Recommend November 2010 - (Page 78)

koh chang, A sergio ortiz THAIlAND asia onsite september 2010 review After only a few minutes in Thailand’s delightful Koh Chang Island, an 83-sq.-mile emerald green tropical speck looming from the Gulf of Thailand near the Cambodian border, you feel like you’ve crossed into a different dimension endowed with Southeast Asia’s timeless, pastoral serenity. Koh Chang is where you come to get away from it all. The hubbub of the kingdom’s capital lies less than 200 miles away, but as far as ambiance and color are concerned, Bangkok’s noise and vexing traffic could lie in another galaxy. Koh Chang has only eight villages within it, making it a restful semirural getaway and it isn’t hyperbole to say that if you could capture the island’s peaceful and soporific ambiance—its main attribute—and bottle it, you’d have a potent product brimming with beauty and tranquility that would be envied by lesser destinations. This isn’t the place for high-rise resorts, as the island rigidly adheres to a building code that forbids any building higher than the top of a palm tree. Koh Chang is a mountainous wonderland with rainforests full of waterfalls and feral beauty that delights hikers and day-trippers, while its coral reefs and beaches are highly popular with divers and sun worshippers. In short, it has everything a traveler could want who’s seeking a destination where natural beauty seamlessly blends with solitude. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which held its fifth annual travel mart in Bangkok in August to spotlight the splendor of the country, more than 356,000 Americans visited Thailand between January and July this year, proving that the old kingdom’s reputation as a first-rate “value” destination remains robust. A good portion of those came specifically to bask along the beaches of Phuket, Thailand’s largest island and most popular destination. But those coming only to experience Phuket miss the option to unwind in Koh Chang’s relatively undiscovered wonders. TAT hopes that this will soon change, since Koh Chang seems to be gaining a firm foothold in attracting visitors. As an ingenious local witticism has it: “Say ‘Phuket’ and come to Koh Chang instead.” The best way to reach Koh Chang is on board one of Bangkok Airways’ two daily flights to Trat Province, only 45 minutes away from the capital. Bangkok Airways bills itself as “Asia’s Boutique Airline,” a tag that may not be far off the mark. It’s a delightful, clean and fun airline. A roundtrip flight to Trat costs approximately $120. In the old days, Trat was a focal point of trade between the Khmer and Siamese kingdoms. Today, it’s the gateway to Koh Chang, considered by many old Thai hands to be Thailand’s most beautiful island resort. About 14 miles from Trat Airport while awaiting a ferry to cross into the island, it’s obvious to see how Koh Chang got its name, literally meaning, “Elephant Island” and a small islet on the starboard side of the main island, looks exactly like a gigantic elephant half-submerged in the ocean. As far as American tourism is concerned, Koh Chang is off the radar, although the island is very popular with Europeans. Russians particularly seem attracted to it. According to Kedsarin (Kate) Hasenfus, public relations-marketing officer for TAT in New York, “Koh Chang is not well 78 november 2010 known among Americans just yet. As a result, many tour operators do not offer itineraries that include Koh Chang in their packages, but most certainly will plan private tours.” One of the few USTOA-affiliated tour operators that arranges visits to Koh Chang is Goway Travel, a firm with long experience in Southeast Asia. Doug Vogl, Goway’s product and marketing manager for Asia, says, “Koh Chang is definitely not Phuket and never will be. Because of its status as a Thai national park and marine sanctuary, there are stringent construction criteria for hotels, resorts and so on. The diving there is extraordinary and it is a perfect, although little-known, spot for honeymooning.” Koh Chang is such a promising, upcoming romantic destination that Goway has partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to promote the island early next year to coincide with the spring, summer and fall honeymoon season. Vogl adds that it is also an eco-tourism haven for adventure seekers who delight in activities such as hiking, elephant trekking and ziplining. “Do not expect a robust nightlife, other than the occasional fire show on the beach, while in Koh Chang,” Vogl says. “It’s a chill out destination for those who want to get away and enjoy true, home-grown Thai hospitality. The restaurants are excellent in all resorts and the island is full of delicious street food, especially fresh seafood.” Goway’s Koh Chang package (a 4-day adventure with prices that vary depending on the season) offers two categories: moderate and first-class. According to Vogl, this attracts a wide category of travelers, most who come delighted after having visited the island. “After all,” he says, “this destination’s most appealing asset is its natural beauty.” Indeed, some have likened a trek on the island to being on the set of an adventure movie. Whether traveling on foot, bicycle or on the back of elephants, Koh Chang’s unspoiled beauty will unfold in myriad, unusual perspectives. And very few outings are as exhilarating as exploring a Southeast Asian tropical paradise from the back of a lumbering elephant. Enter Ban Changthai, a Koh Chang tour operator that works exclusively with elephants and earmarks much of its profits for the preservation of the species. For about $30, Ban Changthai will take trekkers on elephants over mountains and rainforests and into pristine rivers where visitors have the rare opportunity to bathe alongside the beasts. The trip takes approximately two hours and is one of the most popular attractions in Koh Chang. Here, you’ll find yourself crossing rubber plantations one moment and suddenly be magically surrounded by pomelo orchards the next. There are wild trails down valleys crisscrossed by rivers and an astounding variety of plants and wildlife on their banks. A plus for travelers is that Koh Chang has no lack of accommodations. Here, modern, airy resorts are surrounded by banyan trees and wild orchids, and guests are greeted in the traditional and charming Thai gesture of clasped hands and lowered gaze. One of the finest example of such sterling accommodations is The Dewa, a sprawling tropical wonderland abutting the Klong Prao beach recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Medical Tourism Introduction
India: The Guest is God
Turkey: Investing in the Future
A Medical Tale of Two Latin American Countries
Quality Care in Taiwan
Uruguay's Making Waves
No More "Risky Business" in Colombia
River Cruising for 2011
Israel-100 Years of Green
South Africa With Style
Chicago: Nothing Second About This City
Jacksone Hole, Wyoming
Shining the Spotlight on Amelia Island, Florida
Koh Chang, Thailand
Barbados: Back to Work
Jamaica: Back to Basics
Acapulco on the Rise-Again
Re-Discovering the Wonders of the Yucatan

