As the 17th draws near I thought i would answer some questions regarding accommodation and about the famous Khao san rd in bangkok. Khao San rd will be my first destination from the Bangkok airport as it is a easy place to find accommodation any time at a discount price. First of all if you have not been to Thailand before you are probably thinking what it would be like over there…? This will be my third time to the kingdom of Thailand.

Guesthouses in Khao San rd

First of all accommodation in Khao san rd area is really easy for any tourist, prices vary depending on what place you go to… Somewhere in between 200 baht to 600 baht is average ( 6 to 16 dollars a night) for a double. If you are travelling single like me then minus a hundred baht off the average price. Most rooms have AC, Cable, hot water and all the mod cons any one could want.

Food in Bangkok – Khao San Rd

Food is an interesting one in Khao San rd, food can range from 20 baht on average to 100 baht per meal (60 cents to 3 dollars). Fresh food can be purchased from market stalls including the delicious Pad Thai (20 baht).
Other than food water or beer can be purchased anywhere, water ranges from 4 to 10 baht per large bottle. The famous Chang beer can be bought from most places including 7 11s for 750ml for 30 baht(less than a dollar US). Compared to Australia or USA, 7 11 stores are actually discount stores in Thailand where you can buy cheap water or alcohol etc.

Daily Budget needed in Thailand and Khao San rd 1 Person

Thailand is a country you can get by on for not much, but I would recommend for US or Australian visitors about 16 to 20 dollars a day budget. This way the accommodation is always exceptional, you can enjoy eating out all the time, transport, etc. This is about 500 to 700 baht a day.

Breakdown of Costs for Thailand Per Day

Guesthouse room between two 200 to 250 baht each
Guesthouse for one 300 to 350 baht
Food 180 baht
Water 20 baht
Optional Alcohol if you drink 100 baht (three drinks)
Transport 100 baht some days
Total = 500 to 700 baht depending on situation (16 to 20 dollars).

Have a look at the video above to see a bit more on Khao San rd. This is a Khao San Rd stroll on a busy friday night.

Wireless and Internet Access on Khao San Rd

Khao San rd for any laptop owners will have no trouble finding wireless Internet as in most places you visit in Thailand. For any of you that are running online businesses like myself there is no need to worry about this element….Enjoy…! Most wireless Internet access is free with food or accommodation however if charged a usual price is 30 baht per hour (1 dollar per hour)
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Well i am officially in Thailand now in an area called Banglamphu ( Near Khao San rd). I needed yesterday to rest as i was on a 12 hour flight that had a lot of turbulence this time. There were a few storms and weather as we passed over Malaysia and Phnom Phen (Cambodia).

Work online while in Thailand

Now that i am here i will get into the free flow of writing again on my blog. I hope you all have not missed me too much (lol).. What i wanted to focus on in this post is income while travelling in Thailand. Thailand in general is a country where anyone that works online will have no trouble finding Wi Fi (for laptops) areas to keep there business flowing well.
While a lot of people are comfortable where they are having the ability to travel and derive an income while online has its many freedoms which conventional businesses do not. Being able to pack your bags, take your laptop and jump on a plane for an adventure that will surprise you. Thailand is just like one of those places, beautiful beaches in the south and islands all the way to beautiful mountain sides in the north near Chang Mai.
No matter where you go Thailand you will find places to see and do. This is not my first visit to the kingdom and so i know a lot of the beautiful places to stay. Imagine getting up in the morning having breakfast, opening your laptop, doing all your emails and work needed then laying on a beautiful beach or near a beautiful waterfall in Northern Thailand. I have to say welcome to Thailand.

Daily Budget while travelling Thailand

Income is great while travelling, transferring money from your credit card merchant account to your bank account is a breeze. What a way to travel and to think only a few hours Monday to Friday is needed a day.
A comfortable income in Thailand in general is about 20 to 30 aud or US a day for any traveller. Yes i know this isn’t much, if you want to splurge you can spend up to 30 aud a night on accommodation in Thailand and get resort style rooms instead of the guesthouses. Guesthouses are very nice however and range between 180 baht a night (5 dollars) all the way to 600 on average (17 dollars).
The 400 to 600 baht a night will generally get you all the mod cons needed or wanted including cable, ac, fridge etc..
Overall having that extra income coming in while on holiday is a way to really enjoy the benefits of working online that some people take for granted. If you yourself work online maybe it’s time you packed your bags to come and visit some of the beautiful places in the world.. Happy Travels..

