Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Museum Month: JEATH War Museum, Kanchanaburi, Thailand]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/14/museum-month-jeath-war-museum-kanchanaburi-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/14/museum-month-jeath-war-museum-kanchanaburi-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/14/museum-month-jeath-war-museum-kanchanaburi-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

bridge on river kwaiHistory has never been my favorite subject, but once I began traveling in earnest, I discovered something. If I visited a destination, I usually became obsessed with its history or indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, I didn't discover this in time to save the downward trajectory of my GPA when I was a student, but it's made me sound infinitely more worldly in daily life.

I found the JEATH War Museum in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, purely by accident. Anything historical pertaining to war is a subject I normally avoid - I'm a girl like that - with the exception of the "Platoon" soundtrack. Thus, the most I knew about "The Bridge on the River Kwai," which is located in Kanchanaburi, is how to whistle the tune. The town and bridge are actually located at the confluence of the Rivers Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai, at the headwaters of the Maeklong (Mekong).

I ended up there because I had a few days to kill prior to flying home, and it's less than a two-hour bus ride west of Bangkok. Kanchanaburi sounded peaceful, and is a popular getaway for backpackers and Thai urbanites. The main activities are dining in the many "floating restaurants" on the river, taking cooking classes, hiking in beautiful Erawan National Park and sightseeing (more on that after the jump).

I ended up meeting two fun Australian girls at my riverfront guesthouse, and we proceeded to spend the next three days together. On our first afternoon, I asked them how they'd ended up in Kanchanaburi, and they told me they were there to visit the JEATH War Museum and pay tribute. I looked at them blankly.

"The what?" I asked. They looked at me with pity, thinking, like millions of Aussies before them, that the American educational system is an abysmal failure (no argument there).

"The Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand, Holland War Museum," one of the girls said patiently. "Y'know, it's dedicated to the thousands of Allied POWs who died while constructing the Bridge and Death Railway from 1942 to 1943."

Cue crickets chirping.

Continue reading Museum Month: JEATH War Museum, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Museum Month: JEATH War Museum, Kanchanaburi, Thailand originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bangkokBreakingNewsbridge on river kwaiBridgeOnRiverKwaibridgestonedeath railwayDeathRailwayerawan fallsErawan National ParkErawanFallsErawanNationalParkfamous bridgesFamousBridgesfloating restaurantsFloatingRestaurantsforced laborForcedLaborgenocide memorialsGenocideMemorialshellfire passHellfirePassimperial japanese armyImperialJapaneseArmyKanchanaburimaemomegan foxMeganFoxmilitary museumsMilitaryMuseumsMuseumMonthPOWPresident2008prison musemsPrisonMusemsps3river kwaiRiverKwaithai burma railwaythai cooking classesthai riversThaiBurmaRailwayThaiCookingClassesThaiRiverswar machinewar museumsWarMachineWarMuseumsworld war twoWorldWarTwoWWIIWWII museumsWwiiMuseumsMon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/11/where-would-you-travel-just-to-eat/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/11/where-would-you-travel-just-to-eat/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/11/where-would-you-travel-just-to-eat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?It's a question that comes up again and again. Even more so in the last few years, as the industrialized world seems to become food obsessed. Not just with eating in general but also where it comes from (is it local?) and how it's grown. Our preoccupation with provenance is almost an existential crisis: it seems we have this growing need (no pun intended) to touch our food, to get closer to it, because technology is alienating us in an unprecedented way.

And so now, more than ever, we're traveling just to satisfy that craving - a simple desire and a deeper one. Okay, this is getting way too serious. The point is, when I attended a couple food-centric events recently for the Lucky Rice Festival and the James Beard Awards, both in New York, I asked the participating chefs and mixologists the question: where would you travel just to eat? Not surprisingly many of them were looking to Japan and Spain for their inspiration.

Here's how they all answered:

Continue reading Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?

