วันเสาร์ที่ 30 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

A Tropical Island Vacation With Great Nightlife

Some people might look for complete solitude during a tropical island vacation to get away from it all, but no matter how blissful beach holidays can be, some long for great night life as well.

For those of you who wish to go to an island where there are also some exciting night life activities, check out this list of 5 of the world's top tropical destinations where you can sunbathe by day and party by night.

Ibiza, Spain

This is The Place to go for the best night life and party scenes. From its bars, to its clubs, to its fun-loving people, Ibiza has long been the world's best destination for parties and more parties.

So what do you do in Ibiza? First, remember that there's always something new going on. So know first what's hot for the day or the week you're visiting and make sure you make the best of any event in town.

If you'd rather not do this research and prefer to be spontaneous, then just go to any of its many clubs and you're practically guaranteed a great night out.

True to almost every night hangout in Spain, life doesn't really start until the bell strikes 12! So make sure you get a siesta in because with everything that Ibiza offers, that's about the only sleep you'll get!

Phuket Thailand

The exotic splendors of Bangkok's palaces may not grace Phuket, but if you want to be by the beach all day and party all night in Siam, then Phuket is a great place to be.

For those who really want to party, Patong is where the island's bars, clubs and discotheques are. If you've got the kids with you, you might also want to visit Phuket Fantasea on Kamala Beach, which is the islands version of a festival and cultural event -a place to sample Thai theater, eat great Thai food, play games, and go shopping.

On the other hand, if you want to go some place a bit tamer, Karon Beach is an excellent place for restaurants with some good food and great cocktails . And if you want a classier and MUCH quieter ambiance, go to Bangtao bay.

Negril, Jamaica

Relieve the lifestyle of the 60's as well as immerse yourself in exotic Jamaican culture when you go for a tropical island vacation in Negril.

Night activities in Negril are really laid-back island living but fun. There are usually no schedules, no fixed time, no fixed place. You literally just have to follow the music and that's where the action is going to be for the night--a night of dancing, reggae appreciation, drinking and great conversations.

Sydney, Australia

If you want the feel of a big cosmopolitan city at night yet be lounging on the beach by day, we recommend a tropical island vacation in Sydney where you'll never run out of things to do.

For a bit of the arts and a wonderful experience know what shows are on in the Sydney Opera House Theater. Or if you go there in the summer, the acclaimed Sydney Festival is one cultural event not to be missed.

For a bit of local lifestyle on the other hand, check out the bars and clubs that locals frequent. There are many tour companies that offer night tours for this purpose which you might want to take part in if you want to know Sydney's secret night hideaways.

Nassau, Bahamas

This is a popular destination for night revelers and it's very easy to see why---Nassau could easily be described as the Caribbean's nightlife capital.

There are first of all, the casinos that thrill-seekers frequent. These casinos come with all the fun and excitement that even people who do not play will find very interesting.

Then there are the discotheques and clubs where you can experience the Bahamians love for life and fun on the dance floor. There are also cultural shows for those who want something a bit more sedate.

A tropical island vacation in Nassau will undoubtedly give you 24 hours of fun on your island holidays in the Caribbean.




Aimee C. Barnard lives for tropical holidays under the sun. To read more about her travel experiences and island getaway tips, go to http://www.tropical-island-vacation.net/index.html

วันพุธที่ 27 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Patong Hotels and Resorts - Tourist Guide

If you are on your way to confirm your flight tickets to Phuket, you could do with some education about this famous Asian island. Remember, it is a Thai-speaking nation and being a Westerner, you should be apt enough to get your way with the locals. Sure enough you will be finding yourself surrounded by all sorts of tourism support and guide, the moment you land at the spot. Nevertheless, you can get all the help you need from these local tourist guides. However, if you are on the island for the first time, then you better be equipped with some important facts and figures pertaining to this land and its landmarks. I am saying this because the culture and the local lingo in here is something too typical for this part of the country.