It is official, I have my ticket… I will be travelling from Melbourne in Australia to Thailand in July. After purchasing a ticket there was a few things i had to find out before travelling there that i thought anyone going there might be interested to know. I believe these would be the most common questions asked for anyone travelling there form Australia, Europe or US.

If you are travelling from Australia to Thailand do you need a Visa?

As long as you have a Plane ticket out for within 30 thirty days they issue a visa free period of 30 days. This plane ticket could even be for a neighbouring country such as Vietnam, Malaysia, or Cambodia. Thailand allows you to leave there country twice and return twice in 6 months. This means you can be there for 3 months of the 6 months as long as you go to the border before the end of the 30 days and move your plane ticket forward each time. To get a bus to the border and back in most places will cost less than 800 Baht (25 AUD).

So is a one way out from Thailand to a neighbouring country fine?

Yes, as long as you show you are leaving within thirty days it is fine.
On my way home later on i will be passing through Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia… You may ask do you need a plane ticket out from there or a visa?
No Malaysia will issue three months visa free and no plane ticket out is needed on arrival. This one surprised me but will save a good amount of money as it is only around 2400 baht to fly from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur. A low ticket price generally means a low changing flight date price. The only reason for changing flights dates however is to border run to stay an extra 30 days. And yes if you are coming straight back in to Thailand your flight needs to say within 30 days again. If however you are coming back in from a neighbouring country into Thailand they will stamp your passport and give you another 30 days on entry.

Is it cheaper for a Australian to buy one way there and one way back..?

Yes i have recently learnt this one.. By purchasing your tickets online you can fly back for nearly half the price to Australia one way separately from Bangkok to say Brisbane or anywhere in Australia. Thailand has less surcharges and also because you are paying in Baht it’s a bonus. That way it still is a return ticket within thirty days but instead the return one is by another airline and is paid in Baht.

Do you need to pack much when travelling to Thailand?

I’m a light traveller in general, my laptop and a few spare clothes in one backpack, toothbrush, toothpaste etc. In Thailand and in Bangkok you will have no trouble finding and buying more clothes if need be. My motto is travel light. I usually only carry around 7 kgs max.

Is Wi-Fi Internet access hard to find in Thailand?

Wireless Internet is everywhere. No issue there. Throughout Thailand as in most south east Asian countries wireless Internet is not hard to find. For me this was a crucial question, you can easily take your laptop to a wireless cafe or hotel (guesthouse) that has wireless as well. So if you run an online business no worries there. Relax…

Do i need to tell the banks about going to Thailand?

Yes i would recommend telling the banks you are with before hand as it can send an alert off to the bank on use in another country. If however you tell them all will be good. If your not sure how long you will be in south east Asia for or Thailand then it is best to tell them you will let them know when you come back that you are back in Australia.

Are ATMs everywhere in Thailand?

Yes most places have an ATM nearby that you can use your Australian ATM card from back home. Just make sure your ATM card has Cirrus and Maestro on it. MasterCard and Visa are excepted in a lot of places too..

Is there anything else i should know?

I have found these are the most important questions to ask before travelling to Thailand. Thailand is a beautiful country, enjoy your time there!

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital is a global metropolis like none other. While it is known for shopping and nightlife, it also has distinct traces of heritage and spirituality. This unique blend of western excesses and local culture makes it a popular tourist destination.


Most visitors who come to the city look for sightseeing tours to understand the local culture and learn about the history behind the beautiful temples and monuments. There are several tours offered by various operators. Most popular among this is the Grand Palace half day tour, where a local guide takes you through the Palace complex with its buildings and monuments, including the famous Wat Phra Keow, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.


Other interesting tours of Bangkok are the Temples tour, the Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River that takes you past the illuminated monuments at night and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market tour.

