Thailand- Get the Bang for your Bucks in Bangkok

         Thailand is a great place to bond with your family on a vacation while creating unforgettable memories and "Do you remember that time...",experiences.  Where ever you are around the world, your flight will land in the most populated city of Bangkok (Krung Thep, over 8 million people, recorded).  There is so much culture and magnificent architectural designs in the temples of Thailand. Get your camera charged and ready to go.  Weather you have a current interest in cooking and eating Thai food or just find Thailand fascinating, there is no better place to learn about it than to visit it.  There may be a culture shock at first, but it will soon disappear when you are engulfed into their city life.  There you will expose yourself to the natural landscapes and people of Asia if you choose to travel around the country.  Visiting Thailand is much more affordable and as equally as rewarding as visiting Europe. Thailand is a unique country because when you are there, you soon realize it is the melting pot society of Asia. You will see Thai people of Chinese, Burmese, Vietnamese, Camodian, Indonesian, Indian descent, and mixed ethnicity.  It reminds me much like America in how the middle class can work hard to keep themselves up to date in society by owning cars and amusing themselves with different kinds of pets and being up to date in technology.  One thing I love about Thailand is that education is the key to lifting yourself out of your social economic class in Thailand.  There is such respect to their elders and especially professors and doctors, making it a society who really do care about improving their city.

Elephant Trekking

So if your into the metropolis vibe or the opposite such as camping through out the jungles of Thailand.  You can meet and greet exotic animals such as elephants, tigers and monkeys in certain providence's.

         






          To the south there is a beautiful island that reminds me of the Thailand's version of tropical white sand beaches of Hawaii, but it's called Phuket (not pronounced fuket, but poo-keht).  Phuket's west side of the island was mostly affected by the tsunami in December 25, 2004. Even though the Katathani resort was impacted greatly by the tsunami, they still opened up their doors making it the headquarters to help others in time of need.

         On the east side resides a dreamy Luxury star resort called Vijitt resorts.  Before the resort was here the owners made their income from tin ore and farmed tropical fruits to sell in the local market.  There are stories where Vijitt Khoopongsakorn (Grandfather of the resort) used to give back to his community and fellow neighbors, by supplying the less fortunate people with bags of rice from his grain market from downtown Phuket.  This family business is described as "From fruit garden to luxery resort" said Norachai Thavisin from Phuket News.  Since the resort shares the beaches with the Andaman sea it was not drastically affected by the tsunami waves.  Unlike  the west side where its beach fronts were greatly impacted by the large waves from the Indian ocean.  At Vijitt Resort there is an island blocking (Island Lone) the resort from the main waves and will dissipate any strong waves and break them down before they cause any real damage.

Katathani Resort

         If you are looking to stay closer to the city life, shops, bars and parties at night, stay here at the 5 star Katathani resort. While you stay at most of these luxury resorts, they usually provide you with a folder with an endless amount of new exciting adventures that depart from the hotel every morning.  These field trips are scheduled out from where to eat for lunch and gives you plenty of free time to go explore places on your own.  For example, one day you could be island hoping from the islands of Phi Phi where Leonardi de Caprio played in the movie "The Beach" and the next day riding an elephant trekking up the mountains of Phuket.

James Bond Islands

       Other destinations also include speed boating to the infamous James Bond Islands.  While visiting Phi Phi island you will have a chance to snorkel in these tropical waters of the Andaman Sea that are lush with coral life and beautiful vibrant fish that will eat bread crumbs out of your hands.  If you are the land lock type, don't fear there are jungle all terrain vehicles that will sooth any off-roading enthusiasts.

Links Related to Phuket

Things to do in Phuket 

Vijitt Resort

Katathani Resort