Where Would You Travel Just to Eat? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCityFri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Manhattan Project: The Rebranding Of Thai Cuisine]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/25/manhattan-project-the-rebranding-of-thai-cuisine/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/25/manhattan-project-the-rebranding-of-thai-cuisine/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/25/manhattan-project-the-rebranding-of-thai-cuisine/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Thai cuisine is not very good. That is, if you live in the United States and you've never been to Thailand and the only opportunities you've had to eat it are at one of the many mediocre restaurants that exist here.

The first time I ate Thai - embarrassingly in my mid 20s when I was living in Los Angeles for a few months - it was something of a revelation. The combination of sweet, sour, spicy and salty flavors all conspired to taste like nothing I'd ever eaten before. But the more I ate Thai and the more that I learned about it and talked about it with food-loving friends, the more I realized how average most of the Thai restaurants are in the United States - particularly in Manhattan where I've been living most of the last decade.

In New York City, we've had to travel to Queens to get decent Thai food. Which is fine but somehow the borough of Manhattan (not to mention the Bronx, Staten Island and Brooklyn) have escaped good Thai - at least until recently.

Continue reading Manhattan Project: The Rebranding Of Thai Cuisine

Manhattan Project: The Rebranding Of Thai Cuisine originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>New York CityNewYorkCityWed, 25 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Climbing In Thailand]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/22/video-climbing-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/22/video-climbing-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/22/video-climbing-in-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Unbeknownst to me prior to today, Eddie Bauer has a Vimeo channel complete with impressive adventure videos - including climbing shots. I happened upon the above video, which features climbers scaling walls in Thailand. The rock is jagged, steep and bolts out of the ocean. Oceanside climbing seems to be a bonus for these climbers, though. Part of this video shows the climbers falling, intentionally or unintentionally, into the teal waters beneath their climbing spots. I'm a little bit ashamed to say that I haven't tried rock climbing yet. There are many purportedly excellent climbing locations in and around Austin. After watching this video, I think I'll have to try it out. Next stop: Thailand!

Continue reading Video: Climbing In Thailand

Video: Climbing In Thailand originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure videoadventure videosAdventureVideoAdventureVideosclimbingclimbing in thailandClimbingInThailandeddie bauerEddieBaueroutdoorsrock climbingrock climbing in thailandRockClimbingRockClimbingInThailandthailandthailand outdoorsthailand rock climbingThailandOutdoorsThailandRockClimbingvimeovisiting thailandVisitingThailandSun, 22 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo Of The Day: Krabi Sunset]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/15/photo-of-the-day-krabi-sunset/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/15/photo-of-the-day-krabi-sunset/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/15/photo-of-the-day-krabi-sunset/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Perhaps no place is as romanticized as Thailand's exotic stretches of coast and islands. The country's many sugar-sand beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs and enticing emerald-clear waters create some of the most eye-catching scenery on Earth. In today's photo, brought to us by Flickr user Geir Ertzgaard, we have further visual evidence taken at sunset near Krabi on Thailand's western Andaman Coast. The striking Thai long-tail boat silhouetted in the foreground is complemented by the dazzling pinks and purples of the receding light.

Taken any photos on the beaches of Thailand? Or maybe just a shot on the coast in Texas? Add it to our Gadling group on Flickr. We might just pick your shot as our Photo of the Day.

Photo Of The Day: Krabi Sunset originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andamancoasteye candyEyeCandykarstko lantako phi phiKoLantaKoPhiPhikrabilimestonelongtailoceanphuketrailayrock climbingRockClimbingsea gypsySeaGypsysunsetSun, 15 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: 'No Kitchen Required' In New Zealand, 'When Maori Attack']]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/video-no-kitchen-required-in-new-zealand-when-maori-attack/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/video-no-kitchen-required-in-new-zealand-when-maori-attack/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/video-no-kitchen-required-in-new-zealand-when-maori-attack/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here at Gadling, we've been keeping tabs on the new BBC America reality show "No Kitchen Required," which is taking cooking competitions to new highs (and lows). Battling for fame and glory are award-winning chef Michael Psilakis of New York's Fish Tag and Kefi; private executive chef Kayne Raymond; and former "Chopped" champ Madison Cowan.

