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Tips for Reducing Your Holiday Expenses in Phuket and Thailand

Tips for Reducing Your Holiday Expenses in Phuket and Thailand

by James Spellman

While we mainly aim this article at visitors to our part of the world in Phuket, Thailand, you can apply a lot of the advice to holidays anywhere in the world.

One of the great attractions of Thailand is that it is cheap. The Tourism Authority of Thailand can carry on pushing their vision of Thailand as a millionaire's playground for as long as they want but still the majority of visitors will be people who have a limited budget.

In this article, we will give a few simple tips to help you make your money go further. We are not talking about the sort of penny-pinching measures that backpackers use to make their tiny budget stretch a year. We are not going to suggest you eat noodles every day. After all, you are on holiday and holidays are meant to be enjoyed. However, most people have worked hard for their two-week holiday in the land of smiles and there is no reason why they should not get the best from their money. Here are a few simple tips to make the money go a bit further.

Accommodation

If you want budget accommodation then usually you can find good deals just by walking in off the street. Walk around the side streets of any of Phuket's beach resorts and you will find guesthouses. During peak high-season (Xmas & January) it is better to book in advance as there may not be any rooms available. Whatever you do, do not ask a tuk-tuk driver for a recommendation. They will just take you somewhere that pays them commission.

If you want mid to high range accommodation then you should book in advance. If you walk in off the street, you will pay more for your room. It may seem strange but it is cheaper to book in advance through a travel agent or internet-booking site. The internet booking sites have the best rates. An excellent tool for finding the best rates is Hotels Combined. This Australian based website does a price comparison across 30 internet-booking sites and finds the cheapest available rates.

If you are on a longer-term holiday of a month or more then it may be worth looking for an apartment. If you go further back from the beach (e.g. Nanai Road in Patong), you can find nice one bedroom apartments from 12,000 baht a month.

Flights

Finding cheap airfares is a little more complicated.

There is a lot to be said for buying a package holiday from a travel agent. They will use their buying power to ensure you get good rates for your hotels and flights. However, many people enjoy the flexibility and independence of booking their own flights.

We would like to give a link to a single site that provides cheap international flights across the globe. Unfortunately, it does not work like that.

The airlines do not give their cheapest tickets to the major international travel sites. They know that companies such as Travelocity & Priceline have the marketing power to sell tickets that are more expensive. Therefore, while these companies sell in more countries and cover more destinations, they do not have cheap airline tickets.

The airlines give their cheapest tickets to small independent travel agents. These smaller agents usually only sell flights that depart from their local country. So for example, if you are in the UK you could check cheapflights.co.uk and they will check for the cheapest flights from a range of small agents. You will probably find return flights to Phuket from £500 or less. If you try the major international travel agents then return flights start from $2,000. Therefore, whatever country you are in, check the internet or classifieds for your local travel agents and look around.

The best international internet-booking site is ebookers.com. This site covers most major destinations and sells tickets in most countries. While their prices are not the absolute cheapest, they are very competitive.

Travel Insurance

Many visitors seem willing to travel to Thailand without travel insurance. The low medical costs in Thailand mean this is not such a big gamble as at a destination such as the United States where high medical fees and a litigious society make travel insurance an essential.

However, we really would recommend that new visitors to Thailand get some form of travel insurance. Things can and do go wrong and it is best to be protected.

Do not get travel insurance from your travel agent. They may offer good deals on package holidays but they try to make the money back on the extras and their insurance rates are overpriced.

Get your insurance from a local and reputable insurance broker. There are no international insurance brokers providing competitive travel insurance to all nationalities. Instead, you need to go to an insurance broker in your home country.

Rather than just getting an insurance package for your two-week holiday, it may be a good idea to consider an annual multi-trip insurance package. If you have more than one holiday a year or even a few weekends away then these can be very good deals.

Money Exchange

Do not change money in your home country before coming to Thailand. You will get a much better rate of exchange in Thailand. Bring an ATM card or travelers cheques. In fact, it is nice to have two sources of money in case of problems so why not bring both.

