St. Tropez

International tourist mecca, St. Tropez's mythical tame has played a largepart in the renown of the whole Côte d' Azur.

In St. Tropez everything is famous :

- Beaches : Bouillabaisse Beach, Caneliers Beach, Salins Beach; there are at least 40 on the peninsula.

- There is the Place des Lices where movie stars and local stars get togettier to play a game of boules or sip Pastis under the plane trees.

Everybody, of course, wears their leather Tropéziennes sandals !

St. Tropez became "St. Trop" when the show business people, artists and writers all fell under the spell of this charming little port in the 1950's.

In the summer one could bump into Picasso, Francoise Sagan, Jacques Prévert and many others, With the arrival of Brigitte Bardot in the 6O's the myth was installed for good. Since then St. Tropez has become the in vacation spot for chic Parisians and the international Jet Set.

People watching is a favorite sport here in the summer, Visitors like to sit at the outdoor cafés hoping either to be seen or to see some one else. Competition is rife. Huge yachts line up in the port rivaling to see which is the biggest, the prettiest, the best kept, or has the snappiest crew .

Only beautiful people hop on board. It is quite a spectacle for the casual visitor !...

St. Tropez's true nature can really only be appreciated in the off months.

If you have the choice come here in May, June or September, without the crowds one can take the time to admire the charming little streets and alleys.

Early in the morning at the Place aux Herbes one can find fruit vegetables and flowers and watch the local fishermen selling their new catch.

This is also the neighborhood of the famous brasseries Le Gorille and Sénéquier.

A typical Provengal market is held every Tuesday and Saturday morning in the Place des Lices.
Religious and festive processions called "Bravades" are lively celebrations which begin in May and continue until the 15th of June.

Maldives

The Maldives (Dhivehi: Dhivehi Raajje) [1] are an archipelago of 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 coral atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts) in the Indi

History

Formerly a Sultanate under Dutch and English protection, the Maldives are now a republic. Allegations of corruption continue to plague the regime of President Gayoom, as do reports of political dissidents being exiled. None of this appears to bother tourists, however, who are attracted to the warm Indian Ocean waters.

The Tsunami of 26 December 2004 caused extensive damage to the Maldives - of a population of only 290,000, over a third was directly affected by the tsunami and more than 29,000 people were left homeless. The economic damage alone was over 62% of the GDP or US$470 million.

Some islands, including Thaa atoll Vilufushi, felt the brunt of the wave, and residents on the island are now living in temporary shelters on the island of Buruni in the same atoll. More than a year later, there are in excess of 11,000 people in temporary shelters across the country. It was a brutal shock to the small island state which is so vulnerable to environmental disasters and global warming.

Economy

Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Almost 400,000 tourists visited the islands in 1998. Fishing is a second leading sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level.

Culture

Maldivians are almost entirely Sunni Muslim, and the local culture is a mixture of South Indian, Sinhalese and Arab influences. While alcohol, pork, dogs and public observance of non-Muslim religions are banned on the inhabited islands, the resort islands are allowed to exist in a bubble where anything goes.

Note that the weekend in the Maldives runs from Friday to Saturday, during which banks, government offices and many shops are closed. You won't notice this at the resorts though, except that lunch hours may be shifted for Friday prayers.

Climate

The Maldives are tropical, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year. However, rainfall increases considerably during the April-October southwest monsoon, particularly from June to August.

Get in

The Maldives have a remarkably easy visa policy: everybody gets a free 30-day visa on arrival, provided that they have a valid travel document, a ticket out and proof of sufficient funds, defined as either a confirmed reservation in any resort or US$100 + $50/day in cash. This can be extended up to 90 days at Male, but you'll need to indicate where you're staying for that long. See the Department of Immigration and Emigration website [2] for details.

Importing alcohol, pork or pornography (very broadly defined) into the Maldives is forbidden and all luggage is X-rayed on arrival. On the way out, note that exporting sand or seashells is also forbidden.

By plane

Practically all visitors arrive at Malé International Airport (IATA: MLE, ICAO: VRMM), located on Hulhulé Island right next to the capital Male. The airport is served by a wide array of flights to India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and major airports in South-East Asia, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe. Many flights stop in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on the way.

Gan Airport (IATA: GAN, ICAO: VRMG), on the southern atoll of Addu, is scheduled to start receiving international flights in November 2007.

Departure taxes are included in your ticket.

By boat

There are no regular passenger boats to the Maldives. Even yachts usually steer clear, as navigating around the reefs is hazardous and permits are expensive.

Get around

Getting around in the Maldives takes two forms: boats', sea planes (air taxis) and private yachts which are arranged by resorts. The boats being the Maldivian equivalent of a car and the planes and private yatchs mainly reserved for tourists.

Air taxis and boats prefer not to operate at night, so if you arrive at the airport after dark and are going to a distant resort, you may have to spend the night in Male or at the airport hotel in Hulhule. Private transfers though expensive can be opted for resort transfers instead of spending the whole night at Male. Private transfers could cost anywhere between 500-800 USD. On the way back, there may also be a significant gap between the time your transfer arrives and your flight departure. Check with your resort or travel agent.

