If You Build a Boot, They Will Come

Hotel rooms are all well and good, but are they fun? Not really. How about vacationing in a tree house, underwater or perhaps in a giant shoe? Here are some of the unusual accommodation choices available:

High Above

Who says tree houses are just for kids? Adults can get their tree house fix at resorts such as Secrets on the Lake in Queensland, Australia, where the tree houses are built far enough apart that you have total privacy, and come with such amenities as secret balconies, huge showers, fireplaces and sunken spa tubs overlooking the lake. Closer to home (if you're in the Us), The Winivian resort in Connecticut offers a whimsically decorated (but very comfortable) tree house with a full bar.

For something a bit more sparse, head to Vasteras in Sweden, where local artist Mikael Genberg has created "The Woodpecker", a primary Swedish red bungalow 42 feet above ground, right smack in the city center. You climb up a rope ladder to the tiny, Ikea-furnished cabin, which in spite of its small size, has a bed, table and chairs, a balcony, and thank goodness, a toilet. And if you book the De Luxe package, you will get morning meal and supper delivered.

Down Below

How about letting the fishes watch you for a change? At Jules' Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Fl, you can spend the night in their 2-bedroom, underwater study lab located in a mangrove lagoon. And it's not all stainless steel counters and test tubes - it has air conditioning, hot showers and a fully stocked kitchen. The only downside (to some of us anyway) is that you have to scuba dive your way down there, so if that's something you can't photograph doing, this is not for you. If you do want to visit but are not a certified diver, you can take Jules' 3-hour non-certification policy for those who just want to spend the night.

If diving to your bedroom is the last thing you want to do, but still want to give sleeping underwater a try, book a label to Vasteras in Sweden, where Mikael Genberg has once again created an unusual abode (his latest task is construction a petite red bungalow on the moon). The Utter Inn, an over/underwater two-story house in Lake Malaren looks like a classic Swedish red bungalow with a wraparound deck floating on the lake, but inside, the bedroom is one flight down, 9.8 feet below the surface. The upstairs has a bathroom and small kitchen, but if you'd rather take in the landscape than cook, no worries. Once again, the De Luxe container will contribute you with morning meal and supper (delivered by boat).

What About That Boot?

When Judy and Steve Richards built their two-story bungalow in the shape of a giant boot, there was more than one pair of raised eyebrows in Tasman, New Zealand. But the boot, located in the middle of the Able Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks has proven incredibly popular. And no wonder: intended for couples, it's adorable, romantic, warm and cozy (there are fireplaces both indoors and out as well as sub-floor heating) and fully qualified (except for a kitchen - construction codes prohibit that - but an organic morning meal is delivered to your door daily, as is dinner, upon request).

Thailand - The Land of Smiles

Thailand, or the 'land of smiles', is one of the most exotic places to visit for tourists on the face of the planet. Thailand will without fail be in the list of '10 places to visit before I die' for many. Why is Thailand so popular and one of the most visited countries in the world? There is more than one reason for that.

Not for nothing do they call Thailand the 'land of smiles'. There is a good reason why the country has by christened by that name. Thai's are one of those who are known for their hospitality and well mannered behavior. These citizen are very good at heart and make sure that all the citizen who visit their country have the best time of their life. This is a very good reason to visit Thailand but there are more in the list of 'why you should visit Thailand'.

The rich culture and history that Thailand flaunts is other factor that makes it traveled by whole of citizen every year. There are numerous temples beholding some unique history within them. The Grand Palace and the temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok are worth a visit. From there, weather you trip North to the Chiang Mai or South towards Phuket, you will come across temples with definite history that teaches varied aspects of Thai culture. Ayutthaya ruins is other major traveler spot and is Unesco's world heritage spot. However there are more than temples and ruins in Thailand to visit.

Mountainous rainforest of the north thrills many. If you are concerned in trekking Jungles and looking for some real adventure, you can get it in Chiang Mai. You will also have the privilege to visit small but gorgeous Thai villages with citizen who may go out of their way to make your Thailand sense a one to remember. If you are looking for some serenity, you best head towards South. Southern Thailand offers you some of the most pristine beaches you will ever come across in the East. Koh Phi Phi is one of the most popular beaches in Thailand. This is the same beach that has been portrayed in the Di Caprio starring movie, The Beach.

Shopping is other reason why citizen would visit Thailand. Bangkok is becoming shoppers stop for many colse to the world. There are heavy shopping malls all colse to the city with some great prices that they offer for their products. Siam, Paragon and Central World are the names of the biggest shopping malls in Bangkok, if you want to do some branded shopping. Having been done with the malls, do not forget to miss out the weekend Chatuchak market, which is the biggest open shop in the world with more than 15,000 stalls and hundreds of thousands of citizen visiting the market.

All these factors attract visitors from all colse to the world and there is no wonder that Thailand is such a 'must visit' place. Everyone should visit Thailand at least once in their lifetime.