Your first concern should naturally be finding a good stay. Now, there are different methods to proceed. Surfing online can act as a good primary source of info in this context. As you know well, Phuket and its famous beaches have always been the best Asian attractions. So, you would not find it too hard to get a good glimpse about the island's tourism sector, if you know where to search for the same. There are many independent tourism sites on Thailand and similar Asian hotspots. Search about interesting destinations like Patong. You would surely come across numerous websites listing Phuket hotel deals and various tourism attractions in and around the island.

It would be much better if you make all your bookings before landing at your destination. This would be far economical, besides advanced bookings can earn you good discounts too. You would not find much difficulty in fishing out the right deal for you. Visit the official tourism website for Thailand and you will find some of the best packages listed in there. What you get depends on what you are looking for. Make your budget plans and arrive at a decision as to what kind of accommodation you would settle in for. If you are looking for a budget friendly Thai holiday in Phuket, Patong hotels can be your place. It is great for surfing, partying or simply sightseeing. Truly, a paradise of a place, Patong beach can keep you engaged and entertained for days. You might not even feel the need of traveling to another location before winding up your holiday.

There are many Patong hotels and resorts that accommodate tourists at incredibly low rates. Besides stay, cheap shopping and dinning is yet another specialty of Patong. In this region of the island you would find everything you need at great prices. Search online for hotel deals in Patong and you will find luxury stay, deluxe rooms, private villas and single rooms at great discounted prices. Spa services are the hallmark of Thai hospitality. So, remember to try out a few spas before leaving the island. It can be surprisingly relaxing and even psychologically rejuvenating.




Are you looking for something that can let you know about the most amazing vacation experience in Patong Hotels? Simply click on the links to get best Phuket hotel deals.

วันอังคารที่ 26 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Honda CRV Test Drive in Thailand

The New High-Tech Honda Accord with Euro Looks

Is it a BMW? Maybe the Audi A-4? Or the VW Passat? Le Peugeut? No! It's the new Honda Accord! Acc-ord! The name reminds me of French d'Accord! (Agree, OK in English).

And I agree. The new 8th generation Honda Accord looks sleek, dynamic, sporty and has a lower and a wider track for that solid, planted feel. Look at the new low slung, chromed angular grill, the new cool, clear projector type headlights and the muscular pronounced wheels arches housing the 17 inch alloy wheels.

The side view also reveals new higher waistline matching the perfectly raked roof line. The rear break light cluster is very BMW'ish. The new Honda Accord takes on asharp European design. Perhaps, the best looking Honda ever.

Furthermore the new Honda Accord has been upsized. The floor space is now lower and the wheel base is longer to provide more space, especially for the back seat riders. There's enough room back there to be comfortable, even when front seats are far back. The luxurious leather upholstered cabin environment is quietandvibration free thanks to the ANC (Active Noise Control) system and is a very comfortable place to be.

Our demo, the Honda 2.4 EL (NAVI) the top of 2.4 litre models fully loaded with all the goodies: dual-zone air-conditioning, front power seats with memory, (and lumbar massage for the driver) electric rear sunshade, cruise control and a sporty Formula One inspired paddle shifter on the steering wheel.

But it was the communication in-car infotainment centre that caught my attention. A real-time IT package: hands-free Bluetooth, CD/MP3/WMA (auxiliary input jack for connecting portable music players), and a premium sound system with a subwoofer. Only the high speed internet "Google" connection was missing!

And the "navigator" the Honda Accord GPS connected to a 40 gigabyte hard disc. For the music fans that's 3.000 songs. Enough music for Phuket to Bangkok back and fourth! The Accord 2.4 EL "NAVI" is probably is the best Navigator in the market.

The navigation screen is large and easy to read with a user friendly joystick and command wheel. No more maps everything is click-on: the highways, (byways) expressways, the u-turns and the bypasses, the attractions, the "aroy-aroy" restaurants, the hospitals and the police stations. When the car is stationary you can watch DVD movies or your digital "home movies" and when reversing it switches automatically to R mode: parking camera. A real time parking movie.

Everything connected to the on-board info-centre including your pertinent driving information: fuel consumption, average speed, distance to destination etc.

