Cambodia's Best Kept Secret - Sihanoukville

Welcome to this weeks blog

Cambodia is well known for its Angkor Temples, The Mekong Delta and its turbulent history however, not so much is known about its 'Jewel by the Coast' Sihanoukville, a beautiful beach resort, fast becoming a world class beach destination.

Sihanoukville is located on Cambodia's west Coast near to the border with Eastern Thailand and very accessible both from Siem Riep home to the Angkor Wat complex and the capital city Phnom Pehn. This makes for a very interesting range of combinations and touring programs throughout the region.

One of the most popular itineraries to consider begins in Bangkok (Thailand), then flying to Siem Riep to visit the Angkor Wat complex, travel from Siem Riep to Phnom Pehn either by air, road or by boat along the river into the Capital City and then finally by road to spend a relaxing few days at the beach in Sihanoukville. For more adventurous travelers options available include cycling through Cambodia and combining with Eastern Thailand and crossing the border to get to Sihanoukville.














The resort itself, began life as a port town, established back in the 1950's. Since then the area developed and has started creating a world class beach destination.
Today there is a variety of accommodation to choose from including five star hotels on Sokha beach to mid range in town and beach hotels, and budget guesthouses, particularly on Weather Station Hill.


The main attractions in Sihanoukville are the beach and its relaxed pace of life, the beaches are very beautiful indeed, bright sands and clear waters waiting for you to sunbathe on and swim in.Watersports including snorkeling and scuba diving are widely availble with boat trips to nearby islands and interesting activity to consider whilst here.

Like every beach resort, choices for dining are vast and Sihanoukville offers a large variety of choice, with fresh seafood, caught daily a particular specialty including crab, prawns and ocean fish.
With the influx of foreign tourism, more westernised eateries have arrived offering familiar cuisine including Australian, German, British , Indian and Italian restaurants, making the resort a good choice for anyone.















Sihanoukville at night, offers plenty to see and do, good choice of restaurants and plenty of bars with many smaller bars staying open until the early hours, especially in the Weather Station Hill area, downtown Sihanoukville . Some of the most popular are the beach bars on Ochheuteal, ‘Serendipity’ and Victory Beaches.

Sihanoukville has remained Cambodia's best kept secret, it is still a very relaxing, traditional style beach destination, not spoiled by over commercialisation, meaning that it retains its unique Cambodian Charm and hospitality.

Next time you choose to visit South East Asia and Indochina, consider booking a combination itinerary with Sihanoukville as your beach destination or take a tour which incorporates the area, Xplore-Asia are able to tailor-make this for you, so extending your beach stay is always an option with us!

Wine Producing In Thailand.

Welcome to this week's Blog!

Thailand is known for many things, wonderful beaches, great sightseeing, fantastic nitelife and smiling happy people!, but did you know, it also produces some of the world's finest table wines, which have both been recognised and exported around the world.

This week we focus on one particular wine producer, Chateau De Loei, which is located in the stunning beautiful North Eastern province of the same name,Loei,near to the border with Laos.











Loei is a part of the country which is very different from most other parts of Thailand. Phu Ruea National Park has one of the highest peaks in the country and because of its height, the temperatures and the cooler climate of the area; conditions are very conducive to the cultivating and producing of fruits, vegetables and flowers, not normally found in this part of the world.

In fact, throughout Loei and in other neighbouring provinces, there are many attractions that can be visited to see this unique produce which includes strawberries, chinese pears, African Violets, Petunias and of course the vital ingredient for wine making is of course grapes, which grow here in abundance.

Loei has been described by some as a small piece of Southern France, in the heart of Asia, and this is certainly true for the Chateau de Loei, who have been producing fine Thai table wines since 1995.














Dr Chaijudh Karnasuta the founder of Chateau De Loei discovered that the Phuruea highlands were ideal for wine producing grapes and in 1995 bottled Thailand's first commercially produced Thai Table wine.

His wine succeeded and his wine became the first from the country to be exported to Japan and Europe. Even the vineyards logo is named after the Chinese year in which Dr Chaijudh was born,The year of the 'Rooster' which in Chinese signifies 'hard work and dedication' and this has certainly been the case with Chateau De Loei.

The whole wine producing process takes place at the Vineyard, and tours are arranged for people to visit, see and taste the produce and even buy some to take away and enjoy. The fine Chenin Blanc and Syrah grapes are grown here and using French bottling equipment, the wine is produced and bottled, for local and export markets.

Credit for Chateau De Loei's product success is partly given to the research undertaken by His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej,who found that the Phuruea climate, soil and water supply are ideal for the 'best grape harvest' that takes place in February and produces the best quality grapes for wine producing at that time.














The fine wines that are produced are fruit based wines, suiting different culinary experiences, Chateau De Loei produces three types of white (Chenin Blanc)and, two reds (Syrah) and one rose (Syrah)all with very distinct flavours and tastes suiting each individuals palette.