The chefs hunt and gather ingredients to prepare regional cuisine in various locations, including Dominica, Belize, Fiji, Thailand, South Africa, Hawaii, New Mexico and Louisiana. The show is a cross between "Survivor" and "Top Chef," with a dash of over-the-top, Bear Grylls-style drama thrown in, but it's all in good fun and provides a fascinating cultural and culinary tour of little known destinations and cuisines.

Here, we have a teaser clip from New Zealand that features the chefs watching a haka, or traditional Maori warrior dance, prior to having the local community judge their respective meals. Here's hoping they didn't give anyone food poisoning.

Video: 'No Kitchen Required' In New Zealand, 'When Maori Attack' originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bear grylsBearGrylscelebritycooking classescooking competitioncooking showsCookingClassesCookingCompetitionCookingShowscuilnary tourismCuilnaryTourismcultural tourismcultural travelCulturalTourismCulturalTravelforaginghakahangiHawaiiihunting and gatheringHuntingAndGatheringindigenous foodsindigenous peopleIndigenousFoodsIndigenousPeoplelocal foodsLocalFoodslocavoresLouisianamao zedongmaoriMaoZedongNew MexicoNew Ze foodNewMexicoNewZeFoodnokiareality showsRealityShowsregional foodsRegionalFoodssurvivorTue, 10 Apr 2012 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Thailand Rings In The New Year With A Massive Water Fight]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/03/thailand-rings-in-the-new-year-with-a-massive-water-fight/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/03/thailand-rings-in-the-new-year-with-a-massive-water-fight/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/03/thailand-rings-in-the-new-year-with-a-massive-water-fight/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


While many cultures celebrate New Year's on December 31 and January 1, Thailand waits until April 13 to 15 to commemorate the holiday. Known as Songkran, it is traditionally very spiritual. Locals visit temples, sprinkle water on Buddha images to pay respect as well as on each other's hands to wish them good luck. There are also cultural performances and delicious street foods to enhance the festivities. However, the annual Songkran has evolved over the years to include an all-out water fight through the city streets. Picture complete strangers hurling buckets of water at you and mercilessly shooting you with their water guns. This is Songkran.

Songkran festival dates and programming vary a bit from city to city. You can click here for full details for each region. Just remember, if you're going to be in Thailand during Songkran, leave your electronics at home and don't wear anything you don't mind getting wet. Nobody is safe.

To get a better idea of what Songkran is like, check out the video above.

Thailand Rings In The New Year With A Massive Water Fight originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaeventsfestivalssongkranthailandTue, 03 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: another Internet cat photo]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/15/photo-of-the-day-another-internet-cat-photo/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/15/photo-of-the-day-another-internet-cat-photo/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/15/photo-of-the-day-another-internet-cat-photo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you spend much time searching the Internet, you'll find millions of photos of cats. People spend hours browsing sites like ICanHasCheezburger? and CuteOverload to find funny or adorable images of animals. You might say that cat photos (okay, probably porn too) are the backbone of the Internet. Animals are a favorite photo subject of travelers as well, whether we're marveling at the number of street cats in Istanbul or whale watching in California. Flickr user canomike spotted this lady in Thailand about to contribute more cat photos to the world and having a great time with her subjects.

Share your favorite animal photos in the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: another Internet cat photo originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimal photosAnimalPhotosanimalscaliforniacatcat photosCatPhotoscatsflickricanhascheezburgeristanbullolcatsphoto of the dayphotographyPhotoOfTheDaythailandwhale watchingwhalesWhaleWatchingThu, 15 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Unusual aphrodisiacs from Asian countries]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/03/unusual-aphrodisiacs-from-asian-countries/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/03/unusual-aphrodisiacs-from-asian-countries/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/03/unusual-aphrodisiacs-from-asian-countries/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

balut Wondering how to get you or your partner more in the mood for sex? Instead of opting for expensive pills or unnatural remedies, why not learn from the Asian culture and try one of these libido-boosting aphrodisiacs? From dangerously poisonous fish to fertilized duck embryo or snake's blood, it is clear some people really will try anything to have good sex. While these odd ingestants may be useful for people in Asia, I'm thinking that others may want to stick to increasing their libido the old-fashioned way: getting drunk and watching porn.