For the driver there is lot's of buttons to push on center console and the steering wheels. Every car should have multifunction steering wheel. Always two hands on the wheel.

Under the bonnet (the hood), the main focus is the new, second-generation Honda i-VTEC in-line four cylinder 2.4 litre 5-speed motor packing 180 horsepower. More powerful than the previous and more frugal. During our test-drive we managed 13 kilometer per litre on the highway and about 9 liter per kilometer in the city. And the good news. The new Accord is E 20 compatible (alcohol & gasoline). That's 20 percent Johnny Walker Red or Stolichnaya and 80 percent unleaded petrol (gasoline) 91or 95.

Honda Accord's four-wheel independent suspension features a double-wishbone design in front and a new multilink setup in back. On the road, the Accord is taut without being punishing, and the sedan recovers quickly without any extra bobbing after hitting a bump or dip in the road.

The safety package is comprehensive with dual i-SRS front driver and side airbags including side curtain airbags with OPD (occupant position detect ant) system. Plus VSA vehicle stability assist combined with ABS and EDB making those slippery curves less challenging.

In conclusion the new Accord feels refined and solid and is perfectly suited for Thailand highway cruising or urban driving. Just perfect for a Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Samiu 8-9 hour long haul, if only the fuel, E20 gasohol had been cheaper!

Latest version of the Accord is ready to take on the prestige imported rivals from Germany. And really good news for potential buyers is that all the improve­ments and additional IT features haven't pushed up the cost.

The sticker price for the new Honda Accord 2.4 EL (NAVI) is 1.6 million THB. The two litre base Accord model is priced 1.2 million THB and the flagship Honda Accord 3.5 G (NAVI) V6 sets you back a cool 2.8 million THB.



วันอาทิตย์ที่ 17 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

5 Ways That an MMA Fighter Can Make Money

A lot of people want to know ways that a Mixed Martial Arts fighter makes money, and how much they make. This could be our of pure curiosity, or perhaps due to the growing popularity of MMA, there are a lot of potential fighters researching their options. Whichever the case, I decided to outline some of the ways that MMA fighters can make an income, and the potential earnings for each one. There are 5 main ways that MMA Fighters make an income: Fights, Endorsements, Owning a School, Seminars, Appearances.

Fights

One of the main ways that an MMA fighter makes money is through their fights. Smaller promotions will pay between $500 - $800 per event for showing. Fighters may get an additional pay out for a win. As you get to the larger factions such as WEC, UFC, Strikeforce, etc. Fighters will get anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 for lower or middle card fighters. The big name fighters can make anywhere from $20,000 to over $200,000 per event. Some of this salary is based on PPV buys. The main event fighters usually get a portion of the PPV as opposed to a flat salary. Fighters can also receive incentive based bonuses. In a recent UFC event, Dana White announced pay outs of $25,000 for the "Knock Out of the Night" and $6,500 for anyone who won their match by submission. It was also reported that at UFC 95 each fighter received a $40,000 bonus for Fight, Submission and Knock Out of the Night.

Endorsements

Once again, the amount of money you receive depends on your popularity, status and frequency of fights. Beginning or lower card fighters will be lucky to get free equipment and apparell, while big name fighters receive cash payments and reasonably sized contracts to endorse and wear the manufacturers products. Middle card fighters will receive a small amount of cash in addition to freebies. The details of such contracts are typically not public information and finding even the littlest piece of information on the numbers is particularly difficult, however it has been reported that bigger names of the sport such as Randy Couture or Frank Mir have received endorsement contracts that are multi million dollar deals.

Owning A School

There are a decent amount of MMA fighters that are capilatizing on their popularity by opening up their own school, whether it be for Muay Thai, MMA or BJJ. Such names include Randy Couture, Matt Serra, Ricardo Almeida and even current The Ultimate Fighter contestant, Santino DeFranco. Depending on the size and popularity of the school, owner/instructors can make anywhere from $35,000 to over $250,000 a year. This is dependant on student population, tutition rate, private lessons and merchandise sales. UFC is currently opening 3 gyms that are targeted exclusively towards training for Mixed Martial Arts. These locations will be in California, Hawaii and Montreal. There is no doubt that these locations will be top of the line training facilities that will become cash cows for the company.

