mind-travelblog

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A night out in Thailand

Everybody who visits Thailand is amazed by the excitement, adventure and romance the night life has to offer. Some places are truly an unforgettable experience. Whether its viewing a spectacular show, being ringside at a Muay Thai event, walking through Bangla Road, or getting wild at a full-moon party Thailand has an unbelievable nightlife.

Source: http://www.bangkok.com/product-reviews/siam-niramit-review.htm

Thailand has an array of shows each a great experience. With an amazing Thai buffet you can enjoy many entertaining performances. The Siam Niramit Cultural Show and dinner takes you through 700 years of history and culture of Thailand. With a massive 2,000 capacity, the show is bound to take your breath away, if not at least you can enjoy some great food.

Another interesting way of entertainment is viewing a show filled with glitter, glamour and humour, I’m referring to a Ladyboy show. You will find great performances nightly, a truly unique show. Bangkok is home to these shows but Phuket does have its own cabaret known as FantaSea. This popular show depicts customs, traditions and heritage of Thailand. The mystery and magic is a treat, a must see show.

Source: http://www.patongboxingstadium.com/

For those who haven’t experienced martial arts live, you’re missing out! Muay Thai is a stunning theatrical show with such excitement and energy in the stadium. Highly skilled world-class warriors fight in a brutal but respectful manner. Along with football, Muay Thai is a top sport in Thailand, being taught to kids at a young age. Be sure to check it out, definitely worth watching.

Source: http://www.phuket.com/nightlife/bangla.htm

Once the sun sets Bangla Road comes to life. The road is closed to vehicle traffic and becomes a 400 metre festival of neon lights, loud music and cheap beer. If you can put up with someone continually asking you to visit a ping pong show, which isn’t worth it.. trust me, then you’ll have a great time. Its a quite lively place to walk around as every bar is uniquely just a fun as the other. A walk that must be experienced to understand what Phuket is all about.

Source: https://www.migratingmiss.com/lessons-from-the-full-moon-party-thailand/

The Full Moon party held in Koh Phangan is the biggest party in Thailand. Known world-wide for its crazy antics the beach party holds sometimes up to 30,000 people. The party begins each month at dusk when the yellow moon makes its appearance over the white sand beach. The party goes all through the night and if responsible you’ll probably have a really good time. The Full Moon Party is something to write down on the bucket list.

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Sand between your toes

With a long coastline and jungle topped islands, Thailand is a tropical getaway for beach lovers. Thailand is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and stunning blue seas. Thailand offers visitors a variety of beaches to visit. From the quiet, secluded beaches to the busy yet stunning beaches Thailand’s 2,000 mile coastline has it all. Here is an overview of some of the best beaches in Thailand.

Source: https://www.touropia.com/best-beaches-in-thailand/

Patong Beach

For travellers who want to do more than worship the sun, Patong’s colourful and crowded beach is the unofficial party capital of Phuket. On Patong’s 3.5KM long beach, travellers will find many vendors for parasailing adventures and jet ski rental. This is one of the most popular beaches in Thailand, especially for those looking for fun activities.

White Sand Beach

Located on Ko Chang, White Sand Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in Thailand. Its a great family destination that has a long stretch of white sand. It is much quieter than Patong so its recommended for people who prefer to relax on the beach without being hassled.

Source: https://www.touropia.com/best-beaches-in-thailand/

Maya Bay

The gorgeous site on Phi Phi Island is famous for being the location of the Leonardo DiCaprio film ‘The Beach’. Tourists from all over the world come to this sheltered bay, which is framed on three sides by tall cliffs. Phi Phi Island is also known for its great diving and snorkelling so if you wish to travel, book a tour which combines everything for the best experience.

Railay Beach

Clear blue water, small islands on the horizon and limestone cliffs surround the small beaches which can become rather crowded during peak seasons. Considered to be a rock climbers haven Railay also offers swimming, snorkelling and beautiful scenery perfect for relaxation.