Recommend November 2010

Recommend November 2010 - (Page 1)
Recommend November 2010 - (Page 2)
Recommend November 2010 - (Page 3)
Recommend November 2010 - (Page 4)
Recommend November 2010 - (Page 5)
Recommend November 2010 - Editor's Notes/Agent Speak (Page 6)
Recommend November 2010 - Editor's Notes/Agent Speak (Page 7)
Recommend November 2010 - Hotel Desk (Page 8)
Recommend November 2010 - Hotel Desk (Page 9)
Recommend November 2010 - Tour Talk (Page 10)
Recommend November 2010 - Tour Talk (Page 11)
Recommend November 2010 - Medical Tourism Introduction (Page 12)
Recommend November 2010 - India: The Guest is God (Page 13)
Recommend November 2010 - India: The Guest is God (Page 14)
Recommend November 2010 - India: The Guest is God (Page 15)
Recommend November 2010 - Turkey: Investing in the Future (Page 16)
Recommend November 2010 - Turkey: Investing in the Future (Page 17)
Recommend November 2010 - A Medical Tale of Two Latin American Countries (Page 18)
Recommend November 2010 - A Medical Tale of Two Latin American Countries (Page 19)
Recommend November 2010 - Quality Care in Taiwan (Page 20)
Recommend November 2010 - Quality Care in Taiwan (Page 21)
Recommend November 2010 - Uruguay's Making Waves (Page 22)
Recommend November 2010 - Uruguay's Making Waves (Page 23)
Recommend November 2010 - Uruguay's Making Waves (Page 24)
Recommend November 2010 - Uruguay's Making Waves (Page 25)
Recommend November 2010 - No More "Risky Business" in Colombia (Page 26)
Recommend November 2010 - No More "Risky Business" in Colombia (Page 27)
Recommend November 2010 - River Cruising for 2011 (Page 28)
Recommend November 2010 - River Cruising for 2011 (Page 29)
Recommend November 2010 - River Cruising for 2011 (Page 30)
Recommend November 2010 - River Cruising for 2011 (Page 31)
Recommend November 2010 - River Cruising for 2011 (Page 32)
Recommend November 2010 - River Cruising for 2011 (Page 33)
Recommend November 2010 - River Cruising for 2011 (Page 34)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 35)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 36)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 37)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 38)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 39)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 40)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 41)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 42)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 43)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 44)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 45)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 46)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 47)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 48)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 49)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 50)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 51)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 52)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 53)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 54)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 55)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 56)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 57)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 58)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 59)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 60)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 61)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 62)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 63)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 64)
Recommend November 2010 - Israel-100 Years of Green (Page 65)
Recommend November 2010 - South Africa With Style (Page 66)
Recommend November 2010 - South Africa With Style (Page 67)
Recommend November 2010 - Chicago: Nothing Second About This City (Page 68)
Recommend November 2010 - Chicago: Nothing Second About This City (Page 69)
Recommend November 2010 - Chicago: Nothing Second About This City (Page 70)
Recommend November 2010 - Chicago: Nothing Second About This City (Page 71)
Recommend November 2010 - Jacksone Hole, Wyoming (Page 72)
Recommend November 2010 - Jacksone Hole, Wyoming (Page 73)
Recommend November 2010 - Jacksone Hole, Wyoming (Page 74)
Recommend November 2010 - Jacksone Hole, Wyoming (Page 75)
Recommend November 2010 - Shining the Spotlight on Amelia Island, Florida (Page 76)
Recommend November 2010 - Shining the Spotlight on Amelia Island, Florida (Page 77)
Recommend November 2010 - Koh Chang, Thailand (Page 78)
Recommend November 2010 - Koh Chang, Thailand (Page 79)
Recommend November 2010 - Barbados: Back to Work (Page 80)
Recommend November 2010 - Barbados: Back to Work (Page 81)
Recommend November 2010 - Barbados: Back to Work (Page 82)
Recommend November 2010 - Barbados: Back to Work (Page 83)
Recommend November 2010 - Jamaica: Back to Basics (Page 84)
Recommend November 2010 - Jamaica: Back to Basics (Page 85)
Recommend November 2010 - Jamaica: Back to Basics (Page 86)
Recommend November 2010 - Jamaica: Back to Basics (Page 87)
Recommend November 2010 - Acapulco on the Rise-Again (Page 88)
Recommend November 2010 - Acapulco on the Rise-Again (Page 89)
Recommend November 2010 - Acapulco on the Rise-Again (Page 90)
Recommend November 2010 - Acapulco on the Rise-Again (Page 91)
Recommend November 2010 - Re-Discovering the Wonders of the Yucatan (Page 92)
Recommend November 2010 - Re-Discovering the Wonders of the Yucatan (Page 93)
Recommend November 2010 - Re-Discovering the Wonders of the Yucatan (Page 94)
Recommend November 2010 - Re-Discovering the Wonders of the Yucatan (Page 95)
Recommend November 2010 - Re-Discovering the Wonders of the Yucatan (Page 96)
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