Transportation Choices for Independent Adventure Travel

Transportation Choices for Independent Adventure Travel

When it comes to adventure, there are nearly as many different ways of getting around as there are places to go. Whether you prefer to travel across America or Europe in the lap of luxury or make strenuous traverses of far away mountain ranges and deserts under your own power, no matter what type of adventure you seek the way you move through the landscape is almost as important a decision as the landscape you move through.

Let's take a look at some of the ways you can move around the planet.

Bangkok Transportation

Mass Transit: This one is too easy really, just about everyone has flown commercial or booked a seat on the bus to get from point a to point b at some time in their life. But Mass Transit is useful for more than just big trips. Entire adventures can be built around exploring the world of hubs that exists around major transportation centers of the world. In just about any major city you could spend weeks or even months exploring the stops along their mass transit programs, but mass transit offers more than a unique vantage point. For travelers pressed for time and money, the public option remains one of the best ways of getting from the real world to your adventure quickly and efficiently - if you are lucky or have an open mind, the trip itself is often an unplanned part of that adventure.

Cars: Cars are a boon and a bane. On American roads cars are ubiquitous and gas is relatively cheap. Buying or renting a small car to zip around in offers incredible flexibility and plenty of "road trip" guides abound to help you get the most out of your trip. As a plus, a car can easily do extra duty as a camper - fold down the seats and sleep in the trunk! Traveling by car, you can buy food at the grocery store and prepare it picnic style at local parks saving money on eating out, and in the event of bad weather you can keep going snug and dry in your little can on wheels. The biggest downside of cars is the insulating aspect of them. Traveling in a car seals you off from the rest of the world - fewer people to meet and talk to, fewer places to stop and the easy temptation to hop on a highway and blitz past miles of undiscovered territory all put cars on a different level than other transportation options.

Boats: As long as you are traveling over water, boats offer a unique turn on the classic wanderer's journey. People have sailed makeshift rafts down major rivers and crossed oceans on everything from heavily modified rowboats to single-handed sailboats. Crossing large bodies of water in a boat alone takes years of practice to master but there are several places that offer sailing classes, and companies that hire crew to help move boats from one part of the world to another. A journey by boat is sure to give you a unique perspective on the way the world moves, and the people who inhabit the lands around its rivers and seas.

Bicycles: On my bike trip around the United States I said that bicycle travel was the perfect compromise between walking, which is often too slow and driving, which is often too fast. If you have the time and health traveling by bicycle can be a wonderful way to tour a country. Many places in Europe - Germany especially - are very bicycle friendly and even in the car-centric United States there are several great trail systems and long rides available for touring cyclists including 350 car free miles from Pittsburgh PA to downtown Washington DC.

Motorcycles: For my next trip, I really want to travel on motorcycle. It seems that no matter where you go in the world, if it's someplace cool or even remotely interesting, you'll arrive to find some biker sitting happily at a picnic table having lunch their motorcycle waiting curbside for the next leg of their adventure. I have zero experience on motorcycles other than talking to touring bikers every single chance I get, but man oh man, sometime soon I'm gonna have my bike trip.

Walking/Backpacking: One of the oldest forms of transportation known to mankind, and still one of the best. From mega trails like the Appalachian and Pacific Crest in the United States to Koras around ancient hills in the remote Asian plateau, when push comes to shove you can always get around on your own two feet. One nice advantage of walking is that it allows you the flexibility of choosing other forms of transportation at anytime without having to store, return, sell, or otherwise deal with your current mode. Want to go down a river? Hop a boat and go, want to get across town? Jump on a bus, hail a cab, or walk. There are plenty of roadblocks to heading out on an adventure, as long as you have your own two feet transportation never needs to be one of them.

On the Edge: Adventurers have circled the globe in balloons, swam the length of rivers, taken sleds to the poles, and crossed deserts of horses and camels and traveled thousands of miles by riding lawnmower. If there is a way of moving around - someone has probably tried it and if they haven't you get bet someone is planning a trip right now. How you get to where you are going is often as big a consideration as where you will go. The important thing is to create the journey that works for you, using whatever means you can to get where you need to go and see that part of the world that has been calling to you.

