Wednesday, April 25, 2018

8 highlights, sights and things to do at Khao Lak, Thailand


This list is taken from an article by the TravelDudes - http://www.traveldudes.org which can be read in full here - http://www.traveldudes.org/travel-tips/8-highlights-sights-and-things-do-khao-lak-thailand/2484
  


1)     Police Boat 813 - where the tsunami in 2004 deposited it here - https://goo.gl/maps/9cotTrwPo522

2)    Chong Fah Waterfall - https://goo.gl/maps/UcGHTSsGaPJ2 in the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park

3)    Takuapa and the Old Town - http://www.easydaykhaolak.com/takuapa-old-town/


4)    Lampi Waterfall - a popular place to visit - https://goo.gl/maps/L49wCBr6LRQ2

5)    Khao Sok National Park -  http://www.khaosok.com - a large national park with ancient rainforest, limestone cliffs, waterfalls, rare flora and fauna - https://goo.gl/maps/fwRSp76citu

6)    Khao Lak-Ram Ru National Park - https://goo.gl/maps/qmLMq2NZrkK2


7)    Cheow Lan Lake and Ratchaprapha Dam เขื่อนรัชชประภา - here’s a trip someone made - http://www.trekthailand.net/places/11/ and here’s where it is http://rpb.egat.com

8)    Diving in the Similan Islands

We would like you to stay with us at Kantary Beach in Khao Lak https://www.kantarycollection.com/kantarybeach-khaolak/

Photographs courtesy of Instagram and melli209, shiftesz and mitibos

      

Thursday, April 19, 2018

10 Authentic things to try whilst you are in Phuket



 This list is taken from an article by the Travelling King (https://www.travellingking.com) which can be read in full here - https://www.travellingking.com/10-authentic-experiences-try-phuket/

Phuket is one of those places in Thailand whose reputation precedes it. Fittingly called the pearl of the Andaman, the island lures millions of travelers every year.”

     1) Marvel at the #BuddhaCave in #PhangNga - Wat Suwan Khuha - https://goo.gl/maps/m2EgFWvWaAr

2) Take a Thai Cooking Class - this can be done at #CapePanwaHotel - https://www.capepanwa.com/activities.php 


3) Explore #PhuketOldTown - this can be done by yourself - (here’s an App - https://www.gpsmycity.com/gps-tour-guides/phuket-4988.html) or contact Phuket Heritage Trails - https://www.phuketheritagetours.com

4) Visit the fisherman village of #KohPanyee - https://goo.gl/maps/dVyXpSyWrmu

5) Shop and eat at the Night Markets



6) Give a shot at #MuayThai

7) Gorge on the #Seafood at #BangPae - https://goo.gl/maps/YoaZhyfwLwT2 



8) Check out the #Phuket Amulet Market - http://timinphuket-thingstodo.blogspot.com/2016/04/amulet-alley.html

9) Sail aboard the Chinese Junk boat #JuneBahtra - https://www.facebook.com/junebahtra
10) Pamper yourself with a Traditional Thai Massage – which can be enjoyed adjacent to the beach at Cape Panwa Hotel - https://www.capepanwa.com - or nearby




      

Monday, April 16, 2018

BKK 101 - Ayutthaya


Thailand certainly is an amazing place and has an enormous number of beautiful places to visit.

Each week we post a link to an article in Bangkok 101 - https://www.bangkok101.com/  - this week we chose to share an article written by Dr Tom Vitayakul and his unique take on Thailand and Ayutthaya - https://www.bangkok101.com/on-ayutthaya-oct-2017/

“With five revolving dynasties and 33 kings, backstabbing, coup d’ètats, treason, poisoning and plain old murder were just part of the game. Some of these monarchs were on the throne for only two months or less.”

The history of the Ancient City started centuries ago with the mixing of the Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Persians and more began to mingle with the local people. Kings built their palaces here to “escape the prying eyes of the main court” – which meant that Ayutthaya was always filled with something special.

Ayutthaya lost its sovereignty twice to Burma (1569 and 1767) – and could regain it, which left much of the temples in Ayutthaya in ruins and now it is a UNESCO site.

Dr Tom Vitayakul has some recommendations for us;

- Favourite temple: Wat Nha Phra Mane - https://goo.gl/maps/sQxdNXAG3TB2 - where there is a traditional green Buddha statue.

- Place for History Buffs: Ayutthaya Historical study centre - https://goo.gl/maps/TuQfzY13jT52 - where there are interesting exhibitions to be found.

- Real treasures: Chao Sam Phyra National Museum: - https://goo.gl/maps/NQpjZWuCjvp - where there are priceless pieces to see - https://www.renown-travel.com/daytripsayutthaya/chaosamphrayamuseum.html

- Romantic Ruins: Wat Chai Wattanaram - https://goo.gl/maps/qf4Ves7ytox - on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and best viewed as the sun is setting - https://www.wmf.org/project/wat-chaiwatthanaram

- Popular: Bang Pa-In Summer Palace.

If you are unable to get all that way to Ayutthaya there is a scaled down version at the Ancient City in Samut Prakan - http://ancientcitygroup.net/ancientsiam/en/ but if you can please stay with us at Kantary Hotel AyutthayaOR Classic Kameo Ayutthaya. 





      

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Songkran Temple Tour in Bangkok


Celebrate the Thai New Year by making merit at ten well-known temples around Bangkok.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, together with the BMTA, are organising an event called “Sawadee Pee Mai Thai… Wai Phra 10 Wat” (สวัสดีปีใหม่ไทย… ไหว้พระ10วัด). 

Thai Buddhists and foreign tourists are invited aboard a special free bus service from 6th to 17th April to make merit at 10 temples during the Songkran New Year holiday. 