After a day of seeing a few tourist attractions the best way to wind down is to feel the pulse of the city’s nightlife. From some of Asia’s hippest night clubs, rooftop bars in luxury hotels to the famous red light districts, Bangkok nightlife has enough options to entertain even the most discerning traveller.


Among the best known night spots in Bangkok is Patpong, the red light district that is known for its Go-Go bars. Other places with similar experiences that are wild yet safe are Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. There are also classier night clubs in the city. Sky Bar and Vertigo and Moon Bar, which offer views of the cityscape from over 60 floors above, are the most popular of these. For live music, there are several jazz clubs in the city that feature performances by local and international artists.


Although there are so many things to do in Bangkok, it has to be said that no trip to Bangkok would be complete without taking time out to go shopping, either at the street markets or high end malls, whichever you prefer. If you are in the city over the weekend, then a visit to Chatuchak Market will be the most memorable shopping experience that you have. It is one of the largest markets in the world where you will find almost everything, from antiques to pets. This is also a good place to buy gifts for people back home. Be prepared to spend a whole day exploring it. Pratunam market is also worth visiting for t-shirts, handbags and other accessories.

If you prefer to shop in the comfort of air conditioned malls, there are several options available. MBK is the most famous where you can find everything from electronics to clothes and home ware, all at reasonable prices. For high end shopping, Emporium and Siam Paragon have designer options.


Culture and cuisine are integral parts of getting to know a city. While the palaces and temples will give you an orientation of the local culture, one of the most fun experiences you can have is during the annual Songkran festival. This is one of the most important festivals in Thailand during which the entire city comes to a halt for the biggest water battle that coincides with the festivities of the Thai New Year in mid-April. Tourists and locals alike get squirted and splashed to wash away sins of the year gone by, so that they can start afresh.


Thai cuisine contributes towards making Thailand a popular destination, with its unique flavours and spices. You can try some of the local fare at market stalls or restaurants. The burst of spice and the milder notes of lemon grass and ginger will delight your palate. Spicy soups, fragrant steamed rice, flat noodles and fish are usual components of a traditional Thai meal. All food is prepared with locally grown ingredients, which add to the freshness of the flavours. Tropical fruits such as Mangosteen, Rambutan, Lychees and bananas make the perfect ending to the meal.


If you are planning a vacation to Thailand, many international carriers have flights to the main Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. While domestic and regional low cost carriers also offer cheap flights to Thailand that land at Don Muang, the city’s second airport. For local travel, taxis, motorcycle taxis, buses and the Skytrain offer convenient options.


While looking for good rates on your Bangkok hotels remember that they vary depending on the location. Popular options are hotels on Sukhumvit Road or Silom Road as they are closer to the tourist attractions, nightlife and shopping, but the prices will be higher than in other districts. Bangkok budget hotels and apartments are also available in most areas, and you will find that if you book well in advance, you can get massive discounts on your room rates by using one of the online hotel booking systems.

One thing is certain, Bangkok will charm you with its culture and smiling locals. The choices for entertainment, shopping, food and leisure will spoil you no end. Like most visitors, you will miss the City of Smiles once you are gone and return for more fun, food and frolic served with a dollop of culture and spirituality.

                       Thailand Tourism
          All you need to know about Thailand!

Thailand is often referred to as "The Land of Smiles."

From the moment you arrive, you will understand why. You'll see more people smiling in Thailand than you will anywhere else in the world, and with good reason!

There are many things that have been said about Thailand tourism. For all the people who have visited and cannot wait to return, phrases like ‘Holiday of a lifetime’ and ‘Amazing Thailand’ spring to mind.

We feel that the best phrase that sums up Thailand is,

"There's something in Thailand for everyone."
 
So why not take a look at the video below. It will provide you with an insight into what you can expect from your trip as a Thailand tourist, and shows some of the great places and attractions that you could visit. This website has been created especially for people who wish to find out more about Thailand and tourism in Thailand. So before you plan a visit to Thailand take some time to look at the information provided. We also advise you to try and speak to someone who has already been, without a doubt the vast majority of people who travel to this great country love it, and will have some great stories to tell.


