blog #9: The most popular Thai food

"Nam Prik Ong"

(Northern Thai Spicy Pork and Tomato dip)

Hello everyone...I would like to present how to cook Thai food. 

Today's dish is specially for Northern people, That is "Nam Prik Ong". 

Let's see what we have for ingredients. The Ingredients are as followed

1. Fish sauce

2. Shrimp paste

3. Palm sugar

4. Spring onion and coriander

5. Garlics

6. tomatoes

7. Red Onions

8. dried chillies

9. Minced pork

These are side dish vegetables

-Cabbage, Yard-long beans, Cucumbers, Cockroach Berry. You can add more vegetables.

       First of all, grind the chillies. Add the dried chillies, Red onions and garlics into the mortar and then grinding.  followed by Shrimp paste and grinding again. Then  cut the tomatoes divide each into little pieces. So, they will be well-combined when we toss with the Minced pork. After cutting tomatoes, then put it into the other ingredients and Minced pork in a mortar and grind altogether. After grinding, scoop out of the mortar.

After preparing all ingredients, it's time to stir fry. First , add two tablespoon of vegetable oil, then put all ingredient into it and stir fry, Toss until the aroma is released , and then we add some flavors,Palm sugar,Fish Sauce,Stir to dissolve the seasonings,After you have tossed for about 10 minutes, our Nam Prik Ong will look like this, ,And, that's all , And there we have Nam Prik Ong! , Our Nam Prik Ong is ready ,Scoop out and serve in bowl, arrange the side dish vegetables, You can add more vegetables , It is very easy to cook , Never forget to cook it 

       Basically, Nam Prik Ong is sweet , sour and a little salty, You can feel a little spicy, but not very much, You can cook this and keep in the fridge for a week,You can cook at lot at one time.


I have a video that show you how to cook a nam prik ong, you will be easy to do after watched this video..^^

Thanks you for reading and watching my video ^___^ 

Blog#10 :Thai culture and Traditional

Thailand Culture and Traditional

Culture

         Thai culture has many intricacies, most of which the average visitor will never come across, however if you are looking to live in Thailand long term, it is important to be aware of cultural differences and to know which faux pas to avoid.

       Traditional Thai culture and etiquette is based around the concept of ‘face’ and pride. It is very disrespectful in Thai culture to make anyone lose face, especially in public. Other aspects of Thai culture are not so serious however, with many being focused around festivals and celebrations.

                                                                             

                                                                          Festival

               

                It is a festival of lights, with people sailing beautiful handmade kratongs (small boats made from banana leaf and decorated with a candle and coloured paper) down the river to carry away their bad luck. Lanterns are let off into the night sky carrying with them people’s dreams.

                      A Songkran festival float portaraying a Thai cultural theme

Other festivals include Buddhist lent (Khao Phansa) which is celebrated in July/August and marks a period of three month retreat for monks. They retire to the monastery for the whole of rainy season to meditate and study. The birth, enlightenment and Nirvana of the Buddha are celebrated on Visakha Bucha Day, in April/May and royal celebrations such as Coronation day and The King and Queen’s birthdays are also held throughout the year. Local festivals are held in regions throughout the country all year round.

                                                                             

                                                                  Traditional 

                 Thailand is a modern country firmly established in the 21st century. Despite this, there remain examples of lifestyles that have existed for centuries and continue to exist despite the advent of modernity. In and around the capital there are still a number of communities that are as they ever were - the Ban Bat community (where monk’s bowls are made) and the pottery community of Koh Kret are examples. Of course, beyond the capital traditional ways of life flourish. The hilltribes of northern Thailand are certainly communities that have resisted change, as are the seafaring communities of southern Thailand. Thailand also has a lot of communities based around occupations and trades that have profited from maintaining their traditional work approaches. 

Blog# 8 Well come to Ayutthaya, Thailand

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Once considered the most spectacular city on Earth, the ruins of the capital of the Kingdom Ayutthaya are now a major tourist attraction easily accessible from Bangkok by car, train, or boat as either a daytrip or overnight excursion.

