‘Tourist Activity’ Articles at Golf Product Review by Experienced Golf Balls

Hua Hin: A fantastic beach resort town

No visit to Thailand is complete without a trip to the beautiful resort beaches of Hua Hin. Located 200 miles south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is one of the oldest and most popular sandy destinations in the country.

While many of the other beach resorts in Thailand – including Phuket and Samui – have been over developed and overrun with tourist hotels and restaurants, Hua Hin has retained its traditional charm as both a resort and a working fishing village.

The beach is over five miles long and surrounded by some of the best, yet least expensive, golf courses in the entire world. The city itself was discovered more than 80 years ago by King Rama VII. He chose the place as his home away from home when he wanted to escape the heat and humidity of the capital city.

Once King Rama built his palace in what had up until that point been a fishing village, other Siam nobility were soon to follow – which fueled the growth and popularity of Hua Hin.

The king’s palace – called Klai Kangwon, which means “Far From Worries” – remains an official royal residence and popular attraction to this day. Public tours are easy to arrange – even when members of the royal family are staying there!

Be careful outside the palace, however, because security is very tight and any type of public intoxication or other bad behavior near the palace is dealt with very strictly by the local police officers.

While the main tourist activity is to lie out on the sandy beach and have locals bring your drinks or provide massages, there are sites to see when you’ve decided you’ve had your fill of fun in the sun.

Most of the wealthiest families in Thailand have built their summer homes near the palace or on the beach, which means there is beautiful architecture to see as you stroll around and explore Hua Hin.

Khao Takiap is a large hill that is filled with beautiful Buddhist temples and offers the best overhead view of the city, the port and the ocean. It is a four-kilometer hike, so you may want to rent a bike or motorcycle to take you to the top.

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The Hua Hin railway station is one of the oldest stations in Thailand and is so beautiful that it is considered one of the country’s landmarks.

The Spirit Houses of Brassiere Beach has a really odd history. Legend has it that the daughter of a local fisherman was eaten by fish because she was too beautiful to live in the world. Today, men and women leave brasseries on the beach in order to ask the gods for good luck.

Namtok Pa Lau is an 11-tier waterfall located about 30 miles outside of town. It is easy to get to by bus, and is particularly popular on hot and humid days.

Wat Huay Mongkol was where famed monk Luang Phor Thuat lived his life. He was known for performing miracles and his former residence is now a large public park featuring a giant statue of him as its centerpiece.

At night Hua Hin comes alive with a large open-air market where you can buy nearly anything under the moon, and see what types of interesting fish and fruits the locals like to eat. You can also sample any of the many excellent seafood restaurants that surround the market.

If you want to sample local products, look for things made from Khommaphat, which is a type of cotton unique to the Hua Hin region. They use it to make everything from shirts to large decorative pieces of art.

The one downside of Hua Hin is that it does not have as active a nightlife culture as the other beach resort towns in Thailand. Your best bet is to hit the Soi Bintabaht and Soi Selakam areas where you can find local beer bars. By royal decree, there are no go-go bars in town.

Hua Hin has three important regional festivals, including:

The Thailand’s International Kite Festival is held from March through May in Hua Hin during even numbered years. It features stunt kites, big kites, little kites, high tech kites, traditional Thai kites, and displays of international kites. Hua Hin Jazz Festival is held through the month of June on the beach. It attracts world-class Jazz musicians and is considered one of the most popular events in Hua Hin. Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally. Sponsored by Vintage Car Club of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the car rally is held every December. All of the cars in the rally are vintage from the 1920s, in celebration of when the King discovered the city.

Getting to Hua Hin is easy from nearly any part of Thailand. It is hooked up to most of the major rail lines and you can get a direct train from Bangkok. There are also several bus routes from both Bangkok and Malaysia.

Overall, the weather is temperate. There is a brief rainy season in the spring, but the showers tend to be very short and are often over in five minutes or less – so you can get right back to the sun and fun!

You will notice that there are many, many more Thai tourists in Hua Hin than in the other national beach resorts. While westerners do come to Hua Hin, there are far fewer of them here than in Phuket or any of the other beach towns.

This leads to a certain charm, because Hua Hin has yet to be completely corrupted by tourists – and you can feel like you are having a very authentic Thailand vacation experience!

So, next time you are in Thailand, hop on the train and check out the beautiful beaches, waterfalls and temples of Hua Hin. Consider it a royal experience!

You’ll be glad you did!

http://www.thailandvisa.com is your one stop information site for travel to Thailand.

Michael Allen is an expat who lives abroad and loves travel and adventure. For all the current information on traveling to Thailand and visa and immigration to this country, go to: http://www.thailandvisa.com

Top Sport Fishing in Baja Mexico

Article by Anita Mckenzie

The scenic 1,070-mile drive south along Baja Mexico’s peninsula has been no detour ant, because Baja’s sports fishing waters have been becoming more and more active each year. The state of Baja California Sur has three major international airports located in Loreto, La Paz, and Los Cabos. Many people simply choose the short 2hr flight available from San Diego.

It is obvious that the main Baja Mexico fishing centers are now expanding with growth and crawling with tourist activity; however, as you fly over Baja or cruise along either side of the coasts the Pacific side or the inside Sea of Cortez, you’ll see that Baja is still very much that wild and rugged land. The better portion of development is concentrated over only a minor percentage of Baja’s land.

Fishing in Baja Mexico is still amidst a wonderland of the desert’s harsh beauty which is available to fulfill an exhilarating life-enriching adventure.

