Golf in Phuket

Until you have golfed here, you really cannot appreciate just how beautiful the natural surroundings and man-made landscaping really are. Not to mention, there is an endless supply of female caddies here and most courses provide them free with a green fee and yes, they actually can help recommend a club for you!

Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Designed by Max Wexter, Laguna Phuket Golf Club is definitely the place to go to golf in Phuket! The place is unparalleled with water on 14 out of 18 holes. The greens are complimented by a woodland setting, mature trees and enough strategically placed hazards to keep the game interesting. Unlike a lot of other courses in Thailand, this one was made for the average player to be able to get through without losing dignity. The club even houses practice bunkers, chipping areas, putting greens, video analysis, tennis courts and a five-star cafe.

Mission Hills Golf Club

You better be ready for a challenge as well as a few surprises if you're going to golf this course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The ocean provides cool breezes and the course is housed among mangroves that are environmentally-friendly and carved from rubber plantations. Here you will receive a caddy and a golf cart with your green fees and if you play at lunch, the girls almost always deliver a round of snacks to everyone.

Phuket Country Club

This is an older course that only has water on 7 out of 18 holes but with the 54 bunkers, you will find it unusual and challenging. Phuket Country Club is not overly done up with excessive landscaping but it has a lot of natural beauty that seems to soothe away the pain of a bad score.

Loch Palm Golf Club

This is a very challenging place to play Golf in Phuket yet it's fair enough to get though and not have to hide your score card. The background is what is most distracting yet appealing about this course. Being surrounded by forest and jungle always has you wondering what kind of exotic animal might come passing through. You will enjoy water on 13 holes along with 67 bunkers! This is not a course for the novice golfer!

Here is a great resource on Golf in Pattaya

Karon Beach

There are many beautiful beaches on Phuket however one of the most popular beaches is Karon beach. This popular Phuket resort area is located a few miles south of Patong beach and is one of the most family friendly beaches on the island.

Karon beach is especially very popular with travelers from Europe and amongst tourists visiting this wonderful Thai travel destination. The beach at Karon is one of the longest and cleanest beaches on the island. Another reason why many families prefer staying at this Phuket beach over for example Patong beach is that there are less beer bars and nightlife venues.

If you are interested in finding out more about this excellent resort area on Phuket then be sure to continue reading this article.

Activities

You will certainly not get bored if you decide to spend your holiday in the Karon beach area. There are numerous activities and attractions which tourists can enjoy there during their vacation. Along the beach you will find plenty of water sport activities such as parasailing and jet skiing and there are also a large number of dive shops in the town of Karon. If you enjoy shopping then please note that there are many small shops and stores which cater mainly to travelers.

Accommodation

Visitors can choose from all types of accommodation in Karon beach. There are many different types of hotels and resorts located in this Phuket beach area as well as dozens of inexpensive guesthouses. If you are looking for a more luxurious type of accommodation then you could look into holiday rentals. Karon beach is home to a number of beautiful pool villas which tourists can rent for a few days or even several months.

Nightlife

If you are the type of traveler that is visiting Phuket because of its excellent nightlife then perhaps Karon beach would be the wrong place for you to stay during your vacation. There are no discos there and only a limited number of beer bars. You could take a Tuk Tuk down to Patong beach every night as there are many nightlife venues there and it is only a few miles away.

Restaurants

If you enjoy visiting many different types of restaurants during your vacation and to sample many different types of food then you will feel right at home in Karon beach. There are many different types of excellent restaurants there and some of the best seafood restaurants can be found along the beach road of Karon.

James is travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide which includes an excellent section with information on Karon beach.

Travel Advice on Phuket

Phuket is one of the most visited places in Thailand. The island is quite known for its beaches, thrilling activities, nightlife, golf etc. This travel advice would be quite useful while traveling there.

Best Time to Visit
Most appropriate time to visit Phuket is November to March. During these months, the average temperature is around 30C and humidity bearable. Cool breezes flowing from the sea make the climate cool, helping foreign tourists feel at ease.

Internet
Internet services could be availed in Phuket at all main tourist regions. All upscale hotels offer internet service. Some wi-fi spots are also set up in the island.

Food
Eat all the food in your plate if invited for a dinner or lunch. At the time of community dining, the person thought to be most honored is expected to pay. So expect you to pay at a function, take it positively. As soon as the host invites you to dine, begin. You need not wait for all the food to arrive.

Getting Around
Most international tourists hire taxis for getting around. If you want to move faster, you could take motorbike taxis. However, most of the bikers are known to drive too fast. For more affordable travel, you could use tuk tuk which are little red trucks having seats for passengers. The air-conditioned mini buses colored yellow and green also run in Phuket town and vicinity. And if you plan to move from one place to other all day, you are always advised to hire a taxi or car.

Electricity
Electric current in Phuket island is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles). A number of plugs and sockets are in use. Take a plug-adapter kit if you want to use shavers, tape recorders and similar appliances.

Tour Agency
You are advised to avail services only from registered travel agencies. As everywhere, you would find touts in Phuket too. So establish the credentials of an agency before hiring services.

Drinking Water
Tap water is available in Phuket. However, you better drink bottled water. The reason being most tourists are not accustomed to that kind of water. Avoid purchasing ice.

Business Hours
Shops and stores are open seven days a week while government offices and commercial establishments operate on a five-day week. Most offices, shops and stores are closed on public holidays.

Language
Almost all Thais associate with tourism sector have working knowledge of English. So if you are an English speaking person, it would be fine.

Tourist Police
Tourist police takes care of the security of the tourists in Phuket. The tourist police emergency hotline is 1155.

VAT Refund
Foreign tourists are not required to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) on items more than 5,000 Baht which they wish to take home. However, make sure that the papers are complete before applying.