Do not exchange your money at hotels. They give bad rates. Exchange booths at airports also give poor rates. The best way to get money when you first arrive is to use an ATM at the airport.

Tours

The tour prices in Phuket are generally very competitive. These organised tours are a convenient and reasonably priced way to see Phuket's tourist attractions. There are many tour shops and lots of tours so the competition keeps the prices down. Just go to any tour shop and you are likely to find some good deals.

The only problem with booking tours is you do not know the quality of the tour service. The price may be competitive but if the experience is poor then you will still be disappointed. Most of the tour organisers provide a good service but there are also a few stinkers.

If you do not want to take a shot on an unknown tour company, you could book your tours in advance with Viators. Their prices are only a little above what you will find at the local tour shops and you have the benefit of knowing you are dealing with reputable tour operators.

Tipping

Tipping was never really a part of Thai culture. It is a custom that we visiting westerners have introduced and which Thai customers have now taken up. Most western visitors over-tip.

The normal tip in Thailand at restaurants or bars is 20 baht. That may seem like a derisory sum to leave by western standards but in Thailand they do not expect any more. You are not being tightfisted by leaving so little. In fact, some claim that westerners who come here and tip big are actually causing problems for everybody else. They are creating an expectancy of big tips from westerners that never used to exist.

Getting Around

The tuk-tuks have earned themselves a bad reputation for both prices and service. They are now charging a ridiculous 200-baht for short trips around Patong. Unfortunately, if you have bags or want to make a long journey then there is often no choice but to use them. All we would say is make sure you agree a price before starting the journey. Considering the prices they charge, there is no reason to give a tip.

There are motorcycle taxis everywhere. You can recognise them from their coloured vests. A short trip around town should cost 20-40 baht.

You can hire a motorcycle for 200 baht a day. They are a great way to get around town and see a bit of the island. Drive carefully and always wear a helmet. Bring an International Driving License and carry it whenever you are driving. If you do not carry an IDL, you may end up paying the police a few 300-baht fines.

You can hire jeeps from independent renters for 800 baht a day (but with very little insurance) or cars from reputable hire companies from 1,400 baht a day.

Restaurants

Eating out is remarkably cheap in Phuket. There are so many restaurants that there is a lot of competition and even the tourist restaurants will seem cheap to most visitors. Still there are big price differences between restaurants. Generally, the further you go from the beach, the lower the prices. If you eat at one of the major restaurants along the beachfront then you are going to pay for the location.

Thai food is cheaper than western food. It is also very good and there is a tremendous range of dishes. You are sure to find something you like and appreciating the local cuisine is part of getting to know the local culture.

You should also consider getting out of the tourist resorts and trying some real Thai style restaurants. The difference in price and style of food can be startling.

Check Your Bill

Do check your restaurant or bar bill before paying. We would not want to say this is common but it does occasionally happen that they add extra items or total it up incorrectly to get more money. Don't feel bad about it. Thai customers invariably check their bill and are not embarrassed to point out 'mistakes'.

Shopping

You should avoid shopping at the tourist stalls along the beachfront and around the tourist resorts. The quality of goods is unreliable and the prices are vastly hiked. Unless of course you just want the fun of haggling and do not mind that you may be buying overpriced rubbish.

You have to be careful when asking tuk-tuk drivers for recommendations. If you are looking for specialty shops (jewelry, tailors, etc) then there are a lot of these that pay commission to tuk-tuks for bringing customers. The tuk-tuks will take you to these shops rather than the places that will give you good deals.

You should do your shopping at the department stores, shopping malls, markets or at specialty shops which are mostly in Phuket Town. The new Jung Ceylon shopping mall is the best option in Patong. Beyond the tourist resorts are Robinsons, Central Festival, Tesco Lotus and Big C.

