Hong Kong - City of Life

Hong-Kong, the "city of life", designed and run by architects and entrepreneurs from around the world is a dense city of many cultures where you can find anything at anytime. It is one of the most crowded and diverse cities everywhere. It also has one of the most stunning urban landscapes in the world, especially at night where it blazes like a great flower of light with petals of neon.Hong Kong itself is divided into four main areas – Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Though each have a vital and long-standing role in Hong Kong tourism, most visitors spend the majority of their time in the densely populated area of Kowloon.

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Unbelievable Hotel Rooms

Unbelievable Hotel Rooms

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Amazing Hotel Room

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Amazing Cruises in Caribbean

hether you are going for an anniversary, a get-away, or a family vacation, a cruise line is a great destination.

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If you are ever fortunate enough enjoy the joys and delights of a cruise then quite literally you will be participating in the penultimate of holiday experiences . This is an sector of travel that first became popular at the begining of the 20th century. in those early days however it was only ever available to the extremely rich and famous. Today with the most competitive prices the cruise industry has ever known these sensational vacations of a lifetime are now within the grasp of us all. Gone are the days of the segregated floors [ I bet we’ve all seen titanic film] now anyone is welcome aboard these emporers of oceanic wonder.

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A tribute to modern technology and a triumph for maritime technology these awe inspiring goliaths are the toast of all who have travelled in them. Some of the biggest cruise liners in the world can carry well over three thousand passengers and are capable of running on a fully self sufficient basis for an amazing span of up to two weeks at a time. This being the case it turns out that the 2 main points of worry for the majority of potential cruise ship passengers are these, If I am on board for such an amount of time would I get bored? what happens if a health issue should occur? Well quite simply there is no need to worry in the slightest.





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Shows, Theatres and numerous other means of entertainment are all part of the package and included in all of today’s modern cruise vacation offers. When it comes to your health and well being the majority of vessels would give any competent medical team a real run for their money. Equipped with the best state of the art medical facilities and manned by top notch medical personnel it is thought by many that should a medical emergency happen then you would be better taken care of at sea than in many of today’s local health clinics. So you see although you might find yourself in the middle of the ocean and 1000’s of miles from civilisation you can be assured that both your physical and recreational needs would be fully taken care of on a level that would be hard to surpase.

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Probably one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a sea vacation is this. No other single holiday would give you the opportunity to enjoy and visit such a huge and varied number of resorts. destinations and nationalities. Portugal one day and Italy the next, the world really is your oyster when you embark on a cruise and whats even better, All this can be achieved in the greatest of comfort and in the lap of sheer unadulterated splendour.

Go on give it a try, You might even get to sit at the captains table.

Cary O'Reily is the webmaster of the well known cruise benefits website http://rapidcruises.com

OLD PHUKET - THE TIN LEGACY

Old Phuket Town dates back to the tin mining days of a century ago, when Chinese immigrants sought to make their fortunes from this precious ore.

For millions of international visitors, Phuket is an island paradise, wrapping sun, sand and sea into a glamorous package that attracts them back again and again. However, 150 or so years ago, the island attracted visitors of a different sort – Chinese migrants seeking to make their fortunes from Phuket’s lucrative tin mining industry.


Many were from the Fujian area of China, bringing with them their Hokkien culture and language; others were from nearby Penang, as well as traders from Malaysia, India and the Straits Settlements. Together they forged Phuket Town, channelling tin, goods and money through the port in Tongkah Bay in ever growing amounts.

Some gained mine concessions, making fortunes and establishing family dynasties on the island. They built huge mansions, similar to the colonial properties in Penang, and wore European clothes. Others set up trading companies and shops-cum-homes along Thalang Road, Old Phuket’s main commercial centre, and adjacent streets.

Today, tin mining has virtually ceased due to low tin prices and high extraction costs. In its place, the descendents of the tin pioneers have, like alchemists of old, transmuted cheap metal into gold – tourism gold. Degraded tin mines have been turned into lucrative attractions – the luxury resorts of Phuket Laguna, Blue Canyon Golf Club, Phuket Country Club and Phuket Boat Lagoon have all been built on top of mined-out land.

And the shophouses and mansions that line the roads of Old Phuket Town have become a fascinating tableau of discovery for travellers wanting to learn more about the heritage and culture of the early tin pioneers.

Preservation Push
Local interest in the heritage of the old town came to a head in 1992, when the government passed the new Environment Act that designated Old Phuket as a conservation area, covering 8 roads – Dibuk, Thalang, Phangnga, Phuket, Rasada, Ranong, Yaowarat, and Krabi – and two lanes – Soi Romanee and Soi Soon Uthit. The act set limits on building work, and encouraged restoration and local participation in promoting this heritage area.

Good cooperation between the local government and residents helped launch the Old Phuket Town Festival in 1998, highlighting the renaissance of Thalang Road and showcasing the baba lifestyle (see: Who are the Babasω), costume, food and architecture. The growth of this annual festival plus the recent move of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Region 4 into brand new offices on Thalang Road, inspiringly designed as a Sino-Colonial mansion in a bright orange coat, gives the TAT new ammunition to encourage tourists to discover the cultural allure of Old Phuket.

Old Town Preservation
Please click to view


Image © Serendipity Designs Co., Ltd.

The Old Town Trail
Surprisingly, no travel agency yet offers walking tours of the Old Town, particularly as there are so many interesting places to admire, shop and eat.

