ISLAND TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Most Popular Toronto Travel Attractions

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Mon, 7 Feb 2011 16:05:00 -0800

Toronto is one of the most exciting cities of the world, and millions of tourists visit this amazing city every year. The city is beautifully managed with many modern as well as historical travel destinations. Toronto travel destinations have something for everybody - from cultural marvels to modern commercial wonders. The best part is that all tourist attractions can be easily accessed through public transport systems. You can use Toronto mapquest to find more about Toronto news and local attractions and activities.

Popular Toronto Tourist Attractions

* CN Tower Toronto - CN Tower, located in downtown Toronto, is one of the tallest buildings in the world, with a height of 1,815 feet. It has a restaurant on the top floor. To get a bird's eye view of the magnificent city, you can travel into the glass elevator up to the special observation deck. * Eaton Centre - This is a bright shopping mall in downtown Toronto, with over 250 stores. Nobody comes out empty-handed from this mall, as there are various types of shops to suit all kinds of budgets. This is one of the most popular Toronto travel attractions along with CN tower. Apart from shopping bonanza for people, this architectural marvel has a glass dome and features a gigantic Canadian goose mobile, a Flight Stop designed by Michael Snow.

* ROM or Royal Ontario Museum - This museum is a fun place to be in, with more than 40 galleries of art, natural science, and archeology. It has one of the best collections of China's artifacts.

*Casa Loma - This is for history buffs or architecture lovers. This is one man's dream of creating an architectural wonder. Casa Loma is a great Toronto travel attraction that was built by a businessman Sir Henry Pellatt in the beginning of the 1900s. It gives panoramic views of the city. Though built quite early, this 'House on the Hill' has many modern utilities, including an elevator and central vacuum systems.

* Centre Island - This is one of a group of small islands that consists of the largest urban car-free population in North America - only several service vehicles are allowed here. Centre Island is also known as Toronto Island, and it is a fun place among the Toronto travel attractions for an entire family. It has an amusement park, beaches, great restaurants, and all kinds of relaxation as well as recreational features.

* Hockey Hall Of Fame - A great place to visit for a hockey lover. This place has all interactive exhibits that let the visitor feel like he is a part of the NHL action. It also features a replica of NHL dressing room and a trophy room.

Five Great European Travel Destinations

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 05:33:00 -0800

All over the world, people everywhere celebrate their Irish heritage on March 17th. Regardless of your heritage, you can't deny that spring is in full swing. The days are now officially longer, and while it takes a few days to get used to, it marks the arrival of spring. It doesn't hurt that the weather is acting accordingly either!

Travel during the spring season is something that everyone should try. Throughout Europe, there are many locations that offer warm sunny climates this time of year. On top of that, spring is also considered an "off" season by many people. I never really understood that. In my opinion, there are some locations that are actually better in the spring. For those of you who like spring time travel, here's a list of the top five European spring travel destinations.

1. Crete, Greece - This Greek island is surrounded by the Mediterranean waters, and is one location that will keep you hot all year round with its vibrant nightlife and culture.
2. Ibiza, Spain - This well known Spanish island is much more than crazy youngsters looking for a party. The island is actually quite beautiful, and will keep you entertained with things like scuba diving, fishing, and other outdoor adventures.
3. Naples, Italy - The entire Italian coast line could be a great spring destination. The cool ocean breezes are waiting to chill you out after a day exploring in the national parks located south of the city.
4. Palermo, Italy - Explore more of Sicily with a rental car in Palermo. The entire island is filled with small coastal villages that will keep you full on olives and local cheese. Sounds like fun!
5. Faro, Portugal - This Portuguese city located near the Spanish border is a very popular destination for many Europeans. You should check it out to see what you are missing before it's too busy. The good news is, April and May are full of all kinds of great deals for travelers, and the weather is perfect!

Holidays in Paradise Cozumel Beach Mexico, Top Beach Destination

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 23:22:00 -0800

Cozumel Beach

Cozumel island located at the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, opposite the Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. Cozumel is a popular tourist destination renowned for its scuba diving and snorkeling. Cozumel has ranked for years among the top five dive destinations in the world. Tall reefs line the southwest coast, creating towering walls that offer divers a fairy-tale landscape to explore. For nondivers, it has the beautiful water of the Caribbean with all the accompanying watersports and seaside activities. The island gets a lot more visitors from North America than Europe for reasons that probably have to do with the limited flights.

Cozumel popular with the cruise ships, the waterfront section of town holds wall-to-wall jewelry stores and duty-free and souvenir shops.

When Hurricane Wilma hit the island in October 2005, this section, including the attractive shoreline boulevard Avenida Rafael Melgar, was severely damaged. But so extreme was the effort of the town’s merchants and the local and federal government that by early 2006 all signs of the destruction were gone, and a casual visitor would never have guessed how serious the devastation from the hurricane was. This and the area around the town’s main square are about as far as most cruise-ship passengers venture into town.

Coastal Charm of Boracay Island

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:37:00 -0800

Boracay Beach

I was captivated by several respected travel magazines claiming that Boracay island resort in the Philippines has one of the best beaches in the world, I wasted no time in traveling to this island resort to experience what many claimed is a tropical island paradise.

Boracay is a lush tropical tourist resort island about 200 miles south of Philippine s capital Manila and is about slightly more than a mile off the northwest of Panay in the West Visayas province. Because of its acclaimed publicity of being home to some of the best beaches in the world, Boracay island resort is naturally one of the Philippine s most popular tourist attraction.

The island is made up by the barangays of Manoc Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak and is under the administration of the Philippine Tourism Authority. A barangay is also known by its former name, the barrio and is the smallest local government unit in Philippines. The word is a Tagalog term for a village or constituency.

Boracay island was originally the home of the Ati tribe before it became a major tourist attraction. Not surprisingly, the word Boracay is derived from words Bora which means bubble and Bukay means white sand . However, the sand on the main island is not as white as I have expected due to too many tourists and pollutions. Then again, if you visit some of the nearby islands and you will be fascinated by how white the sands on the beaches can be.

Boracay is part of Aklan Province and it was only in the 1970s that tourism industry started to develop. The main tourism beaches on the island are the White Beach and the Bulabog Beach both of which are located on diametrically opposite sides of the island s central area with the White Beach facing towards the west and Bulab og Beach facing east. Of course, Boracay also have several other beaches as well.

White Beach is well known for its white powdery sand and hence its name. The beach is slightly over 4 km long (2 miles) and is populated with numerous beach resorts, hotels, restaurants and shops catering to the needs of tourists staying in the area.

Incidentally, Borocay has more than 300 beach resorts with more than 2,000 rooms ranging from stylish five star hotels and resorts to budget a

ccommodations for backpackers. Golfers will be delighted to know that Boracay is home to a world class 18 hole par 72 golf course.

Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach is a secondary tourism beach. This beach is a favorite location for windsurfing and kiteboarding because of its seasonal strong winds for these activities.

When is the best time to visit Boracay? Well, you can visit Boracay anytime, however some visitors may wish to visit the island resort for different purposes.

Catch the spectacular world famous Kalibo Ati Atihan Festival in January. This festival is Philippine s version of the Mardi Gras which is celebrated on the third week of every January.

If you just want to enjoy the beaches and the sea , then visit Boracay during the Amihan season. This is during northeast monsoon season in the months of March to May when trade wind is at its strongest which is very suitable for activities like sailing, big game fishing, scuba diving, wind surfing and kite boarding.

The months of June to September are considered off peak season, however budget conscious tourists and backpackers consider this as the best time to visit Boracay as prices for everything are at its lowest and there are few competition for that precious white sand beach turf to plonk yourself on to enjoy the sun.

October marks the beginning of another peak season. As from October to December, the weather is cool and major sports events are usually held at this time of the year.

If you are thinking of taking a vacation holiday in the Philippines, do head for the tropical paradise island of Boracay.

Top Five Family Holiday Destinations in Spain

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:31:00 -0800

When it comes to choosing the ideal holiday destination, Spain has cemented itself as one of the top locations. Its brilliant combination of glorious weather, tourist attractions, culture and vibrant nightlife makes it the perfect destination to spend our holiday period and with all this to offer, it comes as no surprise why many choose to visit time and time again.

However, when it comes to choosing an appropriate family holiday, many of us can become unsure as to where the best destinations are. When it comes to Spain however, there is plenty to satisfy all families, no matter what type of holidays you may be used to.

Barcelona

Barcelona has been a favourite location for many who enjoy nothing more than soaking up some brilliant culture and scenery. Although this is primarily a more sight-seeing location, it also provides a fantastic backdrop for a family holiday-especially for those families who have slightly older children. With a wide range of galleries and museums, there is plenty to keep your family entertained here, and also provides a great way in which to escape some of the scorching hot weather you can hope to experience during its hotter months.
You will also find many street performers and entertainers throughout the city as you explore which are sure to put a spring in your step and leave you astounded with their talent. For those who are keen on sport, a must see location is the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys which was home to the 1992 Olympics and the Nou Camp Football Stadium, home to world-famous Barcelona FC. With fantastic transport facilities in the city, you will have the chance to experience everything the city has to offer-perfect for families who love to learn and explore at the same time.
To top it all, Barcelona also boasts wonderful sandy Mediterranean beaches just minutes walk from the city centre.

Benidorm

For those families who love a bit of fun and frolics, Benidorm has to be the ideal location. Located just outside of Alicante, Benidorm houses glorious, sandy beaches, masses of entertainment and fantastic eating facilities-perfect for both families with both young and older children. Many parents may worry about their children becoming bored, but with various attractions within Benidorm, that is something you need not worry about.
One of the biggest attractions is the Terra Mitica Park which is a theme park guaranteed to leave all involved exhilarated and wanting to stay all day! However, for those who are looking to escape from the heat there is also the Aqualandia Water Park which is a fantastic day out for those who love water rides, or who simply wish to lie back and soak up the rays.
You will also find the Terra Natura Park and Mundormar Marine Animal Park for those looking for animal and nature lovers. With a great variety of night entertainment from live music, family friendly pubs and a wide range of cuisine in the restaurants, everyone is sure to be happy here.

Galicia

Galicia is not an area within Spain many have heard much about, but is known as being one of Spain's provinces. This is the perfect destination for sun worshipping families who love to mix relaxing in the sun with exploring their surroundings. It is known for providing its tourists with a 'real' sense of Spain with its fantastic display of culture and heritage, but also has some breathtaking landscapes in the form of mountainous countryside, bays and coves.
What's more, this is the perfect place to experience all the Spanish cuisine has to offer with many of the restaurants providing some of the most delicious tapas you will ever experience. Again, this is more situated for an older family, but is a great place to explore and experience.

Granada

When it comes to Spain, many of us will automatically think of its beautiful weather and sandy beaches. However, for those families who wish to have a bit of adventure mixed with culture, Granada is the ideal holiday destination. Granada is situated by the Sierra Nevada ski resort, providing its tourists with the chance to mix lying in the sun with skiing through the snowy slopes-a brilliant combination for both novice and experienced skiers.
However, if skiing is not really your thing, there are many gorgeous areas oozing with culture and beauty for you to explore such as the Alhambra Palace and Generalife, which houses beautiful fountains and gardens-the perfect way to spend a glorious day out with your family. You will also find some magnificent museums such as the Archaeological Museum and the Science Museum-guaranteed to keep your children quiet and amused! However for those children who may get slightly bored by this, a quick whizz down the ski slopes or fun at the beach with the many water sports which are available, are sure to keep them happy and entertained.

Madrid

Finally there is the fantastic city of Madrid. Originally popular due to its vast amount of culture and sights, its popularity has led to some fantastic developments which has now made it a popular family holiday location. As with many of the areas within Spain, Madrid houses masses of attractions such as the Faunia Theme Park, Zoo-Aquarium and Warner Bros-Madrid Theme Park-perfect for children of all ages, and adults!
As you would expect from a city, you will also find a wide range of shops here from traditional trinket stores to designer's stores which will allow you to bring some souvenirs back or merely take advantage of any possible discounts typical of European shopping. For night time entertainment, you will be spoilt for choice in Madrid with cinemas, theatres, the ballet, and opera and for those old enough-some of the best night clubs in the whole of Europe. With masses of restaurants serving food from all over the world and many family friendly pubs providing some great live music, there is something for every family here.
When it comes to a great family holiday in Spain you will be spoilt for choice. So take the plunge and see what a great holiday experience you and your family can have on the holiday of a lifetime!