So would you like to arrive in Thailand with firsthand knowledge of where to go and what to do? Well all the information and travel tips about Thailand and tourism, Thailand holidays, flights to Thailand and even travel in Thailand, are right here for you to see.

Just click on any of the topics that grab you attention.



As anyone who has ever returned to Thailand, and to any other country for that matter, will always tell you, knowing which hotels to stay at and where to go, where to eat, and also what to do can make a huge difference to your holiday. This Thailand Tourism Guide not only gives you all this information, but provides you with details of the best airlines to use and the cheapest ways to book your hotels. Please do visit our site again, as we are constantly updating and adding new content which may be of interest to you. If you so wish you can receive updates via a RSS feed, this is the easiest way to ensure that you do not miss anything new.

For both visitors and Thais, travel in Thailand is very convenient; the Thailand transportation infrastructure is modern and well-organized, and exploring the country is a very straightforward experience. Whether your Thailand travel preference is air, rail, bus, road, or water, most modes of Thailand transportation are use to catering to foreign visitors and have frequent departures. Consequently it’s easy to move about the country or explore sights around particular destinations. The inland cities and coastal resorts are well connected to each other, so when you travel in Thailand you can spend a few days in Bangkok, a few more at the beach, and still visit Chiang Mai or Ayutthaya alternatively traveling via bus, boat, train, or plane to get from A to B to C.

Bookings and reservations for travel in Thailand should be done in advance as even in the “low season” many Thai people holiday in their own country and transportation is often booked well in advance. Nonetheless, when you travel in Thailand, there are always options for travelers, even at the last minute, particularly as departures of busses, planes, and trains are very frequent.  When you travel in Thailand you can select from many domestic air carriers that service a majority of Thailand’s large provincial cities; local trains that connect Bangkok to all regions of the country; and long distance coaches that connect all major cities.

(left) Celadon porcelain maebyeong with an engraving of long-stemmed lotus blossoms; (right) Bronze bowl excavated from Mireuksaji Temple Site in Iksan (Photos courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea)

“Yesterday in the service of tomorrow,” a special exhibition featuring an extensive array of cultural relics and national treasures, is taking place from September 27 to October 16 at the National Palace Museum of Korea.

Held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, the exhibition invites audiences to look back at Korea’s rich cultural assets alongside an overview of the path followed over the past half-century by the organization that acts as the guardian of Korean traditional culture.

The exhibition displays approximately 100 cultural properties, documentary photographs, and images, divided into themes including the history of the Cultural Heritage Administration, the excavation process, and digitalization of cultural properties. The exhibition also looks forward into the future outlook of Korea’s cultural heritage in the course of globalization. Visitors can also participate in hands-on activities with the aid of state-of-the-art media projections.

The National Palace Museum of Korea is located inside Gyeongbok Palace and can be reached from exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station. Admission is complimentary for the exhibitions being held throughout the year. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and until 7 p.m. on weekends. The museum remains open until 10 p.m. from October 5 to 9, on the occasion of the anniversary. Last admission is one hour before closing time for both the museum and the palace. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.gogung.go.kr (Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese).

By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff Writer

Busan Metropolitan City opened its first global center branch in close partnership with Busan Foundation for International Activities (BFIA) on March 28. The new global center aims to help newcomers from overseas, as well as expatriates and transnational immigrants living in Busan, enjoy a trouble-free life through its counseling services and free language programs.

The Busan Global Center will provide a wide range of services tailored to the many different needs of foreign-born residents in the region. Busan welcomes over 2.2 million foreign each year and has approximately 50,000 foreign residents.

This one-stop service center offers a variety of information services and consultation on topics such as immigration, employment, medical care, transportation, taxes, insurance and banking. It also extends call center services currently run by BFIA and increases the number of languages available to include: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Russian and Uzbeki. Phone consultations are available from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Busan Global Center (Photo courtesy of Busan Metropolitan City)

Another important mission of the Busan Global Center is to create a more multi-cultural environment. The Busan Global Center will run a 10-week course titled “World Cultural Class” Starting on March 28. Each week, foreign-born residents from 12 different countries will host sessions to talk about their own country and culture in English or Korean. The participation fee is 10,000 won.