Independent travel to inhabited islands other than Male requires an Inter Atoll Travel Permit from the Ministry of Atolls [3], and receiving one requires Rf.10, a copy of your passport and — the hard part — an invitation from a resident of the island you wish to visit. Permits are not necessary for the organized island-hopping tours arranged by resorts and liveaboards.

By plane

No point in the Maldives is more than 45 minutes away by plane from Male, and visitors to the more far-flung resorts use air taxi services. There are two main operators: Maldivian Air Taxi, with red and white planes, and Trans Maldivian Airways, with yellow and blue planes. The services are largely identical, with both flying DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplanes that take around 10 passengers.

Scheduled inter-island services are provided by Island Aviation [4], which flies from Male to Gan, Hanimaadhoo, Kaadeddhoo and Kaddhoo. Travel permits are required.

By boat

The taxi boats generally take tourists to and from the islands in the North and South Male atolls. They come in all different shapes and sizes depending on the quality of the resort you stay in — the Four Seasons has a large enclosed motor cruiser with drinks and food, while the lesser resorts have open sided dhoni fishing boats.

To DO

Aside from making the water bungalow rock on your honeymoon, the primary activity on the Maldives is scuba diving. The atolls are all coral reefs hundreds of kilometers away from any major landmass, meaning that water clarity is excellent and underwater life is abundant. Manta rays, sharks, even a few wrecks, you name it, you can find it in the Maldives.

While diving is very good by world standards even in the immediate vicinity of Male, visibility and the chance of encountering large pelagics increases as you head to the outer atolls. Many divers opt for liveaboards, which can actually work out much cheaper than paying high resort fees. Currents vary considerably, with generally little inside the atolls but some powerful streams to be found on the sides facing the open sea. Water in the Maldives is warm throughout the year and a 3mm shorty or Lycra diveskin is plenty. Decompression chambers can be found on Bandos in Kaafu (15 min from Male) and at Kuramathi on Alifu.

The one downside to diving in the Maldives is that it's quite expensive by Asian standards. Prices vary considerably from resort to resort, with specialist dive resorts offering better prices, but in general, you'll be looking at around US$50 for a single boat dive with your own gear and closer to US$75 without. Beware of surcharges: you may be charged extra for boat use, guided dives, larger tanks, etc. On the upside, safety standards are usually very high, with well-maintained gear and strict adherence to protocol (check dives, maximum depth, computer use, etc) being the rule rather than the exception.

Eat

All the resorts are self contained so they have at least one restaurant, which generally serve the type of cuisine expected by their guests. ( i.e. modern European or generic Asian). Breakfast is almost always included, and most resorts offer the option of half-board, which means you get a dinner buffet, and full board, which means you get a lunch and dinner buffet. These can limit the damage compared to ordering a la carte, but your options are typically very limited and drinks are often not covered, not necessarily even water. If you're planning on drinking a lot, it may be worthwhile to go all inclusive, but even this typically restricts you to house drinks.

The only other place to find food is Male. This comes in two forms. Either small restaurants aimed at the tourists (of which there are a couple of nice Thai restaurants), which are often expensive, or small cafes called hotaa, selling local Maldivian food at prices as low as Rf.20 for a complete meal.

Maldivian cuisine

Maldivian food revolves largely around fish (mas), in particular tuna (kandu mas), and draws heavily from the Sri Lankan and south Indian tradition, especially Kerala. Dishes are often hot, spicy and flavored with coconut, but use very few vegetables. A traditional meal consists of rice, a clear fish broth called garudhiya and side dishes of lime, chili and onions. Curries known as riha are also popular and the rice is often supplemented with roshi, unleavened bread akin to Indian roti, and papadhu, the Maldivian version of crispy Indian poppadums. Some other common dishes include:

• mas huni — shredded smoked fish with grated coconuts and onions, the most common Maldivian breakfast
• fihunu mas — barbequed fish basted with chili
• bambukeylu hiti — breadfruit curry

Snacks called hedhikaa, almost invariably fish-based and deep-fried, can be found in any Maldivian restaurant.

• bajiya — pastry stuffed with fish, coconut and onions
• gulha — pastry balls stuffed with smoked fish
• keemia — deep-fried fish rolls
• kulhi borkibaa — spicy fish cake
• masroshi — mas huni wrapped in roshi bread and baked
• theluli mas — fried fish with chili and garlic

Drink

As the Maldives are fairly strongly Muslim, alcohol is banned for the local population. However, nearly all resorts and liveaboard boats are licensed to serve it, usually with a steep markup. Expatriate residents have an allowance that they can buy in Male.

Maldivians generally do not drink alcohol although this is less true of the younger generation. They are, however, unhappy about being filmed or photographed while drinking.

Tap water in resorts may or may not be drinkable -- check with management. Bottled water is extortionately priced, with US$5/bottle being typical.

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Under US$100
Mid-range	US$100-300
Splurge	Over $300

Aside from the capital Male, there are no hotels in the Maldives, only resorts. Most resorts take up their own island (1500x1500m to 250x250m), meaning that the ratio of beach to guests must be one of the best in the world and it is hard to imagine that you would ever have to struggle to find your own private piece of beach to relax on. Many have a "no shoes" policy and with such soft sands it is easy to love this idea.