Favorite Beach Holiday Destination in Tamil Nadu

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:30:00 -0800

Tamil Nadu Beach

Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India is hemmed by both Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. Both the seas provides a vast coastline and some exotic beaches. These beaches quite famous among the globetrotters for beach holidays. Apart from visiting the ancient temples and hill stations, vacationers also loves to spend some memorable moments on these vast expanses of golden sands.
Some of the ideal beach holiday destination in Tamil Nadu are

Marina Beach, Chennai:-Marina Beach is the pride possession of Chennai, the state capital. Heralded as the second longest beach in the world, Marina beach is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Everyday the 12 km long stretch of Marina beach attracts large number of tourists as well as local people for some fun moments. Watching sun rise and sun set from the beach is quite famous. In the evening, people engage themselves in various kinds of joy rides and loves to gorge on several snacks available on the beach.

It is an ideal site for water sports lover as it provides good surfing opportunities to them. This beach also has some fantastic sightseeing spots such as Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College, P.W.D office and Ice House, a new lighthouse, sculpture of Victory of Labour and the Mahatma Gandhi etc.

Mahabalipauram Beach: Located just 60 km south of Chennai, Mahabalipuram beach is nestled on the shores of Bay of Bengal. Mahabalipuram beach was once a port of Pallavas. They have created many marvelous monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas (chariots) and Temples at the vicinity of beach.
Rameshwaram Beach: It is an island situated off the mainland. This beach of Rameshwaram town is surrounded by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. Rameeshwaram is also famous as one of the oious pilgrimage destination of south India. Apart from its religious significance, the serene ambiance of Rameshwaram beach with shallow water makes it an ideal destination for swimming and sun bathing.
Kanyakumari Beach: Kanyakumari, famous as the end point of India. The beautiful beach of this tranquil town is hemmed by azure water of three vast seas namely Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and Arabian sea. Thanks to the confluence of this three seas, it is also called as 'Triveni Sangamam'. From here on can enjoy breath taking view of sunrise and sunset. Kanyakumari beach is also popular for its marvelous assortment of multi-hued sand. While enjoying your beach holiday, you can also visit the Gandhi Mandapam, Kanyakumari Amman Temple, and the memorial of Swami Vivekananda.
Covelong Beach: Last but not the least, Covelong beach is another best destination for beach holiday in the state. Located away from the hustle and bustle of Chennai city, Covelong beach is a salubrious beach which is famous for a calm and relaxing beach holiday. It also offers numerous with fishing activities. Visit Tamil Nadu and explore the state as a beach holiday destination.

Wonderful Baltic Beach Holidays

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:00:00 -0800

Wonderful Baltic Beach Holidays

That could be a difficult question to answer as we think the Baltic beaches are one of the best kept secrets in Europe. Expect to be surprised, delighted and want to return time and time again; as you will experience some of the best beaches and one of the most beautiful coastlines on the Continent.

Wonderful Baltic Beach Holidays

Carlisle Bay Antigua Best of Vacation Spots Choiy

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Tue, 4 Jan 2011 20:54:00 -0800

Carlisle Bay is quite a large Antigua Luxury resort and very stylish indeed. It has eighty superb suites, a full service spa, a large pool, and two restaurants.

There is a Children’s Club, and nine tennis courts plus a host of other facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel. It is a great place for a family vacation, and yet appeals to the top end of the market as well, and definitely suits wealthy travellers who like to stay at fashionable hotels. Carlisle Bay Hotel Antigua is definitely a place where you can relax in a magnificent tropical setting, once described as contemporary luxury on the beach.

The Carlisle Bay Hotel is on the southern coastline of Antigua, and is located in a broad bay with steep sides with a mangrove lagoon to one side and the turquoise blue sea on the other. When you arrive at the gates you notice that everything from the gravel to the windows and balconies is grey which contrasts quite beautifully wit the lush vegetation, grass, and the sea. It also contrasts with the staff who are dressed in lilac. There are two distinct locations for the bedrooms, and this helps make this Carlisle Bay Antigua Luxury resort such a good place for a family vacation, and yet still an excellent place to stay without children.

The Beach suites which are two bedroomed, and the Carlisle Suites which have three bedrooms line the beach on either side of the dining room and they are for families, whilst the one bedroomed Ocean Suites are set back somewhat by comparison. You’ll particularly enjoy the hugeness of the rooms, the bathroom and all the luxury extras a hotel of the quality of the Carlisle Bay should have but don’t have. There are two restaurants, and they are excellent.

The East has an Asian theme, and is Carlisle Bay’s more formal restaurant, next to, but hidden from the Piano bar and the pool and Indigo on the Beach is particularly good just a few feet from the sea. There is a Friday evening BBQ on the beach which is very much a ‘must do’. It is also possible to dine in your suite, and there is 24 hour room service. The Carlisle Bay must be almost unique for a hotel, in having its own cinema, which is a great thing to be able to take in a movie, but beware the air conditioning is pretty fierce.

Another sign of a Luxury hotel is the availability of sun loungers, and one of the great things here at Carlisle Bay is the fact that even when the hotel is full, you won’t have a problem either by the pool or on the beach. If you want to go snorkelling off the beach then go along to the rocks on the left of the bay. The probable reason for this is firstly the families have their own bedroom suites as previously indicated. There is an extremely well run children’s program as well, and perhaps it is the fact that many of the children are from well off British families which is why they are so well behaved!! Carlisle Bay has made a point of helping you to relax and do nothing, and it does this very well. There are however a good few complimentary facilities including water sports as well as nine tennis courts and a spa. To summarise Carlisle Bay is an ideal destination for a family vacation in the Caribbean, being not a typical Caribbean Hotel. It is a class act well deserving its claim to be the top Antigua Luxury Resort

Best Indian Beach Destinations

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 03:53:00 -0700

Favorite Indian Beach Destinations

You basically have two best options of Goa and Kerala if you are looking for the best beach vacations spot in India. It is also depends completely on what type of person you are and what type of environment suits you.

Firstly if we talk about Goa beach vacations, tourists, who really want to have fun by playing and by enjoying good atmosphere, can go to Goa beaches. In Goa beaches, you can enjoy everything that you want in a perfect vacation. You can drink different types of cocktails and mock tails, you can swim anytime you want and also you can celebrate with your family and friends. We can say that Goa beaches are very similar to Miami Beach vacation and to a Caribbean trip. People who want to go to a peaceful place; they can hang out on Goa lonely beaches which are the famous beaches.

If we talk about Kerala beaches, these beaches have a higher class crowd of tourist and are also less crowded. There are many awesome and beautiful beaches at the west coast of Kerala with the white sand. The beaches in Kerala are very calming and relaxing, you can swim over there and the good part is that drinking is not allowed on the beaches. Ayurvedic massage treatments are also given by some of the beaches in Kerala. You would found silence and beauty on the beaches of Kerala moreover; food, arts and local culture can also be enjoyed.

We all know how quickly time flies, so start planning that vacation getaway right now. There's an ideal beach vacation where you can enjoy your time off to the fullest just waiting for you to arrive!

Best Laguna Beach Destination, California USA

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:51:00 -0700

Laguna Beach It’s located in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego offers a golden sandy area and fresh water became an excellent vacation area. Laguna Beach consists of 30 beaches. Laguna Beach holds the distinction of having one of the greatest number of localized beaches of any city on the California coast. The list includes the northern beaches of Irvine Cove, Crescent Bay, Shaw’s Cove, Boat Canyon, Diver’s Cove, Picnic Beach and Rockpile.

Central Beaches include Main Beach, Sleepy Hollow, St. Ann’s Street, Thalia Street, Oak Street, Brook’s Street and Mountain Road Beach. Southern Laguna Beach (South Laguna Beach) beaches include Bluebird Canyon, Pearl Street, Wood’s Cove, Moss Point, Rockledge, Victoria Beach and Treasure Island. Guarded by a premier force of lifeguards, Laguna Beaches are operated under the City of Laguna Beach Lifeguard Services. You can prefer many activities here.

Scuba diving, sailing, bird watching, surfing, and beach volleyball are the most preferred.If you prefer outdoor activities, you have an access to hiking, cycling, golf, tours, and picnics. Laguna Beach is a popular weekend vacation in Southern California. It’s known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in southern California. The city has good hotels, unique shops and restaurants, world famous art galleries and art festivals. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed here.

Laguna Beach presents a variety shopping vacations. You can find clothes, hand-made jewelleries, and antique shops. Besides, there are art galleries in which the works of artists are exhibited. Festivals are also held in Laguna Beach, which is well known by people all around the world.

In Laguna Beach, you can find many places to spend your time. It especially offers a pleasing vacation for the families. While your children enjoy the beauties and activities of the sand, you can sunbathe and enjoy its wonderful nature.

Family Beach Holidays in Malta

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Tue, 5 Oct 2010 00:48:00 -0700

I decided to visit the republic of Malta out of season in March to see what this archipelago of seven islands has to offer in the way of Hotels, beaches and what the scuba diving would be like on the island.

Cheap Flights to Malta

Because I was traveling out of season I found an excellent deal on my flight and hotel accommodation in Malta. At this time of year there are plenty of cheap flights to Malta and the hotels offer some pretty good deals as well. I booked my flight and 8 nights stay with bed and breakfast at the 4 star Paradise Bay hotel in Marfa, with an ocean view through lastminute.com in February and the total came to just £340! I think that is an excellent deal in anyone's book. I flew with Air Malta, but Air Alitalia, Ryan Air, Lufthansa, British Airways and a few no frills airlines also fly to Malta so plenty of options to choose from, helping to keep the prices nice and competitive.

Winter Sun Holidays in Malta

One of the main reasons for choosing Malta was it's location, it is 37 miles south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, if you carry on further south you will reach North Africa giving the country a warm climate for most of the year, perfect as a winter sun holiday destination!

Diving in Malta

Although I have my PADI open water diving licence, I had not been scuba diving in quite a few years and though a little research found a few places on Malta that offer the chance for you to go diving and so thought that this trip would offer the perfect opportunity to brush up on my skills. Paradise Diving School is located within the premises of the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel in Marfa on the northern tip of the island.The school caters for all levels of diving and is a P.A.D.I registered school offering a whole range of courses including an introduction to diving and:

Open Water Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Rescue Diver
Dive Master

Malta has a huge selection of hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts to suite most peoples tastes and budgets. Most people who visit Malta probably go on a package deal where the hotel and flights are included.

Malta Weather

The climate and weather in Malta are largely influenced by the sea and is very similar to that of southern Italy or southern Greece. It has the characteristic Mediterranean flavour. Generally the winters in Malta are pretty mild, and only very rarely having cold weather carried by winds from northern and central Europe.

The summers in Malta are sunny, warm and dry and you can expect daytime temperatures in summer to be hot, but the cooling effect from sea breezes really help! In the spring and autumn there is a very hot wind that comes from Africa which can occasionally bring with it unpleasantly high temperatures.

Winters in Malta are mild with only rare occurrences of cold weather brought by north and northeast winds from central Europe. In fact, daytime winter temperatures almost never fall below 10ºC (50ºF) During winter, it sometimes it gets rather windy for a few days with strong gale force winds blowing either from the northwest (Malta's most common wind) or from the northeast bringing days of miserable stormy weather. Most of Malta's annual rainfall falls during autumn and winter, mostly from thunderstorms which make up most of the rainfall.

The weather usually shows signs of warming up in late March, early April, heralding in a long spell of hot, dry weather and the aproaching summer.

Malta - Top Attractions

Other than the beach and seemingly never ending summer, there are many other reasons to visit Malta. Malta has a rich history and culture and with this comes some impressive ancient ruins, museums, works of art and architecture. These include St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta and the St John's Co-Cathedral Museum which is right next to the church, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples near the village Qrendi and the impressive National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

Beauty Lummus Park on South Beach in Miami

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 23:17:00 -0700

Lummus Park on South Beach is a very nice and beautiful in Miami and state of Florida in United States. Lummus Park is the Mecca of outdoor activities, strap on your Rollerblade, tune on to your favorite play list and go "balding"……this is unbeatable fun and one of the sexiest beaches in the world, where else can you work up a sweat and then enjoy a good book afterward on the shores of the Caribbean sea. I went there and enjoyed a lot. There I stayed in cheap hotels. There they provided the facilities which pampered me. This beach is good facilities in tourist include lots of restaurants line the road by the beach so that is a great way to spend an afternoon sunning, swimming, eating, drinking, cheap hotels in miami, successful parking garage and just generally tourist watching.

