people’s street. Movie nights (in the case of San Fran they had an actual cinema room) can give you some welcome time with the TV screen and a quieter alternative. If your party spirit is still burning bright then you will love the regular cheap stay-in and-party nights that hostels throughout the States host as well.

America really did deliver when it came to hosteling. A lot of this is likely due to the competitive hostel scene in the most popular locations, but the well organised approach and variety of services and features on offer was prevalent throughout my trip. Coast to coast, wherever you travel in the States, the hostel scene will enhance the amazing travel experiences to be had here.

Author Bio – Matthew has recently completed an extensive round the world trip. He now blogs about his travels in 2011 whilst planning his Flights to Australia to explore the West Coast in 2012.

Moving To Australia

1. You will have to pay both sales and custom taxes for anything you bring over the AU$ 400 worth of personal items.

2. Get an inspection certificate for your pets and attach a microchip to your pet’s collar before flying to Australia.

3. Get a list of Australian national holidays and avoid initiating shipping, moving or transactions on these days.

4. Contact the Australian Housing Department  for emergency housing assistance if you’re unable to find a place to say.

5. Call Job Services Australia at 13 6268 for help locating a suitable job if you’re not able to locate one by  yourself.

6. You can carry cash when to move to Australia; even though you have to declare it, you won’t be taxed at customs.

7. Full time wages in Australia average around A$68,791; average wages differ for men and women in Australia so be sure to check.

8. The percentage of income tax you pay depends on your earnings. For the average earning of A$68,791, 30% IT is levied.

9. The average price of a home in Australia varies depending on the region; a home that costs A$387,000 in Adelaide will cost you A$550,000 in Sydney.

Living In Australia

10. Enroll in Medicare a week after you arrive in Australia for the documents you need to carry and other relevant info.

11. If you open a bank account within 30 days, your driver’s license, passport and visa will be sufficient documentation. If you delay, you will be asked to provide TFN and proof of address as well.

12. Register with Centrelink to avail of a range of social security services. You can get help with cultural adjustments, looking for work and so on, along with social security payments.

13. Contact the Health Undertaking Service at 1800 811 334 to know where you can get your medical checkups and followups done.

14. Obtain a driver’s license before your first three months are over; your home country’s driver’s license is not valid after this period. Note that in Tasmania and Western Australia, you can drive with your home country’s license till 3 months after you get your permanent residency visa.

15. The Australian emergency number is 000 for the Fire Brigade, the Police and Ambulatory services.

16. Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to avail settlement services. These services are designed to help to facilitate your migration.

17. Sign rental leases for short periods only; if you break the agreement, you will have to pay damages to landlord.

18. Make sure your landlord lodges your rental deposit with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. This is for your security.

19. Check with your bank if you’re eligible for the ‘First Home Owner Grant’ from the government when you’re ready to buy a home.

20. If you’re unable to support your kids with your job, contact the Family Assistance Office (13 6150) for Child Care Benefit and Maternity Immunization Allowance.

21. If your income is low, find out from Centrelink if you’re eligible for concessions to key services.

Working In Australia

22. Apply for your Tax File Number (TFN) before you start working in Australia, from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.

23. You need to work for two years on a permanent visa to claim government benefits other than Medicare support and family tax benefits.

24. If you are an international employee on a temporary working visa in Australia, you can claim a fringe benefit tax from the ATO through your employer.

25. To become eligible for the government’s Age Pension, you must work in Australia on a permanent residentship for 10 years.

26. If your home country has a social-security agreement with Australia, you can avail government benefits and state pension from them for the time you work in Australia.

27. Employers are required to deposit 9% of your income into your superannuation fund. If you plan to work temporarily, you can claim the fund after you leave Australia.

28. Get your skilled trade qualifications recognized by Trades Recognition Australia (1300 360 992) to make job hunting easier

29. To check if your existing qualifications are valid in Australia, contact the National Australian Skills Recognition Information

30. Contact the National Child Care Information Services (1800 670 305) if you need help with child care and babysitting assistance.

Teena writes for extreme gift idea company Adrenaline. If you’re an adrenaline junkie who are looking for some thrilling gifts for men and women then do visit their website. They offer more than 2000 adventure experiences all across World.

• The French are well known for eating frog’s legs, snails and horsemeat
• Conversely, the French nickname for Brits is ‘roast beef’
• The Sweedish furniture shop, Ikea, is perhaps best known for serving up the country’s national dish of meatballs

These are just a few examples, but almost every country has a self-proclaimed ‘national dish’, and somewhere hundreds of miles away on the other world, there will be a restaurant specialising in that cuisine, introducing residents to a new experience and making tourists feel at home.