Don’t be discouraged! Art & Culture magazine’s Phuket Town Treasure Map provides a walking trail of the Old Town, identifying historic buildings, shops, restaurants and other interesting places for a do-it-yourself tour of discovery. It’s just a two-kilometre walk to cover all the roads of the Old Town, according to the map, which offers snippets of insightful information about what makes Old Phuket such a fascinating place to visit. Get a copy at the TAT Phuket Office and ask for directions.

Where to Beginω


Old Chartered Bank building
Image© TAT
The map’s walking trail begins at the corner of Phangnga and Phuket Roads in front of the police station with its clock tower. Opposite is the old Chartered Bank building, the first foreign bank to open in Phuket in the early 1900s. With the tin industry in its heyday, the bank expected to handle large amounts of international currency and insisted on having a police station nearby for security. As the bank building is no longer used, the Thai Treasury Department has donated it to the Phuket Municipality for the creation of a museum celebrating the culture of old Phuket.

Thavorn Hotel
Images © TAT

Follow the trail round into Rasada Road, and before going any further, make a detour into the old Thavorn Hotel. It was built in the early 1960s by tin magnate Tilok Thavornwongwongse, who was encouraged by the then prime minister, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, to diversify from tin into tourism. Unfortunately for Tilok, his timing was off. It was so difficult to get to the island in those days that tourists were few and far between. According to a note Tilok framed in the lobby, the hotel suffered severe losses for more than ten years. The only bright spot was the elevator, the first of its kind in Phuket, attracting visitors from around the island for their first ever ride up and down the floors. The elevator is still in service, as well as a magnificent staircase. There are also loads of old photographs and memorabilia of bygone ages in a wonderful small museum in the lobby (entrance 30 baht).

Thalang Road
If you have time to see everything, follow the map route, stopping to enjoy the distinctive architecture, sample some tasty food, make merit at a Chinese shrine or whatever else takes your fancy. Alternatively, decide what you would like to see and go straight there.

Whatever your choice, make sure you walk along Thalang Road, the centerpiece of the Old Town with its Sino-European facades and arched walkway along both sides of the vibrant thoroughfare.

Three types of shophouse have been identified – Chinese, neo classic and art deco, all in various stages of aging (occasionally, read delapidation). Admire those that have been lovingly renovated, such as the House of Beautiful Images on the corner of Soi Romanee or the China Inn Cafe.

On your journey, sample sticky pancakes at Aroon’s or sweetmeats at Wilai’s. Check out the richly coloured batiks of the Indian merchants. Breathe in the heady aromatic aroma of Chinese herbs at Nguan Choon Tong, the city’s oldest herbal shop. Outside an official sign classifies a neo classic arch with doric columns. Enquire about prices at the friendly Thalang Guesthouse, or browse around Sin & Lee, the first supermarket in Phuket opened over 50 years ago for wealthy miners to buy imported food and other products. If you have money to spend, visit Sin Yoo Chang, one of the best names in Phuket for old jewellery.

Nguan Choon Tong
Sin & Lee
Sin Yoo Chang

Images © TAT

Browse and learn, stop and buy; you are guaranteed an interesting walk along Thalang Road.

Accommodation
There is plenty of good hotel accommodation in Phuket City for those who intend to spend more time shopping and exploring the Old Town Trail. To experience living in the Old Town, the following are interesting suggestions:


Images © TAT

On-On Hotel, Phangnga Road, Tel: 076 211154
The oldest hotel in town, opened in 1929, has grown into a rambling maze of inexpensive rooms (170-400 baht a night, no service charge). Still a popular meeting place for budget travellers. In 2000, it featured in the movie The Beach, purportedly as a guesthouse in Bangkok’s Khao San Road.

Thalang Guesthouse, Thalang Road
Friendly, family-run guesthouse with 13 rooms in an old shophouse along Thalang Road. More rooms are available in a nearby house. Prices range from 350-450 baht for rooms, inclusive of breakfast. Air-conditioning is available for an additional 100 baht.
Web site: www.thalangguesthouse.com

Phuket Backpacker Hostel, Ranong Road
Inexpensive, fairly new hostel located directly opposite the Thai Airways offices and next to the Old Town’s fresh market. It is clean, comfortable and friendly with 12 small rooms plus dormitory beds. Prices range from 180 baht to 800 baht for a single room with air-conditioning, inclusive of tea and toast in the morning. A communal lounge offers free television, videos and internet, with a small garden at back to relax.
Web site: www.phuketbackpacker.com


Images © TAT

Sino House Hotel, Montri Road
Charming Chinese-style hotel with an attractive lobby and large spacious rooms, for travellers and long-stay guests. Located across from Seng Ho, the oldest bookstore in Phuket. Prices begin at 1,500 baht per room, inclusive of breakfast delivered in-room. The hotel also operates a small coffee house and the Raintree Spa.
Web site: www.sinohousephuket.com


Images © TAT

The Taste, Rasada Road
Formerly known as the XVI, The Taste turned two adjoining shophouses into an unusual guesthouse with a trendy reputation. There are 12 rooms, of three types, in an open plan design that makes generous use of curtains and indirect lighting. Prices start at 1,500 baht plus breakfast in the green season, rising to 1,700 baht during the high season. There is a cocktail bar on the ground floor.
Web site: www.thetastephuket.com