Author Archives: jeremyassistant
Tempting Thailand, the holiday destination of choice
The world is a huge, vast place with numerous, exciting countries to visit that offer varied experiences and exciting opportunities for visitors, however, none more so than those available in Thailand. Thailand is a vast country and due to its size has variation in both its weather and terrain which means it can offer a wealth of different activities to its visitors. This means there is something for everyone and this beautiful country has the capacity to offer the holidaymaker more than most holiday destinations.
Accommodation
A wealth of choice is available of fabulous luxury accommodation to meet your every need, mansions in Thailand, opulent apartments, fabulous hotels and luxurious villas. Thailand caters for every accommodation budget with numerous quality hotels and apartments offering good value for money. Thailand is also a backpacker’s perfect destination as it has hundreds of hostels available.
Weather
Thailand has distinct seasons (although essentially it is a tropical humid country) and due to the vast size of the country will vary immensely depending on your specific location. November to February are the preferential visiting months where temperatures range from 18c to 32c in the central regions. It does rain heavily at times, but these downpours tend to occur in the evening and these do not tend to last for more than an hour. The rain tends to be warm which makes it bearable if caught in a shower. April is Thailand’s hottest month.
Beaches
Thailand has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and has 2,000 miles of coastline and hundreds of islands .There are busy beaches, for those looking for activities such as water skiing, snorkeling and taking advantage of numerous beach bars, but there are also secluded beaches for those wanting a more relaxed beach experience . Exclusive beaches, such as Surin Beach, a stretch of fine white sand referred to as Millionaires’ Row due to expensive homes overlooking the Andaman sea also offer an exclusive experience.
Nightlife
Cities such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya offer a unique nightlife experience, bar hopping, bowling, dancing, watching a Kathy show or visiting a Go-Go bar. A wide variety of bars and clubs are available with flexible opening hours and Bangkok has a thriving cabaret scene which showcase some of the most famous Kathoeys or “lady boys”.
Cuisine
In terms of the world’s cuisine Thai food is one of the best. Coastal sea food must be sampled as it’s fresh (so fresh, some restaurants allow diners to catch their own fish and prawns and then cook them) and the variety is immense. More unusual items available include locusts as a bar snack, very high in nutrients and a dining experience not to be missed. As an exciting alternative to restaurants are the well renowned street food outlets, offering Thailand’s spiciest, Tom Yum soups containing fresh lemon grass, Kaffir lime leaves and Galangal. Other tempting treats offered by street vendors to sample are rice with spicy stir-fried crabmeat with fresh yellow chilies.
Culture
As a Buddhist country Buddhism is inherent in all aspects of life and it is this Buddhist influence that makes Thailand such a friendly and peaceful place. Beautiful temples in cities, villages or mountains are visit worthy and many festivals are held where visitors are always made welcome.
Scenery
Spectacular places are synonymous with Thailand, white sandy beaches with swaying palm trees are what most people think of first and they have these in abundance. However, magical tropical forests, breathtaking mist covered mountains and a range of compelling ancient monuments are other more than worthy stunning sights to be explored. Ao Chang Nga Marine National Park which spans 154 square miles, encompassing 40 islands is a visual delight as is the Grand palace, home to generations of Thai kings, displaying unique architectural styles. Pink water lilies in bloom are a sight to behold on many lakes around the country. In Udon Thani, lilies on Red Lotus Lake explode into a riot of crimson blooms between November and February.
Wildlife
Observe an array of exotic species that live in Thailand’s biodiverse park by visiting Khao Son National Park (460 square miles of pristine tropical evergreen forest). These include gibbons, who can easily be heard as their calls can carry for up to two miles but are less easy to see but, under the expertise of the guides in the park can be found. Glimpses of other exotic creatures may also be made of sun bears, leopards, tigers, tapirs, Asiatic wild dogs, gaurs, monkeys and deer along the way. Dive with Whale sharks, and visit the annual Monkey Buffet which takes place in front of the Pra Prang Sam Not temple in Lopburi province. Watch elephants play polo in a tournament called the Kings cup and visit the caves in the Tenasserim Hills region in the Kanchanaburi Province to catch a glimpse of the world’s smallest mammal, the Kitti’s hog-nosed bat.
Retail therapy
Beyond compare, is the shopping experience to be tried in Thailand, especially in Bangkok which contains a preponderance of shopping malls and innumerable local markets that offer a huge range of wares to suit every shopper’s desires. Bespoke, tailor-made items are available, vast amounts of curios and the opportunity to engage in effective haggling to get a bargain.
