7 Reasons to visit Bangkok

Bangkok isn’t just Thailand’s capital but also the best spot to begin a Southeast Asia trip. Many associate Bangkok with a love-hate relationship: On one side, the city is deafening, stuffy, and stinky. But in contrast, the chaos and the hurly-burly are fascinating. Bangkok’s markets offer everything your heart desires, specifically for shopping. The skyscrapers, high-traffic jams, extreme heat, and the notorious nightlife don’t get the best impression initially – but don’t let that discourage you. Bangkok is one of the most multicultural cities in Asia with spectacular temples and palaces, authentic waterways, energetic markets, cooking adventures, modern shopping centres, and world-class hotels. Today, I’m gonna share 7 reasons in detail, which will convince you to visit Bangkok as soon as possible.

Exploring Bangkok by Bike

When you show up at the Thai capital, you could experience the difficulty of unsure how to start exploring. A great technique to begin your Bangkok trip is to look into the city by bike, which is an easy way to get a first look at the beautiful town. You can rent a bike, and even reserve a biking tour of 5 hours, in which you will be led by a local who knows all the fine places in the city. It is an excellent technique to get to understand the city for the first time, and you’ll get some physical activity as well!

Floating Markets

Shopping is an incredibly compelling reason for most tourists but doing it while aboard on an extended wooden boat is just as incredible or even more. Damnoen Saduak is the leader for these floating markets, and consumers swarm here because of the products and the experience. Ride one of those rowboats and pick from other floating boats that are stuffed to the brim with fruits, vegetables, food, and other products. Be sure to accept items securely with both hands to prevent shedding them to the stormy waters below.

Cultural & Historical Sights

Now, let’s go back to why Bangkok is unquestionably a great tourist destination. Bangkok, in Thai, referred to as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, offers a significant wide selection of activities. First, there are lots of ancient and cultural points of interest to view. There are plenty of temples to observe, of which the Temple of the Reclining Buddha & the Temple of the Golden are most likely the most amazing ones. Along with these historical and cultural masterpieces, Bangkok also offers a vast selection of palaces and museums to see. The Grand Palace and the Museum of Contemporary Art are perfect choices, but there are various more, so don’t feel restricted to the presented options.

Thai Foods

Among the best things about travelling is uncovering new dishes and flavours! At this point, Thailand is a paradise of unique flavours and various foods where individuals can jump in. Thai food dishes use mostly fresh ingredients, which are somewhat baked but full of fragrance, spices, and new flavours. Thai cuisine is according to the idea of equilibrium of flavours between sweet, salty, bitter, and sour. In that way, Thai dishes are a combination of various tastes put together flawlessly. One of the many vital ingredients in Thailand’s food is chillies. Usually, food in Thailand is very peppery, specifically for taste buds.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is probably the most in-demand activity in Thailand. Wherever you are going to Thailand, you can find a Thai massage parlour on just about every street. Started over 2500 years ago, Thai massage is a conventional recovery system. It brings together the practices of acupressure, assisted yoga stretches, and includes Indian Ayurvedic concepts. Nowadays, there are more than 10,000 massage spas in Thailand!.

Bangkok Nightlife

Though Bangkok can keep you busy from dawn until dusk, it’s after sunset that the city truly gets hotter. Take full advantage of your time in this Venice of the East by continuing long after dark, regardless of your entertainment choice. There is absolutely no lack of ways to experience the darker side of Bangkok culture at night, from backpacker-packed streetside drink carts to exclusive riverboat quartets.

Good to Hang Out

Though Bangkok is recognized for its outrageous nightlife, this sleepless city has plenty of places for you to go out with friends. While there are various places to hang out in Bangkok, some places provide just the best mix necessary for a fun time out. Chinatown is certainly one of Bangkok’s significant cultural and spots for hangout. It’s home to two wats, the Wat Traimit (which houses the world’s largest gold statue) and Wat Mangkon Kamalawat; both positioned within walking distance to the best eats in the area.

