Author Archives: schatzi

Top 5 Hotels in Sukhumvit Bangkok

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When it comes to picking and choosing a hotel, it all comes down to location, location, location. In the city of Bangkok, the Sukhumvit district is simply all about that, location. When you stay here, you’re staying in the heart of Bangkok. Sukhumvit district is an upscale area where many well to do Thais and foreign expats make their home. Soon followed the posh shops, super department stores and excellent clubs and bars that cater to some of Bangkok’s wealthy citizens.

There are two red light districts in the Sukhumvit area as well and are connected by Sukhumvit road. They are called Nana and Soi Cowboy. Both are just a short 10 to 15 minute walk from each other and vice versa. In Sukhumvit is also where you’ll find some of the best clubs and discos in Bangkok. So as you can figure out by now this area is a very popular area to stay in for visitors from all over the world.

Booking a hotel in Sukhumvit district brings a lot of distinct advantages to vacationers to Bangkok. There is a train system call the BTS Sky Train that runs above Sukhumvit road. The Sky Train has several stations in Sukhumvit and and it’ll take travelers to about 70% of the major attractions in Bangkok. It’s fast, easy, cheap and most importantly well air conditioned in Bangkok’s often hot and humid client. There are loads of other transportation alternatives in the Sukhumvit area such as taxis and tuk tuks.

Hotels in the Sukhumvit district vary greatly in price. There are no super cheap accommodations, but you can get a pretty good local hotel for around $40 US dollars, and the rates include a buffet breakfast. Lots of well known international business hotels are also found on Sukhumvit road such as JW Marriott, Westin and Sheraton. These hotels cost more but are still affordable compared to western standards.

The good news is you don’t have to spend a whole lot of money to stay in a great hotel room in Bangkok. Many popular Bangkok hotels along Sukhumvit can be had between $40USD – $60USD, which is considered in the budget range. Hotels with these rates may include guest access to swimming pools, saunas and a fitness center. About 95% of the hotels in Sukhumvit also include free daily breakfast in their rates too. Below you will find the names of some very popular and affordable hotels in Sukhumvit Bangkok.

Top 5 Hotels in Sukhumvit Bangkok:

  1. Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel & Resort
  2. Grand President Hotel
  3. Dawin Bangkok Hotel
  4. Aspen Suites
  5. Salil Hotel

Here’s one final tip that you may find very helpful. When you check in to the hotel, it’s best to dress as nicely as possible. Don’t come in wearing a tank top and shorts with flip flops. Thai people see well dressed guest as someone who is higher up in the social order. The higher you look in the social order, the more respect and extra attention you’ll get. Even casual wear goes a long way. Dressing well may surprise you with a room upgrade. 

Slow Food and Its Positive Influence

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In a recent conversation with a friend, I learned about an outstanding grassroots organization called Slow Food, whose global actions have inspired and encouraged positive solutions to our broken food systems. It is a wonderful concept that has actually been around for twenty years! With my careful eating habits and passion for good, wholesome and organic foods, I was surprised that this global movement had some how slipped by me.

What exactly is Slow Food?

Slow Food was founded in 1989 in Italy. It began as an idea, as a direct response to the rise of the fast food industry that invaded Europe, and the ever-accelerating pace of life. The founders were concerned about the decline in local traditional foods, and that people did not seem to care what they were eating, how it tastes, or where it came from. There was a growing awareness of a world that relied on monoculture rather than on biodiversity.

Slow Food represents more than just the food we eat. It is a way of life that encompasses a whole lifestyle approach to living a better, cleaner, and a slower life. It embraces how we process and distribute our food, and our relationship to the environment. It promotes a sustainable way of producing the food we eat. They form alliances with other groups, farmers, and businesses that share the same ideals and desires to preserve, develop and promote local economies and responsible food productions. Today, Slow Food has developed into an international organization that is continually adding new nations and local community branches throughout the world. Their outreach programs include food events and fairs that bring producers and consumers together, food and taste education projects, international and local symposiums. They work tirelessly to protect and defend food biodiversity and traditions, and they create new economic models that are put into practice in different regions throughout the world.

