About
I am Pedro Ivo Strada, son of Rita Oliveira Strada, daughter of Yvonne Oliveira Strada and Oswaldo Strada.Following
This is the elephant we rode in Chiang Mai, Thailand and its baby. Beautiful animals!
It was liking entering the 13th Century.
Angkor, Cambodia
In Cambodia children work, sell and even beg for money to help support their families. I have never seen more persistent and driven souls as I did in Siem Reap.
Here is a young girl who met us at the top of the Bayon temple…I will always remember her face, her eyes, her struggle. They say pain and desperation ages a person; I now understand.
This is what my life felt like for 18 days…felt more like 2 months…living out of a duffle bag gets tiring…but brings you and your luggage so much closer. : )
Beach parties are just not the same in Thailand…be careful not to burn yourself.
So, the Director of Openaid International, a non-profit organization I volunteer for, was kind enough to bestow some very crucial knowldge upon me in order to guide me through both physically and culturally safe travels in Thailand. He has spent years working in SouthEast Asia and as an Australian he has seen firsthand the biggest mishaps Westerners make. Here ya go:
Currency Exchange: You can change US$ or AU$ to Thai baht everywhere in Thailand (airport rate is sometimes a little lower but not too bad). Many places on Sukhumvit Road (where is your hotel in Bangkok?) and Pattaya.
Food: Be cautious eating at road-side stalls, especially watch for spicy food with chili (ask for not spicy or ‘mai phet’). In a nutshell, when most people come to Thailand it’s inevitable that sooner or later ‘stomach pains’ will confront! There’s so much western food now in Thailand, and almost every proper restaurant serves very good (clean) food.
Human Trafficking: Be very careful of girls in bars. Almost every bar in Thailand has girls ‘for sale’ and it’s pretty hard for first time travelers to understand the reality and responsibility for girls available for sale. Almost every establishment you go to will offer girls and they’ll treat you very, very well! Most young men think that it’s amazing and really that the girls are brilliant and happy selling their services.
I ask every visitor to understand that ‘girls for sale in Thailand’ have unique vulnerabilities and at almost every level of society they are exploited.
Degraves Alley in Melbourne
Here, graffiti is ART.
First of all, let me just say if you are traveling to Southeast Asia, or anywhere for that matter, use www.Travelfish.org for information and tips…it has provided great advice so far on finding cheap and quality accommodation.
Also, if you want to save on accommodation, guest houses are the way to go. They are much cheaper than hotels and there are plenty everywhere in Southeast Asia. If you are lost as to where to start this may give you an idea.
Where we will be staying:
Bangkok:
Traveler Details:
‘This was my first stay in Le Fenix and also my first visit to Bangkok. The entire hotel is very modern, minimalistic and stylish. Overall, it is comfortable, and definitely value for money. The restaraunt food was good and they do cater to vegetarians. The hotel staff is very courteous and helpful. I will definitely consider staying again at the hotel.’
What we paid: $35 US per person/night (Double room, sleeps 2). Not a very economical deal, but more of a hotel atmosphere compared to guest houses. Staying 1 night.
Travelfish Details:
‘Every now and then you find a gem of a guesthouse and Sam Sen Sam Place is such a place. While the wooden building that houses the deluxe rooms is 100 years old, the guesthouse had only been operating for about a year when we visited in Feb 2009, and suffice to say that short of another revelation, this is one of the best places to stay in all of Bangkok. Well decorated with a homely feel, the beds are firm with sharp linens and an attention to detail one doesn’t expect in this price-range. Bathrooms are immaculate and there’s a small garden cafe on site. There’s also internet access, a small traveler’s library and some travel brochures available. Highly recommended.
What we paid: 790 Baht for standard A/C room ($13US per night/per person, sleeps 2). Staying 2 nights.
Chiang Mai:
Travelfish Details:
‘This is one of the best options in town for basic but clean rooms with a couple of extra amenities at a good price. Friendly and helpful staff administer very clean (very blue) spacious rooms which all have a private bathroom and hot shower. Some have a fridge and tv with a selection of English channels. Downstairs has a garden cafe, and a full service restaurant serving Thai and western food. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, but in the evening during high season only. This place is often full, even in the low season. Be sure to call or mail them in advance to reserve a room.’
What we paid: 500 Baht for King Bed A/C ($8 per person/night, sleeps 2). Staying 2 nights.
Koh Samui:
Traveler Review:
‘A very nice Thai style hotel. Nothing fancy, but all in order. Hotel location is perfect in Chaweng, just minutes away from everything. Hotel has a VERY NICE beach, just 10m from the water (White Sand- no rocks). Good breakfast and VERY GOOD resturant, sitting on the beach at night. Clean and nice rooms, hot water needed a bit of tweaking in our room, but worked OK. Bed is a little hard. Very helpfull and friendly staff. ‘
What we paid: 1500 baht Superior room twin beds ($23US per person/night). Staying 1 night and requesting extra bed, extra 700 baht.
Phuket:
Plan to book resort there. Leave some flexibility in your trip.
Siem Reap, Cambodia:
Travelfish Details:
‘We stayed at Mandalay Inn during our last visit, and throughout our trips through competing hotels were constantly reminded of the incredible bargain we were getting. It’s close to the road and a three-minute walk to the Old Market, but shrouded behind trees which keep everything nice and quiet. The rooms are spacious and brand new — fitted out with cable TV, minibars and hot water showers. Air-con and fan rooms are identical — the price just changes depending on whether they enable the air-con. Set on quite a busy road, you’d be well advised to go for a room towards the rear of the building if you want a solid night’s sleep. Other facilities include free WiFi, which can now be used in every room, and a simple but efficient rooftop gym. The Burmese owners speak great English and are incredibly helpful with booking trips and providing advice. The staff are fantastic too. Try some of the Burmese dishes on offer. Recommended.
What we paid: $16 US per night for 1 twin beds room (sleeps 2). Included free airport pickup. Staying 3 nights.
Total Paid for accommodation: $146
Total for accommodation and flights (minus Phuket): $1138
BEERS!
HARGREAVES HILL BREWING COMPANY
Great Beer Tasting of 5 Beers for $7
Beers we tasted:
Hargreaves Hill Pale Ale
Pale is brewed from a blend of specialty malts which add character and complexity to the flavour, and supply a rich cognac hue. Pale is bittered with American grown Cascade hops, and a late addition to the boil provides the citric floral notes which are released immediately after pouring, balanced with the toasty aromas of the crystal malt - a highly roasted malt variety.
Hargreaves Hill “The Bohemian”
Brewed with 100% pilsner malt, leaving it with a bright straw hue. Cold fermentation and extended lagering (cold storage) period ensures a crisp dryness, complemented by considerable bitterness. Dry hopped with Czech Saaz hops adds white pepper character to the finish.
Hargreaves Hill ESB (My Personal Favorite)
A “new world” interpretation of the classic English style. This ale features considerable crystal malt character, as a backbone to carry the hefty bitterness. Substantially dry hopped with carefully selected hops from either the U.S., NZ, or Australia, this adds aromatic and flavour notes of ripe passionfruit.
Hargreaves Hill Dunkelweizen
A stout in the “Foreign Export” style. With a pronounced roast barley character, this dark ale features generous palate weight, and considerable length.
Trumer Pils
From the 400 year old craft brewery in Salsburg, Austria, this German style pilsner is widely regarded as one of the finest. A well integrated lager, light coloured with Hallertauer noble hops, and a crisp dry finish.