 Conclusion

Bangkok is deservingly referred to as the gateway to Southeast Asia because you can discover the country and the whole region in all directions. Since almost all flights from the world’s biggest airports depart to Bangkok Airport, the administrative center is ideal for being the first stop on your Thailand tour. Bangkok provides a distinctive mix between the modern and the past with its modern skyscrapers and shopping malls, historic temples, and palaces. Here you can easily move and get your own picture of the busyness of the metropolis. From golden ancient monuments to the vivid nightlife, every visitor will find their preferred spot in the City of Angels.

Destination wedding in India

With intimate weddings becoming the need of the hour, many couples have now decided to host destination weddings. And rightly so, with all the guests staying at the same property as the venue at which the pre wedding and wedding functions are held would be so much feasible and convenient. Bride, Groom, their friends and family spend some quality time together while the wedding festivities take place. Destination weddings surely brings everyone together and closer in these times of fast paced life.

Now with the recent government relaxations and rise of searches for locations for destination weddings in India, we have shortlisted some destinations in India that are perfect to host the celebrations. Without further ado, start reading:

1) Goa

Whenever someone plans to host a beach wedding, the first name that pops up in many heads is of Goa. And if you are the one who wishes to get married with a stunning view, sound of the waves crashing and the sun setting in the backdrop, then Goa is definitely your place to be.

2) Udaipur

Do you remember the wedding in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and absolutely adore the wedding venue shown in the film? Well that my friends in Udaipur, the city of lakes. It has some stunning view from almost all the properties and is a top choice for those who wish to tie the knot in the royal manner. One of the most popular cities in Rajasthan for hosting marriage ceremonies.

3) Mumbai

If you are a resident of Mumbai and want to host your wedding in your own city, well choices for you are endless. There are some great wedding banquet halls in Mumbai that are perfect for hosting destination wedding. The pleasant climate all year round is like an added advantage.

4) Kerala

Are you one of those who loves being in the nature and want to get married with greenery all around, the Kerala is the ideal location for you. Known as the Gods own country, this city has some gorgeous beaches, is rich in heritage and culture and has serene backwaters. Now imagine all your loved ones by your side while you take your vows.

5) Ooty

A quaint town of Tamil Nadu, Ooty is one offbeat location for destination weddings in India. If you want to get married away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this district in the Nilgiri hills has many hotels and banquets that can host your guests for the wedding ceremony.

6) Neemrana

About 3 hours’ drive from Delhi, Neemrana has various hotels and resorts that are a great pick for hosting wedding ceremonies. If you love history and mythology and want to incorporate such elements into your special day do select it.

Some typical and some offbeat, here were a few locations that we suggest. Choose one for your upcoming nuptials and start planning right away!

Waterfalls in South Wales UK

There are many beautiful waterfalls in the world. Unfortunately, most people never get to experience them unless they travel somewhere and happen to find one. But what if you could figure out where all the best waterfalls are in a particular location? That way, you would know where to look for them when you get there.

Wales is a country of the United Kingdom which has plenty of magical waterfall hotspots. In fact, South Wales alone has some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. These are waterfalls which pour water down steep gorges or from tall cliffs. The scenery around them is often quite exotic and exhilarating to witness in-person.

People travel to South Wales every year just to visit these locations and take photographs of themselves being there. With so many waterfalls to choose from, you might need a little help figuring out which ones are the best. The neat thing is that there is one primary location in South Wales which consists of numerous waterfalls. This area is called Waterfall Country and it rests on the tip of the Vale of Neath, which is one of many valleys in South Wales. This particular valley contains so many gorgeous waterfalls that it has become a popular tourist attraction.

Below are the top 5 waterfalls in South Wales, United Kingdom.

Aberdulais Falls

The Welsh village of Aberdulais lies within the County of Neath Port Talbot. There are two rivers in this location called the River Dulais and the River Neath. Water from the River Dulais flows over hard beds of sandstone prior to joining up with water from the River Neath. After these two rivers merge together, the water ends up falling into the valley. This falling water is called the Aberdulais Falls. This is a very wide waterfall which gives you plenty of falling water to see. The power of these falls is used to simulate a water wheel which was built there. This is the biggest water wheel in Europe for generating electricity.