Seminars

Some MMA fighters who may not own a school hit the seminar circuit visiting different MMA or BJJ schools across the country doing seminars and making pretty good money in the process. Kenny Florian recently did this along with his brother Keith, visiting several schools including Balance Studios in Philadelphia, which I have trained at. Depening on the popularity of the star they can receive anywhere from $1000-$4000 per appearance. In addition they usually have their expenses such as flight, food and accommodations paid for.

Appearances

As opposed to a seminar which is a private instructional appearance, some stars get hired for other public events such as opening of a store, night club appearance, casino appearances, trade shows and other public events. The contract for this is usually the same as for a seminar covering room, travel and food expenses. Rates can be anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 per event depending on who the event host/sponsor is.

I hope this gave you some insight into the ways that an MMA fighter can make money. There are many factors that help determine this such as the popularity of the fighter, how good their agents are, etc. This is the first of an ongoing "How To" series that I am starting which will cover everything from training techniques to personal inquires.




http://www.dansmuaythaimma.com - Traveling The World Training Martial Arts!

วันจันทร์ที่ 11 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

San Diego California Hotels

San Diego is one of the Southern most cities in California. It is considered to be the seventh largest city in the United States and second in California. Located along the blue Pacific coast, it enjoys a warm, dry climate that never fails to delight visitors. The glorious sunrises over the mountains and the awesome sunsets over the Pacific serve as incredible natural attractions for the tourists.

The hotels are centrally located to ensure a broad view of the surroundings. San Diego houses some of the best resorts and luxury hotels. Many of them are located along the waterfront. The other types of accommodations include discount hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, beach hotels, and condo rentals. The wonderful weather in San Diego ensures good business, since tourists visit the place throughout the year.

Cleanliness is an integral part of the hotels' policies. These hotels strive for customer satisfaction and offer excellent amenities. Luxury hotels along the coast provide deluxe rooms with an ocean view. The catering service ensures a sumptuous American breakfast along with a selection of different cuisines. The guests enjoy several facilities in the hotels like outdoor pools and non-smoking rooms, and within the rooms, they are provided access to voicemail, cable TV, and coffeemakers.

Many hotels provide transportation to neighboring attractions like the world-famous San Diego Zoo and museums of historic importance. The tourists definitely get their money's worth in the attractive discounted vacation packages introduced by the hotels, which include breakfast, lunch, and a visit to the local attractions.

San Diego hotels give a whole new meaning to the hospitality industry with their affable and charming services. A stay at San Diego California Hotels makes a business trip or a family vacation a memorable experience.




California Hotels provides detailed information on California Hotels, Los Angeles California Hotels, San Diego California Hotels, Anaheim California Hotels and more. California Hotels is affiliated with California Spa Vacations [http://www.e-CaliforniaVacations.com].

วันพุธที่ 6 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

10 Reasons Why You Must Visit Phuket, Thailand

1. The beaches -. Most tourists come for the beautiful white and picturesque beaches of Phuket. Head for the unspoiled white shores of Laem Ka Beach, Nai Thon or Nai Yang to enjoy some peace and quiet or head for Karon or Kata for a more upbeat feel.

2. Traditional Spicy Thai Food - For those who love spice, Thailand would be heaven to you with their range of spicy dishes such as Tom Yam Goong, Som Tham and Pad Thai; all of which are national favourites.

3. Muai Thai - Though you might have seen it on TV or even in some places around the world, no one does Muai Thai like the place it originated from. This fascinating sport is more than just boxing as you get to see the rituals they perform before a fight and even the music that accompanies the matches throughout.

4. An elephant trek - Sure you can ride an elephant almost anywhere in the world, but here comes a unique experience that will sit in your mind forever. Take an elephant ride throughout the forests of Phuket and go on a half day eco trail as your guides bring you to places off the beaten path.