The range and themes or the resorts is impressive, and most people will find one they like. Broadly speaking, however, they can be grouped into three brackets:

• Dive resorts, designed primarily for divers. Geared expressly for people who want to spend most of their time underwater, facilities on land are limited, but the house reef is usually excellent. Often found in the more far-flung parts of the archipelago.
• Holiday resorts, designed primarily for families. These are large and have a full complement of facilities (multiple restaurants, day-care centers, etc), but don't have over-the-top luxury and have less privacy. Most of these are located on Kaafu, with easy access from Male.
• Luxury resorts, designed primarily for honeymooners and the jet set. The place to be if you want designer furniture, gourmet food and a plasma TV in an overwater villa reachable only by rowboat, and are willing to pay top dollar for the privilege.

A Maldivian classic is the overwater bungalow, built on stilts directly above a lagoon. While these look fabulous and sound appealing, they have their downsides:

• They're usually packed tightly together (often sharing a wall), meaning little privacy.
• Especially at low tide, the water level may be too low to allow swimming or snorkeling.
• Resort facilities may be a fair distance from the bungalows.
• The lapping of waves is romantic enough on a calm day, but can make it next to impossible to sleep if a storm blows through.

These factors vary from resort to resort, so research carefully. A good one is definitely worth trying at least once, but many Maldives repeaters prefer a bungalow with a private beach.

When considering where to go, factor in transport time and costs from the airport: the more far-flung resorts generally require an expensive seaplane transfer and you may have to stay overnight at the airport on the way. On the upside, the further away you are from Male, the more peaceful the islands and the better the diving.

Many resorts, especially the smaller dive-oriented ones, cater largely to a single nationality, leading to "Italian" resorts, "Dutch" resorts, "German" resorts, etc. While almost all welcome any nationality and have some English-speaking staff on hand, you may be cut off from any evening entertainment and have problems eg. diving if you don't speak the local lingo.

Stay safe

There is very little crime in the Maldives as the tourists generally stay in the resorts since there is not much to do outside. This means that you can feel safe on your own at all times. Generally Maldivians are honest, helpful and welcoming people although you are unlikely to come into much contact with them in resorts.

There is a growing drug problem among the local population and hence petty crime to support this has arisen.

Street rioting and battles by anti-Government protesters in Male in August 2005 (armoured cars were deployed on the streets and a curfew enforced) have ended but political tension is still high and violence can erupt at any time. Visitors staying in Male' need to be careful after dark.

Take the usual precautions such as not leaving money and valuables lying around. Remember that $50 that you were going to use in the bar that night represents 10 days' wages for the cleaners etc.

There are no drugs anywhere in the resorts and most Maldivians rarely come into contact with anything more than an occasional beer that has been smuggled out of a resort. All this is a great help in creating the Paradise feel to the country.

Helpful Links:

http://www.visitmaldives.com/
http://www.mymaldives.com/travel/resorts.php
http://www.maldivesinfo.gov.mv/home/index.php
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/160/country_guide/Indian-Subcontinent/Maldives.html

Phuket, Thailand

Phuket (ภูเก็ต),[1] pronounced "Poo-get", is Thailand's largest island and also its second smallest province. It is 48 km in length, 21 km at its widest, and is located in Southern Thailand, on the west-facing Andaman Sea coastline, suspended from the southern tip of Phang Nga Province by a pair of short but substantial road bridges.

Phuket Town is the administrative centre of Phuket Province, and the island's main population centre.

Phuket enjoys great popularity as a travel destination. Most beaches are on the west coast, with Phuket Town to the south-east and the airport in the north.

2004 tsunami

The west coast of Phuket was hit severely by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, but almost no evidence of the damage now remains.

Climate

Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year. The high season is generally considered to be from November to May. During the summer monsoon season, mornings and afternoons are still sunny and clear, but it tends to rain in the evenings and water clarity goes down. Locals consider May to October the "cool" season, and the weather is quite tolerable, much more so than in the tourism centers around the Gulf coast. It's comparable to Florida's summer weather in temperature and intensity of rain storms: 25-33 deg C, flying clouds, short and thunderous rainfalls in the afternoons and evenings. Surfing is possible off the western beaches.

Festivals

• Phuket Vegetarian Festival - an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coals and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song".

Phuket is one of Thailand's premier tourist destinations and (basic) English is very widely spoken, especially in the beach areas. That said, even a little Thai will draw smiles and can be useful in the less touristed areas of Phuket Town.

Beaches

Particularly in the monsoon season, there are strong currents on many of the beaches and drownings are a depressingly common occurrence. Heed the warning flags on popular beaches and play it safe if off the beaten track. It is important to note that, while many tourists who flock to the beaches of Phuket are European, nudity is viewed as highly offensive to Thais. It is very rude to go topless to beaches. Thais are generally non-confrontational, but it is always best to be respectful while treading on another's home country.

The major beaches from north to south are:

• Bang Tao - long, very quiet beach
• Surin Beach - an up-and-coming destination
• Laem Singh Beach - small bay with stunning views, between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach
• Kamala Beach - a quieter beach to the north of Patong
• Patong Beach - the largest beach resort, known for its nightlife
• Karon Beach - a quieter beach to the south of Patong
• Kata Yai Beach - busy, clean tourist beach with good surf
• Kata Noi Beach - quieter sister of Kata Yai
• Ao Chalong - home to Phuket's most popular yacht anchorage
• Rawai Beach - set off point for lots of local islands, popular with locals for eating on the beach

Get in

The island has an international airport and is also directly connected to the mainland by a bridge, so it's possible to arrive by air, road, or sea.