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Thailand Temples

If you’re interested in world religions, you’ll have a lot to do in Thailand. The country is filled with spectacular Buddhist temples, some dating back centuries, others being much younger. The temples are made of stone, wood and even recycled beer bottles. The temples carry a sense of peace to all who visit, if you’re lucky enough maybe you’ll experience a service taking place. 95% of Thai people are buddhist, which is a very sacred religion. I’ll go through some of the best temples to visit in Thailand.

Source: https://www.touropia.com/temples-in-thailand/

Temple of the Reclining Buddha

With more than one thousand images, Bangkok’s Temple of the Reclining Buddha hosts the largest collection of Buddhas in Thailand. This includes the reclining buddha that is 45 metres long. Built on an island, the temple complex is considered to be one of the best royal temples. Being one of Bangkok’s oldest temples and the birthplace of Thai massage, the temple walls are decorated with inscriptions on various subjects. Making it a must visit temple in Bangkok.

Source: https://www.touropia.com/temples-in-thailand/

The White Temple

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is a stunning creation that is one of the newest temples in Thailand. Built in 1997, the temple is reminiscent of a fairy tale castle covered in snow. This privately owned temple has a uniquely crafted bridge which leads to the Gate of Heaven where two creatures guard the entrance. A very interesting and different temple, one to definitely visit.

Source: https://www.touropia.com/temples-in-thailand/

Temple of a million bottles

The Temple of a million bottles is unusual compared to most temples. The complex incorporates roughly 1.5 million recycled glass bottles in its design. Mainly green Heineken and brown Chang bottles, the temple has about 20 buildings for the buddhist religion prayer rooms.

Source: https://www.touropia.com/temples-in-thailand/

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a magnificent temple in Ayutthaya. Built in honour of the king’s mother, the temple layout of the 17th century displays a traditional buddhist view on the world. It’s unique feature is a large, central prang surrounded by smaller prangs, symbolising the gods’ mountain according to hindu belief.

On a closing note, when visiting any of the temples or other religious places its important to cover up past your knees and wear sleeves as a sign of respect. Long sleeves and pants are the safest way to avoid any cultural ignorance. Also, when entering the building be sure to remove footwear if others have as well.  

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Very good tips for these countries!! I will definitely visit one of the countries.

Yeah, definitely do it. You will not regret it.

[mind-travelblog]

I really like this blog. Keep up the good work🤓

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Trekking through Thailand

After you’re done exploring the cities, you can opt to venture out towards the mountains of Northern Thailand. While experiencing great National Parks you may indulge in a few days trekking, whitewater rafting, and exploring remote villages. One of the things people love to do in Thailand is to explore mountains like Doi Mon Jong or Phu Chi Fa. Some opt for camping in Doi Inthanon which is a great place to visit, given its close proximity to Bangkok. Thailand is host to many national parks with great scenery, I’ll go through a few to help narrow your choices.

Source: https://www.adventureinyou.com/thailand/climbing-doi-mon-jong-mountain/

Doi Mon Jong is located in the Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary near Chang Mai in the northern part of Thailand. You don’t have to be an experienced trekker to reach the view-tops overlooking green landscapes. Sometimes the climb doesn’t need to be to highest to experience beauty. Doi Mon Jong proves that point with mountains full of lovely scenery and fascinating fields of rare flowers.

Source: https://www.adventureinyou.com/thailand/standing-above-the-clouds-at-phu-chi-fa-in-northern-thailand/

On the edge of a rocky cliff, I look down to see the cloudy valley below. I may be standing in Thailand, but I look down on Laos. This view is from Phu Chi Fa, not well known by many tourists, but one of the best sunrise spots in Thailand. A 2-3 hour drive from Chiang Rai, Phu Chi Fa peak stands at an elevation of 1628 metres above sea level. After parking at the base its takes 20-30mins to hike to the top of the mountain. Experiencing the cool air is a change from the usual tropical weather in Thailand making this experience quite refreshing.