Enjoy Holidays in SANTA BARBARA - California

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 00:38:00 -0700

Santa Barbara is a beachy town 130 kilometres north of Los Angeles that's often referred to as the "American Riviera" because of its warm climate.

It has white sandy beaches perfect for sun-worshipping, and the beauty of this Spanish mission-style town is that you can choose from busy cosmopolitan beaches like East Beach near the famous Santa Barbara pier, through to Hendry's Beach where you have privacy and deserted stretches of white sand yet plenty of facilities.

Or for a long stretch of gorgeous white sand, try the easily-accessible City Beach which rolls into State Beach. This is the locals' favourite stretch of beach, and the beauty of State beach is that you can still set up camp on the beach without being told to move.

If you're after beach sunsets, try Butterfly beach which faces true west. This is almost like the Malibu of Santa Barbara, a private beach with plenty of expensive houses near the beach and plenty of interesting characters on Butterfly beach.

Americans love their piers, and the pier at Santa Barbara Beach is up there with the best of them. You’ll find a cluster of restaurants, shops and stalls all with great ocean views.

Strict planning in Santa Barbara has made this laid-back beach town an attractive spectacle. On arrival, you're greeted with the alluring sight of mostly whitewashed Spanish mission buildings and terracotta tile roofs. This and some of the best beaches in America have made Santa Barbara one of the most refreshing destinations on the US west coast.

The open air restaurants are wonderful in Santa Barbara’s balmy weather. Try Carlito's Cafe on State Street, the main street filled with restaurants.

Carlito's is Mexican-American food with a delightful alfresco area surrounded by those ubiquitous whitewashed walls with a lively Mexican band playing on Friday nights.
Try a fresh mango Margarita or a Mojito, Cuba's favourite drink with fresh lime juice.

As you may have guessed Carlito's is a local institution, so make sure you book or be prepared to line up and wait.

Photo Courtesy Carlito's Cafe Santa Barbara

The strict planning in Santa Barbara has made the drive through town an attractive one because billboards are banned, so much so that you won't even see them on the freeway 30 kilometres near Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara is a must-see beach town on any trip between LA and San Francisco.

Romantic Beach Family Destinations - Exotic Vacation

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:45:00 -0700

Everyone wants to spend their vacations in a destination that is surrounded by pristine beaches, exotic locations, turquoise water, mesmerizing lagoons and the calm sea. There are numerous beaches in this world which are famous of their dazzling environment, balmy nights, marvelous sunsets and amazing night life.

Whether you are planning your destination wedding, a honeymoon or a family vacation, a beach destination would be the perfect option for you. Beaches provide excitement and thrill to vacationers as they provide you fun filled water sports and a great ambiance. For your benefit, let me now tell you about the top beaches that are ideal for your vacation trip.

1. Anse Source d'Argent
This is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is an archipelago in Seychelles that is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is well known for its weathered granite boulders, secluded beaches, arching palm trees, pink sand and idyllic lagoons. Here you can enjoy numerous water sports like scuba diving, kayaking, swimming, surfing and snorkeling. Various luxurious resorts are located all around the place which provides you world class services.

2. Miami Beach, United States
Miami Beach is located in Florida, United States of America. It is one of the most exotic beaches that is usually crowded all the year round. People who come here enjoy jet-skiing and surfing in the clear crystal warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If you are lucky you can also spot a famous movie star here.

3. Ipanema
The spectacular stretch of sand in Rio de Janeiro can really take your breath away. Ipanema is famous for its twin mountain peaks, groovy mosaic boardwalk, Capoeira dancers, stylish spread of bars and eateries, exciting clubs and dazzling night life.

4. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Visiting this place can really be a memorable experience for you because this beach is not only famous for its immaculate beauty but is also known for its incredibly diverse locations. The beach is located on the Pacific Ocean from where you can watch the high waves. Near Sea of Cortez, the water is clam and the beaches are covered with white sand.

5. Paradise Beach
This place is located on the Greek isle of Mykonos and it is a perfect destination for you. This place has something for everyone and here you can enjoy the deep-blue Aegean Sea, discos, bars, restaurants, abundant aquatic life, glittering sandy coves, vivid coral and fauna, great hedonistic scene and the beautiful sunrise.

Selena Burgas Beach Bulgaria

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Wed, 8 Sep 2010 23:56:00 -0700

Selena Burgas Beach Bulgaria

Hotel "Selena Beach" is situated in the "Budjaka” area between the new part of Sozopol and “Raiski zaliv”,where it is separated from the other noisy restaurants.You will enjoy the cosy, calm and comfortable atmosphere in the hotel "Selena Beach" during your stay here.

Enjoy Exotic Beach Destinations With Your Family

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:47:00 -0700

Enjoy Exotic Beach Destinations With Your Family

Traveling is really a fun filled activity that you can enjoy together with your family and friends. Whether you are going for your honeymoon or for a weekend getaway, a beach destination can be just perfect for your vacation. If you have chosen a beach destination then you can enjoy various activities fun filled games, white sandy beaches, clear crystal water and secluded coves.
Try to make all your plans and bookings at least one month in advance if you are going on a vacation during the peak season. Beaches provide excitement and thrill to vacationers as they provide you fun filled water sports and a great ambiance.
So, now let me tell you about the most marvelous beaches that you can visit with your family and friends.

Shanghai - Quick Tips on Visiting World Expo 2010

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:18:00 -0700

For those of you making a trip to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, here are some quick tips to get you going:

Go on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowd. Average crowd on weekday - 300,000, on weekends - over 400,000.
Wear a hat with a wide enough brim to cover your face. Wear sunglasses to cut off the glare.
Use plenty of sun-block.
Wear your most comfortable pair of shoes. Comfort is much more important then fashion in this case, as you will be walking and walking and walking all day !
Water cannot be brought into the Expo site, but bring an empty bottle to fill up at the many water fountains around the Site. You can also buy mineral water at a reasonable RMB 3.00 everywhere.
You can bring food into the Expo Site - but why bother. There are lots of food outlets inside, some offering items you will normally have to queue at other locations to buy - e.g. the famous Nanxian Xiou Long Bao. Prices are also very reasonable.
When you get tired, find a nice place for a cup of coffee or drink to rest and relax.
Have a walk around the Site to see which are the pavilions you are interested in - then go back when the crowd gets thinner.
Waits at the most popular pavilions can be as long as 3 to 4 hours. Go to the less popular ones - you will find some gems.
Elevated walkways provide access to all the pavilions. Use these as they are will shaded - or walk under the elevated walkways which provide plenty of shade.
Free shuttle buses run along the main thoroughfares of the Expo Site. Use these if you want to go to the other end of the Site.
Toilets are clean and plentiful. Use the ones near the pavilions and not at the main entrance spine as these are less busy and are better maintained.
Crowds thin out after 4.00 p.m. You will have better chance getting into the popular pavilions in the evenings.
Outside of the pavilions are more interesting then the insides. Most displays inside the pavilions are just LCD displays or a few half-hearted exhibits. Most of the money and effort has been put on the outside.
Go to the Chile and New Zealand Pavilions. 2 of the best !
Must go to the Observation Deck at the Performing Arts Centre (The Flying Saucer). Great view of the Huangpu River and the Asian/ Middle Eastern Side of the Expo Site.
To get into the China Pavilion - go to the Expo Entrance and queue at 5.00 a.m. Entrance passes will be given out at 7.00 a.m. and you can enter the Site at 9.00 a.m. (I skipped the China Pavilion, but some more determined travel mates managed to get in)
Allow at least 2 days at the Expo. 3 days would be optimum. Take your time. It is the atmosphere and the crowd that is the most memorable part of the Expo experience.
Check the performance programmes. Lots of interesting shows around the Expo site.
In most cases, the external design of the pavilions are more interesting then what's inside. If you can’t get in because of the lines, don’t fret – as you’ve probably seen the best part.

Tamil Nadu Temple Tour

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:26:00 -0700

Tamil Nadu is amid in the Southernmost bend of India. It would not be amiss to say it 'Land of Temples', as there are added than 30,000 temples in this state. Every temple has been congenital anxiously and is an architectural admiration in itself. One can see the bequest of age-old Dravidian architectural appearance in these temples, which are abundant attractions for every company to Tamil Nadu. In the age-old days, these temples were centers of amusing acquisition and education, afar from a abode of worship.

Famous Temples of Tamil Nadu

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

Meenakshi Temple is one of the admirable and better temple complexes amid Indian temples. It is committed to Goddess Meenakshi and amid in Madurai. This temple is a curiosity of architectonics and spreads over an breadth of 6 hectares. It has been congenital in age-old Dravidian style, which has 12 Gopurams (gateways), which are 45 meters in height.

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

It is counted amid the best angelic temples in India. It is believed that no crusade is over afterwards advantageous a appointment to Rameshwaram Temple afterwards the angelic city, Varanasi. The temple is amid in Rameshwaram island, which additionally accept some added admirable temples. Construction of the temple was started in 12th aeon in Dravidian architecture. There is a huge alley in this temple, which is 1,220 meters in length.

Brihadeswara Temple, Thanjavur

Brihadeswara temple is amid in Thanjavur. Main allure of the temple is a huge ability of Nandi, which measures 6 meters in breadth and 3.7 meters in height. Nandi Statue has been fabricated out of distinct bedrock and weighs about 25 tonnes. Brihadesware temple has bantam Gopuram and aerial Vimana. It is an archetype of ablaze architectural techniques.

Vardaraja Temple, Kanchipuram

The temple is amid at a ambit of about 3 km from Kanchipuram. It is additionally acclaimed by the name of Devarahaswamy temple. It is counted amid the acclaimed Vaishnav shrines, which is committed to Lord Vishnu. It was congenital in 11th aeon AD and has a madapa with 100 pillars.

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

It is a admirable archetype of Chola architecture, which has been congenital accoutrement an breadth of 40 acreage in Chidambaram. This temple is committed to the dancing anatomy of Lord Shiva. It is advised a accolade to Bharatnatayam dance. Main attractions of the temple are 108 pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in altered poses of Bharatnatayam classical dance. Every year in the months of February-March, Natyanjali Festival is captivated at this temple, which is committed to Lord Shiva.

Srivaikunthanthor Temple, Tirunelveli

Srivaikunthanthor Temple is additionally accepted by the name of Kallapiranswami Temple and is committed to Lord Vishnu. It is amid at a ambit of 37 km abroad from Tirunelveli. The temple is advised amid the acclaimed angelic shires of Vaishnavites.

Some of the added acclaimed temples of Tamil Nadu are Ramalinga Temple in Chidambaram, Kumar Amman Temple in Kanyakumari, Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli and Kailashnath Temple in Kanchipuram.

Macau - Food Street at Taipa Village

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:10:00 -0700

The famous food street at Taipa Village is along Rua do Cunha which is almost right in the middle of the heritage area. At one end of the street is the town square, and at the other end a small plaza surrounded by old shophouses.

Along this short and narrow street there is a dizzying array of restaurants and snack shops. There are Chinese, Cantonese, Portuguese, Italian, French and even Korean food for you to choose from. The snack shops are similar to the ones on Macau Peninsula, with many of the same familiar names represented here. If you have done your shopping already, you can avoid these. However don’t miss the dessert shops for their delicious jellies and ice cream. Many Bloggers vouch for their durian ice cream, but for me durian is best eaten fresh from the shell so I gave it a miss. Their coconut ice cream was really great !

The fish ball shops are also very popular. In Malaysia these are called “Lok Lok” shops which sells all kind of things on skewers which are blanched in hot water and served with a chili or sweet sauce. Here the selections are mainly different kinds of fishballs. These are blanched and then put into a cup, drizzled with some oily savoury sauce. They are quite nice for a quick snack.

Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media, and science.