Balut

Balut is a common finger food in Southeast Asia and is literally an almost-developed duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. If you want to try this delicacy for yourself, head over to the Philippines, where it is most common, or Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia. It's a very popular food to enjoy at bars while drinking a beer, which makes me wonder if it's the Balut making people horny or the alcohol.

Continue reading Unusual aphrodisiacs from Asian countries

Unusual aphrodisiacs from Asian countries originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aphrodisiacsasiacambodiadog meatDogMeatindonesiajapanpenisphallicphotossexsexythailandtiger penis soupTigerPenisSoupunusual traditionsUnusualTraditionsvietnamweird foodsWeirdFoodsSat, 03 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New BBC America cooking show combines travel and adventure]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/new-bbc-america-cooking-show-combines-travel-and-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/new-bbc-america-cooking-show-combines-travel-and-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/new-bbc-america-cooking-show-combines-travel-and-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It was only a matter of time before all the eating of rats and scorpions on "Survivor" grew tiresome. Perhaps that's why producer Kevin Greene and "Chopped" producer Chachi Senior created a new cooking series for BBC America that combines exotic locales with dodgy outdoor adventures. There's just one little catch: there's no kitchen.

"No Kitchen Required" takes 2008 Food & Wine "Best New Chef" Michael Psilakis of New York's Fish Tag and Kefi, private executive chef Kayne Raymond (aka the resident beefcake), and former "Chopped" champ Madison Cowan, and drops them into ten remote locations to perform some serious hunting and gathering.

After being plunked down in Dominica; Belize; New Zealand; Fiji; Thailand; Hawaii; New Mexico; Louisiana, and Florida, each chef is handed a knife ("Pack your knives and go," is not a sentence you'll hear uttered on this series) and a few key ingredients. They're then left to fish, hunt, forage, and otherwise scrounge up the remaining ingredients to "create a locally-inspired meal that will be judged by the community."

Despite the gimmicky and somewhat contrived nature of the challenges, there's a lot to love about this show. It's fun, innovative, and despite my raging addiction to "Top Chef," I'm happy to see a cooking show that finally requires the use of local/seasonal ingredients (let's hope there's no blow-darting of endangered monkeys or serving of shark fin). Weaving the regional and cultural element into the concept is genius. Braised nutria, anyone?

The series premieres April 3rd.

[Photo credit: (C) Gilles Mingasson for BBC AMERICA]

New BBC America cooking show combines travel and adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCchinacookbook of the dayCookbookOfTheDaycooking classesCooking-Mama-LtdCookingClassesculinary travelCulinaryTravelcultural foodsCulturalFoodsfishingflightfood showdownfood showsFoodShowdownFoodShowsforaginghawaii five-oHawaiiFive-ohuntingjunglelocal foodLocalFoodLouisiana oil spillLouisianaOilSpillNew Mexiconew tv showsNewMexicoNewTvShowsreality seriesreality show castingRealitySeriesRealityShowCastingregional foodsRegionalFoodsTop ChefTopCheftropicsFri, 02 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tips for teaching English abroad without speaking the local language]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/19/tips-for-teaching-english-abroad-without-speaking-the-local-lang/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/19/tips-for-teaching-english-abroad-without-speaking-the-local-lang/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/19/tips-for-teaching-english-abroad-without-speaking-the-local-lang/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

teaching english When people hear I spent a summer teaching English in Thailand, they often assume I speak fluent Thai. The truth is, you don't need to be fluent in the local language to teach English abroad. I'm not saying that it doesn't help, however, it isn't necessarily required, as the goal is creating an environment of English-language immersion.