Initially designed for the domestic market and now a success Internationally, Chateau De Loei's wines have added to Thailand's reputation as a fine nation and an innovator, surprising people worldwide, with the quality of wine produce made.

So next time you make a visit to the Land of Smiles, or your even shopping for a bottle or two to take home for the evening, think of Chateau De Loei and either visit for yourself, or try a taste of this beautifully, scenic part of the world.

Chateau De Loei can visited as part of Xplore Asia's Kingdoms and Cultures itinerary.
www.xplore-asia.com

For information on the Chateau De Loei, please visit the following www.chateaudeloei.com

Xplore Asia Launches New Escorted Tours and Tailormade Programs Brochure

Exciting News from Xplore-Asia.

New Escorted Tours and Tailor-made Programs brochure has just been launched and is now available! Please visit our website to download your own personal copy and find out about the New Tours and destinations on offer in 2010.




This year Xplore Asia will take you on Adventurous,Cultural and Historical tours to new parts of Asia. Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Indonesia are new Destinations for 2010-2011.

Discover the wonderful' Coastal Road' That runs the length and breath of Thailand, from Bangkok to Nakon Sri Thammarat, it's Thailand's Route 66! Passing through Banana and Rubber plantations,stunning beaches and everyday villages The Coastal road tour will give you a full insight into the lives of the people and the region of the South. This Tour is ideal for people who have discovered the North and are yet to Discover the South!

Classic Malaysia and Discover Borneo, mark our first entry into this culturally rich and diverse Nation. From the bright neon lights, Diverse shopping malls and Exotic markets of KL, to the Jungle Clad mountains of Borneo, colonially rich Penang, to tranquil and beautiful Langkawi, whilst discovering the Tea Plantations in the Cameron highlands, Malaysia as they say is 'Truly Asia' with its rich mix of culture and people, spices and natural beauty!

In Indochina we offer a you an array of touring options, from those with time for a short stopover passing through, choose from a variety of tours,treks and adventures in Laos and Cambodia. Visit our website for more information or contact our local offices.

For more in depth touring, consider one of our three escorted tours, for 2010.

Choose from 'The Journey through Indochina, 21 days touring the region, taking you from Bangkok through Laos, discovering Vietnam , the Mekong delta river and into Cambodia to visit the capital of today and the capital of yesterday 'Angkor Wat' at Si em Riep. This tour, truly gives you a full insight into the region as a whole.

Take 16 days exploring on the 'Trails of Indochina, this tour starts from Bangkok, heads north to cultural rich Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand and crosses the border into Laos, where you begin the trail, through Indochina heading for Vietnam and a full discovery of the country, from Hanoi to Halong Bay, Danang and Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh, now is the time to 'discover' these two developing nations.

Finally, 'The Gateway to Indochina' focuses on the southern part of the region, offering a round trip of adventure from Thailand, through mysterious Laos and South, alongside the Mekong River into the Kingdom of Cambodia, where you will visit the Capital city Phnom Penh, and the Ancient city of Angkor Wat, in Siem Riep, before returning to Bangkok.

This tour offers everything, history, culture, great sightseeing and the added bonus of nature, you get the chance to see the Niagara of the East , Khon Phapeng in Laos, and the Irrawaddy Dolpins near Kratie, part of the Mekong Discovery Trail.

This is only a selection of the 'New Touring options' from Xplore-Asia, for a more in-depth look, please download the new brochure and Xplore the website.

Xplore Asia looks forward to the opportunity of you, Xploring Asia with us.

www.xplore-asia.com

The Golden Triangle, The Emerald Triangle and ?

The region where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet is well know as the Golden Triangle; made famous for its history of Opium Production. The region where Laos, Thailand and Cambodia meet is called the Emerald Triangle. Several Thai towns in the area make a great visit including the town of Khong Chiam the most eastern point in Thailand with excellent sunsets.

The area close by has been in the news recently because of skirmishes between the Thai and Cambodian border police and a row over ownership of the land around Preah Vihear. The actual temple is located in Northern Cambodia but only easily accessible from Thailand. It is remarkable set on a cliff overlooking Cambodia several hundred meters below. It has been open since 1998 and we hope to develop our tours here in the future.

But what should the region be called around where Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam meet be called. On the Laos side have various ethnic villages including that of Phu Vong with the ethnic groups famous for their tattooed faces and earrings. The Cambodian side is dominated by the town of Ban Lung. This area is stunning with the Yeak Laom. A volcanic circular crater lake and the Siem Pang area and the border with Vietnam makes up part of the Virheay National Park.

Over the coming year Xplore-Asia will be developing adventure and wildlife tours to this region in association with the Mekong Discovery Trail. We will also be posting a featured article on each area on our blog.