Royal Flora Ratchaphruek

Festival of plant life will be held in the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek of Thai Chiang Mai from November 9, 2011 to February 15, 2012. A total area of 800 thousand square meters of exhibition space will be, where you will see different kinds of flowers and other plants more than 30 countries.

The festival is aimed to draw the attention of visitors and residents to rare species of vegetation and conservation, as well as the healthy aspect of human life. For many visitors to open exhibitions. The event is timed to the 84th anniversary of the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and 80th birthday of Queen Sirikit.

To guests Royal Flora Ratchaphruek was easy to focus on its vast territory, the organizers even released a free application for smartphones. Tickets for the festival for adults cost 200 baht ($ 6.5), for children, students, disabled and elderly people – 100 baht (just over $ 3). Those who bought tickets online before November 8 will get 50 percent discount, according to the website of the event.

Chiang Mai

Temple of the Sun, Kanark

Worldwide, there are over 1.5 dozen of temples dedicated to celestial body, without which there would be no life on earth – the Sun. About 10 temples of the Sun is in India, the rest – in China, Thailand, Pakistan, USA, South America. One of the temple stands on the shores of the Indian state of Orissa sun, in a small village Kanark.

This is not the largest of the temples of the Sun (the largest in South America), and not the oldest (the oldest temple of the Sun is in the territory of modern Pakistan). But the temple in Kanark is probably the most majestic of extant – in fact, many ancient temples have survived in the ruins. It was built in the XIII century and is a huge chariot drawn by horses with 12 wheels, which represents the course of the sun. In the church there are a lot of pictures and sculptures of figures, mostly on erotic theme.

The temple has the shape of a chariot being dragged by seven horses. True, the horse sculptures badly damaged, it is difficult to discern. On the walls of the temple carved out of stone of 12 pairs of huge wheels (equal to the number of months per year), and the whole structure represents the course of the Sun from dawn to dawn, and the movement of life.

Originally the church was much larger and grander, it consisted of 3 buildings. It is preserved to our time Jagamohana Hall (or Hall for receptions) and a dance hall. The main part of the church in which worship was twice preserved Jagamohana, but in the early 19th century it was destroyed by hurricanes and tsunamis, which often occur on the shores of Bay of Bengal. But those buildings that have survived in place of the temple of the sun, amazing courage and beauty of ideas and the extent of its implementation.

The walls of the temples are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting animals, humans, geometric patterns. On the walls of the dance hall carved stone figures of dancing men and women.

Angkor, Cambodia

The temple complex of Angkor in Cambodia is an architectural masterpiece. It was built in the jungle at the beginning of the XII century, then, two centuries later, by some mysterious circumstances was abandoned by the Khmers (previously it was their the capital).

Cambodia – The Angkor temple complex

Soon the jungle swallowed Angkor, concealing it for several centuries under the dense thickets of the rainforest. The only thing that could not hide the forest, was stony ledge built which was accidentally discovered in 1861 by the French naturalist. Soon archaeologists have revealed the world a magnificent Angkor. Today, visitors are stunned by the architectural decoration and excellent stone carving. Most striking to note exquisite female figures (“apsaras”), located around Angkor.

The temple complex of Angkor is the only facility built man in the past and that the size is equal to the square of Paris. This whole “town” is called Angkor. The main building of the temple complex:

Phnom – looking at it one can tell what a destructive force have jungle. The roots of a banyan tree entangle him like a giant octopus. Banteay Srey – is a tiny “diamond” of Angkor. Sculptures of Banteay are delicious. Angkor Tom - occupies a vast territory and should be much larger than its neighbor, the temple complex of Angkor. But its construction is not as well preserved. This place is more interesting to archaeologists than for the tourists.

Terracote Warriors

The complex is the tomb of Qin Shih Huang Ti is the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty – is located at the foot of Mount Lishan in more than 20 km from the city of Xian in Shaanxi province. Tomb is striking in its originality. Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210 years. BC.) created China’s first centralized state and proclaimed himself as the founder of the Qin empire. Claiming during his life to rule over all the kingdoms, Qin Shi Huang couldn’t accept the loneliness after his death. To date, the complex tomb are discovered the ruins of more than 600 graves and crypts for burial objects that were buried with the dead. On campus the tomb of Qin Shih Huang Ti found three grand tomb in which the buried terracotta statues of warriors and steeds of war. This terracotta army in detail reproduce this military unit, staffed by all the rules of the Qin empire.