By plane

There are very frequent flights to/from Bangkok as well as direct flights to many other airports in the region, including Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and direct charters to Europe and Australia in the high season.

Airport

The compact Phuket International Airport (IATA: HKT) (ICAO: VTSP) is located in the north of the island, and is Thailand's second largest hub.

International departure tax is 700 baht payable in cash (there are several ATMs at the airport). Departure tax for domestic flights is included in the ticket.

Airport transfers

• Limousine (blue) taxis from the airport are expensive, costing 500-600 baht to Patong Beach or Phuket Town

• Metered (yellow) taxis (available outside the car park gates) cost 300+ baht

• Minibus services (basically door-to-door share taxis) charge 100-200 baht per seat. One realworld example is from airport to Chalong to 6 persons was 1100 baht and there was not possibility to lower it easily.

• Airport shuttle bus service (6:30-20:30, every 30 minutes) to Phuket Town bus station costs 52 baht; local buses run from there to all the major beaches until around 18:00

Domestic flights

Several domestic discount airlines fly here, including Air Asia and Nok Air - tickets from Bangkok can cost under 1000 baht one-way if booked well in advance, or around 2000 baht (including taxes) if bought on the day. Air Asia would be the best deal if you are flying from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket. Bookings can be made online and checking in etc. procedure is really without any hassles. Don't expect too see much of a service on the plane but it's good enough for the price paid.

Bangkok Airways has a monopoly on direct flights between Phuket and U-Tapao (Pattaya / Sattahip) and Ko Samui.

Destination Air Shuttle offers direct seaplane transfers (some of which operate seasonally) between Phuket and Ko Lanta, Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, Ranong, Trang, the Similan Islands, and other popular Andaman coast destinations.

International flights

• Malaysia - AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines have direct flights from/to Kuala Lumpur. Also, FireFly, a new Malaysia-based low-cost airline, has flights from its Penang hub to and from Phuket.

• Singapore - Silk Air has 32 flights a week. Low cost alternatives are AirAsia, Jetstar Asia Airways, and Tiger Airways.

Other low cost direct connections include Hong Kong, Jakarta, Macao, and Seoul.

By train

The nearest train station is about 5 hours away, at Surat Thani, so a few local people and tourist travel to Phuket by train.

By bus

Buses to mainland destinations including Bangkok, Chumphon, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Satun, Sungai Kolok and Surat Thani use the BKS terminal off Thanon Phang Nga in Phuket Town.

The most reliable buses from Bangkok are those from the Southern (Sai Tai Mai) Bus Terminal. There are 2 private bus companies, Phuket Travel Tour and Phuket Central Tour and the government firm, Transport Co,Ltd. Khao San Road operations have a bad reputation for theft, often turn out to include a "surprise" transfer to a minibus at Surat Thani, and are best avoided.

From Phuket bus terminal to your final destination, you can take a motorcycle taxi, tuk-tuk, meter-taxi, or bus. A motorcycle taxi into Phuket Town will be about 10-20 baht; to most beaches 100-200 baht (negotiable). A local bus to one of the main beaches will cost around 15-30 baht. It's not unusual for the tuk-tuk drivers at the bus terminal to tell arriving travellers that the local bus service has finished, even though it hasn't.

By boat

Ferry services connect from Rassada Port in Phuket Town to Ko Phi Phi and on to Krabi on the mainland twice a day, taking 90 minutes and costing 350/650 baht one-way/return, for each leg. It's usually a pleasant ride, but can be rather bumpy when it's windy.

There are also boats to Ko Racha (2 hours), the Similan Islands (9+ hours) and other islands in the high season only. Boats and yachts can be chartered at Chalong Pier, the Boot Lagoon and the Yacht Haven.

It's possible to visit Phuket by cruise ship. For cruises from Singapore, try Star Cruises.

Get around

Phuket is a large island and you need some form of transport to get around.

By bus

From Phuket Town there are frequent bus services to the other part of the island such as Patong Beach, Kata-Karon beach, Chalong Bay, Rawai-Naihan beach, Seaport-Aquarium, Mai Khaw beach, Surin-Kammala beach. The fare is 15-30 baht up on distance, by both full-size buses and by songthaews. Most operate from the central market (Talad Sod or Ban San); those to major beaches go via Phuket Town bus terminal. There are no set stops - they pick up and drop off as requested. Most local bus services stop at around 18:00.

By taxi

Phuket has two types of taxi - millions (or so it seems) of small songthaew-style minivans (usually bright red, occasionally bright yellow) called Tuk Tuks, and a much smaller number of conventional sedan-style taxis (yellow and red, with a "TAXI-METER" sign on top).

The minivans are universally referred to as tuk-tuks (even though they have four wheels, not three). They have no meter, and their drivers are notoriously mercenary, so always agree a price beforehand and do bargain hard. Short hops around town shouldn't cost more than 40 baht, but good luck getting from Patong to Phuket Town for under 200 baht.