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 21:11:00 -0700

Berlin is the capital city and one of 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.4 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. Geographically embedded in the European Plains, Berlin is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. Around one third of the city's territory is composed of forests, parks, gardens, rivers and lakes. First documented in the 13th century, Berlin was successively the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia (1701–1918), the German Empire (1871–1918), the Weimar Republic (1919–1933) and the Third Reich (1933–1945). During the 1920s, Berlin was the third largest municipality in the world. After World War II, the city was divided; East Berlin became the capital of East Germany while West Berlin became a de facto West German exclave, surrounded by the Berlin Wall (1961–1989). Following German reunification in 1990, the city regained its status as the capital of all Germany hosting 147 foreign embassies.

Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media, and science. Its economy is primarily based on the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, media corporations, congress and convention venues. Berlin serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport, and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the EU. Significant industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, optoelectronics, traffic engineering, and renewable energy. The metropolis is home to renowned universities, research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, museums and personalities. The urban and historical legacy has made it a popular setting for international film productions. The city is recognized for its festivals, diverse architecture, nightlife, contemporary arts, public transportation networks and a high quality of living. Berlin has evolved into a global focal point for young individuals and artists attracted by a liberal lifestyle and modern zeitgeist.

Berlin is the capital city and one of 16 states of Germany

Shanghai City

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:55:00 -0700

Shanghai - the most glamourous city in China, now even more glamourous due to the World Expo 2010. No expenses had been spared to make sure that Expo 2010 will be one of the best and biggest in history, and the hype and publicity surrounding this World Event has been relentless.

The minute you arrive in Shanghai, you cannot escape the Expo 2010 propaganda machine. Posters, banners, LCD screens, product placements, t-shirts, etc. all extoll you to make a visit to the Expo. If you don't go, you are a klutz !

Of course, the Expo was one of our main reasons for visiting Shanghai. We had chosen May as the weather is still reasonably cool. June and July would be unbearably hot, and September and October may see larger crowds rushing to see the "Biggest Show on Earth" before it ends.

I think we made the right choice. It is late Spring in Shanghai, and temperatures are between 19 to 28 degrees. It gets a bit warm during the day, but not unbearable. Still, make sure you bring a hat which covers your face, sunglasses to cut the glare, and plenty of sun-block.

Skyscrapers in Pudong - the new city.

View of The Bund from Pudong.

View of Puxi - the "old city".

The Huangpu River which separates Pudong from Puxi.

Views of Puxi.

Behind the growth a any city, there is always blood, sweat and tears. Shanghai used to be the backwaters of Suzhou and Hanzhou - a small fishing village and trading post relatively minute in importance. Then came the Opium Wars, which was won by the British and foreign forces against the Qing Dynasty. After the lost the Emperor was forced to open up treaty ports for foreigner powers to trade with China - Shanghai included. Due to its strategic location at the mouth of the Yantgzte River, Shanghai prospered and grew into what it is today, the most developed city and financial centre in China. Such is the irony of history.

Carnival of Beaches : Goa on the West coast of India

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:47:00 -0700

Goa on the West coast of India

The state of , is located in the coastal belt known as Konkan. While this tourist magnet has much to offer: old churches, carnival atmosphere, Portuguese flavour, wildlife, nature and tantalizing cuisine, yet, mention Goa and the first, often only, image that flashes in one's mind is of the BEACHES.

For the 105 km long Konkan belt has generously bestowed Goa with some of the best beaches in India: a wide eclectic range guaranteed to suit every taste and fulfill every fantasy. Goa offers both, popular hotspots swarming with tourists where every inch of territory is claimed and contested to virgin stretches practically untouched by 'development'.
For the beach aficionado traveling to Goa, it entails choosing between being in the midst of the action where ultra modern facilities such as luxury hotels, malls, night clubs, restaurants, spas and massage centers abound or courting the solitude of a rustic shack that opens out to wide empty sand and sea.
Goa's beaches are roughly divided into two groups based on their location: Those lying in North Goa and others situated in South Goa.
Goa's capital Panaji in the North and Margao, a major city in the South, are two central points from where most of Goa's beaches can be accessed.
As one goes up north from the beach at Calangute or down south from Colva, the traffic on the beaches starts thinning so that soon there remain just the golden sands and tranquil waters under the beneficent beam of a glorious sky - Goa's beaches at their purest, most unadulterated!
Check out some of these options:
Vagator and Chapora
About 22 kms from Panaji, situated in Bardez Taluka, the crescent shaped beach of Vagator and nearby Chapora are isolated havens in North Goa. Tourists come for the sheer beauty of the white sand and black lava rocks sparkling against a verdant rural landscape. The rural atmosphere untouched by the scepter of commercialization that often plagues good beaches, the nearby 500-year-old Portuguese fort of Chapora is another attraction here.
Anjuna
One of the more spectacular of Goa's beaches, this five-mile stretch, nestled between the sea and a hill has some interesting black rock formations jutting into the sea. Former haunt of the hippies, the beach is just right for lazing on the sands all day. Night-long parties spice up the atmosphere on Anjuna, which is also famous for its Wednesday flea market where you can pick up anything from paper backs to pottery. The Mascarhenas Mansion, a classic piece of old Goan architecture with woodwork and floral stained glass etchings makes for an interesting visit.
Calangute
Undeniably one of North Goa's most popular beaches, one can expect a crowd here! This Queen of Beaches, with nearby saltpans and coconut groves adding to its charms, was the original mecca for the European hippies who came to Goa in droves in the 60s and 70s. Today, Calangute offers all modern facilities including spas, massage parlours, shopping centers and internet cafés. While the golden sands here still retain their magic, the Church of St. Alex and the Kerkar Art Complex are added attractions.
Baga
Quiet in comparison to Calangute, this small beach is for those seeking the idyllic Goa of the yesteryears. Its scenic beauty is enhanced by the hill with the retreat house and the Baga River flowing alongside - the sea explodes in dramatic sprays where the river flows into it. Offering water sport opportunities, this beach is popular with the western tourists in Goa.
Sinquerim
One of the best beaches in Goa for water sports including water-skiing, para- sailing, diving and surfing, facilities for these activities are of international standard here. The uninterrupted sandy stretch north from here till Baga beach makes this an excellent beach for walking too.
Miramar
Lying adjacent to the Mandovi River as it empties out into the sea, Miramar was earlier known as the Gasper Dias Beach." One can enjoy an excellent view of Fort Aguada from the beach, which is studded with luxury hotels and the homes of Goa's rich and famous. Demphe college of Arts and Science and the memorial to Goa's first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar also stand here.
Aguada
This beach is well known for the Fort Aguada Hotel built around a 17th century fort that goes by the same name. While the hotel grounds are off-limits for the general public, one can still walk around the beach. The fort, originally built to protect Old Goa from foreign attack, today houses Goa's Central Fort. Aguada beach is full of cafes, stalls, massage parlors and facilities for water sports.
Agonda
A three-kilometer long stretch of sand and palm with a hill to the south, this beach is one of those offering a sense of solitude quite rare in Goa. In fact, Agonda is just the place for an overnight beach camping adventure! Nearby is Cabo de Rama, where according to Goan legend, Lord Rama stayed with his wife Sita for 12 years.
MAJORDA
A 5 km stretch of sand, Majorda is where the Jesuits harvested the best toddy palms to leaven their bread. As a result, Majorda was home to the original Goan bakers skilled in the art of European baking, a skill possessed by bakers here even today. Much earlier, so Goan legend states, Lord Rama as a child was kidnapped and brought up here.
Bogmalo
With a huge 5 star hotel right at the edge of the sea, this beach is somewhat separated from both, the North and South Goan beach circuits. And the sea around has some intriguing islands. The beach is lined with eateries, each claiming to be Osibisa's chosen favourite!
Colva
Most beloved beach of the Goans, Colva in South Goa is plush with modern tourist amenities. Colva is also famous for the Church of Our Lady of Mercy with its famous statue of Menini Jesus.
Benaulim
A tranquil beach, legend describes it as the place where the legendary arrow of Parashuram's arrow fell, from which Goa was created. This is where you can see the famous handicrafts of Goa, including fine rosewood furniture. A good beach for those seeking solitude. The church of St. John the Baptist, as well as the Feast of St. John are synonymous with this beach.
Dona Paula
Made famous by the legend of Dona Paula de Menezes, the daughter of a viceroy of colonial Goa, who threw herself off the cliff rather than relinquish her love for a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias, this is also how this famous Goan beach got its name. Famous for its water sports facilities, this beach is also a popular location for movie shoots. The National Oceanography Institute, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and the Reis Magos Church are the main attractions around here.
VARCA, CAVELOSSIM, MOBOR
Beautiful beaches from South Goa, these also display a cleaner, quieter visage than some of the more famous and therefore over-commercialized. Shacks offering authentic Goan dishes line the beach, as also some exclusive luxury resorts. Tourists here can also avail of boat trips to watch dolphins.
Palolem
One of the southernmost of Goa's beaches, this stretch of white sand and blue water is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. The beach is lined with shacks selling food, clothes, trinkets and other Goa souvenirs.

Lipe updated Tourism

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:21:00 -0700

Pattaya Beach - Lipe's most popular from the western headland. Shot from a Pattaya Song (aka Pattaya 2) second row bungalow balcony. Daya and luxury Sita Resort are in the near section up to the first longtail near the beach. Leepae Resort is adjacent the second set of beach longtails. The cross island track "Walking Street" and Varin are just past the distant longtails (you are maybe two-thirds along the beach here). Popular Bundhaya's big reception restaurant roof can be just seen left of the right tree foliage. The eastern most 20% of the beach is unbuilt on except for a restaurant up against the far headland. This is a nice shot to click to expand - may be dependent on your browser.

I've redone this page after my latest (4th) visit in late November-early December 09 - the first was in March 99, the second in March 07 and the third in late November 08.

Lipe is a fair bit more developed since I was first there in 99, but it remains a pretty nice place to visit with several good white sand beaches, some fairly nice snorkeling, good diving and a variety of accommodation, restaurants and bars. Some of the latter can get a bit lively, so people seeking some night-life don't go without. There are only a few narrow roads and not too many motorcycles. Hey, and there are very few dogs! It is fairly compact - I did a circumnavigation of the settled eastern two thirds of the island in around 3 hours.
It is still easy to find a quiet, laid back beach area away from busy Pattaya.
In recent years it has got a fair bit of criticism about overbuilding, rubbish problems, high prices and overcrowding at peak. I have a section on each problem down page.

Map from Pooh Bungalow

Lipe beaches - Google's resolution is nothing to get excited about.

Area map from Sea Canoe

My favourite location is VIEWPOINT BUNGALOWS where I stayed in March 07. These read up real nice in the travel guides and on travelfish.
I wasn’t disappointed. This is an old style beach-hut type place, with rustic bungalows built up the steep hillside overlooking twin compact bays just south of a small headland at the end of the big eastern beach, Andaman.
Most of these bungalows have very nice views from their verandas. Mine was the second highest, cut into the rainforest up a pretty awesome set of stairs, and was panoramic - a small islet just offshore, Tarutao in the far distance, mountainous Ko Adang close to the north with the sweep of Andaman Bay between.

View from my bungalow directly east.
....and north.

THE BUNGALOWS AT VIEWPOINT.
These are built on the steep hillside behind the twin bays, all with pretty nice views. They are traditional woven-bamboo wall, thatch-roof style places of various sizes from one-bed to pretty spacious. March prices seemed to be from 300 to 400. (hey, and 300 was quoted to me 20 months later).
I had one of the bigger ones, way up a set of killer steps, the 2nd highest bungalow. Note most of the bungalows are in the first 2 rows and the climb to these is not difficult.
Rustic is the best way to describe my bungalow - it was just like the good old days. It was solid and clean, but I swear it had a very small (say 2 degree) sideways tilt, although the huge bed (king size - double++ - with thick seemingly brand-new comfy mattress, nice pillows, ornate top-cover and sheets and good mozzie net) was dead level.
Very rustic was the lighting - the switch to the main room light did not work - it was turned off by unscrewing the bulb!!!! Far out - I left the bulb unscrewed, the bathroom and balcony lights gave plenty of illumination - but despite the dodgy electrics, the size, the comfy bed and the amazing view from the big wrap-around veranda made the bungalow well and truly worth the 400b.
Now in contrast, the lighting all the way up the steps to my place, which I thought would be a death trap at night, was very good.
The bungalow came with one towel and hand towel although for two people I imagine it is just a matter of asking. No soap, no toilet paper, no hammock on the deck - 2 plastic chairs and some very ornate artistic woodwork if that sort of thing cites your ex. The veranda opened into the bungalow by full width folding doors which created a kind of pavilion effect. There were extensive clotheslines where it wrapped around the side of the bungalow. Inside were lots of hooks, some wall shelves and lots of storage on the horizontal wall framework.
The attached bathroom had western toilet, awsome water pressure and a good mirror.

