Elephants have long been important to Thai culture, where they are a symbol of religion, history, royalty, and power. According to Buddhist legend, Queen Maya of Sakya, Lord Buddha’s mother, dreamed that a divine Bodhisattva on a white elephant touched her side. She later became pregnant and since then elephants have had a strong connection to the divine and royalty in Buddhism. As Thailand is a Buddhist society, this is one reason elephants are held in such high esteem (the old kings of Thailand rode around on white elephants). Additionally, elephants were used in the logging industry to help clear trees so there was a practical nature to their importance, too.  So If you get the chance to ride, pet, or even just feed the elephants you should take the opportunity. 

I visited Thailand a few years ago and wanted to share a get away with you.  Back in 2009, there were few resorts, restaurants, or bars and most bungalows had only cold water and fans. Air conditioning and hot water were a luxury. The island was rustic. Even on its most touristy beach during high season, there was hardly a soul around and a bar would be considered busy if it had more than five people in it. We spent four days biking the island, laying on the beach, gorging on cheap seafood, and watching some of the most unbelievable sunsets I had ever seen in my life.  Ko Lanta was paradise. A beautiful, seemingly unknown place located in a region known for being the epicenter of Thailand tourism. How everyone managed to miss this paradise with its long and wide white sand beaches, cheap food, and sunsets (the island faces due west) boggled my mind.  But everyone’s loss was my gain and those four days left a deep impression on me.

California is a very popular state in America.  Known for its fame, beaches, and geographical beauty it is home and a pit stop to many tourists.  San Francisco is one of the most eclectic cities in the United States. It’s home to liberals, hippies, hipsters, techies, immigrants, yuppies, that big red bridge, Alcatraz, delicious Chinese, seafood, and, well, food in general (this is a great city to be hungry in). To me, it’s a magical place. While it lacks that certain fantasy life that would convince me to pack my bags and live there, I look forward to each visit with excitement (and hunger). There’s always something new and exciting going on.

If you like Paris in the springtime, you’ll love Provence in the summer. The region’s famous lavender fields burst into full flower at the end of June and last until the beginning of August in a good year. Don’t miss your chance to see–and smell–the fragrant herbs up close and personal this year. Here are three great places to stay while you’re there:
Les Ramparts
Le Couvent des Minimes
Le Mas de I'Amarine
Check these places out and let me know what you think.  I'm curious to think what kind of travelers I have reading my blog. 

Here are a few other travel blogs you should check out if you enjoy mine:
-Y Travel Blog
-A Luxury Travel Blog
-Young Adventuress
-Wandering Trader


Tell me what you think, and if you would like more similar blogs listed.

Just a quick update.  If you think there are more tourists now than ever, you're right.  More than one billion people visit another country each year.  The U.N's World Tourism Organization expects the number of international tourists this year to break 2013's record of 1.1 billion travelers.  That number topped the year before that and so on.  It is only greatly increasing annually.  At this point the guess by the U.N's World Tourism Organization is that 40 to 50 billion people will travel this year.  That only means you should prepare your traveling trips more carefully and effectively and inform yourself on safety tips and rules to wherever you travel.

I thought I might write about Barcelona, Spain considering I'll be traveling there this Summer.  Spain is for the artistic eye and the wild imagination.  Gothic Quarter has said to be very interesting.  It's a long walkway in Barcelona where venders sell beautiful hand-made paintings, jewelry, and even foods.  But it is a beautiful and clean environment to get a feel for what Spain is really like.  Royal Palace of Madrid is where the Spanish royal family resides.  I doubt you would be able to get a close looks at the grounds considering the fences and guards are made to keep wanderers out.  Curiosity killed the cat, you know.  The Cathedral of Cordoba is the most historical thing in Spain to visit.  Leonardo De Vinci painted the whole ceiling by hand and it stands there in tact to this day.  Spain is going to be so exciting to visit, and I'll be sure to share my stories when I return. 

Switzerland has always been on my list of places to travel too.  Switzerland is more of a Winter Wonderland, so if you aren't a fan of the cold, then this isn't the place for you.  The Swiss Alps are the place to be within this tundra.  Skiing and sledding and even making snow angels at this popular slope in the land.  Mount Pilatus is a five star resort by the Alps that is on the edge of an icy cliff.  So dangerous, yet breathtaking as you look over the edge into the winter abyss below.  I doubt you would be able to find much to do that includes warm weather, but hiking Mount Rigi is one.  This mountain is one of the only not covered in ice caps and is great to go exploring in.  Switzerland is made for big fur coats and big snow boots, but I bet it would definitely be worth it. 