The Busan Global Center is located across from City Hall in the National Pension Service Building in Yeonsan-dong. The lounge is open from 9.30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

For more information, please call 1577-7716 or visit their official website at: www.bfia.or.kr/renewal/english/main.html (Korean and English).

By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff Writer

It was one fine autumn day in late September. Foreign tourists and locals gathered at Unhyeongung Palace in Seoul’s Jongno-gu. The Institute of Traditional Korean Food, directed by Yoon Sook-ja, and Jongno-gu held a food event titled "Royal Court and Aristocratic Family Food Festival 2011" on September 27 and 28.

The nation’s top agricultural bureaucrat, Suh Kyu-yong, the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food, expects that the next big thing in the Korean wave, or Hallyu, could be Korean food, or “K-food,” which he says will follow K-pop in global popularity. In that sense, this event where visitors can see, touch, and taste traditional Korean food will boost awareness of Korean cuisine among foreigners.

The Institute of Traditional Korean Food is a professional research organization established for and devoted to the popularization and globalization of traditional Korean food domestically and globally, because Korean food, or Hansik, is the accumulation of Korean ancestors’ practical and living experience and wisdom.

<="" font="">Visitors enter Unhyeongung Palace to enjoy the "Royal Court and Aristocratic Family Food Festival 2011."

Foreign visitors listen to the presentation on traditional Korean food.

The event particularly touches on the 600-year history of Jongno-gu’s distinctive food culture as well as Korea’s traditional meal tables as consumed by royal families during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Exhibited dishes also demonstrate Korean ancestors’ wisdom and lifestyles.

Due to growing interest in healthy diets, royal health food is displayed to show several ways of preventing and curing disease with common daily dishes. In the old days, not to mention today as well, people say food is medicine. Visitors also enjoyed the birthday meal tables of Korea’s past kings, including King Yeongjo, and a royal food table prepared with products from all eight provinces of Korea.

<="" font="">King Yeongjo's birthday table

Traditional wedding ceremony food and Korean sweets (tteok and cookies) for aristocrats

There were exhibitions, hands-on activities and refreshment-tasting areas with other cultural events including concerts and lectures. Visitors took photos with mock-kings and queens and enjoyed playing Korean traditional folk games.

Foreign visitors try to make tteok.

Kids pound rice with a large wooden hammer.

Books are used to help demonstrate the meals, including Dongui Bogam, a book authored by Heo Jun (1539-1615) considered to be the most outstanding and comprehensive material on Korean traditional medicine, and Shikryochanyo, the first dietary book written by royal physician Jeon Sun-ui in 1460.

The morning (left) and evening (right) refreshment tables with tea and snacks

Meal tables show that former kings like Sejong, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty, liked meat, and Gojong, the 26th king, enjoyed mild foods, preferring vegetables over meat. Moreover, there were tables for pregnant queens, nutritious meals for princes, and other healthy royal foods.

The meal of King Sejong, the fourth King of the Joseon Dynasty: King Sejong enjoyed beef and pork very much. He became obese and eventually suffered from diabetes at the age of 35. His doctors advised him to have chicken, pheasant, and sheep instead.

Food for pregnant queens: pregnancy education means educating a newborn child. An old saying goes that if you want to have a handsome child, eat carp, and if you want to deliver a wise child, have abalone and before delivery, have shrimp and kelp.

Royal food table prepared with products from all eight provinces of Korea

The event showed Korea’s food culture and diverse ingredients and recipes for traditional royal meals. Eugenia Bellova, the wife of the Slovakian ambassador to Korea, said “It was a great opportunity to promote Korean food as well as Korean people’s philosophy in food.”

By Cindy Ji-Eon Kim
Korea.net Staff Writer

The ultimate gateway to Korea, Incheon International Airport, is being recognized again for its commitment to performance excellence and quality services. From traditional ceremonies to an indoor skating rink, Incheon International Airport has it all.

In March this year, Incheon International Airport was selected as the Best Airport Worldwide in the annual Airport Service Quality Awards for the year 2010. The airport has been crowned the world’s best among some 1,700 airports, in the award program conducted by the Airport Council International (ACI), for six years in a row, setting a new record in the award's history. The airport was first crowned in 2005, only just a few years after its March 2001 opening.