A caveat here - these higher bungalows are cut into the rainforest, so at times during the night there are crashes and thrashes outside in the bush, plus a few meece scuttling across the rafters. Rustic. As I said, just like the good old days.

The no-frills restaurant was down at beach level and consisted of 4 plastic tables + chairs. Food was standard bungalow (good), prices perhaps slightly higher than the average budget bungalow (that is - still very reasonable) and the service was fast if a bit dour - it was hard to get a smile out of the girls. The youngish guy with crook eyes who owns the joint is very friendly and obliging.

BEACHES
PATTAYA BEACH

Nice swimming enclosure in front of Varin Resort near where the cross island track WALKING STREET hits Pattaya Beach. Some pretty reasonable coral and fish 70m out from the sand. Young Lady in centre has the big holiday book - click to enlarge.

Pattaya on the south side of the island is the main beach and has gone from one-third built on in 99 to pretty fully built out now. Nevertheless it is still quite attractive** with white sand, pretty clean water which is deep at all tides except at the far western end, some trees for shade at some parts of the beach and some interesting patches of coral at both ends which are okay for snorkeling.
Pattaya gets even nicer at night when several outfits set up restaurants and bars with candle-lit tables etc on the sand.
** I'm a bit conflicted here - after my 08 trip I put in a section here saying Pattaya had jumped the shark - ie got past the point of no return, being too crowded with longtails for peace and quiet. But this latest visit I made a point of actually staying on Pattaya for the first time in years - at Varin, and although I have mixed feelings about that joint, I have to revise my opinion - Pattaya was the nicest beach on the island unless you were looking for somewhere completely out of the way - Pattaya's sand was cleanest, its water clearest and there is a very good range of restaurants and shops on the beach or nearby which keeps prices lower. They have several sections partitioned off for swimming and the beach is sheltered from those over-brisk north-easterlies which sometimes cut in during dry season. It also tends to be largely protected from the wet season westerlies unless there is more than usual south in them, although Andaman and Viewpoint beaches are better in this respect. Most of my visit was in shoulder season and the beach was uncrowded and the longtails somehow seemed more orderly - however 2 days coincided with the King's Birthday holiday and heaps of Thais hit the island. The beach itself was still not Bondi busy but the boat congestion was pretty high - around dusk I counted 13 big speedboats backed into the beach, a heap of those bigger old style ferries the Thai packagers love and 5 cruising yachts - normally there are one or two.
Lady Tezza on her first visit to Lipe, declared Pattaya one of her favourite beaches to stay on anywhere. Lady Tezza as an ex surfer-babe has seen a few beaches.

There are lots of places to stay along here - in my low budget range, the ones I like the looks of most are the headland bungalows of PATTAYA SONG aka Pattaya 2 - high up overlooking the beach at the western end. This year these had jumped in price to 1000 and 800 for the front rowers and 700 for the fairly new higher places (um, maybe not so low budget, but everything on Lipe has gone up (800, 500, 300 in Nov 08 before bargaining).
Pattaya also have some substantial looking concrete bungalows in a little valley behind their beach-level restaurant for 400 latest visit - the best deal on Pattaya Beach.
I stayed in one of the headland front rowers for a few nights in 99 when they were new, and the view was great.
Note that Pattaya Song has a reputation for good Italian food - and the Italian owner has a reputation for eccentricity when he gets tanked.

Pattaya Beach - real nice at night when the restaurants on the sand set up - not too shabby by day either (image Poh Bungalows)

Nov 08 shot. The headland concrete bungalows of Pattaya Song on the western end of Pattaya Beach. This angle from the corner of the beach is deceptive because the bungalows actually look directly down the beach and there is a bunch of cheaper more trad style ones with similar views behind and higher. Departing Lipe, my boat went past the seaward side of this headland (well duh!) and there were similar nice looking bungalows high up looking directly out to sea.
Pattaya Song's rather good restaurant is at beach level tucked in against the headland to the right of the far beach umbrella.
DAYA RESORT has some nice trad looking beach level front and second row bungalows to the right of camera with the popular restaurant to their east - but hell, 1000 and 800 no brekka for what is still really shoulder season? Daya have some cheaper bungalows inland behind the restaurant but dummy forgot to ask the price.
This end of Pattaya used to be busiest, but now is the quietest section - so if you value fewer noisy longtails and want to stay on Pattaya, this could be the region. The new SITA luxury resort is very close for all you big-mover bond traders. Umm - on reflection, after the Global Financial Crisis maybe you Masters of the Universe will be staying at a 300b Viewpoint cheapie with tezza.

Cheapest beach front bungalows on Pattaya are the funky HANDICRAFT to the east of the cross island path at 500 early Dec 09 - and the guy told me they will not go up in peak. Shot shows their great bar area - has an upstair deck. They also set up mats and chairs on the beach after dark and play funky music, but the adjacent REGGAE BAR does the same, and has a bigger sound system. May not be the best location for those wishing to hit the sack early, but great for ragers on a budget.

The next best deal in early Dec seemed to be GREENVIEW which had a sign up asking 500 for their rather large, attractive and newish trad bungalows back from the beach.

VARIN ON PATTAYA

Beach at Varin is real nice - some good trees for shade out of frame to left.

Lady Tezza aint a bum like me, prefers aircon and hot water if she can get it, so I did some research on lower priced aircon rooms on Pattaya. LEEPAE's cheapest was too expensive although this old place keeps getting updated and did look real nice latest visit. BUNDHAYA has a grand beach frontage reception/restaurant area and is in a nice section towards the eastern end of the beach, but user reviews were quite savage about the cheaper bungalows. Reviews of VARIN were a bit better so we went for that, although The Lady can forget about the hot water in our price range. This place has a huge number of bungalows and rooms closely packed behind the big reception-restaurant area.
Good points - Great position fairly central to the beach and adjacent to the cross island track with its abundance of restaurants and shops. The beach in front is real nice with free beach lounges for guest (and no shortage), some nice trees for shade and beach umbrellas for hire plus a boueyed-off section for swimming with crystal clear water and some quite good coral and fishies relatively close to the beach for snorkellers. Use room towel as beach towel and then swap at reception for fresh one.
Good buffet breakfasts - Varin gets a lot of package Thai tourists and runs a very efficient brekka with a big range of tasty stuff which tends to be pretty hot because new trays are constantly arriving from the kitchen. But make sure you arrive early before the Thais are loaded onto longtails and boats for the day's excursion - late-comers may find the trays have cooled. Other meals seeemed to be about 10-20% dearer than outside restaurants - we gave them a miss, there is a huge range of good alternatives nearby. Drink prices out of the fridge seemed pretty reasonable - there is a shop 3 minutes walk away at the start of Walking Street keeps them honest.
VARIN has a rep for rude service, but we found Aom2 and the other people at reception charming and efficient.

Bad points - our aircon/cold water bungalow was crap. It was really an old backpackers' fan bungalow which had been tarted plus having an aircon added. Okay, it was in fine condition and clean and had flashpacker inclusions like towels, soap, shampoo etc, a pretty comfy king size bed and was situated in a sparsely planted but still nice garden setting. But it was tiny, with just enough room for 2 and their gear, was packed close together with other bungalows and worst feature - the bathroom was not a separate room out back but part of the main room, partitioned off by a concrete barrier which didn't go to the ceiling - and a shower curtain. Better be on good olfactory and auditory terms with your travelling partner. This seemed to be a feature of all the cheaper standard aircon and fan rooms. Once you go higher you get a separate bathroom. And a bigger room. Spacing still fairly tight though.

At least Varin gives some warning. This shot was on their brochure (but not website) - that's the bathroom behind the white concrete wall. Note good mirror - but not in bathroom which makes shaving a hassle. Big king sized matress on right fills complete area to front wall - these are not big bungalows.

Our squeezy standard aircon bungalow at Varin. Fan cottages seem identical apart from no compressor cranking thru the night.

So value - at 1300 shoulder season and 1500 high season including brekka you have to be kidding . Our great room at COOKIES on Phangan with fabulous beach views, hot water, TV, heaps of space and a lovely pool was cheaper at 1200 this past August, high season on that side of the peninsula. But this is a feature of Lipe - like Phi Phi, you pay considerably more than at most islands for accommodation.

Newest rooms at Varin were what they call their garden rooms in a big U shaped block - 64 units in total. Looked similar inside to nice western motel rooms. Asking 2100 high season.

SANOM BEACH

A newer place, Sanom Beach Resort, which looks trad budget in style, has been built on a small cove behind the western headland of Pattaya Beach, accessed by a bamboo and timber walkway along the rocks from the corner of the beach below Pattaya Song. You have to rock-hop the first 14m before reaching the walkway. This is a really nice little beach. Prices are in keeping with Lipe - 800 for a fan with bathroom early Dec09.

SUNSET BEACH

- is in the north-west of the island, reached by taking the track to the left side (facing inland) of Daya Restaurant near Pattaya Song and walking moderate slopes past a few locals' houses then after 5 minutes turning right at the top of the small hill and following the PORN signs for another 5 minutes. This is a smaller, much quieter beach with 2 accomm places, PORN and FISHERIES DEPT BUNGALOWS.

Now Sunset Beach and Porn have a good rep in the guide books and I had a great stay there in the first part of my 99 visit (in one of their overflow tents!), but this year things had deteriorated from then and from my pass-by last year. For a start they must have had a hard wet season because the beach was heavily eroded. Plus it was not all that clean - it had obviously been cleared up at the start of dry season but maybe only once because there was a lot of flotsam and jetsam at back of the beach. And for some reason the water was not as clear as previous visits. I was also disappointed to see some broken bottles exposed by erosion on one of the entry paths and a heap of paint tins and an old toilet bowl piled up behind some bungalows. Maybe Porn is relaxing behind its good publicity - and maybe things will be a lot better by high season. By the way, beaches which have lost bulk sand by storm erosion can recover in a matter of weeks given fine weather, so I wouldn't worry about this factor if I had already booked for Christmas/New Year.

Wet season storm wave erosion on Sunset Beach in early Dec 09 - if you look carefully you can see the wave swash in the background in this high tide shot - the beach is pretty narrow. But the shot above this was taken a few days later at full low tide, so early Dec visitors still had a fair stretch of sand a lot of the time. See my comments about glass on the beach in the RUBBISH section down page.

Porn's front row fan with bathroom bungalows were going for 600 this shoulder season with second rowers 400 - expensive but cheaper than many on Pattaya Beach. The restaurant has okay food at slightly higher than average Lipe prices. Service is a bit dour.

Nice outlook from Porn's restaurant - that is Adang nearest and Rawi behind - both National Park islands.

FISHERIES DEPT is only abt 100m further north-east, with a similar restaurant and a reputation for the cheapest seafront accommodation on the island in high season in what seems to be rooms in concrete blocks rather than bungalows. However this year (09) they were not yet open in early December. The restaurant looked to have been refurbished since 08.

Just inland from PORN/FISHERIES (take the walkway in from SUBAYE SPORTS (diving)) is FLOUR POWER BAKERY with some yummy pastries, good normal meals and great shakes etc. Prices are not budget-bungalow cheap, but the stuff is real nice.

Follow the walkway less than 5 minutes inland to reach JACK'S JUNGLE - which has nice bungalows and gets good reports for food and for good times at the Jungle Bar.

A tezza shot Nov 08 - Porn's bungalows and restaurant are behind the trees to the right, but have good sea-views. There was major constuction work** going on at Fisheries Dept at the far end which made the beach less pristine than I remember it - but it still doesn't look too bad at all. I had a real nice swim and some sun-time.
**actually I found out this latest visit that the Thai Princess has had a big beach house built on the headland ridge north-west of Fisheries with great views of Adang and Rawi - there's also a line of nice looking chalets presumably for her buddies built on a small cove the other side of the headland.