Teaching English is a great experience for all parties involved, and if it's something you're interested in doing you shouldn't let fear of not speaking the local language fluently hold you back. Not only will you get the chance to have an eye-opening experience and get a unique perspective of the culture, you'll also be helping educate children and getting the chance to share your unique background with them.

To help you get the most of your experience teaching English abroad, here are some tips.

Figure out if you want to get paid or volunteer

When I taught English in Thailand, I volunteered with an affordable organization called International Volunteer Headquarters. Basically I paid a small fee which included having 24/7 support, accommodations, meals, school supplies, and cultural activities like elephant trekking and a weekend homestay experience. A portion of the money also went toward benefiting the local community. You can also search through the SE7EN database for free and low-cost opportunities. The truth is, there are a lot of expensive volunteer programs out there for this kind of project, and while many of them are reputable, there's really no need to spend a fortune to volunteer, especially if you want a truly local experience.

If you're looking to teach English long-term and want to get paid for your work, I would recommend signing up for a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA course, as many schools require that you have a certification. While it's not impossible to get a job without one, you'll have less choices in the positions you can apply for. Some excellent resources for these kinds of jobs include Dave's ESL Cafe, ESL JOBS, and Teaching Opportunities Abroad.

Continue reading Tips for teaching English abroad without speaking the local language

Tips for teaching English abroad without speaking the local language originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celtacultureESLlanguageteaching english abroadTeachingEnglishAbroadtefltesolthailandvolunteervolunteer abroadVolunteerAbroadworking abroadWorkingAbroadSun, 19 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vagabond Tales: Swimming with elephants in Thailand]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/vagabond-tales-swimming-with-elephants-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/vagabond-tales-swimming-with-elephants-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/09/vagabond-tales-swimming-with-elephants-in-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Anyone who has visited Thailand will recognize the word Chang.

The national beer of Thailand, the over sized green bottles are found everywhere from the markets of Chiang Mai to the bars of Bangkok's Khao San Road. In the Thai language, however, Chang does not mean beer. It means elephant. Hence the ornately drawn white elephant placed prominently on the bottle.

Another Thai word you may be familiar with is the word koh (also spelled ko). Ask anyone who just returned from Thailand about their trip, and they'll rattle the word off as if they're trying to remove a hairball.

"Oh the trip was great. We visited Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta, Koh Mak, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui" etc.

Koh, as it turns out, is not the Thai word for hairball, but rather, it is the Thai word for island.
Put the two together, Koh and Chang, and what you are left with is Elephant Island, a nod to the fact that when viewed from the sea, the island appears to have the same profile as an elephant lying down. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that the lush and mountainous island of Koh Chang is one of Thailand's premier locations for riding elephants.

Though there are many places around the world where you can rest on top of a moving pachyderm, what's unique about Koh Chang is that it's the first place I've seen where you don't just get to ride on top of an elephant, but you go swimming with it as well.

Wait. Swimming with an elephant? This sounds dangerous. They're the largest living land mammal on planet Earth, and you want to go jump into a watering hole with them?

Continue reading Vagabond Tales: Swimming with elephants in Thailand

Vagabond Tales: Swimming with elephants in Thailand originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbest island in ThailandBestIslandInThailandbudget-travelelephantsKoh ChangKoh Chang elephantsKohChangKohChangElephantsride elephants ThailandRideElephantsThailandswim with elephantsswim+with+elephants+thailandswimming with elephantsSwimmingWithElephantsSwimWithElephantsswimwithelephantsthailandthailandThailand travelThailandTravelvagabondtalesThu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: swimming in Thailand]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/05/photo-of-the-day-swimming-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/05/photo-of-the-day-swimming-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/05/photo-of-the-day-swimming-in-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , ,



WAHOO! Doesn't today's photo, by Flickr user halvora, make you want to take a running start and just jump in the water? Taken at a waterfall called Pala-U near the Thai resort town of Hua Hin, I love the image's sense of movement and playfulness, the boy caught mid-leap, and its serene setting at a refreshing waterfall pool.