For cheap clothes, trinkets, accessories, etc, two good locations are the Weekend Market (Sat & Sun 3pm-10pm) on Wai-Rat-Hong-Yak Road in Phuket Town and Expo Indoor Market on Tilok Uthit 2 Road, Phuket Town.

If you are looking for gold, silver, pearls, jewelry, art, antiques, etc then the best specialty shops are in Phuket Town. The problem is finding them. You have an extra problem here because even if you know where you want to go, your tuk-tuk driver may still try to claim a commission from the shop. Unfortunately, the best option is to drive yourself or dump your tuk-tuk after the drop off and do your shopping on foot.

There are good gold & jewelry shops on Montree Road in Phuket Town. The best art & antique shops are in the old town area of Phuket Town around Thalang Road & Dibuk Road. You should be aware that you need an export permit to take genuine antiques out of the country.

Bartering

Bartering is part of Thai shopping culture but only at market stalls and independent shops. Try to haggle the price down a little (a lot if you are shopping at tourist stalls). It really helps if you have an idea of what is a good price. Try to haggle in good spirit with a smile.

If you can speak a little Thai, it will help. Not only does it create goodwill but it also gives the seller the impression you know a little about Thailand and might actually know what would be a good price. Even just an opening 'Sawatdee' may be enough to help your cause.

Girls

Yes, this little section is for the guys who intend to play around with the bar girls. If you are not careful, this will rapidly become the biggest expense of your holiday.

Just because you have picked up a girl at a bar, that does not mean you have to buy drinks for every other girl at the bar. They will try their luck and if you are a soft touch, they will keep coming back for more. Just say no from the start.

You do not need to ring the bell and buy everybody in the bar a drink.

If you take a girl back to your hotel then agree the price up front (usually 1,000 to 2,000 baht). You do not have any responsibility to buy her food, drinks or pay her taxi home. It is up to you.

Most of all, you do not have to pay for her family's healthcare, sick buffalo or whatever other sob-story she may tell. And you definitely do not need to send her money once you have gone home.

Lanta Island - Krabi Thailand so nice.

Lanta Island - Krabi Thailand so nice.

by darksingha

Ko Lanta lied on the west coast of Andaman Sea in between Krabi and Phi Phi Island . Large Size Island with 6 km wide and over 30 kms long, 9 beaches lie from north to south along the sunset coast. Stunning scenery, fantastic white sandy beaches, coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under water life. Exposed to the Tsunami hit southern Thailand , Koh Lanta got very little physical affected. She has been quietly recovering with most hotels operating normally. Koh Lanta was very fortunate in that no damage occurred to the natural scenic beauty. All the beaches remain as beautiful as ever. All dive sites did not suffer in the disaster, rather the water is cleaner and clearer than ever.

How to get Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta is easy and inexpensive to reach from Phuket, Bangkok or Malaysia . The island is serviced by passenger ferries from both Krabi & Phi Phi and car ferries from the mainland.

Krabi is the most convenient gateway to Ko Lanta if coming from Bangkok, and if arriving from Phuket passage is via either Phi Phi or Krabi. Trang also serves as a regional transit point for those coming in from the south. Please bear in mind that if your arrival time is late in the day, the local minibus or public passenger ferries scheduled for Ko Lanta may not always be available.

Location of Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta yai ( big ) & Koh Lanta noi ( small ) are located in the

Andaman Sea of South-West-Thailand ( Malayan Peninsula ), about 45 km south of Krabi-town in the Krabi province.

~ 7' 28" north latitude, ~ 99' 4" east longitude.

The islands are only one km away from the mainland and accessible by ferry / car-ferry all year round.

The Koh Lanta district contains 53 islands which mainly are part of the Koh Lanta marine national park.

moutain of ko lanta island

Tourism in Koh Lanta

As mentioned in chapter Development, the develoment of tourism is ongoing for the last 20 years. The real ignition spark came about 6 years ago, when basic infrastructures arrived on the island. Every year since then, tens of new resorts, restaurants, shop etc. start their services along the west coast, right on the beach as well as at nearby mainstreets and hill sites.