Incheon International Airport is reputed for its prompt immigration processes backed by its IT-based passenger advance notice system, as well as its cleanliness and ease of transfer. Not only does it serve as one of the leading logistics and transportation hubs in Asia, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, but it also offers diverse programs tailored to the needs of foreign visitors interested in knowing more about the country’s traditional culture.

Incheon International Airport offers a wide array of cultural and leisure activities: (left) traditional Korean music performance; (right) Indoor ice-skating rink (Photos courtesy of the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation [left] and Incheon International Airport Corporation [right]).

Moreover, the airport provides a wide array of leisure activities, including a 24-hour sauna and an observatory, as well as an ice-skating rink and an indoor garden. Some of the facilities are accessible to non-ticket holders, making the airport an attractive half-day destination even to residents in the vicinity, such as citizens of Seoul or Incheon.

Experiencing traditional Korean culture at the last minute before leaving Korea

On the third floor of the passenger terminal, alongside a plethora of high-end brand shops, two Traditional Korean Cultural Experience Zones and two Korea Traditional Cultural Experience Centers are located in each wing. The spaces, run by the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, aim at promoting Korea’s traditional culture to a global audience of world travelers.

Foreign travelers experience different kinds of traditional Korean cultural activities (Photos courtesy of the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation).

Each year, approximately 60,000 visitors experience an authentic Korean heritage through a variety of activities, from trying on traditional garments to learning how to play traditional instruments and making one’s own traditional crafts, such as traditional fans or kites. All foreign passengers are invited to participate free of charge from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the year.

Another popular event that one should not miss is a reenactment of the royal march of the king and queen consort of the Joseon Dynasty accompanied by several dozen gentlemen in traditional outfits. The promenade of the royal family takes place twice a day at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

(left) The Traditional Craft Gallery, Korea House; (right) Korea Traditional Cultural Experience Center activities (Photos courtesy of the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation)

Situated on the fourth floor of the passenger terminal in the transfer lounge, the Traditional Craft Gallery, also known as Korea House, displays traditional Korean crafts and ornaments 24 hours a day. In the exhibition hall, even transferring passengers can get a brief overview of Korean crafts and clothing.

Built inside the new concourse in the transfer lounge (4F) is the Korean Culture Museum. The museum showcases some of Korea’s national treasures and traditional art pieces in close collaboration with the National Museum of Korea. If you missed a visit to the National Museum of Korea during your stay in Seoul, be sure to swing by. The museum is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A variety of leisure facilities

Haven’t checked your email? Go to the Internet Lounge available at a number of spots around the passenger terminal and concourse. Access to the Internet is complimentary. Wireless internet is also available for laptop holders.

Spa on Air, selected as one of the nine hidden venues at Incheon airport by CNN (click here to read the full article) offers body massages and a 24-hour sauna. A perfect location to rest and freshen up in between connecting flights, Spa on Air can be found on the basement floor of the passenger terminal.

If you have more free time left over even after a relaxing sauna, a visit to Airstar Terrace on the fourth floor of the passenger terminal can be nice. The airport observatory deck, which opens from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., offers a panoramic view towards the airstrip outside and dazzling vistas of the endless take-offs and landings, especially at night time.

Incheon Airport opened its indoor ice-skating rink on August 20 this year (Photo courtesy of Incheon International Airport Corporation).

Ice Forest, which opened to the public on August 20, brings multiple choices for active travelers who seek more than just relaxation on comfy cushions. This first indoor ice-skating rink to ever open inside an airport, it is a great fun stop. The synthetic ice that covers the surface of the rink allows skating in all four seasons and allegedly reduces the risk of injuries compared to natural ice. At the stage nearby, visitors can enjoy a wide range of performances, from jazz to b-boy, while skating. For 4,000 won (adults), anyone can rent a pair of skates, safety equipment, and time on the rink. Operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Incheon International Airport keeps pushing its boundaries, creating new paradigms on what an airport should be. A multiplex movie theater is set to open by the end of this year, providing a more varied choice for passengers. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.airport.kr/eng (Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese).

