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12 beautiful ways to spend Valentine's Day

Anthea Gerrie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

by Anthea Gerrie

February 14 is the one day of the year you can spend long minutes gazing into someone's eyes, a small fortune on some plants tied together with a bit of ribbon and a big fortune on a weekend away, without making other people feel ill -- because they're doing just the same.

Here are some options for the third leg of that lovely relay.

Don't miss our special Valentine's page

1. On a houseboat under the Eiffel Tower, Paris

In this city of Mediaeval bridges, urban islands, Gothic chapels and 17th-century townhouses, all linked by the River Seine, you can wander the narrow streets of the Left Bank, marvel at the gargoyles of Notre Dame then enjoy the free light show bouncing off the Eiffel Tower every hour from dusk till 1 a.m., paying homage to lovers in a scene straight out of "Moulin Rouge."

Best of all you can sleep on the river in a houseboat. Housetrip.com features one owned by a Michelin-starred chef who will cook you dinner by the base of the Eiffel Tower. Alternatively, take your Valentine close to the top, where the Jules Verne, 120 meters up, is considered one of the finest restaurants in town.

Better than 'The Beach': Thailand's perfect island paradise

Ismail Wolff — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:57:02 +0000

by Ismail Wolff

As a frequent visitor and sometime resident in Thailand for many years, I am regularly approached for one piece of travel advice: “Which beach should I hit?”

I’ve never found it an easy question to answer. There are hundreds of beaches to choose from on dozens of islands. Each has its own particular charm (or lack of, in some cases), so it all depends on what you want in a holiday.

For instance, during a recent conversation with a French expat who runs a guesthouse on the Thai island of Koh Phayam I told him of my plans to visit Koh Lipe over the New Year.

Sitting shirtless in his fisherman pants with his dry bag tossed over his shoulder, he told me in no uncertain terms: “Koh Lipe is dead. It died three years ago.”

“Really?” I replied.

Finally, air con and night shopping at Asia’s best (and hottest) market

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:31:17 +0000

Shoppers at Bangkok's Chatuchak Market, one of the world's most famous retail zones, could soon be feeling cool breezes instead of sweltering hot temperatures if a new modernization plan goes ahead.

According to a report in the Bangkok Post, Thai Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan wants to upgrade the mega market to meet international standards. The most notable changes on his reno list are air conditioning and a night bazaar.

The market is now managed by the State Railway of Thailand, which owns the land, since it took over the lease from Bangkok City Hall late last year.

Though many local fans of the sprawling 142,000-square-meter market will likely object to the plans, saying Chatuchak's charms lie in its chaos, more than a few of the sweaty tourists who pass through its gates weekly will likely approve.

According to estimates, Chatuchak -- or JJ for short -- attracts more than 200,000 visitors on weekends. It's one of the top places to go for Thai handicrafts, artwork, clothing, furniture, decor, plants and even pets.

Old Town Phuket: Finally, a reason to leave the beach

Simon OstheimerSimon Ostheimer — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:58:45 +0000

by Simon Ostheimer

Many a visitor to Phuket will leave convinced that it's little more than a hedonist’s paradise, where the day’s beach-side thong parade gives way to a night of Bacchanalian excess along Patong's Soi Bangla.

And who could blame them? Many tourists come to the so-called "Pearl of the Andaman" precisely to throw away their moral compass, shed their clothing and indulge in the kind of questionable evening behavior that would never be possible -- or acceptable –- back home.

But anyone willing to peel their butt from their beach chair can still get to know the real Phuket and its unique culinary and historical story. You just have to head to the old quarter of Phuket Town, which dates from the end of the 19th century.

Chinese dragons and tin fortunes

Phuket Heritage Trails (PHT), which specializes in walking tours of the Old Town, is one of the best ways to get a full view of the area.

Run by Phuket native Kritchaya "Chaya" Na Takuathung, a former newspaper reporter and hotel PR woman now devoted to introducing visitors to the living history of her home, PHT tours start from the modern and rather garish dragon statue that stands next to the local tourism office.

Traveling through Asia's rock 'n' roll past

Duncan Forgan — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

by Duncan Forgan

The Asian rock 'n' roll heroes of yesteryear don't get much playtime nowadays. Shiny and new generally takes precedence over dusty relics in Asia and reverence for past musical glories is conspicuous by its absence.

However, for anyone prepared to do a bit of digging there’s an untapped mine of melodious gold to be discovered around the region.

Here's where to find the people that helped define Asia's rock 'n' roll past.

Cambodia: Sin Sisamouth

Combining Cambodia, the West and a little bit of James Brown. It is impossible to overplay the importance of Sin Sisamouth. The undisputed King of Khmer music, Sisamouth could rightly vie with James Brown for the title of the "hardest working man in showbusiness."