Typical tourism "high season" is from November until May, with "paek season" from of December 20th until January 10th. Many businesses are opened all year round with very low prices during "low season", June until October. This time of the year is wonderful, too.

Tourist services of any style & for any budget are offered to the distinguished guest from around the world.

Well, so much information to display about Koh Lanta's tourism - too much for this web-site. Please refer to our Links to Ko Lanta for more details about accommodation, activities, transportation etc.

Here we would like to give you a brief overview of the "Tourist destination Ko Lanta".

The tourist center of Ko Lanta is " Ban Saladan " at the northern tip of Koh Lanta yai. Many shops, supermarkets, travel agents, dive-shops, restaurants and other facilities make it worth to spend some good time there. For most tourist guests on the island, this cosy village is the first and the last place to see, whilst being on the island.

Ferries to/from Krabi, Pee Pee and Phuket are departing and arriving at Ban Saladan pier, only.

All beaches on the west coast, in order from north to south : ( mentioned prices are estimated, average "high/low season" prices )

The first beach, "Klong Dow Beach", next to Ban Saladan, which is known to be the most beautiful beach, about 2 kilometer long, flat and white sanded. There are about 20 resorts on this beach. Prices from 400 - 4500 THB per night.

The second beach, " Phra Ae Beach or Long Beach ", about 5 kilometers long, nice and sandy. There are about 17 resorts on this beach. Prices from 250 - 4500 THB per night.

The third beach, " Klong Khong Beach ", 3 km long with sand and rocks. Great sunsets. There are about 22 resorts on this beach. Prices from 200 - 900 THB per night.

The forth beach, " Klong Tob Beach ", a short strip with sand and rocks. A very quiet beach with only a few bungalows around. Prices from 250 - 1000 THB per night.

The fifth beach, " Klong Nin Beach ", a beautiful 1,5 km long beach with about 10 bungalow resort. The famous "Otto Bar" just moved to there, formerly located at Klong Dow Beach. Prices from 250 - 4800 THB per night.

The sixth beach, " Klong Hin Beach ", with sandy and rocky parts - good for snorkeling. Klong Hin Beach is about 1 km long and has 3 resorts so far. Prices from 250 - 2600 THB per night.

The seventh beach, " Kan Thiang Beach or Bay ", a beautiful, curved sandy beach, 800 meter long. The only 4+ star Resort and Spa "Pimalai" and 3 other resorts are located there. Prices from 250 - 21000 (!) THB per night.

The eighth beach, " Klong Jark Beach, a small and quiet beach, surrounded by tropical jungle. There are 3 resorts on this beach. Prices from 300 - 900 THB per night.

The ninth beach, " Aow Mai Bai or Bamboo Bay " is the last beach outside the national marine park which is next to it. A quiet and private beach with only 2 bungalow resorts. Prices from 250 - 800 THB per night.

And last but not least the tenth and most southern beach, " Ta Noad Beach ", next to the old light-house, the landmark of Ko Lanta. The Lanta marine national park head-quarter is located right at this beach. No resorts or other commercial facilities there.

Ko Lanta is a diver's paradise for beginners and the experienced. There are very few places on the planet where divers can enjoy an underwater world so rich and diverse. And imagine learning to dive in water that's the same temperature as your bath water at home.

Nature in Koh Lanta Ko Lanta island offers tropical nature at it's best..

The tropical paradise off the south-west coast of Thailand has 25 km of beautiful beaches backed by verdant jungle & rain forest.

Here you still find real big trees, many animal species, including rare birds, mammals and reptiles. More then 80% of the island are covered with tropical rain forest, which is mostly protected national-park area.

The mangrove coast in south Thailand, covers sinking limestone ranges, millions of years old. On Koh lanta there are many mangroves, which you can admire while going on a canoe-trip. Mangroves and intertidal mudflats are of great conservation value in Thailand, helping sustain valuable inshore fisheries and protecting the coast from erosion.