Taken any great photos during your own travels? Why not add them to the Gadling group on Flickr? We might just pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: swimming in Thailand originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hua hinHuaHinpala-uplayingrefreshingsummerswimswimming holeSwimmingHolewaterfallSun, 05 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 luxury hostels from around the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/10-luxury-hostels-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/10-luxury-hostels-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/02/10-luxury-hostels-from-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

gilligans While many people think of hostels as run down hotels with cramped rooms and few amenities, there are many properties that can actually make you feel as if you're staying at a resort. For those who want comfort on a budget, here are 10 excellent luxury hostels from around the world.

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort Cairns
Cairns, Australia

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort in Cairns is without a doubt one of the best hostels I have ever stayed in. And if you're looking for something a little more luxurious than your average youth hostel, this is an excellent choice. Rooms offered include 4,6,8,10-bed dorms, 4 & 6-bed deluxe dorms, 6-bed all female dorms, and private rooms. The accommodation has a resort-type feel, with balconies, a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall and palm trees, a makeshift beach with volleyball nets, and even gym access. They also have swanky nightclub that often hosts theme parties and hot DJ's.

Continue reading 10 luxury hostels from around the world

10 luxury hostels from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art and cultureArtAndCulturebest hostelsbest hotelsBestHostelsBestHotelsbudget travelBudgetTravelluxury hostelsluxury travelLuxuryHostelsLuxuryTravelwhere to stayWhereToStayThu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Luxury Travel: Unlimited spa treatments at Thailand's Phulay Bay]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/28/luxury-travel-unlimited-spa-treatments-at-thailands-phulay-bay/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/28/luxury-travel-unlimited-spa-treatments-at-thailands-phulay-bay/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/28/luxury-travel-unlimited-spa-treatments-at-thailands-phulay-bay/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

phulay bay
There are relaxing vacations and there are vacations that take relaxation to a whole new level. Thailand's Phulay Bay, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, is offering a new Unlimited Spa package to entice luxury and spa lovers alike - and we are pretty sure it's working.

The ESPA-branded spa and the property have teamed up to offer a package featuring unlimited daily EPSA treatments along with daily breakfast for two, roundtrip transfers from Krabi Airport by hotel limousine, 24-hour dedicated butler service and a complimentary daily boat trip to Hong Island.

It isn't the idea of an unlimited spa package that's enticing, but the relatively low per-day price (starting at $1,165 per day) and the fact that the value increases exponentially with the amount of spa services booked. If you were to truly schedule a week of pampering, for example, your savings could be as much as $1,800 per day.

That's not saying that the price isn't still steep, but it's a dramatic discount given the services offered. We certainly wouldn't pass up the chance to stay at one of the resort's 54 villas.

Gallery: Ritz-Carlton Reserve Phulay Bay

Luxury Travel: Unlimited spa treatments at Thailand's Phulay Bay originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>luxury travelLuxuryTravelphulay bayPhulayBayritz-carlton reserveRitz-carltonReservespa treatmentsSpaTreatmentsthailandSat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guide to wine tasting in Thailand]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/26/guide-to-wine-tasting-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/26/guide-to-wine-tasting-in-thailand/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/26/guide-to-wine-tasting-in-thailand/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

thailand While Thailand isn't typically thought of as a destination for wine-lovers, there are actually various opportunities in the country to experience vineyards, wineries, and tastings. Whether you want to explore a Thai vineyard on the back of an elephant, try a one-of-a-kind local wine, or have a sommelier guide you through a 10-course wine pairing under a candle jungle waterfall, you can use this guide to help you find the best in vino that Thailand has to offer during your next visit.

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

Located on a former elephant corral, the fertile sand, slate, and cool ocean breeze make this a prime area for grape-harvesting. Huan Hin Hills Vineyard rests peacefully in a hill and jungle setting, close to the Myanmar border and a convenient stop on the way to the Huay Monkol temple and the Pala U waterfall. In you are staying in downtown Hua Hin, the vineyard operates a daily shuttle that leaves from Market Village at 10:30AM and 3PM (about $9-$10 round-trip).