According to preliminary estimates, after excavation of all three crypts it will be possible to extract more than 7000 terracotta statues of warriors than 600 terracotta statues of horses, more than a hundred chariots, a few hundred thousand samples of weapons. Statues of warriors and horses are made at full-length, the height of the statues of soldiers is ranging from 1.7 to 2 m, which averages about 1.8 m. Each figure is unique. The warriors are different in appearance, posture, facial expression, as if each statue was clung from real people. The height of the statues of horses usually reaches 1.5 m, body length – 2 meters long was found just a few of the statues of warriors and steeds of war, forming part of the tomb complex of Qin Shih Huang Ti, but now this the discovery is regarded as a miracle. Archaeologists say: the tomb complex of Qin Shih Huang Ti is too grandiose to reveal all its secrets. If to work in the traditional way, then to excavate the entire complex are needed at least 200 years. It is still unknown how many more wonders the tomb of Qin Shihuna hides, and for how long will remain the undisturbed sleep a mysterious underground palace.

The Great Chinese Wall

For local residents and all foreigners entering the country, the Great Wall of China has been and will be a symbol of China.

At the entrance to the renovated part of it is the inscription of Mao Zedong: “If you is not been to the Great Wall of China – you’re not a real Chinese.”
The Wall – is one of the largest and most skilled construction and technical installations in the world. It stretches from the Liaodong Bay, north-east of Beijing over the North China in the Gobi desert.

Data on its length are distinct and varied. The distance from one end to the other is 2450 km, but if you consider the waste of its other ramparts, you get 6000 – 6500 km. The Great Wall runs across the border of China, but it is a protected area and only a few parts of it are opened to the public. One of such places is Badaling Pass, the second - Juyong Pass, they are both located near Beijing.

Its present guise the Wall owns the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, the tombs of which are located nearby. In many ways, it was just re-built, earth mounds replaced with brick and stone reliable facilities.

Watch towers 12 meters high, sustained winds and bad weather, have survived to our days. Once with their sites in case of enemy attack alarm passed through the signal lights at night, and smoke signals by day. Some parts of this wall have been reconstructed to recreate the old historic look and feel with a more spectacular show of this marvel, built by human hands.

The Great Wall was built as a defense line to protect the Chinese Empire from enemies. Old people say: “If one protects the gate, then 10,000 soldiers will not go.”

InterContinental Hotels also use a variety of natural flavors in the rooms. It is predicted that in the future smells will play an increasingly important role in attracting customers, strengthening the commitment to the brand. The region has seen sales rise aromatics and flavors the air by 2014 revenue from this business should be up to $ 3 billion and $ 1.5 billion, respectively, the report said WTM on global trends – 2010 (Global Trends Report), made in conjunction with Euromonitor International.

Chinese Tourists

The increasing flow of Chinese tourists on the Indonesian resort of Bali, not only changes the dynamics of the tourist market, but faces figures of the gods.

Just a few years ago, in this predominantly Hindu island of almost all of these figures depict Hindu gods, among whom the god Ganesh has an elephant head and the god Vishnu, seated on a horse with wings. “Chinese tourists – is the future of Bali, so we adapted to them many things to satisfy their tastes. The problem is that they do include full service, they have their own guides, they stay in their hotels and eat in separate restaurants, “- says Adi Vyayya, a local tourist guide.

Despite the global economic crisis, the number of Chinese tourists overseas has risen in the past year by 5.2% to 42.2 million people in 2000 was less than 7 million, while their spending increased in comparison with 2008 by 16% to $ 42mlrd .

More than two-thirds of Chinese tourists visiting Hong Kong or Macau, the two separate territories controlled by China. But now a group of Chinese tourists armed with cameras and ready to spend a lot of money when you travel, you can see around the world. The appearance of Japanese tourists on the global tourism market in the 80′s of last century is nothing compared with the current stream of Chinese.

Analysts say that the emergence of Chinese tourists from almost anywhere – this is significant, a watershed event for the global tourist market. Until 2003, the only place outside Asia-Pacific area, where the Chinese government permitted to leave their visitors, were Turkey and Egypt. Since then Beijing has approved nearly 100 countries as places where the Chinese can go to rest. In June 2008, came permission to travel to the U.S., but only to those Chinese who live in the largest and most affluent areas.