If you arrive by car ferry, than watch out for monkeys, which are living here in the mangroves. They are crab-eating macaques and one of the numerous mammal species living in this environment.

Nature for a living, rubber tree and palm tree plantations: On Lanta are hundreds of rubber tree plantations, which are tapped every day before sunrise. The rubber then has to be dried, cleaned, and pressed, before being sold as 1,2 kg mats. Coconut palms and oil palms are common on Koh Lanta as in the whole south of Thailand and they provide a modest income for the local farmers.

Ko Lanta's rich waters offer sandy coves, coral reefs, limestone rock outcrops, rock reefs, seamounts and pinnacles, undersea caverns and tunnels and sunken ships. Water temperature ranges from 27 to 31 degrees - ideal for scuba-diving, corals and tropical fishes. More than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish species have been catalogues in a study under way, but thousands more organisms around, too. The twin peaks of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are rated in the worlds top 10 list of dive sites.

While tourism has grown quickly in the last few years, Ko Lanta has retained its traditional charm and great natural beauty.

Sea Pines Resort - Hilton Head Island, SC

Sea Pines Resort - Hilton Head Island, SC

by Rich Neste

Sea Pines Resort - Hilton Head Island, SC

In 1956, just five short years after the introduction of electricity onto Hilton Head Island, Charles Fraser purchased land on the southwestern tip of the island in order to develop the community now known as Sea Pines Plantation. The first of Hilton Head's plantation communities, Sea Pines covers over 5,000 acres of thriving natural environment reminiscent of Eden and offers over five miles of gorgeous public-accessible beaches.

Real Estate Information - Homes, Condos, Lots

In 1958, the first deed to a Sea Pines Plantation lot was signed and within four years, beachfront prices grew by close to 50%. Examining the current real estate market for new homesites, homes, villas, and condos, it's easy to see why the prices have continued to grow so drastically. From small, picturesque cottages to sprawling mansions, the Sea Pines Plantation community contains everything you could want when looking to invest in a home. Numerous single- to five-bedroom homes are available, ranging from $450,000 to over $8,000,000.

Starting at only $300,000--a small fee considering the location--either renting or purchasing is within reason. Potential buyers may choose among one- to four-bedroom for-sale villas and condos with as many view choices as the full-size homes, and options for potential renters include the vacation rentals surrounding the Harbour Town Village. The prices crest around $2 million, making Sea Pines Plantation villas and condos very affordable vacation or year-round homes.

Oceanfront lots can cost over $6 million but a patio lot can cost as little as $295k. Homesites with golf or lagoon views often sell for over $1 milion. Currently, there are four beachfront lots with varying price tags, but the number of lots for sale is always subject to change.

Sea Pines installed Hilton Head Island's first security gates in 1967, and to date remains secure with two 24-hour security entrance facilities on site. Security personnel also patrol the plantation's streets, and they can (and do) issue tickets fining offenders for the infraction of plantation rules. Additional protection is provided by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department's deputies.

Resort Features

Harbour Town Village and Marina

The Harbour Town village and marina was fashioned after small French and Italian harbors and developed for intimacy and ambience. This Mediterranean-influenced center offers independently-owned and operated clothing/jewelry boutiques, craft shops, dining, live music entertainment, and every water sport available. Harbour Town has a park and a tree house for children, as well as a nature center. The Gregg Russell Playground, named for the entertainer of Harbour Town for 25 years running, is located right next to Liberty Oak. Sea Pines' quaint village center also offers a free trolley that runs daily, with varying hours of operation throughout the year between Harbour Town, South Beach Village, and Turtle Lane Beach Club.

Harbour Town Yacht Basin

Consider owning a 'dockominium' at the yacht club: it's like a condo on the water, but your land is your boat slip. The many amenities available at the Yacht Basin include the unique shops, restaurants, and a grocery store all in the same complex. Concerts and other forms of entertainment are frequently held on the nearby golfing green where Harbour Town Golf Links sponsors tournaments including the Verizon Heritage every year.

