When it comes to public holidays, Australia seems like it’s missing out a bit. After all, pretty much every holiday activity comes down to: have a barbie. Of course, so does pretty much every day that ends in ‘y’. But a quick look around the world reveals some of the craziness you can get up to, holidays that pack an element of danger to liven them up.  After all, the worst you get in Australia is some singed eyebrows. Note: everyone knows about the bloody running of the bulls, so we’ll skip it, shall we?

Songkran – Thailand
Thai new year started out as a quiet, dignified event where small cups of water were respectfully poured on the shoulders of neighbours, family and buddhas. Then super soaker technology arrived in Southeast Asia and Songkran would never be the same. Now it’s a raucous, nation-wide waterfight complete with Thais by the ute-load chucking ice-cold water on anyone in sight, up to and including passing motorbike drivers doing 70 kph. Bring an underwater camera, you won’t want to miss this one.

Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Contest – Gloucester, England
Ever had a real serious craving for a Babybel? How about one that weighs 350+ kilos? Sounds great, right? Now imagine chasing said cheesy comestible down a near vertical hill with dozens of other blokes hot at your heels. For two centuries the pommies have been doing just that every final Monday in May.

Beehive Rockets Festival – Yanshui, Taiwan
Shooting fireworks into the air is for wimps. In Taiwan they know that they best vantage point for a fireworks show is at the business end. At the end of Chinese New Year, the locals and visitors in this small farm town down protective gear that never fully works and are pelted with tiny rockets from 4 meter tall launching platforms.

There you have it. If self-preservation isn’t your thing, these three festivals might be.

Apart from its pristine beaches and surfing waves, its abundant nature teeming with wildlife, landscapes and resources make it an attractive place for an adventure getaway. For a more relaxed getaway, commune with nature as you experience rural life where the winds blow through the rice fields creating a domino like effect. Or get in touch with your spiritual or artistic side.

All of these and more can be found in Ubud, the spiritual and artistic center of Bali which appears like a temple with many homes made of brick walls, topped with Hindu statues. On the other hand, museum and art galleries like Neka are widespread in Ubud and preserve important collections of Balinese art.

Another place you shouldn’t miss  in Ubud is the home of Balinese royalty, The Ubud Palace. Be charmed by the elaborate temple surrounding beautiful gardens and witness a traditional dance display that is performed daily at 7:30 PM. You might also want to consider going to the Negeri Propinsi Bali museum in Denpasar. It is an excellent place for you to experience the true Balinese culture.

Another standout feature of this island is the food: Balinese cuisine is a combination of sweet and spicy flavors cooked with a variety of spices and a traditional Balinese meal consists of a range of small servings of different flavors and textures that combine to form a hearty and satisfying meal.

The hospitable and kind hearted people of Bali will lift your entire trip and make it all the more a wonderful place to relax and enjoy.

Those seeking gorgeous white sand and clear blue water in the Kingdom of Thailand have two options: the Gulf of Thailand, home to Kho Phang Ngang and the (in)famous full-moon party or the Andaman Coast, whose most famous destination is undoubtedly the amusingly-named Phuket. (For the record, its pronounced Poo-Ket).

But just across the channel between Phuket and the mainland lies the province of Krabi, one of the region’s best-kept secrets. For those who find Phuket’s glitzy resorts and endless girly bars to be too much, Krabi offers a laid-back alternative that really showcases the region’s famously gorgeous beaches and lush tropical rainforests.

The Railay Penninsula is a little spit of land that projects out into the Andaman Sea about an hour south of Krabi Town. Although physically connected to the mainland, this haven can only be reached by boat due to the sheer cliffs and jungle that occupy the neck of the peninsula. This gives the whole place an island feel, similar to Phi Phi but without the same crowds.

Railay East is the backpacker’s enclave. The beach is nothing special – it’s a mud flat at low tide and serves as the landing point for the longtail ferries. However, the lack of a view means that this is the locus for the cheap accommodation. If you don’t mind the precipitous staircase, the Diamond Private Resort is high enough to afford a great view and offers a pool for very reasonable rates.

West Railay is where you go to get horizontal on fine white sand and stare out at the cool blue Andaman (preferably with a Singha in hand – readily available from the restaurants set about 50 meters back from the beach).