Last year, at a recent French government study of the Chinese were the largest group of tourists in comparison with other countries, spending the most money shops. This is despite the fact that in 2008 about the number of Chinese tourists in France fell by 17%. French tour operators say that they are developing additional shop tours for Chinese tourists. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, the most famous shopping malls in the heart of Paris, made a special label and introduced special services for Chinese customers.

The Italian government is developing a costly program to attract wealthy Chinese, thus attempting to halt a growing flow of Chinese coming to the country on a tourist visa and then illegally to stay there.

In the U.S., some hotels, including Marriott International, introduced in the Chinese restaurant menu for breakfast and to employ personnel of various ranks who speaks Chinese. “The Chinese tourists have a great desire to travel abroad az, besides a very noticeable increase in their welfare. We in turn try to understand what can bring them to our resorts located throughout the world, “- said Mr. Marriott.

Results of research conducted by host countries, show that the Chinese like most do shopping and the vast majority of them prefer to travel in a group. The bulk of Chinese tourists do not care about the conditions in which they stop, as they prefer to save money on hotels, to spend more in stores. “This is part of culture, when I go abroad I have to bring gifts to parents and friends. There is another explanation: the expensive things, such as bags of firm «Hermès» can not be bought in China, “- said the young Chinese tourists, which often goes shopping in the U.S. and Europe.

This recently formed in the tourist area made the tour operator precedence expensive TourService «DmAfrica» close its sales office in Shanghai that sold safari tours in Africa. “We came to this decision, because the Chinese tourists who want to buy expensive foreign trips there. The Chinese want to spend money on things, but not at hotels, “- said Paul Humphreys, executive director of the company.

He said that the tour operators in China are tied to commissions from shopping, Chinese tourists and tours often sell discount, receiving and then profit from the commission of the retail price. This in turn increases the interest in shopping.

“Today the system is based on commissions received from purchases made by tourists. We have a rather strange situation where the majority of foreign tour operators are losing money or going bankrupt because of the small commission from the purchases of tourists. So on the day on five hits stores account for only one sightseeing. When started traveling the Japanese and Koreans, they too rode groups and focus on shopping. Now, finally, the tourists will go to Paris with a cultural program, visit the Louvre or participate in a master class on chocolate making, instead of running headlong for the purchase of bags in the shopping center “Louis Vuitton”, “- said Guy Rubin, a partner of Imperial Tours in Beijing.

A favorite drink of the Thais - cold water («naam yen»). The broad popular coffee («kaafae»), tea («naam chaa»), various lemonades («naam adlom»), beer («bia») and all sorts of brandy («Lao»). Very popular and juices, which they drink and fresh («naam khan»), and with ice and syrup («naam pan»).

In Thai cooking there is a refreshing dessert, which actually is a good aphrodisiac. Just imagine – bazelika seeds in coconut milk! Prepare it is quite simple, but for this you need to get real coconuts (it’s not quite what we sold in stores), sweet Thai basil and palm sugar … Seeds of basil, place in water, stir and let settle for ten minutes, then drain the water and the seeds Lay the cups. Chop the sword coconut, pour liquid (it can be used to make soft drink), as part of a spoon remove the flesh and mix with basil seeds. Prepare coconut cream, dissolve them in palm sugar (to taste), pour it into cups with the seeds of basil, refrigerate and serve.

Wine. At the chic restaurant you can order wine: the emergence of mead to drink wine among the elite and middle class in Thailand began to deliver a truly high quality wines. For Thai cuisine suited Gewurztraminer, the Chinese and Japanese – Riesling (on restaurant prices – about 1000 baht per bottle) Now the good wine is served and a medium-sized restaurants, where food is usually good and the prices of food and drinks are lower than in luxury Thai bars. In the Thailand make wines as exotic palm trees, and conventional grape, and vine seedlings were exported from France. Italy and Spain. Wine consumption is growing annually by 52%, and the temples of 7.3%. But if you want to order imported wine in the restaurant, remember a very high mark-up on imports.

Beer. In other restaurants you can order a beer: Thai-Singha (B0-100 baht), Kloster (easier and more expensive) or Amarit. Almost everywhere there is beer Haynekken “and” Carlsberg “. Beer in Thailand was poured over 400 million liters per year (in 1987, was poured only 95 million liters), despite the relatively high cost of the drink because of high state taxes. This is explained by the fact that the consumption of beer corresponds to a higher social status, because wealthy Thais prefer beer to local temples. Although its price is 30 to 80 baht depending on e. where to drink. The most popular types of beer is Singha, about 90% of Thai market. It’s pretty sturdy-6 degrees, so if you want to keep a clear head as long as possible and do not want to sleep ahead of time preference for lighter beers of the same class-Gold. Kloster beer brands and Amarit has a single manufacturer. These stamps are suitable to anyone who believes Singha too strong, and Carlsberg too expensive. Carlsberg beer is sweeter and easier than Singha, it is the same and the most expensive. The market appeared and new brands of beer, professionals and amateurs are praising them, it’s Elephant (Chang). In Thailand, many pubs where you can also dine.