Anyone can get involved. You can visit their website and become a member, learn more, and become informed about what is going on. They provide a list of all nation members. In the United States, they are headquartered in New York. Search for your own state, or even local community. That would be the best way to get involved, on the local level.

Food is one of our deepest connections to one another, to the environment, and to all living things. Imagine the bountiful foods set before us, the preparations made with love and care, and the gathering of the clan, the family, and the community. We all come together to share – our food, drink, and good conversation. When we nurture our relationship to the earth that provides us with all this rich variety and bounty – a relationship that is closely bonded in respect and care – we will begin to heal, both our selves and our precious earth.

It feels good to know that there are great things going on in the world. Positive and powerful movements that I feel certain will help lift human consciousness to a higher state of being.

Your Florida Summer Beach Vacation – Tips on Selecting Your Beach Vacation Destination and Rental!

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Summer is just around the corner, and for many families that means a trip to Fabulous Florida and one of the gorgeous beaches that cover more than 660 miles of the Sunshine State’s coastlines. No matter where you are in the vacation planning process, we’ll start at the beginning and work forward. If you have already covered some of the steps below, maybe these tips will come in handy next time!

PICKING A DESTINATION:

First things first, of course, and the most basic decision you have to make is where in those 600-plus miles of beaches do you want to spend your precious vacation time? There are many factors to consider — distance from your hometown and travel time involved, vacation rental price, features and availability; activities that are important to your family, such as boating, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, hiking, etc.; and for some, pet-friendly beaches and accommodations. Some beaches are bustling and busy, like Panama City, Clearwater, Siesta, Destin, Miami and others. Accommodations vary as well — some have lots of high-rise condominiums and therefore a lot more rental units as well as a lot more guests. Other vacation spots tend toward lower density and smaller number of units, like Cape San Blas, for example. There are about a dozen areas of the state that have a pet-friendly beach. Read the restrictions for the various destinations so you fully understand what limitations, if any, there are to bringing your dog. For example, at Cape San Blas, dogs are welcomed on leash on the beaches of Gulf County with the exception of within St. Joseph’s Peninsula State park, where they are not permitted. Some beaches have limited areas where dogs are permitted or certain hours.

The wonders of the Internet make narrowing your choice of location a lot easier than it once was! Using a Google search for phrases that describe what you are looking for can give you a list of locations to begin researching more carefully. Try searches like “Pet-friendly Family Florida Beach Rentals” or “Uncrowded Florida Beach Rentals” or other search strings that appeal to your family. Ask for recommendations from others who have had positive vacation experiences. Many counties or cities will have tourist forums, where you can log on and ask questions. If someplace is a serious consideration for you, visit their forum and see what people have to share.

Everybody has a “perfect” beach destination they love. Just like some folks prefer chocolate and some vanilla, I am not going to try to tell you what I think would be your best choices. I can tell you what beaches I like, but that’s about it. My current favorite is Cape San Blas, where we have our rental business and two homes. Why do we love the Cape? We like the low density, the gorgeous sunsets, the fabulous beaches, the fishing and scalloping (St. Joe Bay is considered a Pristine Florida Water, and the oysters, fish and scallops are amazing). We like hiking in the State Park and riding horses on the beach. We love that our dogs are allowed on the beach as well. But again, there are many wonderful beaches in Florida. Just find the best fit for your family and go for it!

PICKING A RENTAL UNIT

Okay, you’ve picked a destination. Good for you! Now you need to select a vacation rental unit. Just like there were lots of factors to consider when choosing a beach that fits your family’s needs, the same is true for picking the right property. Finding the right combination of bedrooms, amenities, views, features, and price can seem daunting at first. It’s best to decide your priorities before you start making inquiries on rental sites or calling vacation rental companies or hotels. Why? If your budget is $4000 for the week, stumbling over that $10,000 a week mansion with use of your own motorboat is just going to leave you feeling deprived. My tips for you when considering your rental options:

1. The closer to the gulf and the beach, the more expensive the unit will be. If budget is a big factor, accepting a walk of even 125 to 200 steps (about 2 minutes’ walk) can save you big on the bottom line for your home or condo or hotel room. But if it’s beachfront or nothing, baby, well, just know you will pay a little more. I always insisted on gulf-front for my family’s one week in paradise each year too, and it was worth every dime extra we paid to hear those ocean waves, feel that sea breeze and watch the sunset from the deck every day.