For longer distances the metered taxis are generally a better bet, so do your bit to break the iron grip of the minitaxi mafia and patronize them if you can. You can hail one by telephone on 076-232157.

There are also motorbike taxis. While you should never hop on the back of just anyone's motorbike, motorbike taxi drivers wear bright numbered vests and are usually the cheapest way to go. However, it is important to note that these are slightly more dangerous than a Tuk Tuk, for obvious reasons, and are not comfortable for long trips. However, if you just need to get around town, they are a great way to go.

By car or bike

More than 10,000 people are injured and over 250 killed every year in road accidents in Phuket. Nine out of ten accidents involve motorbikes. Major risk factors are driving at night, and drunk-driving mostly by foreigners and that no one wears a helmet.

Renting a car or motorbike to explore the island on your own is a cost-effective way of getting off the beaten track. However, given the driving habits of most locals and the resulting carnage on Phuket's roads every year, the risks do demand careful consideration. Driving habits are Thai style ignoring all the rules and keeping going at all costs, not much worse than Naples, but like there it keeps traffic moving. Traffic lights have just made things worse in the last few years.

Motorcycle and scooter rentals start at around 150 baht/day, coming down to 100 baht/day for rentals of a week or more. There is a crash helmet requirement but no one wears one. A family of four (with two toddlers) on a bike will only share one helmet that the father wears but does not close it. You are hardly see police but supposedly Phuket police conducts spot checks at which a driving licence must be produced. Don't bother with an international licence. The current on-the-spot fine for not carrying a licence is 300 baht and then you continue ...

Renting a car usually costs between 800-1000 baht if you want to go for an ecomonical one like a toyota vios or a jeep. Several rental companies are located in and around airport. Avis is located within the airport while Hertz, National and sixt are located walkable distance outside the airport (across the road). Bookings can be made online for these. More options would be local car rentals like Sutin Car Rentals, airportrental, phuketcarrental. Rates are a little better without any other hassles. Driving around isn't that bad if you stay in and around the highways. No parking problems as such. The main highway Rt. 402 streches across phuket and connects all the major beaches like Patang, Surin, Mai Kao and the sunset point.

Driving in Phuket can be a little crazy compared to most western nations, and congestion is limited to Phuket Town and the main stretches of Patong Beach. Drive very defensively at first and watch what the locals do. Of course, it helps if you are accustomed to driving on the left side of the road, which in itself could be enough to detract some North American or European drivers. Also be careful to check the level of insurance on a hire car, many local companies say they have 'full' insurance when in fact it is only a very basic level. Braun car rentals, Phuket, Pure and Via Car Rentals are reputable.

See

Phuket might not have the historical sites that Bangkok and Chiang Mai have, but it does have a few. Most visitors spend their time at the beaches and in the bars.

• Phuket Town retains some interesting examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture, which reflect the town's past as an important trading post.
• Wat Chalong is a beautiful Buddhist temple located on the southern end of the island.
• The most heavily-hyped attraction is the Phuket Fantasea show at Kamala Beach, a self-proclaimed "cultural theme park", but comparisons to Disneyland are exaggerated at best.

Do

Elephant riding

This is a good way to support the remaining domesticated elephants of Thailand and their mahout, is fairly cheap, and can be an interesting new experience. The elephants are well trained, and you can tip the mahout by giving the money to the elephant who will hand it to the mahout with its trunk.

Animal sanctuary

Visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project by the beautiful Bang Pae waterfall. They have a visitor centre manned by Western volunteers and English speaking Thai staff who will talk to you about the project. Talks are free, but please support the project by buying a souvenir, sponsoring a gibbon or giving a donation. Don't have your photo taken with a captive gibbon in Phuket or on the beaches.

• Gibbon rehabilitation Project

Golf - see also: Golf in Thailand - Phuket section and Golf

The golf courses of Phuket are of international standard. Each one has its own particular challenges and scenic splendour that only Phuket can offer. Discount green fee are available by booking through Phuket golf booking agencies.

• Blue Canyon Country Club
• Laguna Phuket Golf Club
• Loch Palm Golf club Phuket
• Mission Hills Phuket Resort and spa
• Phuket Country Club
• Phuket Golf Courses Reservations
• Thai Muang Beach Golf and Marina

Muay Thai training (Thai kick-boxing):

• Suwit Muay Thai Boxing Camp
• Chalong Chi Muay Thai and M.M.A. Training Camp

Experience the sensese of Thai Spa:

• Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness

Watersports

Scuba diving, yachting, jet-skiing and parasailing are the most popular activities on the island. Most dive sites are off nearby islands, but distances are fairly short and there are dozens of dive shops and boats to cater to your needs, mostly based near Chalong Pier.

Other Activities

In Phuket, where everything happens for fun and adventure, you live life to the fullest with such a great variety of activities the paradise has to offer. Just besides the popular activities such as diving and snorkeling, golfing, Muay Thai, sailing and sport fishing, there are a bunch of other "must do while in Phuket" activities.

Eat

Food in Phuket is surprisingly cosmopolitan, especially in Patong Beach, as many foreigners have set up shop to cater to their fellow travellers. All the usual Thai favorites are of course still available, with a particular emphasis on seafood. See the individual town articles for detailed listings.