Source: https://www.adventureinyou.com/thailand/camping-at-doi-inthanon-national-park/

Doi Inthanon National Park is home to the tallest point in Thailand. Situated 2500 metres above sea level, this stunning mountain is a perfect getaway from the congestion in the city. People general visit the national park due to the amount of scenic waterfalls along with popular nature trails. Because of the wide range of activities, groups can camp at the national park. With campsites reasonably cheap and local restaurants and markets near by, you can’t go wrong with a camping trip to Doi Inthanon National Park.

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Thai Food

Thailand is home to amazing food! This country features a cuisine full of fresh ingredients and bold flavours. Here are some traditional Thai dishes that are a must have when visiting Thailand.

Source: https://www.adventureinyou.com/travel-guides/thailand-travel-tips/

Pad Thai: Readily available in almost every street food cart, this dish is something you can never go wrong with. Thick noodles topped with a variety of shrimp or chicken, bean sprouts, egg, and tofu, stir-fried together in goodness.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/food/comments/68mzys/homemade_pad_krapow_gai_thai_basil_chicken_with/

Pad Krapow Moo: A stir-fry made from minced pork or chicken cooked with lots of basil, garlic, and chilies served on top of a piping bowl of white rice and served with a fried egg.

Source: https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/som-tam

Som Tum: Shredded papaya mixed with green beans, garlic and chilies marinated in a vinaigrette type of sauce topped with peanuts. Usually eaten as a side salad with grilled dishes.

Source: http://www.realthairecipes.com/recipes/mango-with-sticky-rice/

Mango Sticky Rice: What seems like an unusual combination is a common dish in Thai cuisine. Coconut rice paired with a ripe sweet mango topped with a sweet coconut syrup. This is a must have when travelling through Thailand.

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Thailand

Thailand is a friendly and fun-loving country in Asia. From its glittering temples to its tropical beaches Thailand is an ideal place for a holiday.

Tips before travelling to Thailand

We are all familiar with Thailand’s beaches, fiery food and adult entertainment, but for first time visitors there are some things you should be wary of:

The traffic is terrible

Seeing up to 3-4 people on a scooter at once may be an amusing sight, but Thailand has a horrifying road safety record. An average of 80 lives are lost everyday in traffic fatalities. Being a drunk tourist only adds to the statistic so its recommended not to drive a scooter unless you’re an experienced driver.

The food can be a hit and miss

People that think they know Thai food don’t, until you get to Thailand. Generally a local menu offers a broad selection so its good to experiment with more adventurous choices. But steer clear of the Thai menus that don’t offer english translation cause there could be a chance you eat Kai Yiew Ma (eggs preserved in horse urine).

The language is difficult to learn

Thank god most locals speak English. While its polite to offer your knowledge on the language some words offer different meanings dependent on the tone. So maybe just stick to english.

Thongs are OK to wear, all the time

Got to love a country where thongs are an acceptable footwear. Not only are they comfortable but they are a practical choice due to the weather. The only time I would recommend shoes is if its raining outside, because the drains tend to overflow, so best wear some runners.

‘Extra’ services and be careful of the Ladyboys

For me, a massage meant relaxation and ironing out the kinks. However, it is not infrequent in low-rent massage parlours to offer happy endings. So if that’s not your thing, opt for a fully clothed Thai massage rather than an oil massage. Thailand is also renown for its high amount of Ladyboys walking through major party streets. For the men remember to look twice and if you wish to take a photo they will ask for a tip so make sure you have some spare change.

Safety

Generally speaking, Thailand is a safe place to go. Yes, there are some scams here and there so make sure the right decisions are made while you’re travelling. Also make sure you have travel insurance just incase anything was to happen, so you’re covered for any expenses.