2. Amenities come at a price tag. If a private pool is a “must” for you, know you’ll pay more for that rental home than one with a community pool or no pool at all. An elevator may be great for the loading in and loading out, but if everybody in your party is able-bodied, you can save a few bucks bypassing the homes with the elevators — and get some cardio during the week taking the stairs, too. More basic amenities like free Internet don’t add much to the price these days, but they can be important to traveling business owners or students with papers to turn in during vacation.

3. Maximum occupancy and bedding configurations. I always counsel my guests if you can avoid using the sleeper sofa, do it. One of my personal vacation rentals offers a sleeper sofa in the loft, and it gives you more privacy and can be a good option for teenagers especially. But if you have no option but to use the sleeper in the main living room, so be it. Also look at the various bedding configurations. If you need 1 king bed and 2 queens, you’ll narrow down your search and eliminate rentals with twin beds and bunk beds.

4. What’s supplied? In our vacation community, there’s a vast difference from unit to unit on what’s included in your rental as standard options. Some provide linens and towels as part of the rent. Some provide them for an additional charge. Some don’t provide them at all, and you have to bring them from home. Same is true for things like beach chairs, beach cart for a unit that is a distance from the gulf, gas grills, games, puzzles, movie libraries, starters of kitchen and laundry supplies, pet towels and sheets in pet-friendly units and much more. When you compare Rental A to Rental B, be sure that they’re comparably appointed. If not, consider if there is a price savings to “tote your own” and whether it’s worth it to you to have the savings, if any, or the convenience.

Whew, that was hard work. Now it’s time to get ready to go, finally! More to come in my article, Your Florida Summer Beach Vacation – What to Bring & How to Pack for the Best Family Fun in the Sun!

Ancient Peruvian Cultures – The Chimu

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New archaeological sites tend to raise more questions that answers and are found regularly. We have learned many things about the various cultures that have hailed from Peru but, as always, there’s a fair bit of missing information.

This is particularly evident in the north of Peru where there have been a number of civilizations to crop up and then disappear over time. One culture would often borrow from one before it or, in some cases, take on attributes from cultures that it conquered. Because of this, there has been some confusion and disagreement over where one started and another began.

For example, the Moche flourished from 100 to 800 AD. Some accounts say that the Sican or Lambayeque flourished from 750 to 1375 when they were conquered by the Chimu. The Chimu are sometimes said to have existed concurrently, from 850 to 1450, and other accounts give them a later start date of 1100 or 1150.

What is known is about the Chimu is that the Chan Chan was the capital city of the Chimu Empire. It is the largest prehispanic mudbrick settlement in America and covers about 20 square kilometers. Here can be found the palaces of the kings as well as the nobles. It appears that it began with one large citadel which continued to be added to until there were more than 10 of these structures called ciudadelas.

These ciudadelas were like self-contained little towns. Each had its own buildings, burial sites and water supply. In the other parts of the city are evidence of trade and artisanship in the form of spinning, weaving and metalwork. When the Inca conquered the Chimus around 1470, they had an empire that spanned approximately 1000 km along the Pacific coast.

This civilization was known for its artwork and there is evidence that they took on some of the art style and possibly artisans of the Sican culture that they conquered. For this reason, there were some pieces of Sican artwork that were originally labeled Chimu until new information came to light.

One of the other things that this civilization is known for is its irrigation system. Agriculture was an important part of their economy and they built many systems of canals in order to keep a vast area of land irrigated.

As the Chimu were to employ, forcibly or not, the artisans of the Sican, the Inca did the same to the Chimu. Due to the outstanding metalwork by the Chimu, the Inca took many of their artisans to Cusco by force which may have played a part in the ultimate destruction of the culture.