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ASIA: THAILAND
05
BANGKOK BECKONS
Maya Bay at Phi Phi
– home of The Beach
What can possibly be said about the mighty,
(Inset below)
monolithic Bangkok – ‘The City of Angels’, ‘The Big
Hanging out! Rock
Mango’ – that even those who’ve never seen the
climbing in Krabi
place with their own two eyes haven’t already heard?
Then again, if you’ve never visited, the truth is
that you can’t begin to imagine why this frenzied,
almost anarchic metropolis has captured the hearts
and souls of so many different people from so many
contrasting cultures. Which isn’t to suggest that after
one quick visit – or even two, or three, or ten – you’ll
have it all fi gured out. Like most of the world’s
mesmerising and multi-layered cities, Bangkok
contradicts itself at every turn. Bangkok’s fl oating market (top),
Here you’ll fi nd the most cherished and culturally and the glitz and glamour of the
vital Buddhist temples in all of Thailand. There’s Wat
Grand Palace
Po, for instance, the birthplace of Thai massage and home to the country’s largest
Buddha image, the 46m-long Reclining Buddha. Then there’s the lavish Grand Palace,
which glitters with gold, and the fl oating markets that tickle all your senses. At the
opposite end of the spectrum is the notorious red light district, Pat Pong. Although
still bursting at the seams with go-go bars and brothels, Pat Pong is now also
visited by people with a signifi cantly less naughty vice in mind: hardcore bargain
shopping. Looking for a pair of knock-off trainers? A souvenir T-shirt? You’ll fi nd it
I was impressed by the tour leader called Pok who
here, along with families decamping at
a nearby Starbucks.
accompanied us to Thailand. At every moment he had
Bangkok is just that sort of place. us experiencing the sites and tastes. At markets he was always
To know it is to love it, or to hate it, or
getting us the local delights. He gave us the greatest confi dence
maybe both at exactly the same time.
But one thing is for sure: you’ll never
in his skills and abilities to manage the tour, and to select our
know your feelings for it until you dive trekking guides, who were unforgettable for their hard
right in head fi rst, eyes
work and high standards of safety.
wide open.
FIONA MONTGOMERIE, SYDNEY
snorkellers and scuba divers, this is southern
Thailand in a nutshell. There’s also sublime
BOOK IT!
Thai food aplenty and more fresh pineapple
than you can shake a stick at. Experience the glory of southern Thailand for yourself on one of Kumuka’s island-
Beginners who have never conquered so hopping tours. Or mix in northern Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore too!
much as a small hill often fi nd themselves
mesmerised by the energy here, as do
those with even the faintest interest in sea
WEST COAST ISLAND
kayaking or snorkelling. As for myself, I
HOPPING
haven’t exactly arrived with the intention of
Leap from island TH
A
conquering new heights. But nevertheless,
to island on the
F
IL
R
A
O
N
M
D
each time I look skyward and see a craggy- you’ve already experienced it on fi lm; Phi Phi
J
U
enchanting
looking karst towering over me, one side was used as the main location for The Beach,
west coast
dripping with stalactites and the other the Leonardo DiCaprio movie based on Alex
of southern
obscured in layers of green bush, I fi nd my Garland’s legendary novel about backpackers.
£
ST
Thailand. This
3
breath taken away. In fact, it is nearly accepted as fact in some
nine-day tour
P
E
5
R
D
A
Just a 90-minute ferry ride from Krabi corners of South East Asia that life on Phi
Y
includes stops
is another remarkable southern Thai Phi, with its postcard-perfect beaches and its
at Krabi’s Rai Lei
destination, Phi Phi Island. And while its densely forested hills, is closer to pure bliss
Beach, Koh Yao Noi, Khao Lak
name might not ring a bell, it’s possible that than anything else you’re likely to stumble
and Bangkok. Trips to Phi Phi Island
across in Thailand.
are a great option, as are numerous
TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS
Seeing it now, it’s amazing to think
watersports activities.
that this is the part of Thailand that was
SOUTHERN THAILAND hit by the tsunami. Although the tourism
9 DAYS FROM £
315 €475 AU$80
5
1 RAI LEI BEACH, KRABI Chilling out infrastructure is once again operating
on the beautiful beach, kayak to your smoothly, and visitor numbers are slowly NZ$930 US$615 CAD$665 ZAR5355
hearts content and reach new heights creeping back to normal, it will take years
while rock climbing on karsts. for most Thai workers to recoup the losses
EAST COAST ISLAND HOPPING BANGKOK – KOH SAMUI 9 DAYS
2 KOH TAO Taking to the undersea caused by the disaster. In fact, just by
£300, €450, AU$765, NZ$885, US$585, CAD$630, ZAR5100
world while visiting this diving hotspot. visiting this part of the world and spending
SOUTHERN THAILAND
3 KOH-PHA-NGAN Sliding into the vibe money, travellers are making an important
of this famous ‘full moon party’ island. difference.
THAILAND DISCOVERER BANGKOK – KRABI 16 DAYS
Taking a Thai cooking class. The beauty of southern Thailand, along
£615, €925, AU$1570, NZ$1815, US$1200, CAD$1295, ZAR10,455
4 KOH SAMUI Enjoying beaches and the with its long list of exciting activities, will
SOUTHERN THAILAND, NORTHERN THAILAND
Ang Thong Marine Park on this island. continue to lure those wishing to escape the
5 BANGKOK Bringing your shades winter chills of the northern hemisphere,
TIMELESS MYSTERIES BANGKOK – SINGAPORE 22 DAYS
and taking in the brilliance of as well as those simply seeking the ultimate
£1025, €1540, AU$2615, NZ$3025, US$2000, CAD$2155, ZAR17,425
the Grand Palace. beach experience.
SOUTHERN THAILAND, NORTHERN THAILAND, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE
Can you think of any reason not to go?
CALL US TODAY! UK 0800 092 9595 IRE 1800 946 843 USA/CAN 1800 517 0867 8

VIEW OUR THAILAND TRIP DOSSIERS AT WWW.KUMUKA.COM
SUMMER / AUTUMN 2007 Venture Venture SUMMER / AUTUMN 2007
P4-7 THAILAND.indd 5 17/8/07 07:19:37
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