Drink

Phuket has a busy nightlife, second only to Pattaya among Thailand's beach resorts. Patong Beach is by far the busiest, and seediest, of the lot, but in addition to go-go bars there are also plenty of other bars, discos and clubs.

Sleep

There is a glut of rooms in hotels of all sizes and classifications, serviced (catered) apartment complexes (so-called 'mansions') and homestays. It's a buyers' market even in high season (Nov-May), with air-con room rates starting at under 500 baht, and 2-3 bedroom furnished houses available for 7000-10000 baht/month. For budget accommodation, the best rates are usually those negotiated in person.

HUNDRED ISLANDS - The next adventure sports destination

Comprising the 1,844-hectare nature and recreational park, the Hundred Islands National Park was the venue of the recent Triathlon Open organized by the Department of Tourism (DoT) together with the City Government of Alaminos and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

DoT Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano said, "The event shows that sports can be a very good ingredient to further develop tourism in the country."

He added that Filipinos are capable of keeping pace with the rest of the world in sports that require great skills and rigid discipline and training.

Aside from being geared as Pangasinan's tourism capital, the Hundred Islands National Park will also be groomed as one of the prime adventure sports destinations in the country. "Hundred Islands can be a perfect getaway for those who thirst for adventure and adrenalinepumping sports," he said.

The triathlon, which is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world today, is a multi-sport race against time and other competitors, known as triathletes. It involves completing three sporting disciplines-swimming, biking, and running-done in immediate succession. The goal is to complete the three-leg race in the shortest time. The transition periods and activities, from swim to bike and from bike to run, are part of the race and included in the total time.

The Hundred Islands Triathlon Open attracted over 80 participants from neighboring cities and provinces, mostly from Manila and Subic. This is the first team-up between DoT and TRAP and is the second time that TRAP is collaborating with Alaminos City in the conduct of a triathlon event at the Hundred Islands. The first one was way back in 1996, dubbed as the "Alaminos Sprint Triathlon".

The race distance for the Hundred Islands Triathlon Open covered a 750-meter ocean swim, 20-km road bike, and 5km road run. The swim leg was held along the waters of Lucap Wharf through a rectangular swim course, while the bike and run legs were held on a concrete road at the Lucap area.

Alaminos City, known for its natural beauty, is decorated with a cluster of 124 islets (during low tide and 123 on high tide), located west of Lingayen Gulf. Hundred Islands was established as a park on Jan. 18, 1940 under Proclamation No. 667 issued by the late President Manuel L. Quezon making it the first national park, and in whose honor the biggest of the islands was named.

Truly a breathtaking wonder of nature, the islands are mainly composed of coralline limestone, characterized by a wide reef flat. A highly diverse ecosystem supports a variety of marine and terrestrial floral and fauna and wildlife resources while various marine resources such as sea grasses, corals and numerous fish species abound in the waters.

On many points between the islets, the waters are shallow making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Other recreational activities in the islands are picnicking, diving, island hopping and spelunking. Among the most frequently visited caves here are Milagrosa, Cathedral and Virgin.

Only three islands have been developed for tourism, namely: Governor; Quezon and Children's Islands.

How to get there:

From Lucap, one takes a 30-minute boatride to any of these islands. Of the three islands, only the Governor's Island keeps a guesthouse which is ideal for family use. It has two bedrooms, living room, dining room, bathroom and kitchen.

The nipa huts and mini pavilion with bedrooms at Children's Island are for budget travelers. Common areas are provided for dining and cooking. Meanwhile, Quezon Island is often visited by picnickers and campers. It also has a pavilion with picnic tables.

Reservations are made at the Public Assistance Center in Lucap Point (mainland) where motorized bancas for trips to the islands are hired. A tower-type building near the Lucap Park houses an office at the ground floor which also controls the influx of tourists to the islands. Its main building has a conference room and accommodation facilities.

Bolinao Pangasinan Philippines

Bolinao is nothing like Boracay and that's the beauty of it. Just like many other beaches all over the country, it has its own charms that will definitely attract its own crowd.

Bolinao at the tip of the Pangasinan peninsula on Lingayen Gulf is sufficiently far from the madding crowd for one to get lost in the beauty and solitude of nature. Yet it is near enough (some 280 kilometers and four-and-a-half hours by car) to reach in a weekend trip on good roads from Manila .

For those who come to have a swim, the waters are crystal clear and the sands of Bolinao are white – well, actually yellowish and grainy unlike the well known sugar powdery white sands of Boracay. In a way, it is actually better because the sand dries off easily and can be brushed off in a few sweeps of the hand. Moreover, it feels good between the feet – sort of therapeutic for the nerve endings on the soles. The crunching sound that the feet make while walking on the sand adds to the awesome experience.

Bolinao Attractions

Bolinao surf – White Beach in Patar may have one of the biggest waves in Northern Luzon and may rival the already popular waves of La Union and Zambales. Pro surfers on their way up north to La Union are encouraged to take a side trip and confirm this.

22-kilometer-long barrier reef offshore, near Santiago Island , offers some wonderful solitary snorkelling. To explore the reef you can rent a banca for the day either at Bolinao wharf (two blocks north of the main road) or at one of the nearby beach resorts.