South Beach Village The second marina in the Sea Pines Resort is designed after New England fishing villages and is located at the southernmost tip of Hilton Head Island. Nature tours, dolphin tours, kayaking, and parasailing are only a handful of the activities available near the home of The Salty Dog Café. For accommodations, the colorful South Beach Inn is located nearby at the southern tip of the island and arranges both weekly and nightly rates.

Activities

54 Holes of Golf

Sea Pines contains the island's first golf course, the Ocean Course designed by George Cobb, was built in 1959. Restructured by Mike McCumber in September, 1995, the highlight of the Ocean Course is its 15th hole with a sweeping view of the ocean.

George Cobb also designed the 1967 Sea Marsh Course. Remodeled by Clyde Johnson in 1990, the Sea Marsh course--like the Ocean Course--is known not only for its age and elegance but for becoming a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Watch out for the 13th hole; it extends for 163 yards.

Harbour Town Golf Links, developed in 1970 by Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus, is and has been home to the PGA's Verizon Heritage Classic since 1969, when it was first won by Arnold Palmer. Among the many features of this famous course is its photogenic 18th hole, with Harbour Town's Lighthouse in the background. Noted for excellence in design and playing potential, the par-71 Harbour Town Golf Links has been ranked highly among the country's finest golf courses by multiple magazines since 1971.

Championship Tennis

The Sea Pines Racquet Club, directed by world-renowned coach and U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Stan Smith, hosted the Family Circle Cup from 1973 to 2000, and frequently other tournaments, such as the Corel Champions Tour, the Dupont All-American, the World Invitational, and the Stan Smith Invitational, among others. The club boasts 23 clay courts and offers private and semi-private lessons.

Forest Preserve

When Charles Fraser began developing Sea Pines in the early '50s, he concentrated on keeping the island's abundance of natural beauty as untouched as possible. To this day Sea Pines' Forest Preserve covers approximately 605 acres, home to diverse flora and fauna including over 200 species of critters as well as lagoons and salt marshes. Here you will find a Wildflower Meadow, a thousand-foot-long boardwalk, the Low Ropes Team Building Course, and miles of bike trails and walking paths. Even fishing is allowed, albeit with the correct permit.

Are you a history fanatic? Sea Pines Plantation Forest Preserve has its share of historic landmarks. The 4,000-year-old Indian Shell Ring, for example, is believed to have been constructed around 1450 B. C. A circle of shells and bones piled several feet high, it is one of only twenty shell rings still in existence. Those responsible for its assembly are also believed to have invented pottery here, in North America.

The Stoney-Baynard ruins, once an 18th century plantation house, are now open for tours. The property is covered with oyster shells and its architecture includes porthole-shaped windows.

Horseback Riding

Lawton Stables is home to 50+ American Saddlebred horses, a breed generated by crossing Narragansett Pacer, Thoroughbred, and Morgan bloodlines to develop gorgeous, well-tempered animals now often used for show. Lawton Stables offers--at affordable rates--not only English riding lessons to residents and visitors, but also pony rides for children and guided tours through Sea Pines' fantastic natural Forest Preserve.

This picturesque, sprawling community, bordering the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Calibogue Sound on the west, is ideal for vacationers and residents alike. Villas, Condos, Homes, and available Lots for building that dreamhouse abound in this massive complex just waiting for the perfect family to enjoy the many amenities offered.

Islands of Lamu Kenya: Best Holiday Islands of Kenya-Manda Island

Islands of Lamu Kenya: Best Holiday Islands of Kenya-Manda Island

by Robert Muhoho

Kenya vacation Island Lamu. Top Kenya holiday Tour Island is Lamu Kenya. Lamu Kenya is simply Kenya best vacation spot, vacation island destination, Kenya holiday tours island and Kenya travel highlight. Lamu beaches are the best in east Africa.