Canada, aye!  Canada has a wide variety of things to do for all kinds of people.  Niagara Falls is a world famous site that everyone should take the opportunity to see.  If you're heavy into sports they have stadiums large and small, all around, like the Royal Ontario stadium located in Ontario itself.  Canada's Wonderland is a very popular theme park for the Canadians and a very much enjoyed one by tourists.  Columbia ice field and Lake Ontario are incredibly beautiful nature experiences that anyone would love to experience.  Canada is very big on Hockey, so you could see a game or even go to the hockey Museum.  There are many other museums in Canada ranging from nature, history, sports, and there is something for everyone.  Don't forget to try their bacon and don't be surprised!  

Fiji is beautiful to visit all year long!  I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie so the first place I would stop is Kula Eco Park.  Kula Eco Park is one of the most famous theme parks in Fiji.  If you are a history enthusiast, the Fiji Museum is where you should go!  It gives you the history of Fiji, and what makes it how it is today.  However, the beaches and rivers are for about anyone.  They are the most relaxing and beautiful places to unwind in the whole country.  They even have a popular National Baseball Stadium that is frequently occupied with the country's impressive teams.  If you decide to visit Fiji, I hope you share all of your adventures with me!

Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful places to visit.  Bora Bora is an island so it is most enjoyable to water lovers.  Shark and stingrays love to swim with you while you snorkel or even just cool off in the crystal clear blue water.  Jet skiing and other water sport or activities are provided almost every where you go.  However, there are also animals to see for the land lovers.  The 4-wheel-drive Safari adventure would be the most fun to take advantage of on the island.  There are many seafood and non seafood restaurants all over the island.  Just take it all in while you're there.  It's not every day you find yourself in Bora Bora!

Aye Mate, let's take a gander of Australia.  Australia is a great place to plan a trip too.  If you enjoy Koalas and other exotic animals, make sure to check out any of the Zoos to come up close and personal with a Koala or even a Kangaroo.  Australia Zoo is the most popular zoo, due to the facts it's the home of the one and only Crocodile Hunter.  The Sydney Oprah house is also a spot you can't miss out on.  So many famous people and events have been held in this glorious auditorium along the coastline.  Speaking of coastline, Australia has some of the prettiest beaches ,in my opinion.  Australia also has quite a few amusement parks; however, Warner Bros. Movie World is the most unique.  The park can't be found anywhere else!  It's one and only is located right there in Australia.  So enjoy the sun, the animals, and the sights.  Have fun eating food from the Barbie.

If you're looking for a place to get away, Hawaii is the best choice.  When you're not exploring, there are plenty opportunities to relax and enjoy yourself.  Pearl Harbor is one of the most Historical places in America, and it's located in Hawaii.  It's a lagoon harbor and is the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet.  It was also bombed by Japan long ago.  One thing you'll find in Hawaii that you can't find anywhere else in America, is Volcanoes.  Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a place where you can walk around and observe small, safe, and managed volcanoes.  It would be an amazing experience.  Sea life park is also another place you should consider stopping by on your trip.  It lets you observe and interact with native animals in their natural habit while in a cultural environment as well.  The Ha'iku stairs, also known as the "Stairway to Heaven" is a steep hiking trial located on the island of O'ahu.  It's believed to be haunted and is very dangerous, yet a popular tourist attraction.  I hope you enjoy your stay, Aloha!

Next stop, England!  I've always dreamed of traveling to Britain.  I think it's simply because I find their accents to be interesting to listen too.  There are places to go for all different kinds of interests.  You could visit the Queen of England in Buckingham Palace.  I wonder if you could make the guards smile or laugh.  Stonehenge is also found in England.  Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks.  Some believe it was used for ritual purposes in ancient times.  You can also find Big Ben there.  No it's not a person, it's one of the most famous clock towers in the world.  There is also multiple popular theme parks in England that anyone would enjoy!  I hope you get the chance to visit England and have many adventures.  Don't forget to tell the Queen I said, "Hello" and grab some tea and crumpets before you come home.

The land of the free!  America.  I never thought about creating a post on traveling to America, but maybe some of you want too.  There is so much to do here!  Florida is hot and sunny, so pack a bathing suit.  New York is crazy and crowded but tourist galore.  If you're the party type of person then Las Vegas is the place for you.  You can honestly find something to do in each state here in America.  Check the weather before you come, because our states can vary from giving you heat stroke to frost bite.  If you come to America, it would only be right to visit our Capital, Washington D.C. The home of our president, Barack Obama.  Washington D.C is filled with many important historical Artifacts that our country cherishes and relies on.  If you get a chance to visit America, do it.  You wont regret it.  You might even come back for more!