Dinesh Patairya has been writing on tourism for several online and offline publications for years. He is currently working for a project on Phuket [http://www.yourasianvacations.com/thailand/phuket/index.html] with YourAsianVacations.com

5 Thailand Vacation Routes to Explore

1. Phuket - For an unforgettable Thailand vacation a stop in the Phuket area is a must. This island offers an exquisite tropical paradise, with a fascinating culture and many different attractions and activities to fill any vacation no matter how long. Whether you plan on spending a few days or a few weeks this island should not be overlooked. Fantastic world-class diving, numerous spas, beautiful sunsets, golf, shopping, beautiful beaches and ocean views, and a culture that is intriguing all combine to make Phuket a one of a kind place to visit.

2. Bangkok - No Thailand vacation would be complete without a visit to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand an amazing experience. From the Amulet Market, where you can buy a charm to keep you fertile or protect you from evil or bad luck, to the state of the art shopping malls which glitter and include designer clothes and the rich and elite, Bangkok is a city of contrasts. Enjoy an evening cocktail with an exquisite sunset at the Moon Bar at Vertigo, which is situated on the top of a skyscraper.

3. Sukhothai - Sukhothai is the capital city of Sukhothai Province, and this area is a very popular place to explore during a vacation to Thailand. This city is full of interesting and historic places to visit, and was the capital city of Thailand more than eight centuries ago. Sukhothai Historical Park attracts visitors from all over the world, and the friendliness and culture of the population make this city one that rates high with most who have been here, and the authentic cuisine is outstanding.

4. Crabi - The laid back and relaxing atmosphere and setting of Crabi makes it an excellent choice for a Thailand vacation. You can wander through any of the eight districts in the province, or take a short trip to the Andaman Sea. Whether you are looking for a budget vacation or the ultimate in luxury and pampering you will find it here. Attractions include the limestone cliffs, the Shell Cemetery, and the beautiful beaches and fun water activities, as well as delicious and authentic cuisine and interesting people.

5. Chiang Mai - A Thailand vacation in Chiang Mai offers so much to see, do, and experience that you may need to come back again to do it all. Take an elephant tour of the jungle, because a ride on the back of an elephant through this exquisite landscape is incredible, or visit historic temples and landmarks, some of which are more than seven centuries old. Numerous bars, restaurants, shops, and markets offer fabulous food, goods, and social opportunities. If you plan a trip to Thailand then this area can be an excellent destination choice.

Kayla McBride is one of the fellow contributors of the travel blog at Travel Information 123.

Lady-boys in Phuket, Thailand

If you come to Phuket, your itinerary will surely include the famous side shows by those Katoey's or lady-boys. Be ready for a rich sensory experience and a time of enjoyment as they go all out to please the weary customers and patrons or tourists. It is not just about making a living, it is about a way of life. It is not a sleazy existence but a means of maintaining a lifestyle as a lady-boy they would not be able to in their own native village. They wear very revealing dresses showing their ample silicone emphasized breasts while they sing and dance in their performances. Their perfect measurements and their beauty makes them the envy of many real women.

The men and the women watch transfixed as they go about their routines. In Malaysia, they are known as Maknyah's or the derogatory term 'pondan' or 'she-males' in the West.

It is sometimes difficult to discern who is real or who isn't. Some of them are indeed beautiful. I believe God in his immense mercy is giving them a chance to live a life they should have been given since birth. They are obviously more ladies than men. Transsexuals or trans-gender are those who think they are a woman born in a man's body, while a transvestite is a man who likes to dress up like a woman.

In Thailand, being a lady-boy is less derogatory for example than in the west. They are accepted by society as the third sex and are not openly discriminated against. Many Thais have a slight stature, sport smaller bodies like a woman and quite hairless. Boobs are easier to fix but a sex change operation is more complicated, and expensive. My heart really goes out for them as they undergo it to reach their quest of being a real woman. Injection of female Hormones are also part of the routine they have to undergo.

One of the country's most famous lady-boys is Nong Toom, who went from champion Thai kick boxer to being a transsexual. A movie, Saitree Lex, was made about the true story of a lady-boy volleyball team known as the 'Iron Ladies' won the national championships in 1996 against the odds.

Maria is the founder & owner of Patongbeach-hotel.com. http://www.patongbeach-hotel.com

Early Winter Travel Routes Experience

Compared with previous years, this year's winter travel raised its curtain earlier.

Recommended place: Northeast China

What would you think when referring to northeast China travel? Is it crystal and clear ice, snow-capped country or exotic city view? This year, there is more fresh fun. That is winter fishing.

In northeast China, you could pay an industrial visit, such as heavy manufacturing base or Changchun FAW to experience the new face of industry and its spectacular scale.

Recommended highlights: winter fishing and rime

Chagan Lake, rarely known to outsiders, is quietly hidden in the bank of Songhua River. It will get to be lively only when people take winter fishing. The traditional customs held before the fishing are sacred with a bit of mystery and full of hunting and fishing culture in primitive northeast part. Fishermen open the ice in the on the lake surface and cast net, then hum a tune when raising the net.

After the wonderful winter fishing, there is a winter must-see named Rime. Jilin Rime along the miles of the beach has long been well known. The Rime Island in the downstream of Songhua River is even a better place for viewing rime. The Rime Island is famous for its abundant and beauty. The trees here are all with strange shape, and the weeping willows along the river are covered with white and crystal frosting.

Travel tips:

Accommodation: hotels in northeast China launch peak season price from mid-November. Therefore, you could choose to stay at 4 to 5-star hotels before the early winter.

Food: the foods in northeast are featuring their own. Every place has its representative dish.

During your Shanghai travel period, the author wants to introduce you some cheap Shanghai tours. She could also provide you detailed information about the cheap China holiday tours.