Manda Island of Lamu Kenya

This is the easiest island to get to, since it's just across the channel from Lamu. Almost every one takes a half-day trip to the Takwa ruins at the head of Manda creek. A dhow trip to Manda island cost an average of around kshs1500, shared by however many people you can gather.

Sometimes (but not always) this includes a barbecued lunch, so settle this issue before you leave. You can also get there by motor launch, which isn't as romantic but will give you a little more time at the site before the tide gets too low for boats to negotiate then the creek.

Sights and activities in Manda of Lamu Kenya

The extensive Takwa ruins (adult/child Kshs 200,100) Are the remains of an old Swahili city that flourished between 15th and 17th centuries At this peak , there were at least 2500 people there but the town was inexplicably abandoned 17th century and the people moved to Shela. The sight is maintained by the national museums of Kenya and the ruins include the remains of about 100 limestone and coral houses, all aligned towards Mecca.

The largest structure is the Jamaa Mosque (Jamaa means Friday) which is well preserved and includes a pillar tomb unusually situated atop the mihrab. Also there is a tomb dating back to 1683(1094 by the Islamic calendar).the settlement is surrounded by the remains of a wall and huge baobab trees dot the site.

Just off the north east cost of Manda is Manda Toto Island, which offers some of the best snorkeling possibilities in the archipelago. The only way to get there is by dhow, and you need a full day to get there and back from Lamu, boat owners typically charge around Kshs 700 per person if there is a group of four or more, masks and snorkels are provided.

Across the channel from Shela is Manda Beach, which has fine sand and is home to Manda Beach Club, where you can get a chilly Tusker or something fancy with a little umbrella in it. Shuttle buses leave from new Lamu Palace Hotel at 10 am (Kshs 600 one way), returning at 6.00 Pm. You can also hire a boat from Peponi hotel.

Sleeping in Manda Island of Kenya

The only standard place to stay is the campsite adjacent to Takwa, but few people stay here because the facilities are minimal. Contact the Lamu bookings, information and transport.

Blue Safari Club

(Per person US$300-400) on the northern end of the island is this intimidating exclusively resort, only accessible by boat. Rates include activities and transfers and you can also arrange a luxury sailing cruises from US$325 per person.

Air tickets & Flights to Lamu Kenya's Manda Island

The trip to Manda from Lamu takes about 1 1\2 hours by boat and can only be done at high tide because the inlet is too shallow at low tide. You may well have to wade up the final stretch, sot wear shorts. Since you have to catch the outgoing tide. Your time at Takwa will probably not be more than an hour.

It's possible to walk to Takwa ruins form the airstrip, but its around 5km and the path isn't properly cleared. A boat transfer to t he airport costs Kshs 100. Peponi Hotel and Kijani House in Shela offer tours to Takwa for around Kshs1200 per person.

Oahu, Island Car Trips Outside of Waikiki

Oahu, Island Car Trips Outside of Waikiki

by Gene Morgan

Most folk's first trip to Hawaii consist of staying in a high-rise hotel in Waikiki, visiting the beach, enjoying the nightlife, and seeing all the sites in group tours and shuttle buses. This can be quite fun, but without a car you miss a lot.

Most people avoid car rental because traffic is a problem and there is little parking. The island is small, but really crowded. Except for the three freeways that crisscross the island, you can't call them interstates since there are no bridges to the mainland, there are only two lane roads with low speed limits and lots of other folks trying to get places as well. It is also a common belief that there are actually only two available parking places left on the whole island.

OK, so what's the problem? You are on vacation. What's the hurry? And, the goal is to see stuff outside of the tourist bustle of Waikiki. There is always a place to park along the North shore beaches. Hotels usually have underground parking which you often have to pay a little extra for and are tiny and a real adventure trying to squeeze your car into. But, again, it's your vacation. What's a little extra cost and adventure is what you are looking for.