Of course this list is by no means exhaustive. People have found as many ways to roam the world as there are places to roam to. No matter where you want to go or how you choose to go, there is a good chance that with practice, skill, and a dash of travelers luck, you'll make it back to tell the story. So what's stopping you? Pick your ride, throw a dart at the map, and start traveling.

Transportation Choices for Independent Adventure Travel

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Bangkok Floating Markets - Where Tradition And Charm Prevail

Bangkok Floating Markets - Where Tradition And Charm Prevail

This city offers a concoction of delights and experiences that few can resist. A magical blend of tradition and modern glamour collide to provide an awakening of senses for travellers from all walks of life. The food, the nightlife, the shopping, the tradition and the culture are known to be among the best in the region.

Bangkok is undeniably famous for its shopping, from bargain items to the best brands the world has to offer, this metropolis is a treasure trove. Shopping can be accomplished in virtually any part of the city, though the more famous districts are - Sukhumvit, Chidlom, Silom, Siam, Ratchaprasong, Khao San Road, Chathuchak Market, Pratunam and Petchburi. On street markets and a scattering of few stores, polite haggling prior to purchasing your goods is a prerequisite when shopping in Bangkok.

Bangkok Guideline

The city is networked by canals and waterways. In centuries gone by, it was these canals that were used for the transportation of goods. Today, this practice still lives on, and many locals commute along the canals to get to different parts of the city. Yet another facet of the city that has lived on is the floating markets. There are four floating markets that can be reached from Bangkok, of which the most famous one, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is 109 kilometres away.

Many tour operators will provide a tour to the Damneon Saduak Floating Market. Here, you can be immersed in the colourful chaos. From fresh fruit to homemade local delights, one will find charming ladies jostling for your attention and selling their wares. Taling Chan Floating Market is closer to the city, and is open only on weekends.

A trip to the floating markets of Bangkok would not be complete without a quick ride on one of the speed boats. As seen in the classic James Bond movies, you may find yourself being launched through narrow canals in narrow boats that have you seated at almost water level. A trip to a floating market is just one of the many ways to absorb the thrilling culture of the city.

Bangkok Floating Markets - Where Tradition And Charm Prevail

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What to See and Where to Go in Bangkok

What to See and Where to Go in Bangkok

Thais call their capital, Krung Tep Macha Nagon, which means the City of Angels, the Great Capital, or, shortly, the Krungtep. Bangkok ("Palace of the Gods was built by the Gods in Heaven") is a city with the longest name among other cities in the world. It was founded in the late 17th century by King Rama the First. The city combines respect for ancient traditions and the influence of industrial progress. Bangkok is located on the plains with rivers and canals, so it is called the Venice of the East. A part of the canals was leveled to build roads and skyscrapers, still you can take a boat ride along those which are left.

Bangkok is the only city in Thailand with taxis with meters. If the counter is not available, you should discuss the cost of the trip in advance. Tuk-tuk is the most common means of transport in Bangkok. This is a motorized vehicle with a sofa for the passengers. When driving it produces a hard-to-imitate sound for which it received its name. The fare is negotiated in advance and you should firmly keep to it at the end of the trip.

Bangkok Transportation

Attractions in Bangkok
Some people believe that the city is boring and dusty. But if you decide to not just waste your time in the hotel room one and undertake a little journey (even by foot), all doubts will disappear. There are many places to visit, reachable from any of major Bangkok hotels: over 400 temples, and in the suburbs you can see historical monuments. When visiting the royal palaces and temples it is advised to take off shoes, your clothes should comply with certain rules with the skirt covering the knees, pants, covered shoulders. At the entrance to every temple you can rent out proper clothing. Shoppers can expect to be busy in Bangkok. You can actually spend ages in shopping malls, markets and shops. In addition to the usual souvenirs you can buy Thai silk, jewelry, articles made of teak wood, ceramic and bronze.

The temple of the Emerald Buddha
The Royal Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaev), it represents the main religious building in Bangkok. A 60-centimeter Emerald Buddha is worshipped as the main shrine in Thailand. It is made from a single piece of jade, and clothes are of pure gold. In fact, there are three of the Buddhas and only one of them is exhibited depending on the season. In the Royal Palace only a few throne halls are open to the public (daily 8:30 to 15:30), some are still used to receive foreign delegations.