A frighteningly prolific polymath, Sisamouth reportedly wrote more than 1,000 songs and was as adept at recording Latin-style music as he was blues, folk and bossanova.

The 'Millionaire's Tour' of Myanmar

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:58:30 +0000

As Myanmar continues to make moves to step out from international isolation, travel companies are fast lining up to snag their share of the expected increase in tourism cash.

Among these is Khiri Travel, which just launched a "Millionaire's Tour" of Central Myanmar. The four-day, three-night trip from Bangkok includes travel in a six-seat Cessna Citation CJ3 private jet.

"The trip is for high-end clients who want to be treated like millionaires and have an active holiday of cultural insights," a Khiri news release announced.

More on CNNGo: 5 signs Myanmar is getting easier for travelers

For a group of six, the trip costs US$8,500 per person. If four passengers travel, the fee is US$11,350 per head. If it's just two passengers, the fee is US$22,000 per person.

Bangkok street food: Historic Bang Rak's 10 best eats

Leela Punyaratabandhu — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:10:37 +0000

by Leela Punyaratabandhu

The area formerly known as Bang Rak market should not be left off any food lover's Bangkok travel itinerary.

The easily walkable stretch between Taksin BTS station and the junction of Charoen Krung and Silom Road is a cultural mash-up rife with history that's worth exploring on foot.

It's also home to several great food shops and stalls run by second- or third-generation cooks who are proud of their culinary heritage.

Here are 10 of our favorites.

Thip Hoi Thot Phu-khao Fai

A plate of Thip Hoi Thot Phu-khao Fai's mussel/oyster pancakes, which have the perfect gooey to crispy ratio. This maker of crispy mussel/oyster pancakes is one of the best in the city.

How to bicycle from Bangkok to Singapore -- even if you’re not fit

Nathaniel James Moody — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:00:26 +0000

by Nathaniel James Moody

I never thought I'd be able to say that I’ve cycled from Bangkok to Singapore.

It all started when the opportunity arose to buy a decent mountain bike from a friend who was leaving Bangkok, combined with a simple desire to lead a more healthy life.

Immediately, it felt like a collar had been lifted from around my neck and I could properly explore the city, sightseeing while exercising, when I wasn't teaching. I was enjoying it so much I decided to plan a cycling holiday that would involve peddling 750 kilometers from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

After spending hours cycling in soaking wet shoes, British expat Moody started wearing this sexy footwear.But two days before my departure, northern Thailand's flood situation forced me to alter course and cycle south instead, from Bangkok to Koh Lanta (850 kilometers).

Then, the government announced schools in Bangkok would be shut for two extra weeks due to the floods.

Boeing adds Bangkok, Singapore to Dreamliner world tour

CNNGo staff — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:52:19 +0000

by CNNGo staff

Boeing has added two new Asian stops to its ongoing 787 Dream Tour. The famed Dreamliner will now hit Bangkok and Singapore in February.

Here's the schedule:

Feb. 9-11: In Bangkok to visit Thai Airways International.

Feb. 11-18: In Singapore to visit Singapore Airlines. Will also be on display at the Singapore Airshow.

Dates and locations of additional tour stops will be announced approximately one month in advance, according to Boeing.

Thailand music festivals: Two weekends of international and local greats

Robert Reid — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:55:47 +0000

by Robert Reid

The devastating floods of 2011 put Thailand's music scene on hold, with many events being postponed or cancelled, including Jason Mraz and hip-hop artist Pitbull.

Even many of the annual beer gardens, which feature live music and spring up every cool season, were absent due to flood-related beer shortages. And as any visitor to this city knows, Bangkok and beer shortages are not normally words to be found in the same sentence.

Despite the turmoil, Thailand’s largest and most authentic outdoor festival Big Mountain went ahead at Bonanza Ranch, Khao Yai in December. Over 50,000 people attended with many camping out to see leading local artists.

The atmosphere of the event is similar to British festivals like Glastonbury and The Big Chill and the organizers are looking to involve more international acts each year.

Looking ahead, here are some of the top music events coming up in Bangkok and beyond.

World's 50 best surf spots

Jade Bremner — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

by Jade Bremner

Get wet and try not to wipe out, at these 50 best surf spots.

Whether you like rocky cliff faces, standing in awe at the pros charging some of the best waves in the world or getting lost searching for little-known breaks, we have you covered with everything from epic waves to beautiful, small glassy swells.

So whether you’re a beginner or an expert, here’s where to get on board.

This list was compiled by Jade Bremner, an avid surfer who has surfed many of these locations, and using contributions from other professional surfers. Thanks also to surfing-waves.com for their assistance.