Currency: Thai Baht

Electricity socket: 220V AC electricity

Weather: 

Dry Season (November to February)

Hot Season (March to May)

Rainy Season (June to October)

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Attending an Indian wedding

Indian weddings last for several days. A few things will happen before the wedding ceremony. On the first night a priest will perform a ceremony that usually happens at home with the couple, bridal party and close relatives/family. 

The second day there is another ceremony where the bride and her female family members and friends will get henna drawn on their hands and feet. Later on in the night, guests are invited to introduce the couples families where they will get to know each other, chat, chance, eat and other performances.

The third day will consist of the main wedding ceremony, followed by a reception. Indian weddings are full of bright and vibrant colours and ladies wear long dresses. When you arrive to the place where the ceremony will be held, you will be required to take your shoes off. The couple will exchange floral garlands during the ceremony to express the desire of the couple to marry each other. 

If you ever get a chance to attend an Indian wedding you will have the time of your life! It’s definitely a lot of fun  :)

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Other tourist attractions

Golden temple - Amritsar

The Golden Temple, located in Amritsar, Punjab, is one of the most prominent religious heritage sites in India.

The Golden Temple is one of the oldest worship places for the Indian Sikh. The entire top of the temple is made of pure gold and is surrounded by a man made lake, to get to the temple you will literally have to walk on water.

The Golden Temple is definitely a beautiful sight during the day and night, however at night it is breathtaking as it is lit up and you can see it from a far distance. It is one of the holiest sites in India and hundreds of people visit every day to say their prayer. 

The Gateway of India - Mumbai

If you get a chance to Visit Mumbai, India. Its definitely worth seeing the Gateway of India, it overlooks the Arabian Sea and it 26 meters tall and is an important landmark in Mumbai. 

You can get to the Gateway of India by train, also buses are available from different parts of Mumbai that take you straight to the Gateway. The closest station to the Gateway is Churchgate train station, and there is also no entry fee.

Red fort - Agra

Another great tourist attraction you should visit if you travel to Agra is the Agra Red Fort. It is actually not that far from the Taj Mahal, you can take a taxi there.

Agra is known for its rich history and the fort has been owned by many emperors and rulers in the past. If you had just come from the Taj Mahal to the red fort, you can get a discounted entrance fee. It has a beautiful courtyard to talk around in and it is made of red sandstone with beautiful details.

There are many important structures to see inside the agra fort, such as a mosque that was built in the Agra fort and was build using white marble. The mosque was considered a private place of worship.

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Agra - Taj Mahal Attraction

Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Just one of the many reasons for you to come and visit India. Located in Agra, the Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. It was built to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Planning your trip

It is really important to plan your trip before going to the Taj Mahal. 

If you are staying in New Delhi, the drive to Agra takes approximately 3.5 hours. There is also the option to catch a train, the express train may get you there in half the amount of time that it takes by car. Bear in mind that if you are a tourist you might want to take the first class train that is more comfortable and air conditioned. 

Once you have worked out how you will get to the Taj Mahal, you need to take into consideration if you want a tour guide or not. During my trip to the Taj Mahal, I travelled there via car which included a personal driver for the whole day - this ensured a safe journey. We also got a tour guide that was organised by the hotel I was staying at that was extremely helpful. 

Going to the Taj Mahal is not a straight forward journey as you would think. If you were by yourself it might be hard to figure out. When you first get to the entrance, you will have to first line up to buy tickets at the first gate, which there is a foreigner and a local line. Then you will have a take a shuttle bus to get to the actual Taj Mahal entrance. From there you will have to line up in a ladies and men line, where you will get searched by the security. From there, there is a long walk with the crowd to get to the first building.

A tour guide will definitely make your trip more enjoyable, informative and helpful. They will explain the the history and go into great depth of every aspect of the wonderful, breathtaking mausoleum. The price for tourists is 1,100 rupees. 

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Culture

Majority of the population in India are Hindhu, Muslim, Sikn or Christian. In India their religious practices are an integral part of their daily life. Hinduism teaches meditation, yoga, self discipline and unity. Further to that, the cow is considered a sacred animal.