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn is one of the waterfalls of the Four Waterfalls Walk. The next three waterfalls on the list are also found along this walk. If you are a nature lover, then you will see beautiful waterfalls and gorgeous green wilderness. The first waterfall, Sgwd Club-Gwyn, consists of water that flows down onto the Mellte river. There is an 80-meter viewpoint path that runs along the top of the cliff where the waterfall is located. The name of the waterfall means “fall of the white meadow.”

Sgwd y Pannwr

Sgwd y Pannwr is the next waterfall along the main path. There are red signs that will help guide you on the path toward this location. The Sgwd y Pannwr can be translated as “fall of the fuller” and it is often considered to be a much smaller version of Niagara Falls. This is due to the long shelf along the river where the water falls from. It is nowhere near as big as Niagara Falls but it does look like a scale model of it.

Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn

Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn is the third waterfall on the walk and the name is translated as “lower fall of the white meadow.” You simply keep walking along the bank of the river until you come to a point where the path disappears. There is nothing else you can do but walk over the rocks to continue on your journey. You will eventually come to three rapids that flow into a much wider waterfall. After you have enjoyed seeing this, you will need to head back in the opposite direction because there is a dead end if you continue. 

Sgwd yr Eira

Head back to the main walking trail of the Four Waterfalls walk. Sgwd yr Eira is the fourth and final waterfall to see. The name means “falls of snow” and the water flows from the River Hepste. To get the best view of this waterfall, you need to walk down more than 170 steps until you reach the river. You will then need to walk over very slippery rocks to see the waterfall. Keep going and you can actually walk behind the waterfall and see all the water falling down next to you. If you are a true adventurer, then you’ve got to see this waterfall.

Most sexually open countries in the world to travel

Many countries in the world have laws which forbid sexual openness. If you were to go to virtually any Middle Eastern country, you would find no sexual openness whatsoever. But if you were to go to Europe or America, then it would be a different story. For a long time, the culture in these countries made people think that women were not interested in sex the way men were. However, this was really just society trying to make women feel guilty for wanting sexual pleasure like men do. Ever since feminists started coming out of the woodwork, women have been able to become more sexually open and not be ashamed of it.

So, which are some of the most sexually open countries in the world? Below is a list of the top 5 countries and many of them might surprise you.

Japan

From the outside, Japan is certainly not a country that you would think is sexually open. They are a country that believes in hard work, respect, and honor. With that being said, the Japanese people are very open-minded when it comes to sex. They have pornography, sex shops, and prostitution just like any other country. However, they also have sex bars where people walk around naked and are free to have sex with someone right out in the open. If you travel to Tokyo, you will find these bars if you look for them.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is certainly a more open and free country than the United States in a lot of ways. They are a country which has decriminalized the possession of recreational marijuana for personal use. Not only that, The Netherlands is a very liberal country when it comes to sex. The Dutch people are not afraid to explore their sexuality by having lots of casual sex. Amsterdam, in particular, is a city where you can enjoy lots of casual sex and marijuana at the same time. No wonder so many tourists like to go there.

France

France is a lot more sexually liberal than people might realize. After all, there is a reason why Paris is nicknamed the City of Love. Sure, it is a wonderful place for two people who are in love to vacation and spend time together. But the reality is that the French people enjoy their sexual openness and are not shy about being promiscuous with diverse partners. In just the last 10 years, the average French person has claimed to have a higher number of sexual partners. Women are actually deemed more promiscuous than men.

Germany

The German people have become very open about sex over the past 50 years. According to a recent study, between 17% and 32% of German women on average are cheating on their partners. If you travel to a big city like Berlin, you will find several sex clubs where travelers and visitors can get sex very easily. With such liberalized sexual openness, it is no wonder that so many people are cheating on their partners. At least it is great for the local economy since it attracts tourists to the country.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom seems to be growing a reputation for their increasing level of sexual openness. Most British males have their first sexual experience as teenagers. Their number of total sexual partners is increasing every year too. In fact, the United Kingdom is known for having the most infidelity in comparison to any other country. This might surprise a lot of people because of how developed and sophisticated the country is. But it is still a much liberalized country and it continues to become more liberal as time goes on.