Of course there some national dishes that are not so much celebrated as lambasted and sometimes even protested against. What seems natural in one country may be considered revolting by another, here are some examples of popular national dishes that somewhat unusual to the rest of the world;

Guinea Pig – Peru

Central America is responsible for introducing many delicious foods to the world, many of which are only just gaining popularity for their reputed health benefits (Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes, Cheviche), this makes it all the more strange that this Peruvian staple is so far removed from the global food hegemony; Guinea Pig, or ‘Cuy’ is traditionally served fried whole with French fries.

Horse – China

For Brits, the French are synonymous with the production and consumption of Horse meat, but the truth is, equine entrails are popular all over the world, with China, Russia and Mexico being the biggest consumers; while France and Italy make up the majority of the European market. Horse meat, apparently sweet and tender, is considered a taboo in most English speaking countries due to horse’s status as pets.

Chicken Embryos – Cambodia

Chicken is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world, but not in the form which is considered a delicacy in Vietnam and various other south-east Asian countries. The common name for this delicacy is ‘Balut’ and is, more accurately a fertilized egg containing a part-formed chick boiled in the egg shell and eaten warm with some garnish.

Dog – Korea

Perhaps most alien to Western pallets would be dog meat. Dogs are a domesticated pet in many countries and their harvesting for food is seen as inappropriate in such cultures. The consumption of dog meat however is perfectly normal in much of Asia, served in a variety of ways like any beef, pork or chicken dish. In Europe the U.S and the Middle East, reasons for not eating dog meat are numerous, from it being a cultural taboo, to faiths such as Judaism and Islam considering dogs to be ‘unclean’.

Shark – Australia

Most of us see Sharks as a predator, and often envisage them, eating us rather than the other way round, but for Pacific nations, Shark, particularly Shark fin, is a real delicacy. Shark fin soup is hugely popular in Japan, while in Australia, Shark is served battered with chips, UK-style.

Of course, labelling foreign cuisine as ‘odd’ is subjective and as much as one recoils in disgust at the prospect of eating what is, in their culture at least, a household pet, or an animal considered as vermin, sampling the local delicacy  is all part and parcel of experiencing new cultures and assimilating with locals.

Joe is a travel blogger and food lover, he’s tried a couple of things on this list, but you won’t find him going anywhere near Balut! Joe is looking forward to sampling some local dishes when he goes on his Dubai holidays. You can follow Joe’s exploits on Total Travel Blogs.

Can you remember how you felt when you first visited Thailand?

I have travelled to Thailand many times now and even lived there for a year, so you can bet your last dollar on saying I loved it.  My first time travelling to Thailand left me wanting more.  It was a really fun and exciting adventure and out of all the countries I visited, I wanted to return to Thailand the most. Thailand is busy, chaotic, fun, exciting and at a glance free.

What do you mean by free?

Free from regulation.  When you first visit Thailand it seems like you are free to do what you please and rules and regulations are easily broken or changed.   For example alcohol isn’t supposed to be sold on the Kings or Queens birthdays but it isn’t uncommon to find people continuing to sell beer but serving them in coffee cups to disguise it.  I also found myself in the middle of a great big fireworks display at a busy junction in Bangkok with a total disregard for safety; thousands of people crowding around standing no further than 5 meters away.  I found myself being hit by pieces of paper and sticks from fireworks and was unable to see them from the smoke, something of which would never happen in the UK as health and safety officials would condemn such an event.  Whilst such disregard of safety is dangerous, it can also be liberating and fun and that is how I felt being in Thailand for the first time, liberated from regulation.

Did your feelings change towards Thailand the more times you visited?

Though I still love Thailand, I love Thailand for different reasons from when I first visited.  My love for the food and love for the people I befriended has grown which are now the main reasons I like to return.  Ironically the things I first liked about Thailand are some of the things I like least about it now.  I learned why having some of the rules and regulations in place can be beneficial and having order in place can help you travel more safely and confidently.

What do you like most about Thailand?

Besides from my friends and the people, whom are typically polite and friendly, I have to say the food.  My palette has changed and I now love most things spicy and fish sauce now smells nice but to most other people doesn’t.  That is because I associate the smell with nice food as it is added to or given as a side condiment to most dishes served in Thailand.

Where do you recommend visiting?

My favourite place is Krabi in the south of Thailand.  I don’t much like the Islands if I am truthful so I stay away from them, but I am not your typical traveller.  I like Krabi as it is quieter and laid back with fewer tourists.  I don’t like travelling to places where you find everywhere is catering to tourists and many of the Islands in my opinion do.  Krabi is less like that, so that is why I like to visit there.

What advice would you give someone travelling to Thailand for the first time?

Travel as many places as you can and don’t stick to the typical tourists haunts; they won’t give you a true flavour of what Thailand is about. Embrace street food and try speaking a little Thai.  Phrases such as “hello”, “thank you”, “How much?”, “That is a little expensive”, “where are the toilets” will go a long way.  Don’t talk about politics or say negative things about the Monarchy.  Lastly just enjoy yourself and don’t expect everything to be the same as back home.

http://blog.netflights.com/2011/12/09/visiting-the-terracotta-army-in-china/