But the best part of Railay is experienced vertically. The area is home to some of the most accessible climbing walls in Thailand and beginners and experts alike will find some great routes and there are plenty of operators to provide guides, training and equipment rental. King Climbers is the most established and they run single- or multi-day classes with expert English-speaking guides to show you the ropes (so to speak).

Think of anything you would want out of a diving holiday and you’ll find it in Indonesia: exciting sea life from the bizarre to the whopping huge, perfect coral, and a bit of an adventure. In no particular order, here is the Top Five dive sites in Indonesia for all budgets.

1. “SS Liberty” Wreck in Tulamben on the north coat of Bali

Lying only 50m from the beach in depths between 5 and 45m, SS Liberty is a World War II wreak that was torpedoed, run around with the idea of being repaired, abandoned and pushed to its final resting place by lava from a volcano eruption. It is unrecognisable as a ship now but that’s not the point. Dive here for schools of 50cm jackfish in their hundreds, massive rock cod, stunning hard and soft corals and intriguing macro-life (shrimp, pipefish etc).

Stay in Tulamben or Amed and dive it early morning or late afternoon to avoid the day-trippers from Kuta.

Price^#: $
Ease of access^*: 5
Big stuff^*: 3
Corals^*: 5
Critters^*: 4
Current: Negligible (suitable for all divers)

2. “Sardine’s Reef” in the Raja Ampat archipelago off the western end of Indonesian Papua

Arguably the most “complete” reef dive in the world, you’ll find everything here: from the bizarre 1cm pygmy seahorse to 2m sharks, schooling barracuda and jacks, perfect hard and soft corals, cryptic octopus… it just goes on! “Sardine’s Reef” is not easy or cheap to get to but that is what has kept it so special.

Price: $$$
Ease of access: 1
Big stuff: 5
Corals: 5
Critters: 5
Current: Intermediate

3. “Castle Rock” in Komodo (a.k.a. “Hard to Find Rock” or “Full Moon”)

A challenging-at-times but always rewarding pinnacle site, “Castle Rock” is in the north of the Komodo region between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, 500km east of Bali. Perfect hard corals gardens adorn this site but you’ll be distracted by patrolling white tip and grey reef sharks, hunting giant jacks and visiting manta rays and dolphins. Not a site for beginners but a must-see for all other divers.

Price: $ if on a day dive from Labuanbajo, $$$ if on a liveaboard cruise
Ease of access: 3
Big stuff: 5
Corals: 4
Critters: 3
Current: Advanced

4. “Manta Bay” in Nusa Penida just southeast of Bali

Arguably the most accessible “big stuff” site in Indonesia, as the name suggests come here for an unforgettable dive with manta rays, proper 5m ones in groups of up to 10. Many operators dive the site as a long day trip from Sanur in Bali but it’s preferable to stay on the laid-back island of Nusa Lembongan from which it’s a 20 minute ride to the site.

Price: $$ if on a day-trip from Bali, $ if staying on Nusa Lembongan island
Ease of access: 4
Big stuff: 5
Corals: 1
Critters: 1
Current: Not challenging

5. Any site in the Lembeh Straits, just east of Manado in northern Sulawesi

Most new divers react poorly to their first dive in Lembeh. Gone are the stunning reefs, toasty and crystal-clear waters that characterise much of Indonesian diving. Instead you’ll find black sand, chillier temperatures, low visibility and lots of garbage. However, it is amongst the detritus from the local port-city of Bitung that divers who love the bizarre, the odd and the down-right weird find their version of an earth-bound heaven: mimic octopus and wunderpus, crazy cryptic frogfish, harlequin shrimp, the much-maligned blue-ringed octopus, seahorses, Ambon scorpionfish, and pygmy seahorses. All these and more are to be found here on a daily basis. As a new diver all you need is an open-mind and a desire to learn more about the critter-end of nature’s spectrum. This is a destination where people are still finding new species fairly regularly. If that appeals then Lembeh is for you.