BILA BEACH

This nice little beach is about 200m west of Sunset Beach. There has been a beach bar here for years but I was delighted this last visit to find the owners had refurbished it and built a handful of nice traditional bungalows plus A DORM. Bila Beach is reached by turning left at the same point you turn right for Porn. Well signposted - walk another 3 minutes.

New fan/bathroom bungalows at Bila Bar and Resort built on the slope above the beach. That's ex-New Yorker co-owner Emily cleaning on the verandah. Those 4 doors open to a bigger than normal bungalow with similarly big bathroom behind. The dorm is similar - has 2 double bunks with thick king sized single matresses Emily told me she had to order specially.
Dorms 300, normal bungalows around 700.

ANDAMAN BEACH - aka SUNRISE BEACH

Andaman Beach (Sunrise Beach) south - part of fishing village right, hillside bungalows of Viewpoint, far left (image Castaway Resort) - the northern third is out of frame to the right but can be seen in the shot below.

Andaman is the long beach which takes up most of the eastern side of the island. The section in the middle is dominated by the fishing village and is crowded with long tails, fishing traps etc and is the least attractive section, but as you head north it gets real nice. There are about 4 resorts in this direction. ANDAMAN RESORT is the northern most one and has a huge range of bungalows.
The nicest section of beach on the island IMHO is right at the northern tip of the east coast where Andaman beach wraps around and turns west to form a lovely white sand spit which extends outwards a short distance towards Ko Adang.

The northern end of Andaman is nicest - Andaman Resort's restaurant is to the left as are the more expensive bungalows. The traditional fan jobs are under those casuarina trees further from camera. The beach turns hard left towards Mountain Resort at the end - that is mountainous Ko Adang you can see background right.

MOUNTAIN RESORT is situated at the top of a low cliff overlooking this wrap around section at the north end of Andaman beach, and has a rep for being one the most attractive accommodation paces on the island.
I've always wanted to stay here and with The Lady seeking comfort, we went for this in the first half of the latest trip.

Approaching Mountain Resort in our longtail. Guys run down and pick up your luggage. Great clifftop restaurant to right. Clifftop and beachlevel bungalows are most expensive, other bungalows are ranged up hillside in the trees behind. Beachlevel building closest the stairway is the famous Karma Bar - no longer called that and under new management.
There is another stairway up from the beach out of frame to left.

The restaurant serves up pretty good food at prices maybe 20% up on budget bungalow average.
Inclusive buffet breakfasts were pretty good, but tended to cool pretty quickly if the heating flames below the dishes blew out in the wind.
Wind was a problem on 2 of our 4 days - the infamous dry season north-easterlies kicked in strongly, so much so that conditions actually became unpleasant in the restaurant. I have spent a fair time in the Andaman and but mostly on sheltered beaches - exposed beaches are fewer but of the 20 odd days I've spent on such beaches only these 2 were windy enough to be unpleasant. However this is something I'm going to study up on more fully - good od WindGuru should be a help.
The nearest alternative restaurant to Mountain is Andaman Resort's, maybe 10 minutes away on the beach. You can keep walking past Andaman Resort and reach the start of the cross island WALKING STREET in about another 10 - plenty of good value restaurants here.
You can walk out the back of Andaman and take a more direct inland route to WALKING STREET and maybe save 5 minutes - you'll need a torch at night. And by turning right when walking out the back you can reach Sunrise Beach in around 10-15 minutes.

This is Chez Tezza at Mountain, the cheapest aircon bungalow at 1400 shoulder - 1600 high including brekka. Note cold water - but some of Mountain's fan bungalows have hot water - go figure. Pay more and you can get a much nicer newer bigger aircon bungalow with hot water, TV etc.

The cheapest aircon bungalows were situated in the 3rd and higher rows away from the cliffside - most were staggered to give some glimpses of the sea and neighbouring Ko Adang.
The bungalows were not too bad - in good condition, normal flashpacker inclusions like towels, soap etc, big enough for two plus gear - a third guest would be a bit squeezy but possible.
I thought the biggest letdown was the lack of paths - the heavily erosion from wet season had left lots of exposed roots, gulleys, even a few water pipes and even though lighting of the grounds at night is not too bad, the shadows of the holes and gullies make visibility difficult and at one stage Lady Tezza tripped and fell. Not good enough for 1400-1600. Note the newer area on the western side of the restaurant had good paths.
Quite a few of the fan bungalows have prime position in the second row where island sea views are less interrupted.

Panoramic shot from Mountain Resort's restaurant - Ko Adang in background. That's the northern most section of Andaman beach forming a spit on the right - Andaman Resort has bungalows very close to the beach there (images Mountain Resort )

Same section of beach from the restaurant in earlier years.

Below is a late November 09 shot of Mountain's beach - spot the difference.

Indications of a tough wet season - the recurved end of the spit has been washed away. It's hard to see in this shot but the water closest to the restaurant had a plume. This is not unusual on resort beaches, waste water is often not fully filtered by the holding tanks and sand - Bila had a small one, Sunshine seemed particularly bad this year, parts of the main part of Andaman were a bit suss. Interestingly busiest Pattaya was pristine.
Anyway, I did all my swimming at Mountain towards the end of the spit were the water was very nice. There are some interesting lumps of coral off-shore.

UPDATE - LATEST SHOT
Steve Manklow sent this shot taken in February 2010 - 2 months after my shot above this one. Note how the recurved end of the spit has regrown. Doesn't take long.

Steve also gave this info on Mountain Resort: Just got back from Lipe and can report that the sand bar is back on Mountain resort beach.
We had a front row hut @ mountain view, very nice view but resort was lacking in many areas (service, food, breakfast, house keeping, staff mood) however i knew this to be the case before booking and the view more than made up for it.
The island has certainly changed since our last visit in 2003 but it remains a nice place to visit.

ANDAMAN RESORT
If you check the far right of the my shot above Steve's you can see what looks to be two people standing near the grass-trees (if you click-expand the shot you will see it is actually a sign - for Andaman resort). In the trees just to the right of the sign are the the most northerly of Andaman Resort's bungalows which stretch through the trees and around the corner of the beach for maybe 400m to the restaurant area. I've always reckoned the most northerly bungalows have a fabulous postion actually fronting Mountain's beach - and always seem largely vacant in shoulder season, but when I came back from Adang in Nov08 heavy rain had created a small lake in front of them, so I took a similar bungalow much closer to the restaurant. The beach around the corner there aint that shabby either.

I always hit a new place when I revisit and was determined that trip to try Andaman Resort with its great position, despite bad reviews in the various forums. Um 500 for a not-too-flash trad fan bungalow in the back (3rd) row in shoulder season 08. And world-champ haggler tezza can’t reduce this a baht. This is immediately on crossing from Adang where I had a gorgeous, huge almost brand new tile-floor and concrete fan bungalow with skylight, dormer windows, tinted sliding doors and fabulous views for 600.
BTW - apart from the exxy bungalows, Andaman Resort wasn’t too bad at all. Maybe I’m easily pleased. I'll do a report on travelfish with a link when I get a chance.

This is a front-rower at Andaman Resort, identical in all other ways to my back-rower. Basically just a traditional bamboo thatch walled fan job with a bathroom and verandah - 600b in late Nov shoulder - 700 come Dec. Nice position - the beach out front is one of the better on Lipe and there are nice views across to Adang which you can see in the background - and to Tarutao and Langkawi if you are a bit further south around the curve of the beach. A fair few longtails during the day (but nowhere near as painful as on Pattaya Beach) but I noticed it was pretty peaceful at night.

It aint as dingy under the trees as this shot appears - my elcheapo point-and-shoot Olympus can't handle contrast variations.
Andaman also has some attractive concrete beachfront bungalows close to the restaurant which look to be aircon.
I can't remember the restaurant being anything special food and price wise and this was confirmed this latest 09 trip when we walked around from Mountain for dinner.

Between the Andaman Resort and the fishing village is the smaller LIPE BEACH RESORT (traditional style budget bungalows) and the school. The beach outside the fishing village is pretty messy with lots of rubbish, broken glass, boat mooring ropes etc - at least they have cleared away the old broken boat motors etc.

The section of Andaman Beach south of the fishing village improves, although it can be a bit shallow along here at lowest tide. There are about another half dozen bungalow places along here, inluding the huge TARUTAO CABANA, the new VARIN VILLAGE aka Varin 2 (run by the same named outfit on Pattaya), the attractive upmarket CASTAWAY and the way upmarket and new IDYLLLIC towards the southern end. Some of the dive companies have bungalows adjacent or just inland from the beach.

Castaways Resort, south of the fishing village on Andaman. I've never seen a place attract so many conflicting reports on travel forums, and a look at its website shows it aint exactly budget. But those 2 storey bungalows look pretty cool to me. The beach here aint great or bad, but Viewpoint's good beach is less than 5 minutes further south and the nice end of Andaman at Andaman Resort/Mountain Resort is 10 minutes north.

Varin Village or Varin 2 - not finished in Nov 08 but quite popular in Nov 09 - nice Brit girl told me fan with bathroom front rower was costing her 800. There are about 6 rows x 12 bungalows here and the beach is pretty nice in front.

VIEWPOINT BUNGALOWS’ TWO LITTLE BEACHES
These are just south of Andaman beach in those small twin bays are very nice, particularly the further, most southerly one. Back in 99 there was no resort here or on the southern half of Andaman, yet it was still popular with travelers. Note at low tide it can get real shallow, particularly in the northern bay where the coral was exposed right across to the small forested islet about 150m offshore (in a month’s lowest (no moon) tide). The same conditions in the southern bay saw okay swimming in the sandy sections between coral outcrops and wading possible right out to the reef drop-off. Snorkeling was good along the drop-off at all tides and fairly interesting closer to the beach at higher tide levels.
Note there was a slight tidal current moving thru this area at higher tide levels - I found it easy to swim against but parents should keep an eye on kids. The same current moves along the reef drop-off at low tide.

Viewpont's southern beach.

WALKING AROUND THE SOUTH EAST CORNER TO PATTAYA
DON’T!
I saw a few people walking on past VIEWPOINT’S bays at low tide in an attempt to get around to Pattaya Beach. I saw them walking back. It is very difficult and dangerous. I did it in 99 - it took me about 90 minutes (I had figured 10), there are several cliffs which you must climb up or down, and on one my hand-hold broke off (weathered rock - d'oh, what a surprise with all that salt air about!) and I nearly fell and broke my neck.
The best way is to go back to Andaman and use that daggy track (packed with restaurants, ticket sellers, “supermarkets”, tattoo bars, trinket sellers, t-shirt vendors and the famous POH‘S) between the fishing village and Pattaya.
You can also climb the steep stairs thru VIEWPOINT - at the top the track drops thu the jungle, goes past a few local residential areas and comes out near Poh’s, but this aint really any shorter. Nice walk though and you see my bungalow, 2nd highest at VIEWPOINT - totally cool.
Avert your eyes if the long term French girl resident of the highest bungalow is walking around her veranda naked. I was shocked at this affront to Thai cultural standards - but I didn’t say anything, partly because I didn’t want to embarrass her. But mainly because she had a totally hot body.

EXCURSIONS
I didn’t worry this time, but in 99 I took one of the snorkeling trips offered by Porn Bungalows to the surrounding area. This took a half day and we first snorkeled a reef mid way between Lipe and Ko Rawi, and then did fringing reefs on both Rawi and Ko Adang. The coral and fish life were pretty good by Thai standards.

Lipe has a number of dive operators and there are many dive sites in the surrounding area.

It's dead easy to grab a longtail at 50b per person and spend time on Adang's lovely beach. There is a great scenic lookout which only takes 30 minutes to access and a less than whelming waterfall after an hour or so's nice rainforest walk which turns into a circus river rock hop the last 300m. See my Adang page.

FOOD
I'm not a gourmet. Being a budget traveller, if it's cheap, fills me and tastes okay, I'm happy. But for food lovers Sbruny provided this in February 09- "Koh Lipe is limited for excellent food. The best thai is at the Jungle Bar in the middle of the island. For seafood try the sea gypsy place on Pattaya beach. For nice view with meal the Mountain Resort can't be beat. For tasty fried chicken try the muslim ladies behind the local school early in the morning. Overall, I would say the food on Koh Lipe very average compared to the rest of Thailand. However, the island and surrounding are spectacular."