Reclining Buddha Temple (daily 8:00 to 17:00) is the famous and largest in Bangkok, was built in the late 17th - early 18th centuries. It is a 46-meter high gilded statue of the reclining Buddha with feet made of pearl in which all the Thai kingdom is depicted.

Opposite to it, there stands the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), lined with glazed tiles with ceramic applications. The best time to visit is the evening when the 82-meter pagoda is illuminated by spotlights in the spring and in the summer light shows are arranged, telling you in Thai and English about the history of the temple.

Democracy Monument was erected in honor of the events of early 1990 when the country went through a military coup. At that time the civil society took over the army, for the first time in the history of Thailand.

Bangkok, other places to visit: National Museum, Palace Vimanmek, floating markets, the house of Jim Thompson, Chatuchak Market, Lumpini Park, the Zoo Dusit, Rose Garden, Forest Samphran, Wat Arun, Siam Park (aquatic park).

What to See and Where to Go in Bangkok

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Slowdown in Bangkok Office Market

Slowdown in Bangkok Office Market

The Bangkok office market experienced a slowdown in the first quarter of 2007. The reason for this lull is due to limited leasing activity and companies putting expansion plans on hold as political and economic uncertainties persist.

"The impact of the political uncertainty on the Thai economy has caused the country's GDP forecasts to be revised downwards to 3.0-3.5% compared to the previous forecast of 4.0-4.5% following a decline in consumption and private investment," said Suphin Mechuchep, managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle Thailand. "The impact is also being felt by the Bangkok office sector which has seen lower levels of new demand."

Bangkok Guideline

Companies have a major concern over the softening economic outlook and foreign businesses are also worried about the proposed FBA revisions. All these issues have discouraged both local and multinational companies to expand this year, resulting in a slower growth of demand for office space.

Jones Lang LaSalle says it's hard to predict to what extent the Bangkok office market will be affected by the current conditions. Optimistically, if the new economic stimulus measures launched by the government are successful, the FBA proposed revisions are more efficiently communicated to foreign businesses, and the new election takes place as scheduled, investor confidence may recover and the Bangkok office sector would benefit.

Caroline Murphy, head of Markets at Jones Lang LaSalle, commented: "Leasing activity in the Bangkok office market over the first quarter of this year was slow with lease renewals making up the majority of transactions in the market. Demand for office space from newly established companies has been limited with a "wait and see" attitude becoming increasingly more common."

In Jones Lang LaSalle's latest study, the average vacancy rate of office space in Bangkok's Central Business District (CBD) fell from 12.9% in January to 11.4% in April. This is mainly because 16,500 sqm of office space in Thai Wah Tower II was converted for hotel use and consequently its tenants relocated to other office buildings. No new supply was completed in the CBD over the quarter.

The average rent of Grade A office premises in the CBD rose marginally from Bt660 per sqm per month in January to Bt666 per sqm per month in April. The less favourable trade conditions and a slower growth of demand for office space have caused landlords to become less aggressive in raising rental rates so existing tenants do not relocate.

Rental increases for the rest of the year are expected to be minimal in anticipation of new supply at the latter half of the year and in 2008.

"Hopefully, economic stimulus measures and anticipation of improved sentiment following the general election scheduled for December 2007 will provide impetus for office demand in the next twelve months. Otherwise the office market may experience increased vacancy rates and downward pressure on rental rates as a significant amount of new supply is planned for completion late 2007 and early 2008," said Ms. Murphy.

Total office supply stock in Bangkok stood at 7.4 million sqm as at April 2007. Four new office developments with 139,500 sqm of combined lettable space are scheduled for completion in 2007 with Athenee Tower (45,000 sqm) being the only project located in the CBD area.

Slowdown in Bangkok Office Market

Patpong Red Light District in Bangkok - Travel Tips For Newbies

Patpong Red Light District in Bangkok - Travel Tips For Newbies

Las Vegas takes the title for Sin City. But Bangkok wins hands down for the title of Sin Capital. With its multitude of red light districts, Patpong is the only one that is not exclusive to men seeking the pleasures of the flesh. You can see foreign tourist with their children mingling amongst the densely packed Patpong Night Market buying counterfeit goods that operate a stones throw away from go-go bars with bikini-clad-woman shuffling their feet, swinging their hips along to the newest hip hop beats. Their sensual moves luring the gawking male customers inside like bait to a fish.