India is well regarded for its rugs, craft, metalwork, bronzes, stone, carving, pottery, woodwork and jewellery. You will often see many shops on the street selling these items. Indians love dancing, they can dance the whole night long and you will often see this during festivals and events. 

When greeting people in India, it is traditional to greet people by saying ‘Namaste’, you will also place both hands together and bow your head slightly. Men till often shake hands when greeting but men will not shake womens hands. 

It is respectful to address an elder as ‘sir’ or ‘ ma’am’ as well as any older female ‘auntie’ or any older male ‘uncle’ no matter if you are unrelated. It is common courtesy and it important in the Indian culture to respect your elders.

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A taste of India

There is a variety of mouth watering Indian cuisine to try while you in are in India. Indian dishes range from spicy samosa, sweet lassi, butter chicken to biryani. There is something to try for everyone! 

Chole Bhature

This dish is typically eaten for breakfast. It consists of fluffy fried bread and a thick curry of chickpeas. It is widely available as a street food all over the country. 

Samosa

This dish is a popular appetiser or snack. It is typically made with a potato stuffing with onions and peas, served with a tomato chutney and comes in the shape of a baked triangle. 

Panipuri

This dish is a popular street food snack. They come in the form of a small crisp hollow round ball bread that is filled with spiced water, tamarind paste, potato, onion and chickpeas. When you eat it, it is small enough to fit one completely in your mouth. Panipuri will make your taste buds go crazy!!!

Naan or Paratha

Naan or Paratha are the most popular indian flatbreads. Naan is baked, whereas Paratha is made by whole wheat flour on iron boards. Both are very delicious tasking and can be dipped in sauce of any Indian main dish like butter chicken. 

The four popular dishes are only just a few of the best Indian food dishes to try on your trip to India. If your next trip is to India, definitely go out of your comfort zone and try a wide range of Indian cuisine that is represented by culture, history and traditions.

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India

India is a country in South Asia, it’s the second most popular country by area with over 1.2 billion people.

Things to know before travelling to India

Travelling to India may be one of the most exciting ventures one may ever encounter. However, like in many cases of travel there are areas to be wary of.

Using my experience with my recent journey to New Delhi, India I had found that it is a very masculinised country wit very few local women in sight. I personally also found it very intimidating and daunting to find almost every set of eyes from every direction looking towards my companion and myself - making us feel uncomfortable.

Although being the centre of attention may sometimes be enticing, this was certainly not the case and was quite unwanted throughout the trip. Now, if you are planning to travel to New Delhi, prepare to attract more attention than what you’re probably used to.

Things you will need to travel to India

Travel adaptor: India has a unique power system that you won’t see if any other country. The adaptor that you will require will need to be purchased by itself and cannot be found with the universal adaptors that have for example five different countries adaptor in one. India’s adaptor has three round prongs.

India Visa: Foreign nationals wanting to travel to India need to posses a passport and a valid visa. A tourist visa can be granted which can be issued for one year with multiple entries.

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Don’t forget to visit St. Gallen

St. Gallen is located in the east of Switzerland and, at around 700 metres above sea level, is one of the higher situated cities in Switzerland. The city of St. Gallen has about 80’000 inhabitants. More than 10’000 students live in St. Gallen. The world-famous University of St. Gallen is located in the city.