The service runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm and starts from the Victory Monument.


The ten temples are as follows: 

The Marble Temple – https://goo.gl/maps/TAuJdufMkv72

Wat Sam Phraya Worawiharn – https://goo.gl/maps/gEZ5NWJLNSJ2

Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawihan – https://goo.gl/maps/DgZg7WP2sNB2

Wat Bowonniwet – https://goo.gl/maps/jmDr7amS2Hq


Temple of the Emerald Buddha – https://goo.gl/maps/4H9XTYxMCvD2

Temple of the Reclining Buddha – https://goo.gl/maps/S16v1yf2EFP2


Wat Ratchanatda (Metal Castle) – https://goo.gl/maps/68nruX9Hubp



 A gentle reminder of what #Songkran and all the water is about, please dress with respect.


      

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Ayutthaya - what to do, eat, visit and stay (1)

Photo courtesy of Instagram and aucoeurdutemps

Cape+Kantary is a magazine that you will find in all the #CapeandKantary Properties. In every edition there is an ‘Insider Guide’ – what to do, where to eat, what to visit and where to stay. In this magazine - https://www.capekantaryhotels.com/ckmagazine/Issue15/index.html (page81) our writers visited Ayutthaya and stayed at Classic Kameo Ayutthaya.

Do
- Rent a bicycle near the Ayutthaya railway station and explore the historic city BUT always check the bicycle before you leave with it

Eat
- At the Tapestry Restaurant and take a selection of Dim Sum BUT make sure to request the signature ‘xiaw longbao’ – perfectly prepared with just the right balance of soup and flavoured pork in a soft textured bun!

Visit
- Wat Mahathat - known for the Buddha head lodged between the roots of a tree. Location: https://goo.gl/maps/cfH3eDYM2tP2

Stay
- Classic Kameo Ayutthaya - https://www.kameocollection.com/ClassicKameo-Ayutthaya/index.html  - offering fully equipped deluxe studios and one bedroomed suites which are ideal for short and long stays.


      

Friday, April 6, 2018

Chakri Memorial Day - 6th of April




วันจักรี
ซึ่งตรงกับวันที่ ๖ เมษายนของทุกปีนั้น เป็นวันที่น้อมระลึกถึงพระมหากรุณาธิคุณของ พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลกมหาราช (รัชกาลที่ ๑) เสด็จเถลิงถวัลยราชสมบัติเป็นปฐมกษัตริย์แห่งราชวงศ์จักรี และทรงพระกรุณาโปรดเกล้าฯ ให้สถาปนากรุงเทพมหานครเป็นเมืองหลวงของประเทศไทย ตลอดจนพระมหากรุณาธิคุณของพระมหากษัตริย์ทุกพระองค์ในราชวงศ์จักรีที่มีต่อประเทศไทยจนปัจจุบัน


Chakri Memorial Day celebrates the start of the Chakri Dynasty and the founding of Bangkok by King Rama 1 in 1782 CE as well as the contribution of all the Chakri kings to the present day.

Thank you https://goo.gl/pKh5xZ for picture


      

Monday, April 2, 2018

Long Live HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn




เนื่องในโอกาสวันคล้ายวันพระราชสมภพ ๖๓ พรรษา
ทรงพระเจริญ
ควรมิควรสุดแล้วแต่จะทรงพระกรุณาโปรดเกล้าโปรดกระหม่อม
ข้าพระพุทธเจ้า คณะผู้บริหารและพนักงาน บริษัท เกษมกิจ จำกัด และ เคป แอนด์ แคนทารี โฮเทลส์ 


Long Live HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
In Celebration of Her Highness’ 63rd Birthday
The management and employees of Kasemkij Company Limited and Cape and Kantary Hotels
      

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Route One of the Walking Routes in Bangkok.




Route One of the Walking Routes in Bangkok.


Stop 1: Yaowarat China Town Heritage Museum - this is an amazing place to visit but can be very busy
   location: https://goo.gl/maps/trj2kHhnU6u  



Stop 2: China Town Gateway  - a wonderful and unexpected part of a roundabout marking one entrance to China Town, built in 1999 to commemorate the King's birthday 
   location: https://goo.gl/maps/SPeBW477ksw    

Stop 3: Eiah Sae 益生 - this is one of the last traditional Chinese coffee shops that can be found in Bangkok
   location: https://goo.gl/maps/PunbJmBZM5Q2    

Stop 4: Tang Toh Kang Gold Shop - one of the original gold shops in Bangkok - still trading and there is a museum (but not always open)
   location: https://goo.gl/maps/KGeS3y8WQ7A2    

Stop 5: Thai Heng Restaurant - a traditional Chinese restaurant which is very popular with the local community



Stop 6: Wat Bampen Chine Prote (Wat Yong Hok Yi) วัดบำเพ็ญจีนพรต (วัดย่งฮกยี่) - a large Wat with lots of places to investigate
  

Stop 7: Wat Kanmatuyaram (Wat Yo Khan Tue) วัดกันมาตุยาราม - a Sri-Lankan style bell can be found in the grounds



 Stop 8: Wat Mangkon Kamalawat - still known as Wat Leng Noei Yi and is a very large structure


Stop 9: Leng Buai la Shrine - a small shrine with an ancient bell and a special incense burner inside 
   location: https://goo.gl/maps/J9uZ2dFAwmG2   



Stop 10: Thian Fah Foundation Hospital - started in 1902 and their goal was to treat the impoverished

Thinking of staying in Bangkok? 

Then stay with us at Cape House Hotel -  https://www.capehouse.com - or Kantary House - https://www.kantarycollection.com/kantaryhouse-bangkok/