I'll add that several users have reported Pattaya Song's restaurant does great Italian food - The Lady and I shared a pizza this trip and it seemed pretty good to me.

RUBBISH PROBLEMS ON LIPE
Lipe gets bad press from some visitors for high amounts of trash on beaches, around building sites and dumped beside hinterland tracks and the fishing village outskirts.

Early dry season beach junk on north end of Andaman (Sunrise) Beach (image WEBME - click the link for other similar shots)

Bigger image from THEMANZOMANDISTARSQUADRON - still Andaman Beach.

Beach rubbish is largely a seasonal thing.
Most of it is Thai domestic rubbish + rainforest debris carried to the ocean by flooding wet-season streams + an amazing amount of fishing boat detritus. A lot of this stuff gets moved considerable distances by currents and wind and dumped on Lipe.
In dry season less rubbish gets washed and blown onshore - and a greater proportion is fishing junk. In this season most bungalows are pretty conscientious in cleaning beaches each morning. Few places are open in wet season, so things are let go. If you happen to arrive very early in dry season before locals get around to clearing the build-up, then WEBME's pix is the result. My Andaman beach shot up page (the one with the speedboat in midground) was taken 2 weeks after WEBME's - a pretty big contrast.

Beach dump of cement bags early dry season (image WEBME)

Many people get upset about unsightly building activity. Islandboi has some good building shots here.

Wet season and early dry season sees frantic building activity to finish projects for high season - so unsightly dumps of building materials and building sites are not uncommon at these times. CHANCHAO has pointed out that you can't get somewhere to sleep and have a meal if no building takes place. Hardliners say there is already too much development and the answer is to avoid the island.
Note I saw much less than normal building activity this latest trip - virtually nothing on the beaches and the new shop-fronts had been completed on the cross island track (and don't they look so much better than the messy old collection of ramshackle joints used to be there). Most new building was taking place on the side roads away from the main track - the business area is expanding laterally.

Environmentally aware travellers can get depressed by the amount of domestic and bungalow/restaurant trash dumped alongside tracks in the hinterland, on the outskirts of the village and even behind certain bungalows. This is not a seasonal problem - it's 365/12, but seemed less evident in the latest O9 trip.

Like many islands, Lipe has no organised rubbish collection and disposal - it is left to resorts and households to cart their stuff to the dump. And unfortunately some Thais are pretty lazy when disposing of household and tourist generated trash.
Possible answers are environmental education, less laxity, more money and resources (Lipe is part of Satun local government area) and an effort by tourists themselves to cut down on trash generating activities. Suggestions include a national park type visitor quota system - difficult to implement for an island which is not administered by the National Park.

Hardline environmentalists urge travellers to avoid the island. Your call. Note that dumped rubbish is common in SE Asia - maybe sensitive travellers should avoid the area as a whole. I'm so used to it I didn't find Lipe anything out of the ordinary - but certainly if you have just arrived from Lanta, Phuket, Langkawi or other islands where trash collection in most areas is better organised, you could think Lipe looks messy in comparison.

PROGRESS

The promised rubbish removal service by the Satun provincial government has started. This large barge was beached in the centre of Pattaya near Leepae Resort and a shuttle of trucks was transferring both domestic rubbish and building material cast-offs from the central island tip. The same "Lipe is a rubbish dump" will probably now moan about visual and olfactory pollution to the beach.
The barge was loading for a good 5 hours. Later in our trip a smaller boat was receiving the same cargo.

Rubbish bins like these on the cross island WALKING STREET were set up in several parts of the island - if you click to enlarge you can see they cater for the usual general, organic and recycle waste.

The village itself seems a lot neater. I think this is largely the result of concrete paving of a few of the cross streets leading off the cross island track - formerly these were dusty wayfares which turned to mud (or pools where the drainage was poor).

REGRESSION

The beach at the village had gone downhill since 08. A storm surge coupled with a king tide (as occured in October 09) would wash most of this junk into the sea, including the bottles and thus future broken glass.

BROKEN GLASS
Lady Tezza's underpriviliged childhood has made her world champion at finding stuff on the ground - I once saw her scoop up a heap of coins in shin-high grass on a dark night - and the amount of glass she and I managed to collect was amazing. On Sunset Beach we loaded a washed up 10 litre plastic bag (Malaysian in source) half-way with with the stuff and had several unbroken bottles separate. It was worse on the scaggy low tide only beach behind the Thai Princess' hangers-on chalets (I bet the royal dogsbodies do a big clean-up of both this and Sunset before each of her visits). Disappointingly the beach at Mountain yielded quite a supply. But Andaman Beach was worst - we had to make several unloads at bins in resorts as we moved down the beach - with the village area worst of all. The best? Maligned Pattaya - in several full length walks I managed to find only a few pieces of glass and no bottles.
The sources of most of this glass are Thai fishermen who throw their Red Bull and beer bottles overboard and lazy Thai villagers who chuck bottles onto the beach or dump them above the normal non-storm tide mark - the bottles smash on seaside rocks (wind + currents + wave swash and the long-shore drift will get them there) and then beach drifting/wave swash will distribute the broken glass onto the beach. BtW if you are picking up, include those sand-rounded bits - we later met a Swedish girl who stepped on one of these which then broke and cut her.
Eradicating these practices is the best solution - in the mean time, resort owners have to RAKE the beach each morning to sift out the glass and other rubbish. Note glass was a small problem on nearby Bulon Lae and Langkawi where resorts and other beach businesses do this.
Now I wonder if my visit to Lipe was too early for many of the resorts to start this sifting - I can't believe places like Mountain and Porn will want visitor complaints and injury when things get really busy. They should be doing this right from the start of the season - it was obvious many Pattaya places were. I wonder too, if I'm lucky - I've wandered the beaches/waded in the water for 4 visits bare-footed and never cut myself. I've never noticed much glass - but then I wouldn't notice Paris Hilton sunbathing naked on the sand unless I tripped over her.

Maybe peak season visitors could post in and comment on the glass situation.

Broken beer bottle found immediately on hitting the Princess' back beach - interestingly I have it sitting on the supports for the water pipeline which comes onshore here from nearby Ko Adang waterfall. Lipe has few permanent streams - I know of none in the settled eastern half of the island.

Water pipeline from Adang. Some of you cynics might think it is a sewage pipe, but trust me, it is well away from the Princess' joint, there are no other resorts in line and it is pointing directly at the waterfall area on Adang's southern slopes. I have hiked up to the falls - there are 3 similar pipes to a small pondage area a bit higher than the falls.

OVERBUILDING
People returning to Lipe after some time get a shock at the amount of new places. It seems most obvious beach places have been taken - but I reckon we will start to see more joints on sea-side rocks, headlands like Tao, Phangan etc.
The other process we will see is more of the knock down the cheap joint and build a flasher place - like at Sita on western Pattaya and of course expand and redevelop the joint as Varin has so successfully done on its Pattaya site.

Even the most anti-development traveller will welcome some of the new building such as the paving of the cross-island WALKING STREET and the neater shop-fronts along it plus the concreting of some of the formerly dire village streets that intesect it.

The new paved track - about time! The biggest negative on Lipe eliminated IMHO. Note this is a late 08 shot when the paving was only a few months old - one year later it was considerably sandier and dustier in parts. Still a huge improvement on the daggy mess before.
Some good businesses and restaurants along here - plus some of the cheapest rooms on the island. A Norwegian guy we met on the Langkawi speedboat told us he got a room for 250 - and long time travellers' favourite Pooh's has always had rooms cheaper than a similar standard on the beach plus a rep for a good range of services.

In the past it's been hard to pick the relatively narrow gap where the track starts on Andaman from similar sized Bungalow entrances, but they now have a big overhead banner sign: WALKING STREET - so named because the busiest section is blocked off to motorcycles in the evening.
The track doesn' t quite reach the beach at Andaman/Sunrise - but it's a short distance through the new Varin Village to the beach. There is an access lane to the north side of Varin2 but this looks like part of a resort too (I don't think it is).

HIGH PRICES
I have already indicated that high bungalow prices are a feature of Lipe. It is doing a Phi Phi in this respect. Prices to me seem 20 to 50% higher than you would pay on many popular islands. 800 and 900 for a fan bungalow with bathroom is outrageous compared to similar places on say Phangan or big Chang, and particularly to the good value islands like little Chang, Phayam, Jum. But I'm a great believer in the market - if people are prepared to pay these prices they can't be wrong, can they. And I keep going back and paying them don't I?

OVERCROWDING
All my visits were in November/early December and March, hardly high season. Things were very uncrowded with popular resorts seeming to be running around 30% -many others less. In late Nov08 my favourite budget joint VIEWPOINT had no guests! I was pleased for the owner that a few of his great hillside bungalows were occupied this latest trip.
I did get a taste of more busy periods this trip because the King's Birthday Holiday Weekend coincided with 2 of our days on the island and Lipe is real popular with Thai locals. I'd say Varin was running 70%. However Pattaya Beach was uncrowded people wise, but as I said before there was a bunch of extra boats.
Despite this I have seen posts saying Peak-Peak at end of Dec into January has been VERY busy these last few years with unbooked poeple sometimes not finding a bed. Note Christmas is not a big deal with Thai holidayers, but New Year is.

SO SHOULD YOU AVOID LIPE?
No way in my opinion unless you are actively environmentally-sensitive.
For people who don't like messy beaches, maybe you should avoid really early dry season (say up til the second week of Dec) until the beaches are likely to have been cleared. And wet season of course. I'm hoping the glass will be better cleared later in the dry season - keep an eye out for it.

Repeat visitors who remember Pattaya as two thirds unbuilt with a bunch of small dunes backing the beach in the eastern half may prefer to stay somewhere else - on Viewpoint’s beaches, Sunset Beach, Bila Beach or the little beach over the headland from Pattaya Song where Sanom Beach Resort has been built. However I found this trip Pattaya to be the most pristine of all - followed by Bila and Sanom. The top end of Andaman around Mountain and Andaman Resorts is nice but is busier boat-wise. Viewpoint's most southern beach is nice.
Or in future stay on Adang and cross to Lipe for daytrips. The boaties were charging 50baht per person (and they don‘t wait for a full boat, often I was the only passenger, then normally it becomes 100baht) - a rate that is a flat fee per person all around Lipe. Makes those guys at Ao Nang look like the thieves they are.

GETTING THERE
In high season you can get ferries and speedboats from a number of operators out of PAK BARA about midway between Trang and Satun. Note these also call in at Taruatao or Bulon Lae (new this year - speedboats only).
They sure do pack them in - there were another 4 people closer to me in this undercover section. I had to stand on this Nov 08 Taruatao to Lipe trip, but I didn't mind - if the sea is bumpy it can be hard on the bum. The bow section was packed too - I counted 11 passengers out there. The slower ferry trip is real pleasant and way cheaper if you have the time.

The SPD speedboat from KO LANTA which will also pick up at Kos Muk, Ngai and Bulon Lae.
- a speedboat directly from LANGKAWI - emigration at the Telaga Harbour office - immigration at one of the SPB office which is next to Bundhaya resort on eastern Pattaya Beach. We used this one on our latest trip - it seemed to be a joint effort between Telaga Shuttle and SPB Speedboat using the latter's boats. In early Dec 09 there were 2 services per day and we found if you don't book well ahead they may be booked out.**
- Tigerline ferries which now runs from PHI PHI/LANTA to Lipe and on to Langkawi - stopping at several islands and the mainland pier at Hat Yao south of Trang on the way down. Tigerline also has a minibus service from Phuket, Surathani, Krabi/Ao Nang and Khao Lak to connect with its ferries. Note that in early Dec 09 Tigerline was not running to Langkawi although it had started services from Phi Phi via several other islands including for the first time Ko Kradan.
I have details of how to get to the Hat Yao pier at Ban Chao Mai independently on my Libong page, although Tigerline's minibus will transfer you from Trang railway station and airport.

For the budget conscious costs increase significantly in order of Pak Bara, Satun, Langkawi and Lanta.