A storm of development has occurred over the last ten years in the area between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, known as the Los Cabos Corridor and has drawn a tremendous amount of attention; and unfortunately as a result, Baja’s natural beauty is at times difficult to see and often overlooked. Fortunately for those who wish to experience and enjoy Baja’s amazing and natural wonders it has not disappeared, you just need to know where to look.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Baja Sport fishing, it’s important you be aware that this elongated rocky desert peninsula, surrounded by ocean waters has the potential to display a whole host of faces; all dependent on your approach to it.

If you’re of the folks who choose to drive south along Baja’s major highway (Mex 1) you can feel more at ease knowing that this highway has received many improvements over the last several years. During your travels along Baja’s highways for the first time you’ll soon recognize that this highway is far from the well groomed spacious highways or freeways we have all grown accustomed to in the US or Canada; however extra care and attention is recommended while driving. You’ll want to be on the alert for are variable numbers of grazing cattle and other unique Baja wildlife that frequently clutter the banks of the highways. Taking your time and planning your trip to Baja will help ensure a safe and enjoyable travel south. Make frequent stops so you may absorb the breath taking ocean and red desert scenery.

La Paz Fishing

The first of the Baja Sport Fishing centers I’d like to introduce is La Paz. La Paz the capital city of the state of Baja California Sur, offers a welcoming and charming atmosphere. This large city has a warm and inviting traditional friendly Mexican population. La Paz features a beautiful waterfront known as “El Malecon”, this is where the focal points of activities are centered. The Malecon is a popular and beautiful sea walk stretching along and beyond the downtown water front. Throughout the summer months this boulevard offers both locals and visitors alike an enjoyable place to hook-up with friends and enjoy many of Baja Mexico’s traditional foods, grab a taco, a special coffee or take in the various choices of vibrant night life.

La Paz also is host to some spectacular fishing; in particular during the warmer months while the migrating Dorado, Rooster fish, Tuna, and Bill fish travel up the channel in between the Baja, mainland and Isla Cerralvo in order to blend with the inhabitant leopard grouper, Pargo, and various reef species. Isla Cerralvo is situated directly over top of one of the globe’s best rooster fish holes. Espiritu Santo Island is an island near La Paz and has incredible big-game fishing and reef fishing. Espiritu Santo is easily available by way of safe fast boats positioning you right where the action is. Tuna, marlin fish, Wahoo, and the giant Travelly are just a few of the species caught in these amazing crystal clear blue waters.

Million Dollar Point is known as a focal point for snorkeling. This is where the Americans discarded massive amounts of war surplus in 1945. You can see everything from vibrant corals, shipwrecks, bulldozers and forklifts; that are populated with various species of resident fish life. If you’re not a scuba diver….try the snorkeling. There is so much to see when you visit these unspoiled reefs.

Although La Paz Baja’s fishing is a major attraction, La Paz has so much more to offer; La Pa has a traditional Mexico charm, distinguished yet energetic Mexican lifestyle not found elsewhere in Baja. Cobblestone streets provide an old world appeal as well as fun and interesting places to walk. Sit a moment upon one of the many beach front benches and enjoy the lovely view of the bay of La Paz, or go in search of great bargains, explore the fascinating history and culture as you stroll through the many narrow alleys that open to a whole host of shops specifically catering to the tourists. By late afternoon you can gaze at the glorious La Paz harbor sunset.

Cabo San Lucas Fishing

The Cabo San Lucas fishing areas include the Cabo Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. These areas in particular have undergone the largest and most rapid amounts of growth above and beyond any location in Baja California. Over the course of the last decade these communities have exploded with multi-story hotels, condos and new golf courses. Because this community is rapidly changing it is easy to find yourself twisted around with difficulty finding the street you’re looking for; because it may buried within a new large development neighborhood.

One thing that hasn’t changed, the Cabo Baja fishing is always fantastic! San Jose del Cabo host to the world famous double Gordo Banks; is also known to be Baja’s most consistent all year round off-shore fishing hole. The Gordo Banks hole can be easily accessible within a panga boats range of approximately six miles off-shore. This hot fishing hole is filled primarily with resident bottom fish; of which are attractive to hordes of migratory tuna, wahoo, dorado, and marlin fish ranging in the 1,000 lb range. The winter months are exceptionally good fishing at Gordo Banks, mainly because it is situated within the wind shadow of the range that forms the tip of Baja known as “The Sierra de la Laguna Mountain”. Cabo San Lucas is located at the very tip of Baja California Sur and is also where a nice sized marina exists. Many who visit Los Cabos enjoy the energetic night life as well as the variety of beach front hotels, exquisite and fine restaurants; and or sunning on the beaches while watching the cruise ships come and go daily.

Cabo San Lucas sits right on the meeting place of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. From the geographical perspective this is the reason for the consistency of terrific fishing on either side, or often both; for wahoo, tuna, dorado, and various types of bill fish. Cabo’s sport fishing industry is famous for its Striped Marlin Core Zone; the striped marlin makes its home just off the southern tip of Baja California Sur. Many who experience an exhilarating sport fishing extravaganza claim the thrill and excitement of it all to be unparalleled.

A Baja sport fishing adventure is not limited to fishing; it can include snorkeling in the revitalizing crystal azure waters, or perhaps a visit amongst the assortment of sea life and coral reefs off the Baja coasts, or explore any of the many remote white sand beaches and islands near La Paz or Los Cabos Baja.

If you’re interested in learning more Baja sport fishing and sport fishing charter and packages that can be tailored to suite your needs available in the Baja.

About the Author

Anita McKenzie a local resident and business owner La Paz, Baja California Sur, and is dedicated to providing you with useful information on Baja business and unique Baja travel & tourism.

http://virtual-la-paz.com for useful Baja info.