If you are in St. Gallen, I recommend the following activities:

Visit a soccer game of the local soccer club St. Gallen. The football club of St. Gallen is one of the oldest football clubs in Europe. It was founded in 1879. They have a nice stadium with a capacity of 20,000 spectators. The fans are very passionate, so it is worth watching a game in the Kybunpark. www.fcsg.ch  

www.fcsg.ch

Don't forget to take a detour to the old town. Buildings from different eras characterize the cityscape of St. Gallen. 111 oriels decorate the house barrels in the pedestrian zone. The beautiful alleys invite you to shop and if you need a breather, then there are numerous street coffees.  The world-famous monastery library, part of UNESCO's world cultural heritage, can also be found here.  St. Gallen also has several good museums. www.st.gallen-bodensee.ch 

source: https://www.stadt.sg.ch/home/freizeit-tourismus/stgallen-entdecken/wahrzeichen-bauwerke/historische-bauten.html

Drei Weieren? Never heard of it? No problem. Drei Weieren is the name of a local recreation area in St. Gallen. There are five artificial ponds. In summer the ponds serve as public baths. Young and old go there to bathe, sunbathe or simply enjoy the weather with a few beers.

source: https://www.badi-info.ch/sg/dreilinden.html

St. Gallen also has a nightlife. More than 100 bars are located in St. Gallen. Each has its own style. You quickly find out which bar appeals to you. If you want to go to a club later, there are the Trischli Club, the Elephant Club and the Alpenchique. The Trishli and Elephant Club are for people between 18 and 25 years. From 25 years I recommend the Alpenchique.

www.elephantclub.ch

These were only a few activities you can do in St. Gallen. Of course there are numerous other possibilities. A trip to St. Gallen is definitely worthwhile.

 Hopp Sanggale  

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Hostels in Pristina

The Buffalo Backpackers Hostel is owned by a Texan and her partner from Pristina. The hostel has a large garden and 26 beds in 4 bedrooms. They have BBQ, fire pit, beer pong table, and lawn games outside where they can arrange dinners or host parties in the evening. Buffalo Hostel is located in the centre of Pristina. In summer you pay for one night 12 Euro, in winter 10 Euro. This hostel also offers day trips. They have their own old VW T25 bus. With the Buff-Mobile they want to show their guests the beautiful parts of Kosovo that are hard to reach with public transportation.

www.buffalobackpackers.com

Another hostel option in Pristina is the white tree hostel. It has a terrace area serving beer, juice coffee and tea that has a decidedly beachy feel to it making for one of the best chill out areas to be found in a hostel. They also have a cocktail bar/nightclub located behind the hostel which might give you a good opportunity to meet some locals on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays when it is open. The hostel has been recently renovated. The hostel has two private rooms with double bed and private bathroom, one double room with bunk beds. It also has two 4-bed rooms and one 6-bed room. 

www.whitetreehostel.com

lirë dhe mirë

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Attractions in Pristina

This year Kosovo has celebrated its 10th Birthday. The independence of Kosovo has been recognized by a lot of countries, but there are still few political issues that the country is facing today. As the process of being part of the European Union is taking much longer than first thought, Kosovans are still not able to visit any country, besides their neighbors country, without getting a visa in advance.

But that doesn’t stop the youth of this young country to keep themselves not isolated or not being up-to-date when it comes to the latest trends in technology, fashion and lifestyle.

www.facebook.com/NewbornKS/

Especially the Kosovo’s capital Prishtina is with its 500 000 habitant is as dynamic as all other bigger cities in Europe. Prishtina is definitely a place that should be on everyone’s bucket list before the 30ies come around the corner.

The Skanderberg Square in the city center is the main square of Prishtina. Here is the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo, some ministries and the theater. Next to it, tourists can find numerous shops, cafes and restaurants on the Mother Theresa Boulevard. The square is an ideal starting point for exploring the city. It seems like everything happens on this square. Especially at the other end of the boulevard on Sheshi Zahir Square, life is raging. Children are outside playing, street musicians are entertaining the pedestrians, and young couples are holding hands and walking down the boulevard.

www.kosovolocalguide.com

Just a few minutes’ walk from the square, there’s a monument, the newborn sign. It was unveiled on the occasion of the Declaration of Independence on 17 February 2008. It is a meeting place especially for young people. Every year, just before the Independence Day, it is redesigned to appear in time for the anniversary in fresh new colors and patterns.

www.kosovo-info.com/kosovo-cities/pristina

Prishtina ka lezet