GadlingTV’s Travel Talk – Thailand Part 8: Scooters & Coconuts

by Stephen Greenwood on

Gadling TV’s Travel Talk, episode 38 – Click above to watch video after the jump

In the first half of Travel Talk’s grand Thai expedition, we’ve tamed elephants, explored Bangkok’s temples, eaten scorpions, taken in a Muay Thai match, and witnessed a train running directly through a bustling market. Now, we’re taking you to explore a lesser known province of Thailand for a closer look at the culture and traditions of rural Thai life.

Situated near the border of Myanmar, Sangkhlaburi is a great destination for those looking for alternative to Chiang Mai or the beaches of Koh Samui. Ever since our Vespa adventure in Rome, we’ve been anxious to get back on the open road; so we rented scooters and explored the rest of Sangkhlaburi. We’ll take you to the longest wooden bridge in Thailand and show you what Thai life is like down on the farm.

If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.


Subscribe via iTunes:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Travel Talk feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Hosts: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews
Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews
Special thanks: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Trikaya Tours

Travel Talk took Thailand by storm on invitation from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. No editorial content was guaranteed and Aaron & Stephen were free to openly share all adventures that they embarked upon.

Taiwan: Taipei’s traditional Chinese Lantern Festival

by Alex Robertson Textor on

In Taiwan, the annual traditional Chinese Lantern Festival kicked off in Taipei this past Friday to great fanfare. Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou launched this year’s festival, which features over three dozen enormous lanterns.

This year’s theme lantern is called “Baby.” It is almost 70 feet tall and is designed to serve as a symbol of fertility to encourage higher birth rates. Taiwanese technological sophistication is on display at this year’s Lantern Festival as well, with an interactive component designed to encourage direct participation.

Throughout, a rabbit theme predominates in 2011, an exciting year for Taiwan. The country turns 100 in 2011, and there are a number of official centennial celebrations planned throughout the year.

There are lantern festival variations across Taiwan. In Taipei’s Pingxi District, for example, participants write their names on lanterns and then release them into the sky for good luck and fortune, a practice that dates back to the Ching Dynasty.

Taipei’s Lantern Festival runs through February 20. Those eager to witness the kick-off of Taiwan’s Lantern Festival firsthand can always start making plans for 2012. Next year’s festival launches on February 6, 2012.

[Photo: Getty Images | Patrick Lin]

%Gallery-116501%

GadlingTV’s Travel Talk – Thailand Part 6: Swordfights and Elephants

by Stephen Greenwood on

Gadling TV’s Travel Talk, episode 36 – Click above to watch video after the jump

Travel Talk is back! After our fall hiatus we are excited to bring you our greatest adventure yet: Thailand.

From the vibrant heart of Bangkok to the remote countryside, we traveled by foot, car, boat, motorbike, ox cart and elephant to savor the the splendor of ancient temples, the energy of the muay thai ring, the serenity of rural life, and every single spicy bite of Thai cuisine. We’ll be bringing it all to you in the coming weeks as part of our special 12-part feature: Travel Talk Thailand.

As we venture further from the bustle of Bangkok, we get a chance to be the first westerners to visit a Thai martial art and dance school, taking swordfighting lessons from the Thai National Champion. Then we learn how to tame, wash and ride giants.

If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.


Subscribe via iTunes:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Travel Talk feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Hosts: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews
Special guest: Joom!
Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood & Aaron Murphy-Crews
Special thanks: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Trikaya Tours

Travel Talk took Thailand by storm on invitation from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. No editorial content was guaranteed and Aaron & Stephen were free to openly share all adventures that they embarked upon.

Video of the Day – Inside North Korea

by Stephen Greenwood on

North Korea is undoubtedly the most difficult country in the world to gain access to, especially if you’re a journalist aiming to produce a video about the reclusive nation. For months, the travel bad boys over at VBS.tv corresponded with North Korea’s representatives to arrange a guided tour of the infamous Mass Games.

After being selected as one of the only groups to cover the event, VBS Founder Shane Smith and director Eddy Moretti were taken on a journey that gets more bizzarre by the minute. From the streets of Pyongyang, to the International Friendship Museum, to deserted banquet halls – it’s worth watching the entire series to get a rare look at a country that rarely exposes itself to the world.

Do you have clips from an epic investigation of your own? Found a video online that inspires you to travel? Share it with us in the comment section below and it could be our next Video of the Day!

Is Singapore the next Miami for cruise vacations?

by Chris Owen on

The Asia Cruise Association would sure like to think so. Seeing Asia as the next big area for cruise vacation growth, Cruise Shipping Asia, a conference and exhibition in Singapore this November aims to.

Cruise Shipping Asia 2011 will include a trade show and conference program focusing on the Asian cruise market. The exhibition will feature destinations, itinerary planning, shore excursion services, port and terminal development as well as ship operations, ship services and hotel operations.

“With 22 new cruise ships set for delivery by 2012, cruise lines are seeking fresh markets to help absorb that 17.4 percent increase – 51,306 berths,” said Michael Duck, senior vice president of trade show promoter UBM Asia. “They are currently eying Asia as a largely untapped resource.”

It was not all that long ago that European cruise markets were looking for more cruise ships and cruise lines answered that call. Recent years have seen the largest ever deployment of ships to the more profitable waters of Europe for some cruise lines.

Flickr Photo by jjcb

As mobile assets, cruise lines are able to move ships to where the money is. The recent exodus from the US West coast market by cruise lines is a good example. In December, Gadling told you about Norwegian Cruise Line announcing the deployment of 4 ships to Europe in 2012 and 2013, their largest deployment ever.

The Asian market is already in love with cruise vacations, accounting for a growing percentage of cruise passengers already. Will Singapore replace Miami as the cruise capitol of the world? Hard to say but it’s the latest new market on the horizon. It sure would make an interesting port of call though.