Tag - Thailand

Our 10 Favorite Beaches In The World

October 22, 2014

Our 10 Favorite Beaches

Our 10 Favorite Beaches in the World

Chances are, like us, you love the feel of sand between your toes, sunlight on your face, and the sound of waves crashing. So, without further ado, here are our favorite beaches in the world…

Favorite Beaches #10. Boulders Beach – Cape Town, South Africa

This beach, with its wind sheltered bays and safe sandy shores, is home to a breeding colony of over 2000 endangered African Penguins.

Favorite Beaches #9. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach – Hawaii Island, USA

Coconut palms fringe the upper edge of sand and you will undoubtedly encounter a large honu, or Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, basking on the beach.

Favorite Beaches #8. Afantou Beach – Rhodes, Greece

In Greek, ‘afanto’ means ‘invisible’, and in the past the city was strategically placed so that marauding pirates could not see it from the sea. On the Eastern edge of Afantou, the beach gets its nickname “Grotta a Le Cave,” for its pebble floored hidden caves.

Favorite Beaches #7. The Calamian Islands, Philippines

The Calamian group of islands is an undiscovered paradise between El Nido and Coron in the Palawan. The isolated area hides hundreds of white sand beaches with crystal clear water water, thick wild jungle, and coral reefs teeming with life.

Favorite Beaches #6. Playa del Amor (Lovers Beach) – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Located right near the famous arched rock formation, Lover’s Beach is one of Cabo’s most famous beaches. Bring a pair of sneaks and hike West through the jagged rocks and you will be rewarded with endless coastline all to yourself.

Favorite Beaches #5. Mosquito Beach – Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

With its flashy, blonde beaches framed in limestone cliffs and thick jungles, Phi-Phi is the best of the Andaman coast. In the evening, Beach cabanas turn night clubs, where you can dance between them in the shallow waters til’ sunrise.

Favorite Beaches #4. West Bay Beach – Roatan, Honduras

Combining nice powdery white sand, crystal clear warm water, and a very accessible reef, West Bay offers the chance to relax in between spectacular snorkeling among schools of fish, sea turtles, etc.

Favorite Beaches #3. Fragos (Simos) Beach – Elafonisos, Greece

A very popular beach with Greeks, its “party”-like atmosphere is perfect for those who like to go to the beach to socialize, but if you prefer more peace and quiet, don’t despair, the more secluded Sarakiniko beach is around the corner.

Favorite Beaches #2. Papakolea (Green Sand) Beach – Hawaii Island, USA

Green sand beaches are very rare, with only four in the world. It is a beautiful sight.

Favorite Beaches #1. Red Frog Beach – Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Red Frog Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches readily accessible from mainland Central America and truly a jewel of the Caribbean. Take a boat to Red Frog, but hike North along the coastline through the jungle to find deserted beaches. Consider hiking west through the jungle and stay a night on Bastimentos Island away from the hustle of Bocas Town.

Southeast Asia Itinerary “Sampler Plate”

March 5, 2014

Jeff Grace

Travel

2 Comments

South East Asia No. 1

Southeast Asia Itinerary – Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, & Cambodia “Sampler Plate”

Temples, Beaches, Great Walls, Monasteries, Tigers, and Elephants

Five Weeks (January 30th – March 3rd, 2014)

Since most international airlines fly to Bangkok, we decided to book a flight with a connection in Beijing and take advantage of the new 3-day visa on arrival. With our 72 hour clock ticking, we spent our time scaling the great wall, wandering the Forbidden City, and getting lost amid the city’s hútòng (narrow alleyways).

: Tiananmen Square

: Dumplings

: Panjiayuan Antique Market

: Jinshanling Great Wall

: Jinshanling Great Wall

: Jinshanling Great Wall

After securing our Myanmar visa in Bangkok, we wasted no time and booked a round-trip ticket to the ancient capital of Mandalay. After a 6 day round-trip minibus journey to the ruins of Bagan, Mount Popa, and the island monasteries of Inle Lake, we headed back to Bangkok.