Often referred to as the “Land of Smiles” due to fact that it is hard to encounter someone who isn’t smiling, the people of Thailand are friendly, warm, open and kind and as a consequence you are always guaranteed to be made to feel welcome when you visit Thailand, another reason, one of many to make Thailand your next exhilarating holiday destination.
Are you a Smart Shopper? 7 ways to save money using credit card and coupon deals.
When people think of saving, the first thing that comes to mind is reducing their expenses. However, smart shopping doesn’t always mean cutting back on expenses. With the right approach, you can save more without having to sacrifice anything. Here are a few tips on how to maximize savings while shopping using credit cards and coupon deals.
Credit cards? Choose Carefully.
Before you decide on the service to use, it is important that you understand your expenditure and choose a credit card that best suits you. Check your credit score with the knowledge that a good credit score makes you more eligible for cards that offer better perks. Find a credit card that is best suited to your goals which might be to save, to build (or rebuild) your credit score, or to earn rewards.
Pay early, pay in full.
Whenever you can, paying off your credit card debts on time and in full can save you a lot of charges on late fee expenses. It also has the added benefit of improving your credit score rating, giving you access to lower interest rates. One trick is to link a savings account to your credit card so that the outstanding can be automatically debited monthly and on time.
Always ask.
More often than not, you can get lower interest rates on your credit cards simply by asking. This poll found out that 65 % of people who asked for lower interest rates succeeded. Also, 86% of people were able to get their late payment fees waived simply by asking.
Reward programs and price protection.
Several credit cards offer different reward programs – cash back, points based or frequent flyer miles. Take advantage of it, only if you can pay your balance in full. Rewards often come with higher interest rates so it would only make sense to get these rewards if you are able to pay your balance in full.
Organise your coupons.
It is easy to forget where you stashed your coupons only to find them later when they are expired. In the same way, you can easily lose or forget your coupons and miss out on a good deal as a result. Keeping your coupons highly organised will make saving easier for you. Learn to stockpile your coupons for even better savings.
Find coupons in the right places.
Be vigilant. It is easy to overlook easy and free places to find coupons. Always check for products that carry coupons while doing your regular shopping. If you are in a store that offers in-store magazines, remember that these often carry coupons so always pick more than one to get extra coupons. Websites that offer printable coupons are also a great source for great savings.
Patience is good.
When you find coupons, the goal is not to use them as soon as possible. Wait until you are sure you have the best deals before you use your coupons. Super savers tip – If you have wind of an upcoming sale, then combining coupons with sales will help you make even better savings.
Van Business in UK: Are the stresses and Strains Worth the Investment?
Starting a van business is no doubt lucrative, especially when you get the equation right, but it can be strenuous and even excruciating to keep it going. Anyone might say it is normal for any business to appear daunting at first, but with a van business, is the stress simply not worth it?
Why many start van businesses
There are a number of good reasons to start a van business, with one of them being the simple fact that you have an unused or underutilised van sitting in a corner. The smartest move to make in such a case would surely be to put your van to some profitable use as long as you have a bit of time on your hands.
With a van business, you get to choose the customers you want to serve as the business is versatile and you can engage in a diverse range of work. You get to decide whether you would rather focus on one niche and if business dries up on that end, you and your van can always move to something else. There is also the fact that van businesses will always be in demand, particularly because of the role technology has come to play in selling, with a higher demand for delivery services.
To cap it all, you get to choose when you work, the scale of business you are willing to take on, and how you work. It is the flexibility that makes van business a winner for some.
The ugly side of van business
As many are enticed to start a van business as a result of its many benefits, there are also many who turn away from it due to the associated stresses and strains of the business. Perhaps because they have experienced the uglier side of the venture or because they have heard the horror stories, former van drivers and intending ones change their minds about van business.
Van drivers in the UK often have to drive longer distances and spend longer behind the wheel. This is not healthy, both physically and mentally. After an entire day of driving, the pain can be unbearable and the fatigue would knock you out. Yet, van drivers are expected to get up again the following day and continue.
Doing it right
Driving a van to make a living does not have to be a hellish experience once you are able to do it right. Sometimes, it is the smallest things we do that make all the difference. For example, to avoid long term effects such as elevated blood pressure, you should take a break whenever you start to feel anxious while you are driving. What you need at that moment is to relax and calm yourself.
De-stressing after a long drive is also very important, however you prefer to do it. The bottom line is once you take charge of your health and work, ultimately you’ll be fine.
Five Reasons You Should Study Early Childhood Education
When considering career options in education, people often overlook the earliest years of a child’s life. For many parents, school-based learning begins when play is almost completely replaced by structured lessons. However, this viewpoint undermines a lot of academic research that emphasizes the importance of early childhood education. In fact, studying a diploma in childcare puts you in a position to contribute to the most significant period of cognitive development for each and every child.