Cape Bolinao Lighthouse , constructed in 1905 and the second tallest lighthouse in the country. There's an easy path to the base of the building, and the views across the South China Sea are worth the climb.

Enchanted, Cindy and Wonderful Caves – for those looking for a break form the salt water, the caves in Patar have freshwater pools for a refreshing swim. The waters of Cindy caves are shallower and safer for children while those in Enchanted caves are already chest deep upon entry to the water.

Diving - Nor far offsore lie a number of old Spanish galleons and Chinese junks that local wisdom says contain treasure. Unfortunately, there are no accredited dive operators in the area except for an unnamed PADI dive center near the town proper, on the road to Patar, so to bring your own equipment may be your only chance of diving here.

There are only a couple of sights in the town itself. The small Bolinao Museum (Mon-Sat 9am-4pm ), on Rizal Street opposite Cape Bolinao High School , contains art, geology, botany and zoology materials collected in the area. The Church of St. James Fortress , also known as Bolinao Church is in the main square close to the museum, built by the Augustinians in 1609, it houses rare wooden statues and an antique altar with Astec masks brought by galleon from Mexico .

Travel Tips

Accommodation- Tourists staying overnight are advised to bring all the essentials – including the toiletries as they might not be available in the rooms. Confirm with the resort beforehand.

Swimming- Safety first! Always observe safety measures especially when new to a swimming area. It is better to swim in the morning when it is low tide and the sea is calmer. The winds pick up in the afternoon and would get chilly by nightfall.

Food- Bring all the consumables you wish to have unless you plan to dine at the resort restaurant. Some resorts charge a corkage fee per head for outside food brought in. Bring your own bottled water, enough for brushing.

Snorkel Equipment- Bring your own as the resort may not have any.

Cape Bolinao Light House - Because of the construction, the road to the Lighthouse is closed and vehicles will have top be left at the foot of the hill. Prepare for a short but serious hiking.

Caving - Tourists start flocking in at around 2pm. Visit the caves in the morning if you want to have the caves to yourselves.

Stop Overs - Every town has a roadside string of vendors selling local delicacies. Don't forget to stop by and sample some treats whether they may be coconut products, fresh catch from the sea or sundried fish.

Pagudpud

Pagudpud is a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon in the Philippines. It is bounded to the south by the town of Bangui and to the east by the Cordillera Mountain Range, the town of Adams and the province of Cagayan. The South China Sea lies to the west and north. The town rolls over mountains, hills, valleys and flat coastal land. It lies 45 miles north of Laoag City, the provincial capital, and about 350 miles north of Manila.

According to the 2000 census, Pagudpud has a population of 19,315 people. They reside in 3,804 homes that are spread across 83 square miles. Most make their living through farming, fishing and subsistence retailing. Tourism is a growing part of the economy.

Pagudpud was made a municipality on February 5, 1954. Unlike Laoag City, the province's only autonomous city, Pagudpud derives its authority from the provincial government. It had previously been a part of the neighboring town of Bangui.

ts white-sand beaches and crystal-blue water makes Pagudpud a haven for tourists. Maira-Ira Point is also an emerging attraction with its secluded beach known as the Blue Lagoon. Access to this public beach is from a secondary concrete road on the north side of the Maharlika Highway just before approaching the Patapat Viaduct. On the way to the Blue Lagoon, a sea arch can be seen. Coconut trees line much of the town's coast. On a clear day, the Batanes Islands are visible from Patapat National Park.

The Patapat Viaduct, elevated 31 meters over sea level, is 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. Located more than 16 kilometers from the town proper, it offers a scenic view of Pasaleng Bay- a view that leads towards wide and pristine beaches backed by mountains with breathtaking waterfalls Kabigan and Mabaga, along with the many cool, refreshing springs waiting to be discovered within.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagudpud,_Ilocos_Norte

Boracay is number 7 in World's Best Beaches by Yahoo

Here is the Write-up on Yahoo:

Geographically speaking, Boracay is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan, which is located in Panay, one of a cluster of islands that constitute the central section of the Philippine archipelago.

Boracay can be reached from Manila by daily flights on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air. Caticlan is nearer the island, but the airstrip is short and narrow, and only the smaller planes of Asian Spirit, Seair and Pacific Air can land on it. The larger aircraft of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines fly to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. From Caticlan it takes about 15 minutes by boat to Boracay; from Kalibo, an hour and a half by bus plus the 15-minute boat ride.

Once on the island, you will find out that getting around is simple and easy. There are three categories of transport: pedicabs and motorized tricycles shared with other passengers; individually rented bicycles and motorbikes; and the shuttle service offered by some hotels. Taxis are not available. However, since everything is more or less within walking distance, you will most likely join the majority of visitors in moving around the island on foot.

Boracay is seven kilometers long and divided into three barangays, or communities. Yapak lies in the north, Balabag in the center and Manoc-Manoc in the south. Within these barangays are smaller villages such as Angol, Manggayad and Bolabog.

Yapak is spread out over hilly terrain situated some distance away from the main tourist beat, but the shoreline is dotted with beautiful, uncrowded beaches and coves such as Puka Beach and Balinghai Beach. The island's only golf club, the 18-hole par-72 course at Fairways & Bluewater, is also located in Yapak. The Bat Caves, a popular destination for nature lovers, can be found at the barangay's northeastern tip.