The vineyard takes up over 560 acres, and produces an array of Monsoon Valley vino varieties, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Muscat, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese. In fact, Hua Hin Hills is the only vineyard in Thailand to harvest the Sangiovese grape, which has hints of red berries. There are a few different ways visitors can sample the wines. First of all, there is the The Sala Wine Bar & Bistro, which features wine and food pairings as well as educational opportunities to learn more about winemaking. The other option is to sign up for a wine tasting experience, which starts at about $9 to sample 3 wines, and goes to about $41 to try 5 wines and pair them with tapas. Other unique and fun vineyard experiences offered include painting wine bottles, playing Pétanque, or exploring the vineyards via elephant, mountain bike, or jeep.

Continue reading Guide to wine tasting in Thailand

Guide to wine tasting in Thailand originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiabangkokbudget travelBudgetTravelthailandvineyardsvineyards in thailandVineyardsInThailandwine tastingwine tasting in thailandWineTastingWineTastingInThailandThu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 tips for doing a homestay]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/24/10-tips-for-doing-a-homestay/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/24/10-tips-for-doing-a-homestay/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/24/10-tips-for-doing-a-homestay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

soupDoing a homestay in another country is a great way to get to know the culture from a first-hand perspective. By living with a family, you get to see how a local's daily life is, from what they eat, to how to they dress, to what their before-bed ritual is. With such a unique opportunity being given to you, it's important to get the most out of the experience while also being respectful. To help, here are some tips on how to enjoy a successful homestay.

Try new foods

When I did a homestay in Ghana, Africa, there were many meals that I was less than thrilled about. As a health-nut, I never would have made fried chicken a normal part of my diet, and eating (or drinking) rice water for breakfast left me less than satisfied. However, instead of getting upset about the food situation think about how much effort your host is putting into making your stay with them pleasant by spending time cooking for you and letting you stay in their home. Thank your host for every meal, even if you don't like it. And if there's something you really can't stomach, find a way to make it edible. With rice water, I learned to add chocolate powder and stir it into the mix. Moreover, to help myself feel better about eating fried foods I began going for morning runs, which also gave me the opportunity to see the village market stalls being set up in the morning, something I usually would have slept through.

Continue reading 10 tips for doing a homestay

10 tips for doing a homestay originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelafricabudget travelBudgetTravelghanahomestaysouth east asiaSouthEastAsiathailandtravel tipsTravelTipsvolunteer abroadVolunteerAbroadTue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 places to celebrate Chinese New Year]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/20/10-places-to-celebrate-chinese-new-year/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/20/10-places-to-celebrate-chinese-new-year/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/20/10-places-to-celebrate-chinese-new-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Chinese New YearChinese New Year occurs in the early months of our calendar year, typically January or February and this year falls on January 23rd. This is the first of 15 days of celebration and the start of the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year) is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar and a time to welcome longevity, wealth and prosperity and to eliminate any negative chi from the past.

The origin of Chinese New Year taps several myths and traditions and is officially celebrated in countries and territories such as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and also in Chinatowns elsewhere. Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors.

Gallery: 10 Places that celebrate Chinese New Year

South KoreaChinaMacauThailand


Continue reading 10 places to celebrate Chinese New Year

10 places to celebrate Chinese New Year originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChinaChinatownChineseChinese calendarChinese New YearChineseNewYearIndonesiaLeicester SquareMacauMainland ChinaMalaysiaPhilippinesTaiwanTrafalgar SquareWorldYear of the DragonYearOfTheDragonFri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA["Food" preparation around the world: a video round-up]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/food-preparation-around-the-world-a-video-round-up/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/food-preparation-around-the-world-a-video-round-up/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/food-preparation-around-the-world-a-video-round-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Every savvy traveler knows that meals that are considered taboo (pets), weird (ingredients that are still alive), or gross (insectia, specific animal innards) at home are likely what's for dinner elsewhere in the world. Even if the food or dish isn't unappetizing by our standards, its means of preparation is often spectacle-worthy.