Ayutthaya is one of Thailand’s historical and majestic highlights. The capital of Thailand, then known as the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was a glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia and a regional power for 417 years. The Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached its apex in terms of sovereignty, military might, wealth, culture, and international commerce in the 16th century, when the Kingdom’s territory extended into and beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya had diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of France and was courted by Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants. During the 17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders and diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. The map of Ayutthaya published in 1691 by Simon de la Loubere in Du Royaume De Siam is proof of such recognition. Visitors can explore and appreciate Thai history in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, which is only 86 kilometers north of Bangkok. Visitors to Ayutthaya can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent temples and ruins concentrated in and around the city, which is located upon an “island” surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers. Although there are numerous attractions, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO’s World Heritage site and a wonder to behold.

Once the capital of the Thai Empire, Ayutthaya was a truly impressive city; with three palaces and over 400 temples, located on an island threaded by canals, it attracted traders and diplomats from both Europe and Asia. In 1767, 417 years after it was founded and 15 months after the siege began, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was conquered and the city’s magnificent structures were almost completely destroyed by Burmese invaders. When King Taksin the Great finally liberated the Kingdom, a new dynasty was established and the capital was moved to Thonburi, across the river from modern-day Bangkok. The ruins that now remain, many of which have been painstakingly restored, have been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer and early Sukhothai styles. Some cactus-shaped obelisks, called prangs, denote Khmer influence and look something like the famous towers of Angkor Wat. The more pointed stupas are ascribed to the Sukhothai influence. Ayutthaya is only located about 90 kilometers from Bangkok and can be visited on a daytrip; however, if you appreciate history and religious and historical monuments, an overnight stay will allow for two full days of sightseeing, including a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya, past the illuminated Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, and a visit to only of the city’s many other attractions, including the nearby Bang Sai Folk Arts and Craft Center.

Highlight Attractions

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Built in 1491, Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the only temple located inside the compound of the Grand Palace, without resident monks—which is the original idea when King Chakri built the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a no-monk royal temple in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. During the glory days of Ayutthaya Kingdom, this was the largest temple in the city. Ashes of some Ayutthaya kings were stored here. It was damaged and left abandoned after the collapse of Ayutthaya kingdom but the remaining structures still help us picture the temple at its former condition. 

Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit

Been given several renovations so it looks new, but Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit is actually an ancient temple with a long history since Ayutthaya kingdom. Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze Buddha image, was originally enshrined outside the Grand Palace to the east until King Songtham commanded it to be transferred to the west (current location), and enshrined inside a Mondop (a tier-top atructure). Later in the reign of Phra Chao Suea, the top of the Mondop was damaged by lightning so the structure was reconstructed into its current form. The temple was severely damaged during the second Ayutthaya-Burmese war and left ruined until it was given a grand renovation in 1956 by following the form of its original structure. The space of on the east of the wihan was once used as a field for royal cremation ceremonies.

Wat Phra Mahathat

Located in front of the Grand Palace, this ancient temple was built in the reign of King Borom Rachathirat I to enshrine the holy relics of Lord Buddha. One highlight here is a small ordination hall where a head of a buddha image is hidden hugged by the roots of the tree (the temple was left abandoned after the collapse of Ayutthaya), making it's an exotic spot for photography. 

Getting Around Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Songtaew and tuk-tuk will go anywhere around Ayutthaya for 10 to 30 baht/person depending on the distance, destination. A tuk-tuk from the train station to any point in the old Ayutthaya zone is approximately 30 baht. Note that the trip on the island (old Ayutthaya city) itself costs 20 baht/trip maximum. 

To tour the ruins, the most economical and ecological option is to rent a bicycle from one of the guesthouses (40 to 50 baht/day). Walking is also an option, but not recommended during the hot or rainy seasons. 

It is possible to charter a samlor, tuk tuk or songtaew by the hour or by the day to explore the ruins but the prices are relatively high by Thai standards (150 baht/hour, or 500 baht for the entire day).

Another interesting way to explore the area is to charter a boat from Tha Chan Kasem (Chan Kasem Pier, next to Hua Ro Market) for a semicircular tour of the island that allows visitors to see some of the less accessible ruins. A long tailed boat with a capacity of up to 8 people can be hired for 400 baht for a 2 to 3 hour trip with stopovers at Wat Phutthaisawan, Wat Phanan Choeng and Wat Chai Wattnaram.

Minibus services operating from the railway station into the city are also available. Hiring a minibus within Ayutthaya costs 250 - 300 baht/day. If you wish to travel between Ayutthaya and Bang Pa - In, minibuses regularly leave Chao Prom Market (on Chao Prom Road). Daily schedules start from 6.30 a.m. with a fare of 30 baht. The trip takes approximately 50 minutes.