Nelson Mandela's Home For 20 Years

As a sports mad child growing up in New Zealand I will always remember 1981 as a sharp introduction to the real world. That was the year the South African Springbok rugby team toured, and my parents decided I wasn't allowed to go and watch, a decision based on concerns for my safety.

Suddenly one of my favourite sports was being played against a backdrop of barbed wire along the touchlines and large and sometimes violent protests inside and exterior the grounds. One match was even cancelled after protestors managed to invade the ground and make the pitch unsafe to play on.

New Zealand has a long history of competitive sport with South Africa, and what should have been other great sporting occasion was splitting my country in two. Although everyone believed South Africa's apartheid principles was wrong, the protests and debates were over how best to try and sustain change. Several years later I was told by a South African friend that the subsequent sporting sanctions hurt many South Africans more than the Trade Sanctions.

As the years passed I learned more about South Africa, the apartheid system, Robben Island, and the legend that is Nelson Mandela. His publish in 1991, along with other prisoners, and the subsequent free elections were preponderant in New Zealand as in the rest of the world. When a friend suggested a holiday in Capetown in 2004 I put on my replica All Black jersey and got on the plane (even though I could hardly walk, having completed the London Marathon the day before). Robben Island was always going to be the first traveler spot I visited, and the memories it has created, and brought back, will stay with me forever.

As you leave Capetown and Table Mountain behind and head towards the low, barren, windswept Robben Island, it is approximately impossible to dream how it must have felt to make that journey against your will.

The initial bus tour of the island was very informative and often entertaining, for the eight different nationalities represented. We learned a indispensable amount about the older history of the island, and of many of Mandela's less famous, but just as leading fellow prisoners. indispensable reference was made to the "Peace & Reconciliation" processes, and how South Africa is trying to only look forward, while still learning from past mistakes.

The highlight of the visit any way was the guided tour of the high protection prison. These tours are actually led by previous prisoners, and add a great deal to the experience. Walking along the corridor past the cells was an eerie experience. Even though many prisoners are still alive, you got a chill up your spine as if it was haunted. It was so easy to photo prisoners in the cells and warders walking the corridor, it felt as though you had been transported back in time.

Several times the prison guide referred to how he had "only" been imprisoned for five years. I commented to him on leaving that he shouldn't say "only" five years. His immediate response was that they had anticipated to die on the island, so any distance of time before publish was "only"...

Apart from in bad weather, Table Mountain and the surrounding mainland would have always been illustrated from Robben Island, to those prisoners who could only dream of returning there and being free.

Hopefully the spirit and dignity shown by men such as Nelson Mandela and his fellow prisoners will preclude such a principles from ever being allowed to return, and continue to help and inspire other oppressed groups worldwide to realise their dreams of equality and freedom.

Unfortunately, when asked for his memories of apartheid, one of the South Africans on the bus tour stated "I miss the good old days". Within seconds our guide had matched the dignity of Mandela. She calmly replied that everyone was entitled to their opinion.

Thailand Holidays

You will find that most countries have their own extra holidays that they celebrate and follow. It is no dissimilar when you take a look at the holidays in Thailand except you will see that some of them are communal and there are a few that are inexpressive as well. Like many countries some communal holidays are January 1st is New Year's Day. This is a day for them to celebrate the starting of the solar and the Gregorian year. The 3rd of February is a day to observe Buddhist. April 6th is the Chakri Memorial Day.

A three day holiday is the Songkran Festival from April 13th through the 15th and is a big holiday each year. There is also Coronation Day, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Vesak which all fall in May. In July the holidays in Thailand are Asalha Puja and Vassa and in August is the Hm the Queen's Birthday. In October there is Chulalongkom Day where they pay tribute to King Chulalongkorn and his passing. He certainly passed away in 1910 and was loved by all who knew him and is still remembered by everyone today.

December sees several dissimilar dates such as Hm the King's Birthday, Constitution Day and New Year's Eve. They all last only a day but each one celebrates something that is very important to the country. Each of these holidays in Thailand are carefully communal holidays and are predominant by everyone that lives there. If you plan on visiting for a vacation you may want to plan your trip during a time where you can experience one of these holidays to see what their tradition is all about. You may find that you will certainly enjoy yourself during one of these celebrations and get the opportunity to join in.

There are also national observances that the government may celebrate but they are not seen as holidays. You will also see by seeing at a calendar that there are many other days that they celebrate as well. They may not be carefully as holidays in Thailand that everyone observes but many do ensue the tradition for these days. These include National Agriculture Day, the Chinese New Year, Valentine Day and the Duanwu Festival. There are many other days that they observe and although you may find that places are not closed, many still take the day to celebrate.

You are going to find that there are local names for each of these days so you may want to learn how to avow some of them if you are going to visit. Although they may understand which one you are speaking of, many of the locals appreciate it when you can speak the native name for the holidays in Thailand. You will find that many of the festivals are a lot of fun with music, dancing and food just as where you live. But, it is always great to be able to experience something new when it comes to traveling the world or going on vacation.