Note that there is no pier at Lipe. Most boats stop offshore and people are ferried to the beach by longtails - 50 baht. There is often a longtail from Ko Adang to meet boats and any longtail meeting the ferry will take you over to Adang for 50 baht per person - and anywhere around Lipe island for the same - this is a really good service. The flat 50 baht per person applies to any trip around Lipe off the beach too.
Some ferries and speedboats pull into a pontoon off Pattaya Beach - or a pontoon not too far off Porn at Sunset Beach (I think this may be weather dependent) and a lot of ferries moor a bit further east between Lipe and Adang. The longtails distribute their passengers from these places.

Note too the fast ferry from the Thammalang pier about 10km south of SATUN (which is also where the ferries from Malaysia’s Langkawi island come in) hasn't run for years. I think the new boats direct from Langkawi may have killed this service.

**If the direct speedboat is booked out and you have to use the 4 a day Langkawi - Thammalang ferries it will take you maybe 90 minutes to reach Pak Bara from Thammalang . Cheapest is a motorcycle taxi or songthaew the 10km or so to Satun and then a regular bus or songthaew to La Ngu and then a motorcycle taxi or songthaew across to Pak Bara.

FERRY TIMETABLE - very good, tends to have all of the services and is kept pretty well up to date.

GETTING TO PAK BARA.
From Hat Yai - minibuses run roughly hourly from the new central minibus station to the pier area - abt 2 hours. You can also get a bus from the bus station but this will be slower.
From Trang - the travel agents in the street parallel to the railway station run minibuses down to the pier (abt 2 hours) and will provide you with a bus/ferry ticket. They can book bungalows - I find them very efficient. Apparently reps meet flights at the airport and shuttle people down to the agencies to book and pick up a minibus.
If you want to do it independently catch a Satun bound bus, get off at La Ngu (Langu) and then get a motorcyle taxi or songthaew the 10km or so to Pak Bara.

ARRIVING BACK AT PAK BARA
Most people catch one of the travelers’ minivans from Pak Bara north to Trang whre you can change minivans for Lanta, Krabi etc on the one ticket. These vans often wait for later boats to come in, and so if you take early ones you could be sitting around in Pak Bara for 2-3 hours - Pak Bara is a real hole. Plenty of restaurants, cheap internet etc but hot, dusty, full of travel touts etc. Note the latter will come down in price for minivan and ferry tickets if you are a good bargainer.
If you are going to Hat Yai, minibuses leave hourly.
You can also get to Trang by catching a songthaew or motorcycle-taxi the 10km or so to La Ngu, where the Satun-Trang public buses come thru roughly hourly. Note these terminate in southern Trang about 2km from the center and 4km from the main bus station for buses further north.

WET SEASON TRANSPORT - for some time there was only one wet season ferry per week from Pak Bara to Lipe - Fridays at 1100 and back Sundays at 0930. There is also a cargo boat you could get a ride on - out Wed 1100, back Fri 1000.
However late in wet season 08 a daily ferry service from Pak Bara kicked in, plus a daily speedboat service. This got better in 09 - there was one speedboat service each way per day, weather permitting.
There were no services wet season 08 from Thammalang near Satun, Langkawi or Tigerline's island-hopper from Phi Phi. But the Langkawi speedboat seemed to be operating a lot of 09's wet season
Pak Bara services often begin in full early/mid November 08.
Tigerline's tends to start late November.

Speedboats seem to have taken over most of the transport to Lipe - in November 09 the only other alternative was one slower bigger ferry per day to from Pak Bara and Tigerline to Phi Phi via the Andaman isles. Maybe things will improve as the busier period kicks in.
This is our Langkawi speedboat. Note it reverses into Pattaya beach when the tide allows - all the other speedboat services moor alongside the pontoons where the longtails transfer passengers to the beaches. I think the authorities don' t want people from Langkawi shooting off on longtails before they do immigration.

BE CAREFUL ON SPEEDBOATS!
It's a good idea to waterproof baggage (I have a big 50+ liter thin plastic bin liner bag I chuck everything into and then stuff into my travel bag) - our identitcal boat to Bulon Lae hit such choppy seas that everything including me, crouched behind the elevated driver's chair for cover, got soaking wet. If you are susceptible to seasickness take some motion sickness tablets and look at the horizon.
DO NOT sit out the front if you are susceptible to back injury (a girl on our return journey to Langkawi hurt her back on a vicious bump hit at speed in lighter chop and had to be wheelchaired off to hospital on arrival).

USER REPORT FROM LATE DEC O7
JimmyK just filed this report about his Dec visit to Lipe:
"I had booked a week at Mountain Resort on the quieter side of the island at Sunrise Beach. It looked idyllic and I’d read some good reviews on here about the place. I wasn’t disappointed initially. The location was amazing with the huts perched on the edge of a small cliff face overlooking a beautiful beach and Koh Adang in the background. I splashed for the Deluxe Cabin, 2200 Baht a night, as I’m on holiday and with the missus and I have to make my life as easy as possible when she’s in tow. Ok, first the positives about Mountain Resort. It has a great location with beautiful views. The rooms are clean and well thought-out with hot water and satellite TV. And Karma bar is great, very chilled place for a drink or two in the evening.
One thing I had heard about this place was that it is owned by a big-shot Thai who is responsible for a lot of the development on Koh Lipe and the exclusion of the local Chao Ley people (please correct me if I’m wrong). However, I was quite impressed by the relative low-impact of the resort. It isn’t an eye-sore and there isn’t rubbish scattered everywhere. The beach is kept clean and there is an active recycling scheme in place, even down to having a water-bottle refilling station to reduce plastic waste. (Not any more - tezza) In contrast when I walked along the beach to the Chao Ley village, the beach in front of the village is strewn with litter left by the local people. Empty diesel canisters, metal battery parts etc.
Anyway, back to Mountain Resort and I’m afraid that’s where the positives end. The restaurant has great views but resembles a canteen with no atmosphere whatsoever. Also, the service is very very slow and not particularly friendly. Food and drink is expensive compared to resorts at Pattaya beach. The Thai food is average and the western food is awful, possibly the worst I’ve had in Thailand. And it doesn’t end there. From early in the morning, around 7am onwards the longtails create a hell of a lot of noise which can be heard from anywhere in the resort and sounds like you are sleeping next to the world’s loudest snorer. So, we only stayed 3 nights of the planned week and after visiting Pattaya beach for the day, decided to relocate there.

But before I go into that I will finish with Sunrise beach first, and particularly a new resort called Castaway.We had a couple of meals at Castaway Resort but didn’t stay there. It’s newly opened and seems to be run by an English guy. The accommodation looks really nice with large huts just set back from the beach. The restaurant area is also nicely designed with a raised area with hammocks and cushions. The food here is very good, both Thai and Western and the service is friendly and attentive. Castaway is only a short walk coming from Pattaya beach past Pooh’s bar, with the path coming out right at Castaways on the beach. Also, it’s worth noting that the snorkelling is excellent off the beach between the two small islands 100m in front of Castaway. Beware though of the current as this side of the island is especially windy and the sea can get choppy. Another cool thing to do is scramble across the rocks on the headland that connects Sunrise beach to Pattaya beach. It took us about 2 hours and it involves a bit of actual climbing with decent climbing shoes but it’s a good way to kill a few hours.

And so to Pattaya beach. I expected this beach to be busy being the main drag, and it seemed to be running at full occupancy when I checked out places but it was still pretty low-key. Kinda like Koh Chang’s White Sand Beach 8 years ago before it got bought up and trashed. Bundhaya Resort seems to be the biggy with most families staying here. Nice place though with good food and service and reasonably priced. We stayed at Varins in a regular AC villa for 1500 Baht. Loved it. One thing you really notice after staying on a quieter beach as part of a captive audience is service is so much better and the prices lower when there’s a bit of competition. The bay here can be busy with boats but go to either end by the rocks for calm safe water and good snorkelling.Walking inland towards the infamous Pooh’s bar you’ll pass small shops selling the usual tourist tack and offering massages, tattoos etc. There’s more being built and I’m sure in a few years it will resemble the alleys of Phi Phi. Pooh’s is apparently an institution and rightly so. The bar is full of atmosphere, with live music, pool table. The restaurant does great food and the service from Pooh himself and his staff is exceptional. Highly recommended.

Anyway, that’s it. Koh Lipe was great, still a quiet island, maybe not for long, and you might argue that reviews like mine will only make it worse, but there you go. It will happen eventually anyway, unless regulations are put in place."

Okay, another person's perpective is always good value - and it looks like Jimmy is a better appreciator of food than me. Longtail noise is the bane of many otherwise great Thai beach locations.

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
- Hans Meier has an entertaining account of Lipe HERE - he is very good on personalities, has some nice pix and I kinda got the impression he was less than gruntled about Pattaya Beach.

Taking it easy on Viewpoint's beach - note patches of coral in the water which make this

Shanghai World Expo 2010 - Waiting, Waiting, and More Waiting

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:51:00 -0700

The Shanghai World Expo 2010 organizers wants this to be the biggest World Expo ever. The theme is quite fitting and timely - "Better City - Better Life". In this age of overcrowded streets, Global Warming and diminishing resources, we really need to find a better way to live, and hopefully this Expo will show the way. Unfortunately from my visit, I did not see anything life-changing or revolutionary in terms of technology. Maybe I did not look hard enough.

The Site for the Expo is more then 5 sq. km. It is the biggest Expo Site ever. More then 200 countries are represented. The Expo was opened on 30th April 2010 and will officially close on 31st October 2010. The organizers have set themselves an almost impossible goal of achieving a total of more then 70 million visitors. That means they need around 400,000 visitors everyday !

The visitor numbers in the initial weeks must have been a bit nerve wrecking for the organizers - it was below half the expected numbers required - averaging less then 200,000. Now the visitors have hit their stride - it is averaging above 300,000 per day, more then 500,000 on weekends !

With so many visitors, it is a given that you can't visit all the pavilions you want. The China Pavilion is limited to 60,000 visitors per day - and passes, though free, need to be collected from 5:00 a.m. in the morning. There is a long queue even to collect the passes.

If you are visiting the Expo, be prepared to wait, wait and wait some more. The waiting time to popular Pavilions average around 3 to 4 hours. I am not trying to discourage you from visiting, but you definitely need a good stamina, strong determination and great patience to make it through the long day. Some of the local visitors bring along portable chairs to ease their legs during the waits, but when nature calls I don't know what you are going to do ! If you leave the line, be prepared to queue again.

A Day Pass costing RMB 160 gives you a full day access to the Expo.

The main entrance to the Expo is from the Pudong side, and once you pass though the gate you will be faced with this gigantic shaded structure which is the "Expo Axis". This will be a permanent structure which will be used as a transport, commercial and exhibition space after the Expo. It has 3 main levels - an upper deck covered in fabric tent structures, and a lower deck which is like a shopping arcade with lots of shops, restaurants and cafes. There are 6 cone-shaped "sun valleys" which penetrate through all the levels to bring light into the internal spaces.

From the Expo Axis, elevated walkways provide connection to all the pavilions on the Pudong side. These walkways are well shaded by umbrella structures and are a great relieve from the hot sun. They also provide a nice vantage point to view the pavilions and expo grounds.

Be prepared to wait, wait and wait to enter the popular pavilions.

Shanghai World Expo 2010 - China Pavilion

allsajidah@gmail.com (ALLSAJIDAH) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:00:00 -0700

The China Pavilion is the mothership of all the pavilions. It is the biggest, tallest and most expensive pavilion - and covered in eye-catching Imperial Red. You can't miss it as you enter the Expo site.

The pavilion has 3 main parts - a podium level clad in a huge aluminium screen, a roof garden above the podium, and the top section which is like an inverted pyramid. Actually the shape is taken from the eave detail of traditional Chinese temple and palace architecture - traditionally stacked wooden beams placed in a crisscross pattern to extend the depth of the roof eave. In this case - the design has been blown up a few thousand times to become the form of an entire building. I must say this is one of the more successful appropriation of a traditional form for a modern building. The resulting structure is quite dramatic and iconic.

The podium level covered in a huge aluminium screen.

The crowd waiting to enter the pavilion.

China Pavilion at night.

To get into the China Pavilion, you need to queue outside the Expo site at 5:00 a.m. to get one of the 60,000 passes given out everyday. Then you queue again to get into the Pavilion. The line is 4 hours long. I didn't have the patience to wait that long, so could only admire the pavilion from the outside.