Spirits. The most prestigious drinks are expensive whiskeys and brandies. But in many restaurants, with the exception of hotel, from the drinks may be only a few varieties of beer and Thai whiskey. In Asia more than e rest of the world alcohol count as vices condemned by society, so it consumes less. In Thailand, producing local varieties of whiskey. They are cheap and quite satisfactory. Veski Mekong drink with soda water or cola, ice and green lemon. Song Thip whiskey is made from sugar cane, it is somewhat more expensive than the Mekong, but no less strong. Local jet sipping imported whiskey. If you want to deliver the Thais pleasure, give him a whiskey of 12-year exposure.

Bangkok

Bangkok – is the city of pleasure. It is difficult to feel like a traveler, rather a lazy tourist. Three basic human needs, exacerbated to the limit. You want to sleep well, have a delicious, fun and all that the city is ready to give you at any time of day, here and now.

Bangkok feel, with the first breath at the exit of the airport building. The smell of the city completely covers you in a taxi, hovering over you on every street. High humidity concentrates odors. The aroma of wood, earth, flowering plants, mixed with the smell of food cooking in the street, hangs over you, causing a slight gasp.

City of Angels – City of Contrasts. So alongside the new skyscraper will be required to stand pair, three wooden shacks and a neighborhood not so surprising. It is difficult to wonder surrounding reality does not seem strange or aggressive, it is easy to dissolve.

No matter how you see Bangkok. Will this kind of night city from a height Bayoke Sky or type of waking up quarters with the height of Wat Arun, you’ll fly on the muddy Chao Phraya in an unknown direction, or catch a bright pink taxi and send to Soi Cowboy. Whether you come back the next evening in a bar on Kaosane and drink with the owner to the loss of pulse or decorum will explore the Mega Mall in the center. Love this city…

Kimono

Kimono – a traditional Japanese clothing worn by men, women and children. But very often in a kimono can see the women, as originally it was the clothing geisha. It is worn not only on holidays, but also in everyday days. For example, during the holidays trying to put a bright kimono, with a variety of patterns. It could be flowers, fish, birds and much more. Everyday is a kimono usually dark colors and simple colors. The same kimono differs from the material. This can be silk, which is more expensive, or cotton. For women’s kimono as a symbol of femininity, purity and nobility. A popular if this type of clothing now?

Kimono – clothing fashionistas in our time, no magazine is complete without a photo shoot in a kimono. Heroes anime cartoons at least once appear on the screen in this kind of clothing. At the fashion show is always a collection of the most exciting colors. For example, in a popular magazine “Popteen” appeared advertising a new collection of “Kyoto Sweet Collection”.

Kimono is chosen depending on age, marital status and type of event:

Kurotomesode – black kimono, having image just below the waistline. This is the most formal kimono for married women. It is also often used at weddings in dresses mother of bride and groom.

Furisode – kimono with long sleeves. This is the most formal kimono for unmarried women, it is worn bridesmaids on the wedding.

Irotomesode – monochrome kimono, painted below the waist. This type of kimono a little less formal than kurotomesode.

Homongi – kimono for receptions. It is present along the image of the shoulders and sleeves. Wear it both married and unmarried women.

Tsukesage – ornaments are more modest than homongi. Most of them covers the space below the waist.

Iromudzi – it is worn by women in tea ceremonies. Fabric is always one color.

Comon – kimono with a fine figure, so they can be worn as a city and a restaurant.

Edo komon - kimonos in peas. In the Edo era it was worn samurai.

Uchikake – formal kimono, which are the bride or which appear on stage. Dresses over the kimono as a raincoat. Usually a bright color or white.

Mofuku – kimono, made of black silk. All accessories to the kimono, too black. He dresses in the day of the funeral processions.

This beautiful dress inspired and continues to inspire many people to write poems, paintings, to make a film and much more. Kimono – part of the history of Japan, which is not yet finished.