5. Great Snorkelling - The waters surrounding Phuket are a dream come true for snorkelling and for those who've never tried; this would be the perfect place to make your first memory. Take a boat trip to the nearby islands like the coral islands or Similan islands to get a much more magical experience there.

6. Cabaret! - This is a must see for all adults out there. Phuket's Simon Cabaret attracts over a thousand visitors every day and for good reason. Its glamour, originality and fun make it a really enjoyable performance worth seeing. Yet again, no one does Cabaret like the Thais!

7. The Temples - Visit temples such as Wat Chalong, considered by the locals to be the pride of Phuket or go for some of the other equally beautiful and mystical ones such as Wat Prathong or Wat Suwan Khiri Khet.

8. Patong - The one and only place in Phuket where you can play during the day and party the night away. The pulsating nightlife in Patong is so contagious that soon you'll find yourself just letting go and boogying the night away!

9. Cheap Shopping - Seriously one of the cheapest places to shop in the world today, you would regret if you passed up the opportunity to get almost anything and everything here!

10. The best part of Thailand is Phuket. There is no place in Thailand as beautiful or as relaxing and yet fun and vibrant as Phuket.




Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Phuket Villas & Worldwide vacation rentals.

วันเสาร์ที่ 2 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Read This Before Dating a Thai Bar Girl

Thailand is world renowned for their red-light districts. Many Western men visit the country every year on business or on vacation and visit some of the many go-go bars in many parts of the country. While the bar girl scene in all actuality is a very small part of the countries culture, it is often widely talked about in Western cultures.

Some men visit a bar and fall in love with one of the beautiful Thailand bar girls and attempt to date them. These men quickly find out that dating one of these women is not as simple as dating a regular Thai girl. In fact, I highly recommend you leave your heart at the doorstep of these establishments and find a real Thai girl to date. But in case you are adventurous, here are five things you should know before dating Thailand bar girls.

1. Most Thai bargirls have little to no education

Many of the ladies you see in Bangkok red-light districts such as Patpong or along the beachfronts in Pattaya or Patong Beach on Phuket are not locals. Many of them are from the Eastern part of the country known as Isan. Other girls come from the North and are often not even Thai citizens but residents of Burma, Cambodia or some of the hill-tribe regions between countries. These women likely have little education and in many cases, cannot speak much English.

2. Thai bar girls have a very street smart.

Formal education aside, Thai bar girls have a very keen street sense. Never underestimate a woman that's worked in a Thai go-go bar. She will look sweet, beautiful, sexy and innocent but she may also have anterior motives in the relationship.

3. To bar girls, money is very important.

In many situations, the money that a Thai bar girl brings in for a nights work is many times sent home to take care of parents or their own children that they have. So unless you have a decent amount of money and are willing to support her family, she'll likely not be interested. This fact is something that has plagued real Thai ladies in the past. Note to Western men, NOT ALL THAI WOMEN THINK THAT MONEY IS IMPORTANT!

4. Thai bar girls like their line of work

It's true! And that is the most difficult about getting into a serious relationship with a Thai bargirl. You want to "save" them from their line of work, but they don't want to be saved. They make very good money compared to other things they could be doing. This gives the bar girl a great amount of personal freedom. This personal freedom will be difficult for the lady to part with if asked. If a man tries to take a Thai bar girl out of the bar, he'll find it to be very difficult unless she's truly done with that scene and ready to settle down.

5. It is rare, but there are success stories

There are some success stories of Western men dating and sometimes happily marrying a bar girl he met while on the job. Unfortunately, I don't personally know of anyone that has been successful in settling down with one. But I'm certain it has happened a time or two.

The best advise I can give is to go and enjoy your time in Thailand however you wish to spend it. Just be careful when dating Thai bar girls and remember to heed my advise.




If you are looking for a Thai woman to be your girlfriend or just someone to spend time with while in Thailand, this blog is for you. The site discusses how to meet beautiful Thai women online or while traveling through Thailand on vacation. You can read about how to meet and date Thai women.