If you strive to have an impact on a child’s learning abilities, consider a career in early childhood education. Let’s take a look at some reasons why this could be the academic route for you.
- You want a qualification that opens many doors
Not everyone knows the exact path they want to take when they embark on an academic journey. The good news is as long as you want to work with children, not knowing the details is quite alright. If doesn’t matter where you study, whether it’s for a diploma in childcare in Melbourne, San Diego, or Paris, your career options will become vast and varied. Professional nanny? Childhood educator? Children’s service director? The choice is yours.
- Your skills will always be in demand
It seems that many professions float in and out of fashion, but your skills as an early childhood education professional will always be in demand. No matter the advances in technology, parents will always prefer qualified, adept, and compassionate people to care for their children. What’s more, the worldwide population is increasing at an astonishing rate. Chances are the further into the future we go, the greater the need will be for your expertise.
- You could make a crucial difference to core development
When you choose to work in early childhood education, you are making the decision to contribute to a vital stage of every child’s cognitive development. Completing a professional qualification in this area will fully equip you for the demands and complexities this can present.
Through a specialised curriculum, which focuses on appropriate developmental needs and milestones, you will understand the importance of encouraging young minds to flourish. This learnt and practical knowledge of the early learning process will enable you to give children the very best start, positively influencing their entire journey in education.
- You will have the opportunity to improve school standards
Many individuals who work with young children would like the opportunity to make a difference to the core structures that control educational practice. As a professional in early childhood education, you are an authority in your field. Once in a credible position to voice experience, advice, and concerns, you can shape the future of your school. Your influence could help shape superlative education standards for children throughout your place of work.
Outside of the confines of your school gates, those who want to advance further in their career can work towards a greater purpose. Improving societal standards in education is possible through roles in governing agencies and associated official organizations.
- You love being around children
This last one’s obvious, right? However, you’d be surprised how many people go into educational roles with no real desire to work with kids. But if you do love to be around youngsters, and you find their imaginations inspiring, and their eccentricities enthralling, it makes sense that you channel this passion into your work.
For most people who care about children, early childhood education is an extremely rewarding career choice. While every day undoubtedly presents new challenges, making a difference to the lives of young ones often makes it all worthwhile.
Don’t Drink and Drive: Understanding the Consequences of an Underage DUI
After the torturous two-hour long exams and endless lectures, a late-night party with friends awaits you. However, even though you’re ready to have a great time laughing and drinking, make sure to prioritize your safety and the well-being of others around you well-after the fun has been had. Don’t let a couple of beers or shots prevent you from going home. More than 29% of the US population has died from DUI car accidents, and you and your friends deserve better than to become another statistic.
Did you also know an underage DUI is one of the worst traffic violations to receive? Take care to remember these consequences so that you fully understand the impact of an underage DUI.
-
The first-time offense will not be lenient towards you
It’s common to have one speeding ticket or a minor traffic violation, but a DUI on your record will illustrate bad and questionable morale to a police officer who pulls you over, or a judge sentencing your punishment in court. Your driver’s license can be suspended for however long the court sees fit. Additionally, you will have to pay large fines, participate in mandatory community service, attend DUI education school, and typically serve jail time for a few days.
-
If you are convicted of additional offenses prior to a current DUI, expect harsher consequences than the first
Expect longer jail time and higher fees. Priorly convicted individuals can spend up to 10 years in jail for a DUI alone. Furthermore, you will be required to install an interlock ignition device in your vehicle. It functions as a breathalyzer to measure your BAC but will ask for a breath sample at random times during your driving. It will not stop your vehicle from operating necessarily, but it will immediately send information to your probation officer if you have violated the law by driving intoxicated in any way.
-
If you hurt anyone – including yourself – you will have to live with the aftermath the rest of your life
You are not the only person that can suffer the consequence of a DUI. Sometimes, others – such as your passenger or people in cars on the road next to you – may get caught up in your irresponsible driving. This results in serious injury – or even death – to all parties involved. The possible weight on your conscience should be enough to prevent you from ever driving under the influence in the first place.
The next time you plan on partying and drinking on the same night, make a plan of action that uses alternative measures in getting you and friends home safely to prevent any risk of harm. The reason that DUI laws for underage individuals are so strict is that the law wants to enforce safety for the community and its citizens above all else. Not to say that you can never party or have fun again – it ’s taking the lesson of DUI’s very seriously and always to choose to drive sober. You can have all the fun in the world and still get home safely so you can have an even better time tomorrow night.