Patpong is located between two major thoroughfares, Silom and Surawongse roads, not too far from the bustling business district. Though there are foreign visitors who come to Patpong's Night Market to shop for the latest knock offs of international luxury goods at a bargain, most of these visitors are shopping for a bargain in the flesh trade. Technically prostitution is illegal. Bangkok's government has proclaimed a crack down on the sex industry and made an effort to clean up the streets. However nothing has changed and the proclamation has withered and subsided.

Bangkok Travel

Go Go bars such as King's Entertainment Groups located on Soi Patpong are widely popular with Western Tourist but is gaining in popularity with the Eastern tourist such as the Japanese. Soi Patpong is the epicenter of this red light district's namesake. This is exactly where you can find Patpong's Night Market right in the middle of the street open from 5pm to 2pm. The stalls are lined in two columns where you can find fakes of all kinds such as Coach, Rolex, Tiffany and high fashion clothes. You can also find some great local souvenirs but these are usually priced higher. So bargain hard.

All the go go bars, clubs and watering holes open at 7pm and close on the dot at 1pm or else they face the wraith of a police official demanding bribe to avoid a ticket. The beers are all decently priced if you compare it to prices back in your home country. They do not have a large variety of beers inside but that's not what most men go inside for.

All the go go bars are usually filled with drunk and eager Johns by 9pm, packed in like sweaty sardines with constant streams of ladies leading their customers to the short time hotels that are a block away and up some stairs. Most of the bars and clubs in Patpong cater to male clientele, but there are some that cater to men who prefer Bangkok's third gender referred to as "Lady-Boys" or katoey in Thai. Most lady-boys can pass for a real woman so if this is what you want or don't want make sure you ask.

The gay scene is surely not overlooked in Patpong. The rules and laws of supply and demand applies especially in Thailand where thousands of open and closet gays flock to Silom 2 and 4, the center of gay nightlife. These streets are a block away from Soi Patpong and is the largest street that is chock full of gay bars and go go establishments. For some reasons gay establishments are allowed to close later then the establishments that cater to straight men.

Patpong is definitely one of the most visited places in Bangkok. It's strange mixture of sex and counterfeit goods make strange bed fellows that still attract people from all over the world. The sights, sounds and lights burn an unerasable memory that you have to experience in order to believe. If you are thinking about visiting Patpong in Bangkok I suggest you go for it. Don't be intimidated. Just go with the flow.

Patpong Red Light District in Bangkok - Travel Tips For Newbies

Bangkok Culture

Bangkok Culture

Bangkok's culture dates back to many centuries that it is said that archeological excavations in the area north of Nakorn Ratchasima indicate that there were people living here over 4000 years ago. Monarchy played a major role in the medieval times. But now Thailand has a rich bout of democracy with its own constitution.

The Bangkokians are a bunch of warm and friendly people, usually too polite to show offense. Yet, as with any nation, there are borders of behavior that should and should not be crossed. They take great pride in their monarchy. Visitors are well-advised to respect the reverence in which devoted Bangkokians hold their royal family. The Buddhist religion is considered sacred by Bangkokians. Monks, temples, and Buddha images are everywhere and most of the people treat them with great respect. It is expected that appropriate clothing be worn in temples, and shoes removed when entering certain areas in the temples.

Bangkok Guideline

For Bangkokians, the maintenance of surface calm and harmony is crucial. Loss of temper, arguing, or direct criticism are best avoided among them, because they feel it serves little purpose in any case. The famous wai is a used as a gesture for both greeting and respect. Wai requires the person to use both of his hands as if praying in front of his face. In general, it is considered to be a mark of respect to try to keep the head at a lower level than that of a senior or older person when talking to or passing them. On entering a private chamber or house, it is customary to remove your shoes. The polite form of address when talking to or about people of similar or older age are to use the title "Khun" and the person's first name.

Many Bangkokians will be too polite to comment on behaviour that is disrespectful of a fellow Bangkokian, but you should be aware that it is still offensive. Looks and appearances are important to Bangkokians. When meeting them, dressing smartly, or at least appropriately, reflects the degree of respect you hold for them.

Bangkok Culture