: Local Moto Rental

: Mandalay Hill

: Artist

: U Pain (Bain) Bridge

: Fried Crabs

: Sagaing Pagodas

: Inle Lake Monastery

: Mountain Biking – Inle Lake

: Cart & Bulls – Inle Lake

: Mountain Biking Ferry

: Inle Lake Kids

: A Kayan Lahwi Woman

: Inle Lake Monastery

: Stir Fry

: Sulamani Temple

: Mount Popa

: Bagan Sunrise

: Leg-Rowing Intha Fisherman – Inle Lake

: Shwegu Gyi Phaya

: Kaw yay khauk swè

: Mount Popa

: Thatbyinnyu Temple

: Dhammayangyi Temple

: Pathein Umbrellas

: Bagan Nan Myint Tower

: Morning Alms – Nyuang Shwe

: Teakwood Guesthouse – Nyuang Shwe

: Mingalazedi Pagoda

: Electric Moto Rentals

: Bagan Pagodas

We then took the direct bus to Siem Reap to see Angkor’s magnificent temples, before busing to charming Phnom Penh and on to Vietnam’s bustling Ho Chi Minh City.

: Cu Chi Tunnels

: Phnoom Bakheng

: Angkor Thom

: Angkor Wat

: Angkor Reliefs

: Cu Chi Tunnels

: War Remnants Museum – Ho Chi Minh City

: Duc Vuong Hotel – Ho Chi Minh City

: Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City

: Siem reap

: Bitexco Financial Tower

: Terrace of the Elephants

: Ta Keo

: Bayon

: Phnom Penh Waterfront

: Beng Melea

: Angkor Wat

: Baphuon

Next, we worked our way north with a stop in delightful Hội An, for atmospheric strolls and relaxing on the beach. Stuffed and bronzed, we moved onward to the antique streets of Hanoi and the awe inspiring Halong Bay.

: Hanoian Girl

: phở

: Traffic Jams – Hanoi

: Ha Long Bay

: St. Joseph’s Cathedral

: Temple of Literature

: bãi biển An Bàng

: Non Nuoc Beach

: Ha Long Bay

: Hoi An Street Vendors

: Cầu Nhật Bản – Japanese Covered Bridge

: Vietnamese ( Hoi An ) Silk Lanterns

We then air-lifted out of Vietnam to laid-back Luang Prabang, Laos’ world-heritage city filled with temples, French colonial buildings, elephants and hill-tribe adventures. We then flew to chic Chiang Mai for temple-spotting, thai food, and tiger encounters, before heading back to Bangkok for our journey home.

: Elephant Village

: Lao-Lao

: Bamboo Bridge

: Kuang Si Falls

: Wat Xieng Thong

: Wat Xieng Thong

: Kuang Si Falls

: Haw Pha Bang

: Tak Bat

: Elephant Village

: Wat Tat Luang

: Water Buffalo Bathing

: Wat Chiang Man

: Chiang Mai Zoo

: Wat Chiang Man

: Chiang Mai Zoo

: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

: Tiger Kingdom

: Grand Palace

: Koh San Road

: Cityscape

: Markets

: Grand Palace

: Grand Palace

: Tuk Tuk

: Lub d Hostel – Bangkok

: Thai Food

: Roof Top Pools

: Roof Top Bars

: Grafitti

Budget = $3,700 / Person (Traveling with Eight People)

Flight - New York to Bangkok + 6 Regional Flights$3700

Bus, Tuk Tuk, Taxi, Moto Rental & Boats$3700

Lodging - Hostels & Hotels$3700

Food$3700

Activities - Entrance Fees, Massages, etc.$3700

Southeast Asia Itinerary Packing List

Documents / Essentials

Passport (w/copy in Paper) (w/scan saved online)
Dollar Cash Money (3-$100, 5-$20, 5-$10, 10-$5, 20-$1)
Driver’s License (w/copy in Paper) (w/scan saved online)
Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard) Call to Inform Them
Debit Card (Visa or Mastercard) Call to Inform Them
Myanmar Visa Application (Filled out Two Copies)
Flight Itineraries Printed Out (To Obtain Visas)

Liquids / Toiletries (In Plastic Bags)