Thus, the following collection of videos, all devoted to the creation of specific regional delicacies from around the globe. Check them out: next time you down a shot of mezcal or snack on some fried grasshoppers, you'll understand that someone, somewhere, put a lot of hard work into their preparation. Bon appetit!

In Mongolia, where food and other resources are scarce, innovation is crucial:

Making noodles is an art form in many parts of the world, including Xian Province in northern China:

Continue reading "Food" preparation around the world: a video round-up

"Food" preparation around the world: a video round-up originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbizarre foodsBizarreFoodsbudget-travelcookingcooking lessonscooking techniquescooking tipsCookingLessonsCookingTechniquesCookingTipsculinary travelCulinaryTraveldisgusting foodDisgustingFoodeating bugseating insectsEatingBugsEatingInsectsfoodfood festivalsfood videosFoodFestivalsFoodVideosgoatinsectsmezcalmicrowavingnomadsnoodlemakingnoodlesnorthern ChinaNorthernChinaOaxacaoffalrocky mountain oystersRockyMountainOystersstreet foodstreet food vendorsStreetFoodStreetFoodVendorstaco standstacosTacoStandstesticle festivalsTesticleFestivalsThai iced teavideosXian provinceXianProvinceTue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vagabond Tales: Please check your durian at the door]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/vagabond-tales-please-check-your-durian-at-the-door/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/vagabond-tales-please-check-your-durian-at-the-door/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/vagabond-tales-please-check-your-durian-at-the-door/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



I recently witnessed something strange while checking into a Bangkok hotel room.

In a city that's infamous for its sex tourism and is one of the undisputed party hot spots of Asia, there are any number of hotel activities I'm sure you would consider forbidden. Having fruit, however, probably isn't the first one you would have guessed.

While checking into a room not far from Khao San Road, I witnessed a man being sternly told that he could not bring his fruit into his hotel room. Seemingly preposterous, this wasn't just any old fruit, it was a durian, and not everyone in these parts is particularly fond of the durian.

Though we have recently reported here at Gadling on one blogger's process of learning to love the durian, I never before had witnessed someone actually being turned away from a hotel room for mere possession of the fruit.

Native to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, a durian sort of looks like a coconut--if a coconut were to be used for torture. Covered in horrific looking spikes, it's not the look of the durian that has turned people away from it, but rather, it's the smell.

While there's no arguing the exquisite taste of durian meat, the smell of this "forbidden fruit" is so unbelievably rancid explorers for hundreds of years have been commenting on its malodorous flesh. The 19th century British naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace commented while in Borneo "there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes."

Cream-cheese and onions? Yeah, I don't want that in my hotel either.

Ultimately though, although it may be stinky, it's not like the durian is actually dangerous or anything.

Or is it?

While many Southeast Asian vendors claim that the durian meat is exceptionally healthy for you, some recent events seem to suggest there are numerous ways durian might actually kill you. In 2010, a Malaysian politician was rushed to the hospital and nearly died after consuming four different varieties of durian. Similarly, in neighboring Indonesia three people did actually die when they partook in a fatal lunchtime cocktail of durian meat and distilled liquor.

Meanwhile, it's rumored that you can kill a man simply by throwing a durian at his head.

So what ever became of the man and his forbidden fruits? He was forced to check them at the door, lest he be levied a fine of 1000 Baht ($33) for infesting the room with his fruit. In a hotel lobby teeming with massage girls, prostitutes, drunk backpackers, and a hippie who you just know had drugs on him, I feel there may have been bigger issues at hand than one man and his stinky fruit.

But after all, this is Thailand, and the "King of Fruits" deserves to be taken seriously, for better, or for worse.

Love travel tales? Follow the rest of the Vagabond Tales series here.

[Photo: Flickr; Marc van der Chijs]

Vagabond Tales: Please check your durian at the door originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bagkok durianBagkokDuriandurianexotic fruitsExoticFruitsthailand fruitThailandFruitvagabondtalesworst smelling foodWorstSmellingFoodTue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST