Worldwide Insure

Great ideas for passing the time in the Thai capital Bangkok, from taking in the tranquillity of temples to soaking up the vibrant nightlife of Khao San Road; oh and a lot of eating! Courtesy of Migrationology.

1. Wang Lang market – great for quick fast food
2. Chatuchak weekend market – over 15,000 vendors!
3. Klong Toey market – fresh food galore
4. Visit a floating market – there are loads to choose from
5. Pratunam market – wholesale market, great for shopping
6. MBK shopping centre – a mega-mall that is like a city in itself
7. Or Tor Kor market – upper class fresh market, only the finest food here
8. Dusit Zoo – central zoo of the city
9. Lumpini Park – green oasis in the centre of the city, complete with monitor lizards
10. Thai Massage – seek out a traditional treatment from a local
11. The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew – tickets gets you entry into several nearby temples too
12. Wat Pho – home of the Golden Reclining Buddha
13. Wat Arun – amazing temple with great views
14. Wat Saket – 318 stairs takes you to the top of the Golden Mountain, fantastic views
15. Erawan Museum –  museum boasts beautiful architecture, sculptures & manicured gardens
16. Vimanmek Mansion – world’s largest golden teak mansion
17. Khao San Road – nightlife, shopping and restaurants; backpackers central
18. Silom – central business district by day, night market by night
19. Victory Monument – sightseeing, shopping, entertainment and food
20. Try Durian – seek out this fabulous fruit, unique flavour sensation and texture
21. Thai Street Food – and home style restaurants, don’t go without trying the best Thai cuisine
22. Thai cooking class – sign up and take the taste of Thailand back home with you
23. Pahurat – Little India in the heart of Bangkok, food and shopping
24. Pak Klong Talad – fabulous flower market
25. Yaowarat – Bangkok’s Chinatown, bustling area with gold stores, exotic foods and shopping

Heading off for some R & R on your own? Make safety your number one priority!

The joy of travelling solo is that you get to indulge your every whim, stick to your own itinerary and do not have to compromise your plans for anyone else on your journey. It is a great time to read a book, write a book, learn to meditate or to see the world in a different and unique light; but, this freedom does come at a price – safety. Here are some of the top tips out there to make sure that you can enjoy your ‘you time’ without jeopardising your wellbeing.

Sunset Muse – Sunset @ Knokke beach by Tom Cuppens

Much of the safety advice out there is common sense such as:

• Let people know where you are going
• Don’t flash your valuables
• Keep to open, public places
• If a situation doesn’t feel right – get out and get help

Make sure family or friends know your itinerary before you travel, and agree to keep them updated regularly. When you arrive at your destination, it is worthwhile letting hotel or hostel staff or your host what your plans are. Whenever you do go out, only take the money you think you will need. Use ATMs to withdraw cash or consider a pre-paid travel card.

Extra precautions to take in case a situation arises:

• Carry ID
• Carry information about where you are staying in the native language
• Store important phone numbers on your mobile
• Email electronic copies of important documents to yourself
• Make sure you know the local emergency number and how to shout “HELP” in the right language

One of the major drawbacks of travelling solo is that you don’t have anyone to ‘watch your back’. This means that you need to be more vigilant. Beware of pick pockets, over-friendly con artists and try not to look like a tourist as it makes you an easy mark.

To avoid sticking out like a sore thumb, even if it is obvious you are not local:

• Always look at a map in private, or as discretely as possible
• Even if you are lost maintain an air of confidence
• If you do have to ask for directions, generally speaking a woman with children is the safest bet

Whilst you should take care to keep yourself safe – one of the best ways to do so is by getting out there, meeting new people whilst having new experiences. Travelling companions after all can become friends for life.

There are lots of tour operators that specialise in catering for single travellers, which not only means you can avoid paying a single person supplement, but it also means there are more like minded people around you with the same aims and concerns. However, if you have decided to travel independently, pick excursions and activities that attract solitary adventurers such as safari trip and expedition cruises, and haggle for you right to pay for your place and not get penalised with extra charges.

Hudson at Sunset – by Christian Newton

Thailand is the jewel in the crown of South East Asia, from the exclusive resorts in Phuket to the hippie retreats in Pai it truly offers something for everyone.

Bangkok is the capital and main transport hub for travellers, a bustling cosmopolitan city with a fantastic night life.  Bangkok’s skyscrapers viewed from a rooftop bar on a balmy evening is a special sight!  Many of Thailand’s historic temples are found in Bangkok, including the famous ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’, an awe inspiring architectural wonder with the ever-present aroma of burning incense hanging in the air.  The city offers a variety of shopping experiences, from bargaining hard and savouring the best street food in Thailand at the markets, through to rubbing shoulders with the elite fashion connoisseurs at designer boutiques in the famous Bangkok Emporium.

Damnoen Saduak floating neighborhood by Jay Galvin

Northern Thailand, from where the first Thai Kingdom’s arose, has a rich cultural and artistic heritage.  Many of Thailand’s National Parks, with ancient forests and breathtaking mountain scenery are situated in this area, making it a popular destination for trekking.  This can be challenging, but the views are a worthy reward.  Chiang Mai is great to use as a jumping off point for organised treks, many of which include river rafting and elephant riding.  The city has over 300 temples, fantastic night bazaars and exceptional quality handicrafts. The city is one of the best places for experiencing Thai massage, with many modern spas combining traditional techniques with a relaxing, quiet atmosphere.  Massage is one of the many courses available, encompassing everything from Buddhist meditation to high energy Thai boxing!  Plenty to keep even the most industrious traveller occupied.

Main Temple Chang Mai Thailand by Zoutedrop

Further South, several marine National Parks are located and scuba diving in the crystal clear waters, with colourful corals and playful shimmering fish is truly memorable.  The island of Ko Pha-ngan is home to Thailand’s legendary full moon parties, along with stunning white sand beaches and is frequented by the backpacker crowd.  Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is one of South East Asia’s most popular yachting and diving destinations, with exclusive resorts and tranquil palm fringed beaches to relax on.

Fire Twirler @ Koh Pha Ngan by Tim Parkinson

Thailand is a place of wonders, from manmade temples to natural mountains and beaches, around every corner there is a discovery to make, a delicacy to taste or a friendly local happy to talk for hours.

Discover a more modern side of Istanbul in this fabulous travel vlog from Danann Breathnack.

From the cosmopolitan area of Ortakoy, that boasts an atmosphere that has been likened to vibrant buzz that can be found at in London’s Camden Town Market, to the vast expanse of shopping malls that have become the new social meeting place we have a chance to find out what modern Istanbul has to offer visitors.

 
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKrrnS0q8LI&w=560&h=315]
To find out more about the more traditional attractions in Istanbul, check out our earlier post Istanbul – A Tale of Two Continents

OK, this may be a blatant sponsored event, (thanks Redbull) but it is not often that you get to see a couple of guys wakeboarding in the Basilica Cistern, a sunken palace in Istanbul.

Set to some awesome tunes you can see Frederic Von Osten and Dominik Gührs, two of the best wakeboard athletes in the world, performing stunts on the not very deep (just 20cms) waters and avoiding (for the most part) the columns that stand just 4m apart.

Breathtaking shots, and yes, a bit of a faceplant too. Ouch!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_whONhbqjQ&w=560&h=315]

While you might not be heading to Istanbul to wakeboard in an ancient monument, we do offer extreme sport travel insurance in our Wintersports Travel Insurance policy in case you fancy trying out any other adrenaline fuelled activities!

Famed as the only city to straddle two continents, Istanbul offers a wealth of history and culture that befits its geographical location. As a city that was the capital of four empires (Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman) history lurks around every corner.

Dennis Jarvis – Bridge connects Europe to Asia. Instanbul, Turkey.

The city has been built on both sides of the glittering Bosphorus, which separates the European side and the Asian side. Most people visit the European side, which is arguably better equipped for the modern traveller, but the Asian side offers a great deal too. The Asian side tends to be described as calmer, with tourists receiving less hassle to buy the many goods that are on sale. Indeed, if you stroll around certain districts you’ll soon be of the opinion that Istanbul is one of the true shopping capitals of the world, with whole streets seemingly devoted to certain items – such as rugs or toys or sauce pans.

Despite eager shop keepers, wherever you go in Istanbul you’re likely to be struck by the friendliness of the locals, all the more surprising given the fact Istanbul has an estimated 13 million inhabitants – depending on which boundaries are used and indeed who you ask.

Untitled by Eric Borda

The must-see attractions of Turkey’s biggest city include Topkapi Palace, Hagia Siphia and the Blue Mosque. The focal point for most tourists is the Sultanahmet area, which boasts all manner of historic buildings, restaurants, cafes and the famous Grand Bazaar.

Get a sense of how epic Istanbul is by taking a boat trip along the Bosphorus, where your vessel will weave its way among the other boats and supertankers that move up and down this immense waterway.

You could easily spend a month in Istanbul and still have plenty left to discover. A truly global city whose friendly inhabitants and chilled out atmosphere will make it very hard to leave.

Untitled by Eric Borda