Price: $$
Ease of access: 3
Big stuff: 1
Corals: 1
Critters: 5
Current: Usually not

* Out of 5 by Indonesian dive site standards
# $ is cheaper, $$ is mid priced, $$$ is more expensive

What are the things you could do if you have a day or less of time to spare in Singapore?

When you have the chance to stop over at Singapore, taking a quick tour to the place is something you shouldn’t miss. Surely, you won’t regret the little time you have to experience The Lion City. This city is dense enough that a short taxi ride can take you towards many destinations that will expose you to the culture, history, beauty and lifestyle of Singapore. With so many places to visit and experience in so little time, here’s a suggested itinerary:
If you want to go to most of the sights in Singapore, you can conveniently ride a taxi almost anywhere in the city. You can even rent one and the good thing is they do not charge expensively.
To begin your day, eat breakfast at the Crossroad’s Café at Marriot Hotel. This café is situated at the center of Orchard Road where the shopping belt f the city is also located. After taking your meal, spare a few minutes strolling the area. You might want to be one of the many tourists who are awed by the infrastructure of Ngee Ann Shopping Center.
Next stop is the Pagoda Street, Chinatown. There you’ll see colorful and neatly lined Peranakan shop houses. Here you’ll find merchandises that can be bargained like mahjong sets, Chinese antiques and medicines and sarong. After your shopping/bargaining experience in Pagoda Street, you can walk your way to the South Bridge Road where you’ll see the oldest yet fascinating Hindu Temple in Singapore, Sri Mariamman temple. Anybody is welcomed to get inside but before doing so, leave your shoes at the entrance.
For lunch, you can go to Neil Road which is just steps away from your previous destination. Proceed to the Qun Zhing Eating House for a delectable lunch of Beijing dumplings. After lunch, would you want to taste a first-grade Chinese tea and experience it served the traditional way? Then walk uphill until you arrive at the Tea chapter.
During the late afternoon, take a rest and bask in the relaxing and tranquil ambiance at the Botanical Gardens. Hop in a taxi ride to the junction of Cluny Road and Holland Road and there you’ll find landscaped parks, primary jungles and a lake. Also, try going to the National orchid garden where you will see a wide variety of orchids and Botanics.
For dinner, an interesting place to go is the Newton Circus Hawker Centre neat Newton MRT. Here you’ll experience the taste of local food and ambiance. There are so many stalls to choose from and it is important that you bear in mind your table number and give it upon ordering. After eating, if you still got the energy and time, spend the night away for a little bar-hopping.

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240 km south of Bangkok is Thailand’s famous beach, Hua Hin. You don’t need to schedule a flight from Bangkok to Hua Hin since it just takes a few hours to get there by express bus or taxi.
A nice sea breeze welcomes you upon your arrival at the place. All year round, the place experiences less rainfall. Although the sun’s heat is not scorching hot, Hua Hin’s weather is at its best during the months of mid May to end of September. The area is also excellent for outdoor sports like golf and volleyball. You can also find interesting shops that sell a variety of trinkets and crafts for memorabilia. Recently, a big mall opened there and you can find various merchandises to suit your wants and needs.
Hua Hin is also a perfect get-away from your stressful and fast-pacing life. There are plenty of massage and spas available for you to relax and revive your senses. Bars and an exhilarating nightlife also await those people who want to unwind and party.
Temples and old buildings balance culture and tradition to the contemporary lifestyle that tourists and some residents of the place have. Wat Hua Hin is situated at the center of the town and is known as the main temple of the place. Other temples that are worth the visit are Wat Bor Fai, Wat Khao Krailas, Wat Petchravud, and Khao Takiab. There you can find examples of Buddha statues and temple architecture that will wow you out.
With regards to the meals, seafood lovers will surely have the time of their lives at Hua Hin. Aside from its cheap price, there is an overflowing of delicious seafood. Thai food is also available and served for a low cost. Certainly, you’ll never get hungry here.
Australian tourists who have gone to Hua Hin, Thailand highly recommend that you visit this place. Aside from the reason that it’s cheap, there are actually a lot of tourist spots and activities for you to tour and engage in. Accommodations are not a problem. There are a lot of cheap and clean places that you or the whole family can stay. Above all, the people in Hua Hin are very warm and friendly. With them, you’ll never feel you’re miles away from home.

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