Waikiki is much like an amusement park. It's like Disney World without the rides, but with miles of beach. It is full of sun-screened tourist and half naked young people with sand in their hair dragging surfboards twice their size. There is food and entertainment and lots of shopping. It is so much fun, but also weirdly unreal. Every once in a while you are tempted to rap on one of the walls of one of those finely architectured buildings to make sure there is no fiberglass involved. It's a surreal world.

If you are curious to find out about the rest of the island, hop in your car, take your time, and enjoy what many others never see. Here are few of the possibilities:

--- Drive around the rugged east side of the island. It is a bit of a roller coaster ride along the towering cliffs and rocky shoreline. Stop often and enjoy the natural beauty of wild ocean waves crashing against stony walls producing great geysers of foamy spray.

--- Lay for hours on end on a North shore beach, watching surfers battle the endless waves crashing on the sandy shore. Sure you can see surfers at Waikiki, but the waves are wilder and the surfers seem more daring on the North shore.

--- Grab a shrimp platter lunch from one of the shrimp trucks just outside of Kahuku. It's a tasty meal in a rustic setting. It takes a car to get there. I don't think you can get the tour bus to stop. There is nothing like it in the big city.

--- Enjoy some leisurely hours rambling around Hale'iwa, shopping, eating chocolate, shaved ice, or great hand dipped ice creams from one of the funky little shops in this quaint little village. Don't miss the surfboard painter who plays some cool jazz and blues music with his family in his studio workshop when he is not producing artwork.

--- Spend a half-day wandering in the Waimea Valley Audubon Center. There is lush tropical plants and some wildlife and you can even take a dip in the pool at the base of Waimea Falls. It's kind of like that being stranded in a tropical paradise dream you have every now and again. But it's only the North shore.

--- Hit one of the weekly Aloha Stadium Swap Meets. It's a giant flea market/sidewalk sales where you can get all those Hawaiian shirts, and other souvenirs for about half what you pay for them downtown. Stuff your trunk and ship them home. You can't do that if you are riding the bus.

--- If you get homesick you can even drive through a fast food place or spend the day at Wal-Mart or the mall. There is always someplace to park at the mall.

Oahu is a pretty small island and the public transportation is really quite good. You can see a lot on the bus and there is lots to see. But with a car you are in total control. This little list tells of only a small sampling of the possible things to do if you are in control of your mobility. The key is to be an explorer. Find your own adventures. Get behind the wheel. It's vacation.

Have you Got Island Fever?

Have you Got Island Fever?

by Dean Milverton

Have you "Got Island Fever"? No doubt your first question is, what is "Island Fever"? Let me explain a little, Island Fever is what happens to someone who either longs to be sitting on a tropical island beach relaxing or someone who has explored and visited many islands and is unable to live away from an island. Symptoms can include poor attention span at work, long daydreams at work or in social situations, a far away look in your eye and an obsession for cocktail drinks with small paper umbrellas in them. Most cases of Island Fever can be cured with a vacation to a tropical island location in the nearby vicinity, be aware though if not treated in a short period of time the symptoms can become permanent and at times fatal.

So do you have Island Fever? If the answer is yes, we have the perfect website for your Island hotel, resort, flight and vacation planning, http://www.gotislandfever.com. This new island travel website includes close to 1000 island travel articles, island photos and an island discussion forum where you can exchange travel tips and discuss island travel destinations. Coming soon to www.GotIslandFever.com is a variety of island travel competitions where members can participate and win island travel prices.

The GotIslandFever.com website has also been known to assist "Island Fever" sufferers in combating this horrible condition and in assisting them in settling into a normal day to day routine including work and social situations with little or few problems after an island vacation. Be warned though, some precaution is needed as "Island Fever" sufferers have been known to become addicted to participating in the www.GotIslandFever.com travel forums, though this is not a highly serious concern "Island Fever" sufferers should be limited to 2 or 3 hrs daily of island travel information, to assist in combating this condition.

If you have more questions on "Island Fever", if you start to develop "Island Fever" symptoms or need Island hotel, resort, flight and vacation information please visit http://www.gotislandfever.com as soon as possible.