1. You're probably not good enough, yet -- but you can dream.

The vegetarian's guide to Thailand travel

Mark Wiens — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:00:18 +0000

by Mark Wiens

Thailand is a country blessed by an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Navigate a local market and you’ll find a diverse selection of fresh produce in massive quantities.

Sounds like a dream destination for vegetarians, right?

Not so fast. Once you sit down and browse a Thai restaurant menu, you'll soon realize that pork is an obsession in Thailand and fish sauce is a main flavoring ingredient in many dishes.

But don’t worry, one of the great things about Thailand is that in most restaurants your food isn’t cooked until you order it. This means that you can specify exactly what you want to exclude from your dish before it is prepared.

I wrote the Vegetarian Thai Food Guide to show travelers who don't eat meat exactly how to take advantage of the famous tongue pleasing flavors of Thai cuisine. Here are a few tips from it.

CNNGo – Silverlake Music Festival Contest

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:34:17 +0000

Congratulations to the winners!

Kitsanachai Kraibavornwish

Prangie Songtieng

LANCHUKORN SRIWIMON

Vi Nguyen

Best of Koh Samui

CNNGo staff, Tina Hsiao and Jules Kay — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:19:03 +0000

by CNNGo staff, Tina Hsiao and Jules Kay

All that's missing from this photo is you, preferably holding an obscenely large cocktail with a tacky little umbrella dangling out the top. Experiencing the best of Koh Samui is no easy feat.

The most popular island in the Gulf of Thailand is best described as a confusing version of paradise. Koh Samui's beaches, bays, tourist strips and villages each have their own distinct personalities.

Some are sleazy. Some over-saturated. But most are fabulous.

Whether your idea of the best of Koh Samui beach break is getting lost in the tropics with your partner or getting hammered every night and sleeping it off on the beach, this wrap-up of the best of Koh Samui covers it all.

7 sci-fi innovations that will change travel

Hoishan Chan — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:01:00 +0000

by Hoishan Chan

With the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas this week, you can expect a flurry of tech showboats to start becoming mainstream news.

But before that, recall the Canadian man who recently claimed he was able to cross the U.S. border using a scan of his passport on his iPad.

It's assumed this kind of digital identification will be part of the future of travel, just as some airlines already allow digital boarding passes on smartphones.

More high-tech innovations that appear beyond reality now could soon become standard.

Here are seven innovations that could just change, even enhance, the travel experience.

Bangkok restaurants: Where to eat on Sukhumvit Soi 11

Clay Hemmerich — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:55:28 +0000

by Clay Hemmerich

Home to two of Bangkok's top clubs, Sukhumvit soi 11 has always been a center of attention in the nightlife community. But with the opening of a few of great new restaurants in recent months, this buzzing Nana soi is more attractive than ever for a night out.

Combine the newbies with some established eateries that have weathered time and competition, and soi 11 is starting to realize its culinary coming of age. Here are the top dining spots to check out.

Snapper

Trust us. This tastes as good as it looks. The owner of Snapper, Craig Hedley, is set on giving Bangkok a truly genuine New Zealand fish-and-chips experience.

In a seafaring setting adorned by fishnets and life-at-sea memorabilia, and tables that resemble the wooden planks of a oceanside dock, Hedley says Snapper is all about wild catch fish. Why? Because fish straight from the source are cleaner, tastier and healthier than farmed fish.

The cream, batter and potatoes are all imported rom New Zealand. The menu is focused and simple: if you're going to Snapper, you're going for fish.

Foods we love to hate: Vote now!

Hiufu Wong — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:01:21 +0000

by Hiufu Wong, Zoe Li, Hong Kong Editor

There's nothing like a controversial food to split marriages and divide nations.

One person's dog steak is another's foie gras. And one person's foie gras is another's durian.

Whether it's about belief systems and principles, or simply what makes your tongue twist and your stomach flip, we want to know: what foods would you never eat?

Take a look at some obvious contenders for foods some love and others hate -- then head to our Facebook poll and tell us about the dishes you can't stomach.

Dog meat

I am not what I wear.It dates to the ancient Romans -- dogs have provided both friendship and nutritional sustenance to humans throughout history.

Bangkok art: New year, new art spaces

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:58:01 +0000

Bangkok's art scene appears to be back on track despite last year's slowdown due to the floods.

After postponement due to the 2011 crisis, the massive V64 Art Studio has rescheduled its grand opening to January 20.

Meanwhile, having left its former location at the BACC, BKK Arthouse has been resurrected in a new home at the private art school of Studio Miu Art at Home Place on Soi Thonglor.

And lastly, to mark the recent opening of the new European owned design, fashion and art space We*Do at Thonglor 8, is the inaugural exhibition The Oracle, featuring photographs by 11 international artists.

This and more as Bangkok Art Map (BAM), published free every month in Thai and English, shares its top picks for the coming weeks.