By Hwang Dana
Korea.net Staff Writer

Visiting Southeast Asia with one visa

Tourists will soon be able surf in Bali, shop in Singapore and eat spicy street food in Thailand before crossing into Cambodia and cruising the Mekong in Vietnam with a single tourist visa.


The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is working on a plan that would open the region to foreign tourists in the same way Europe's unified visa system has streamlined travel.


Eddy Krisneidi, an official of the ASEAN Secretariat, said in its Tourism Strategic Plan for the next five years, foreign tourists who just have to apply for one visa to one ASEAN member country can visit all other countries, ranging from Angkor Wat in Cambodia to five-star beach resorts in Bali.


ASEAN countries recorded more than 65 million foreign visitor arrivals in 2009. Malaysia led the field, followed by Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei.


Analysts said that one visa for all ASEAN member countries will help attract more tourists to the region.

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October 1, 2011 - Tokyo with kids - July 2011 We spent a week in Tokyo last July  with our 5 year old son and 8 year old daughter with daytrips to Kamakura and Hakone.  It was particularly hot and humid so that was not the best time to be outside. There were noticeably less tourists considering it was only 3 months after the earthquake and tsunami.   We stayed at the Tokyo Hilton and Sheraton Miyako hotels.  They were wonderful family-friendly hotels with outstanding service and convenient locations.  We rode the subways and trains to go everywhere.  The JR Yamanote line was so convenient to see most of the Tokyo tourist attractions. Our family had an amazing time.  The highlights for my kids were Tokyo DisneySea and Studio Ghibli Museum.  The people were helpful, polite and friendly. We felt perfectly safe traveling with our kids. It was still such a beautiful country and we would love to go back and explore other parts of it.     This was our itinerary: Day 1 (Sat.) - Imperial Palace and East Gardens/ Asakusa & Sensoji Temple Day 2  (Sun.) - Shibuya/Harajuku/Meiji Shrine Day 3 (Mon. ) - Studio Ghibli Museum/Akihabara in the afternoon Day 4 (Tues.) - Kamakura day Trip Day 5 (Wed.) - Tokyo Municipal Gov稚 Bldg/ Zojoji Temple/Tokyo Tower/Ginza District Day 6(Thurs.) - Hakone day trip Day 7 (Fri.) - Tokyo Disney Sea Day 8 (Sat. ) - Odaiba/Sensoji Temple & more shopping at Asakusa It was a busy week but we made the most of it and visited the main attractions we wanted to see.  For a more detailed account of our trip, please visit our blog: http://www.theworldisabook.com/?page_id=3871

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Schauwecker's Japan Travel Blog by Stefan Schauwecker, webmaster of japan-guide.com This blog is intended to record some of my travel activities in Japan.

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2011/09/15 - Furano in September After two wonderful autumn color report trips to Daisetsuzan National Park yesterday and the day before yesterday, I quickly stopped by two popular tourist spots in the vicinity of Asahikawa Airport: the Aoiike (Blue Pond) and Farm Tomita. It was my first visit to Aoiike, a naturally blue colored, human made pond that has been promoted as a new tourist attraction over the last couple of years. The pond was created about 20 years ago as part of an erosion prevention system that protects the town of Biei from volcanic eruptions and resulting landslides and flows from nearby Mount Tokachidake. The pond gets its blue color from an interplay of sun rays with minerals naturally dissolved in the water. The Blue Pond (Aoiike) Surprisingly many people visited the pond in the early morning of this regular Thursday Erosion control meets sightseeing The Blue Pond (Aoiike) I also dropped by Farm Tomita, the most popular of many flower farms in the Furano and Biei area. The lavender, which the farm is best known for, had already been harvested, but the other flower fields still provided tourists with a good reason to visit. Both, Aoiike and Farm Tomita, do not charge admission fees. Autumnal flowers still provide a reason to visit Farm Tomita in September But the lavender has been harvested in the meantime A small field of lavender in bloom can be viewed in the greenhouse Tour buses parked at Farm Tomita The farm was still busy with tourists