BLOG 7- RURAL TOURISM

Rural tourism is among the most polymorphous of all forms of Special Interest 

Tourism (SIT). The diversity of attractions included within rural tourism embrace: 

Indigenous and European heritage sites 

• Aspects of culture (agriculture) 

• Industrial tourism (farm practices) 

• Educetioanl tourism 

• Special events 

• Ecological attractions 

• Adventure tourism 

• Wine tourism 

Such diversity represents major opportunities for rural areas that have turned to 

tourism as a means of supplementing diminished incomes 

 

Definition of Rural Tourism : 

Any form of tourism that showcases the rural life, art, culture and heritage at rural locations, thereby benefiting the local community economically and socially as well as enabling interaction between the tourists and the locals for a more

enriching tourism experience can be termed as rural tourism. Rural tourism is essentially an activity which takes place in the countryside.It is multi-faceted and may entail farm/agricultural tourism, cultural tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism. As against conventional tourism, rural tourism has certain typical characteristics like; it is experience oriented, the locations are sparsely populated, it is predominantly in natural environment, it meshes with seasonality and local events and is based on preservation of culture,

 Geographic and demographic definitions:

“A multi-faced activity that takes place in an environment outside heavily urbanized areas. It is an industry sector characterized by small scale tourism business, set in areas where land use id dominated by agricultural pursuits, forestry or natural areas”

Product-related definitions:

“The Rural Tourism product could be segmented to include such product components as rural attractions, rural adventure tours, nature based tours, ecotourism tours, country towns, rural resorts and country-style accommodation, and farm holidays, together with festivals, events and agricultural education”

Tourist experience-related definitions:

“Rural Tourism should be seen as offering a different range of experience to those offered in big cities” and that “the emphasis in rural tourism is on the tourist’s experience of the products and activities of the area”

Consequently, rural tourism in its purest form should be: 

1. Located in rural areas.

2. Functionally rural – built upon the rural world’s special features of small- scale enterprise, open space, contact with nature and the natural world, heritage, “traditional” societies and “traditional” practises.

3. Rural in scale – both in terms of buildings and settlements – and, therefore, usually small-scale.

4. Traditional in character, growing slowly and organically, and connected with local families. It will often be very largely controlled locally and developed for the long term good of the area.

5. Of many different kinds, representing the complex pattern of rural environment, economy, history and location.

#Blog6 My life in Ruins

Georgia is an American academic who's lost her teaching job in Athens. She's taken a job as a tour guide, but she hates it and it shows: the tourists, mostly American, are bored with history and facts; they want to shop. Every group has a goofy couple, a frat boy, a sullen teen, a feuding couple, divorcées looking for a mate, and a funny guy. This group is no exception, plus there's no air conditioning and a bearded silent driver. Thanks to an unlikely friendship, plus daisies, an ice-cream cone, the history of syrup, and the Oracle at Delphi, Georgia may have a shot at finding her kefi during this four-day tour.

They should be interested and knowledgeable about the things they are touring. They need to know details and be able to memorize facts about each thing or location.
A tour guide should have an engaging personality. Facts about the pieces or places shown are great, but they can be written on plaques. When you pay for a tour, you are really paying for the personality. A tour guide should be fun, know interesting personal things about each place that might not be in the guide material, and have a sense of humor.

 In addition, from the movie we can obviously divide the types and characteristics of the tourist below:

 

 

 

 



-Incentive tourists: those few lucky individuals, who get a holiday package as a reward from  his company.
-Health or medical tourist: Those who seek special medical treatment, which is only possible   away from home.
-Business tourist: Tourist traveling with relation to business.
-Education tourists: Tourists traveling to a particular place in another town, city or country for   further study in order to improve his or her educational qualification.
-Adventure tourists: Adventure tourists look for some unusual or bizarre experience.
-Cultural tourist: These types of tourists travel to experience the essence of assorted cultures.
-Eco-tourists: Nature loving tourists, who love to go green.
-Leisure tourist: These tourists want to rejuvenate and revitalize with comfort.
-Religious tourist: Religious tourist travel to sites of religious significance.
-Sport and recreation tourist: These sorts of tourists either take active part in or just watch sports events.
-Backpacking or youth tourist: This group of tourist is of young age and they travel with minimum luggage and on a limited budget.
-Special Interest Tourist (STI): They nurture particular passion in different things like bird watching.