Six Basic Photography Tips for India

India has to be one of the best countries on earth for photography. With its dramatic scenes and vibrant colors, even mediocre photographers like me can leave India with hundreds of great-looking photos on their memory cards and hard drives. In a country where even bad photos often end up looking pretty good, a few simple tips can result in some pretty incredible shots.

1. Don’t Just Center Your Subject

The “Rule of Thirds” is probably the most basic and well-known composition rule—basically, it says to divide your photo into thirds, creating nine rectangles, and to place your main subject on one of the points where the lines intersect. Obviously, your photo will sometimes look better with the subject placed elsewhere, in which case you should feel free to break this rule, but generally, you want to avoid putting your subject in the center. It is almost always more eye-catching when placed off-center.

The camel and rider are centered in this photo

See how much better the photo is when you move the subject off-center

2. Pay Attention to the Foreground or Background

Many amateur photographers, myself included, can become so focused on the main subject, that we completely forget to pay attention to the background behind the subject (or the foreground in front, if the subject is located in the distance). When setting up your shot, scan the whole area of the photograph to make sure there is nothing to distract from your main subject. You want the background (or foreground) to add to the story you are trying to tell with your image, not distract the eye from it.

3. Fill the Frame with the Subject

As a general rule, the closer, the better. This point continues the one above, in that the best way to avoid a distracting background is to minimize the background altogether. So try filling the whole frame with your main subject and see what happens. More often than not, you will end up with a stronger photo.

Filling the frame with the girls makes this a stronger image

4. Use a Fast Shutter Speed to Freeze Motion

If there’s one word to describe India—in the large cities, anyway—it’s chaotic. People, animals, cars, motorbikes, the whole country seems to be in constant motion, which can lead to a lot of blurry photos. In order to avoid this, you need to use a fast shutter speed. I would say, try to get at least 1/500th of a second. On cameras that let you control these settings, your best bet is to use the “shutter priority” setting (labeled Tv on the camera). This setting will let you choose the shutter speed and will then automatically adjust the other settings for you. Many point and shoot cameras do not have manual settings, so you’ll have to check your manual to see which automatic settings use faster shutter speeds. Generally, you’ll want to avoid the landscape setting, as it sacrifices shutter speed for a higher aperture.

Of course, sometimes you’ll want to blur the motion to make your images more dynamic, in which case you should choose a slower shutter speed. In this case, you’ll also need a tripod or some other method to keep your camera steady.

5. Don’t Use a Flash

Of course there are times when using a flash makes sense: if you’re taking pictures of people or an object directly in front of you, for example. But most of the time, you should avoid using a flash. This is especially true for landscape shots, as most flashes have a range of less than five meters and will thus have no effect on lighting the scene. In fact, they will often lighten an object in the foreground–or even dust particles in the air—while making the distant landscape you were trying to capture much too dark. To capture good landscape shots in low light, you’ll have to use a tripod or some other method of holding the camera steady.

Using a flash would have illuminated dust in the air and made the sunset too dark

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Use a Flash on Sunny Days

I know I’m contradicting my previous point, but in certain cases, using a flash on bright, sunny days can greatly improve your images. Basically, when you have a darker subject in the foreground (like a person’s face) and a very bright background (like a bright, sunny sky), you will end up with an image where the foreground is much too dark or the background is much too bright. If you use a flash, you can illuminate the subject in the foreground, while keeping the background properly exposed. I brought this point up, because it is a fairly common situation in India, where you get a lot of bright days.

If you are currently traveling in India or are planning a trip there in the near future, try some of these tips and see if they help. Then try the exact opposite, because the great thing about the digital photography age is that it costs nothing to experiment. And that leads to probably the best tip of all: take as many photos as you need and try every technique you can think of until you get the image you want. Good luck and happy shooting!

Did you find these tips helpful? Do you have any additional tips for beginning photographers? Please feel free to share them in the comments below.

About the author:

Daniel Mcbane

Daniel McBane has been traveling and working overseas for the past ten years. During that time, he has visited numerous countries and experienced countless crazy, hilarious or just plain weird adventures. You can check out his funny stories on his blog DanielMcBane.com. Occasionally, Daniel will even make his way onto Twitter as @DanielMcBane.