Sun Screen
Tooth Paste
Bug Repellant
Mouth Wash
Hand Sanitizer
Razor
Shaving Cream
Q-Tips
Nail Clippers
Advil
Imodium
Ciprofloxacin (Need Prescription)
Antihistamine Itch Cream
Lotion
Lip Balm

Food

Gummies
Pretzels
Beef Jerky
Granola Bars
Chewing Gum

Accessories

48 Liter Backpack
Glasses
Sun Glasses
Belt
Lonely Planet Book
Camera w/ Charger
Phone w/charger
Outlet Converters
Head Lamp
Hat
USB Drives
Memory Cards For Camera
Day Bag
Dry Bag
MP3 Player w/ Headphones
Ear Plugs
Zip Lock Bags
Chewing Gum
Pen(s)
Travel Towel
Playing Cards
Book to Read

Clothes

(Wear) Sweat Shirt – Give Away on Arrival
(Wear) Jeans – Give Away on Arrival
Tennis Shoes
Sandals
Socks (5 Pair)
Underwear (12)
Khaki Shorts (3)
Swim Suit
Speedo
T-shirts (10)
Tank Tops (3)
Long-sleeve T (1)
Dress Shirts (2)

Southeast Asia Itinerary “Beaches”

February 28, 2012

Jeff Grace

Travel

1 Comment

Southeast Asia Itinerary “Beaches” – Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, & Philippines

Beaches, Terraces, Towers, and Deserted Islands

Five Weeks (January 26th – February 26, 2012)

From Bangkok, we began our Southeast Asia itinerary by making a beeline for the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, spending time on the dive crazy Ko Tao and hippie Ko Pha Ngan. Next we made our way across the peninsula to Krabi and the beachy hotspot of Ko Phi Phi, on Thailand’s Andaman coast.

: Bucket – Ko Phi Phi

: Grand Palace – Bangkok

: Khao San Road – Bangkok

: Wat Phra Kaeo – Bangkok

: Grand Palace – Bangkok

: Grand Palace – Bangkok

: Ao Hin Wong – Ko Tao

: Mae Haad Bay – Ko Pha Ngan

: Hin Wong Bay – Ko Tao

: Leela Beach – Ko Pha Ngan

: Loh Dalam Bay – Koh Phi Phi Don

: Boat Trip – Koh Phi Phi Don

: Boat Trip – Koh Phi Phi Don

: Maya Bay – Koh Phi Phi Le

: Ko Mai Phai

: Long Tail Boats – Ko Phi Phi

: Haad Rin – Ko Pha Ngan

: Haad Rin – Ko Pha Ngan

: Maya Bay – Koh Phi Phi Le

: Mae Haad Bay – Ko Pha Ngan

We then caught a cheap flight from Phuket to sophisticated Singapore and rented a car in Johor Bahru to explore mainland Malaysia. After 40+ years of Jennilou’s father being away home, we began our journey in Senai with a visit to his birthplace and his mothers and grandmothers grave stones. After Jennilou met her uncles, aunts, and cousins for the first time in Kelapa Sawit, we made our way to the future growth center of Kuantan for the evening. In the morning, we continued north to Terengganu to visit Jennilou’s aging and oldest aunt as she was unable to make the trip to Kelapa Sawit. Next, we headed to Malaysia’s multi-ethnic capital Kuala Lumpur before finishing our trip in the “historic state” of Malacca.

: Financial District – Singapore

: Financial District – Singapore

: Sentosa Island – Singapore

: Monk – Kuala Lumpur

: Tang City Food Court – Kuala Lumpur

: Petronas Towers – Kuala Lumpur

: Petronas Towers – Kuala Lumpur

: Petronas Towers – Kuala Lumpur

: Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort

: Cousins – Terengganu

: Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins – Terengganu

: Cousins – Terengganu

: Chai Family – Kelapa Sawit

: Melaka Church

: Kuala Lumpur Skyline

Back in Singapore we fueled up at our favorite hawker Food Stalls and headed to Puerto Princesa (Philippines), for a week long sailing trip with Tao from El Nido to Coron.