 



To be a good quality of tour guide would be a hard thing if I would like to be without any love in caree, being a good tour quide should start with your pleasure. After that you will can do as well as you love it and don't forget to follow the tour guid rule.

BLOG 5 Information Influence

      According to Thailand Development and Research Institute (TDRI) showed that “About 31 percent of international tourists obtained information about Thailand from their friends. Only 15 percent got the information from tour operators whereas about 12 percent got information from both sources. To attract those who have not yet decided their holiday destination, it is necessary to impress the tourist already in Thailand. However a survey in 1990-1991 by the Intrama World Destination Monitor put Thailand second only to Hong Kong as a place where 1,450 tour operator around the world said tourists were likely to be cheated or overcharged in Asia. India came in third. Italy was considered to be the number one country in the world where tourists were most likely to be cheated.”

From the example case , i think the most influential source of information for burist decision making about therir 
bacation information, the most of tourism think first is place that interesting and beatiful for relax , second is the 
how convenience to travel to and the economy of their country third is firmly and safety , fourth is differences culture, Fifth is place and reputation of that country , and the last one is the charges for travel , the most information came from friends and internet even advertisement .

The effect that INTRAMA 1990-1991 World Destination Monitor Survey does to thailand made the tourism thought thailand is dishonest and betrayed and they may will choose another country to go . but this conclusion is not at all of thailand , there are also have a people , seller , buyer that be honestly with foriegner , thailand people very pround to promote their country to be the most in the world, and the survey may not accuratly at all .

The poblem is not so tough to solve , it is up to thailand people that confederate to improve thailand torism , make them trust by ours best .

SPECIALIZED TOURISM

Regional tourism

Regional tourism is a tourism activity which focuses attention in that particular region only. For example: regional tourism in Washington Dc would involve tourism in that state alone.

Cultural Tourism

Tourism can widely contribute to the wealth of a country in promoting its cultural heritage. Unfortunately, it can also endanger it, especially in the more vulnerable regions.

     Heritage tourism
cultural heritage tourism as traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes cultural, historicand natural resources cultural heritage tourism as traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes cultural, historic and natural resources



Rural Tourism
Rural tourism allows visitors access to people and places out side of city environments. Options include hiking and biking, visiting community museums and buying locally produced crafts. Rural tourism is best enjoyed 



Cycle tourism

Cycle tourism is a travel experience that focuses on the bicycle as the primary mode of transport. Cycle tourism combines particularly suggestive localities (whether mountain range, countryside or urban scene) that you can easily visit on your bike! This form of tourism represents an alternative to markedly traditional tourism.


              Educational tourism 
The educational tourism sector is generally an overlooked sub-sector of the UK tourism market. This is largely due to a lack of understanding about the concept of educational tourism, its value to the visitor economy and associated impacts

travelling for health is the travel that improve the healthy and happiness.

                                     Environment tourism
Tourism involving travel to areas of natural or ecological interest, typically under the guidance of a naturalist, for the purpose of observing wildlife and learning about the environment.



The Cruise Experience is located in San Rafael, California.  San Rafael is in central Marin County between San Francisco and the Napa/Sonoma wine country.
Each of our travel consultants work from their own offices.  They are all enthusiastic and caring travel professionals with a wealth of knowledge and personal travel experience. 
Between us, we have cruised on many, many cruise ships and visited all the continents of the world. We love to share our passion for life at sea and on land with our clients. 

Events and festivals provide numerous benefits not only for the individual business but for a community and tourism region. Local and regional events, including business events and conferences can increase visitation and expenditure, reduce seasonality, encourage repeat visitation and heighten regional awareness. They can also provide the stimulus for additional infrastructure development in the local area and building community pride.


The contribution of senior citizens to the European tourism industry is significant and should be reinforced to face the challenge of seasonality, stimulating economic growth and jobs in Europe.
The European Commission acknowledges the importance of fostering transnational tourism activities by developing tourism off-season for seniors in Europe.


Food and Wine
Indulge in our fresh, world class food and wine
Australia’s food and wine are inspired by fresh, natural produce and influenced by our multicultural society. From our spectacular seafood to award-winning wines, Experience Seekers can enjoy Australia’s fabulous food and wine served by friendly Aussies in many great locations.