White Beach, Boracay's biggest tourist attraction, stretches some four kilometers on the western side of the island, mostly within the barangay of Balabag. It is largely because of the pristine, white powdery sand of White Beach and the crystal-clear blue water of the surrounding sea that Boracay is often called "the world's most beautiful tropical island."

While White Beach takes up most of the western shoreline, Bolabog Beach dominates the eastern coast. Bolabog (sometimes spelled "Bulabog" or "Bulabug") belongs to the barangay of Balabag (with very little difference in spelling, Bolabog is often confused with Balabag by newcomers to the island). Normally the boat trip from Caticlan terminates at White Beach, but during the monsoon season when the western side of the island is lashed by strong winds, visitors are brought to a docking area in Bolabog. The waters here are also considered to offer ideal conditions for windsurfing. A small dirt road takes you from Bolabog to the foot of Mount Luho, the highest point on the island.

Understandably hotels on White Beach attract the most guests. The northern end of the beach is "lorded over" by Fridays, the southern end by Lorenzo South. In between you will find all kinds of accommodation, from native bamboo-and-nipa bungalows to Western-style concrete buildings.

White Beach extends into Manoc-Manoc, but the barangay features its own share of beaches worth visiting and exploring, including one named Manoc-Manoc Beach. The barangay also encompasses the Boracay Beach & Yacht Club and Crocodile Island, a popular destination for picnics, diving expeditions and marine excursions. The Dead Forest, a scenic spot believed to be populated by elemental spirits, is likewise located within the boundaries of Manoc-Manoc. White Beach Path runs along White Beach but is set back from the shore by rows of coconut trees. Hotels, eateries, bars, stores and dive shops line the entire length of the meandering footpath. This is where visitors to the island come to see and be seen.

You will find hotels like the longstanding Red Coconut Resort and more recently constructed Boracay Regency Beach Resort on White Beach Path, and likewise the Tourist Center, a handy one-stop shop for all kinds of travel needs (airline reservations, postcards, stamps, film, souvenirs and so forth). Thai Castles, True Food, Steakhouse Boracay, Gorio's, La Reserve Restaurant, Banza and La Capannina are among the better known eateries. Bars include Bom Bom and Summer Place Bar & Restaurant. Victory Divers and Aquarius Diving are just two of the many dive shops (there are more than 20 such outlets on the island) scattered along the path. Retail stores range from Paulo Collection Body Wear to Lonely Planet. The Talipapa Market, which burnt down in early 2005, has now been rebuilt in several locations between White Beach Path and Boracay Main Road.

Tricycles ply Boracay Main Road and a handful of side streets but are not allowed on White Beach Path. Except for Jony's Beach Resort, the town square (where the church and DOT Office are located), Beachcomber Bar & Disco, Moondog Shooter Bar, Pink Patio Resort and a few other establishments, there are not many places geared toward tourists on the main road. You may, however, ride a tricycle on the road to get to a hotel or an eatery on White Beach Path; just get off at the nearest stop and walk the rest of the way.

To facilitate locating an establishment on the island, the nearest boat station is often specified in its address. Here a word on these stations is in order: Numbered 1, 2 and 3, they are used as stopping-off points by boats ferrying new arrivals from Caticlan. Do not, however, expect some well-constructed structure with a welcoming jetty for you to conveniently step on. To disembark, you can go for one of two options: Jump into the water and wade ashore or allow yourself the luxury of being borne aloft on the shoulders of some hapless porter. Happy landing!

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2666160-boracay_island_introduction-i;_ylt=AviUe9neZ0p2U_pgoNoC_VJAG2oL

Sunsets

It is the grandest finale to the greatest show on earth. It is shown everyday, smooth like clockwork. It is predictable at times but more often it has a twist of glory that leaves the heart yearning for more… more time even for just a few seconds. Although it is one of the most photographed events, it does not cost a penny to be viewed.

It is the great sunset. Bright afternoon skies that gradually change into playful hues of yellow subduing into oranges, reds, purples and blues before finally fading into the darkness. White cotton clouds that give character to the bluest skies become splashes of color and eventually become the shadows that they cast.

For those who have the luxury of time to stop and marvel it – there is a gift of mixed emotions and feelings. Peaceful complexity and unleashed tranquility in a throbbing, shrouding, empowering calm and heart pounding contentment that validates the presence of a Creator.

Sunset signals the end of the day for many and the beginning for more. For those who have called it a day, the promise of rest, quality time with loved ones, sleep. For those who have just begun, bright lights, gatherings, parties, excitement.

In a modern world when time has become a commodity or even a luxury , appreciating the sunset has given way to rush hours and overtime.



Filipinos are one of the few people blessed with beautiful sunsets in more days of the year. With 7,107 islands across the archipelago, the version of this show from one place is just as spectacular as next door. Whether viewed from the white sandy beaches of Boracay or from the pine tree lined peaks for Baguio, The suns magnificent rays never fail to breathe awe into people’s lungs. The fabled and glorified sunsets of Manila Bay helped put the Philippines on the map of tourism.

Beauty. Sweet, natural, powerful beauty that defines poetry. A picture that only the mind can preserve.

The Philippine sunset.