"The luck of the Irish" is what they always say.  Being Irish, I think it would be a great travel destination.  Ireland is popular for it's rain-drenched countryside, so don't forget to pack an umbrella.  The Magical Monastery at Sea is a very popular travel spot here.  It illuminates the ways of life practiced by the Christian Monks.  It's journey to get there is not easy.  It requires a boat trip and 600 corkscrew stairs to be climbed, but its desolation is worth the climb.  Be sure to stop in at the famous Pubs too.  Most of all, be sure to have a good time.  Relax, get lost, go on adventures.  Also, don't be afraid to try something new!  Golf is a very popular sport there, and food choices galore.  Enjoy your stay in Ireland.

There are so many places to visit around the world.  Places to wind up, wind down, and places to even just get lost.  Last time, you read about Paris being a very popular travel destination.  This time, prepare to travel to Italy.  Italy is the second most visited travel destination in the world.  You may know Italy for it's famous romance in the movies, or from learning about it's famous artifacts.  Italy is a relaxing and educational place to escape too.  It is just beautiful.  Before you take a trip there, you should learn about it's history and society.  Whether you're traveling to Italy in the summer or winter, you should check up on the weather around your expected travel dates.  Make sure you budget for your trip too.  Check the currency rate and exchange your money ahead of time to be prepared.  You should also read up on the health requirements.  You usually need vaccines before traveling out of the country as a precaution.  Make sure you look up popular places to visit!  The Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are very unique attractions in Italy you shouldn't miss out on! Enjoy your vacation.  Arrivederci!

I guess it's time for a change.  Instead of asking you about your travel tales, it may be time to share one of my own.  Being a military daughter, I have had many opportunities to travel and experience great things.  One of them was living in Japan for three years.  My parents are divorced, so I didn't live there full time.  I visited my father every summer and holiday break.  As terrible as they were, the twenty-four hour flights were worth it.  There were only a few things about Japan that I hated.  One of them being the weather.  Typhoons are a daily event there all year long.  When there aren't any typhoons coming around it was very hot and humid.  Considering I was only there during summer times, I guess I should have expected that.  However, there was so much to do.  I lived on an island right off of Mainland Japan, called Okinawa.  The island was only 60 miles long.  It was just big enough to enjoy yourself and always have something new to do.  My family is big on the outdoors, so we had many adventures.  We hiked through the woods to waterfalls at least twice, which is exhausting but worth it in the end.  We also went snorkeling a lot.  If you are traveling somewhere where you might engage in snorkeling or other water activities, I highly suggest bringing an under water camera.  That way you'll have memories on a fun and unique time.  Also, we did a lot of things involving the culture.  It was fun in an educating way.  Going there from time to time through out a period of three years, I also picked up on some Japanese.  Just the basic phrases to get around without the communication barrier.  I enjoyed visiting Japan with my family, and I would suggest that it be a place you consider visiting too.  It is so beautiful there, and peaceful too.  

Whose been traveling lately?  If you haven't, where would you go if you had one free ticket to any destination?  The number one desired place to visit as stated by many websites, polls, and newspaper articles is Paris.  Know as the city of love and city of light, it's a beautiful place to go.  The city draws millions of visitors every year just by its memorable ambiance.  The food and art isn't the only reason why people love Paris.  You should probably learn some basic french before traveling there so you have some type of communication.  Here is some phrases to help you;
1. Bonjour means Hello.
2. Au revoir means goodbye.
3. S'il vous plait is please.
4. Merci is thank you.
There are so many places to visit in Paris, but here is a list of the most visited places;
1. Notre-Dame Cathedral
2. Eiffel Tower
3. Champs-Elysees 
4.  Versailles Palace
Don't be afraid to venture off and go sight-seeing when you get there.  It's almost impossible to get bored in a place like Paris.  
Have you been to Paris?  If so, what were some memorable places you visited?
I personally, dream of going to Paris one day and hope I can come back and share all my french stories with you!  

My name is Sam.  Being the daughter of a Marine, I have traveled to many places in my 15 years of life.  I lived in Japan for a total of three years and I've traveled to many places such as Australia, Thailand, and more.  I am somewhat of an adrenaline junkie and I enjoy going on adventures.  I'm sure you've traveled to many places too!  Here you can share stories of trips you've taken, desires on where you wish to go, or listen to my travel tales.  The most popular travel destinations today include Cycling the Tour De France, Windsurfing in Turkey, Kite Surfing in Spain, and many more.  Unfortunately,  I haven't been anywhere recently nor have I gone to my most desired destination.  I dream of going to Paris, France.  My graduating class plans on visiting many places in Europe, Paris being one.  I am ecstatic and cannot wait to go.  Where do you daydream on visiting?  Wherever you go, you must be prepared.  Here are some tips to make your travel easier and happier.  
1.  Always pack a hat - You never know when it can come in handy.
2.  Don't forget your camera charger - You'll want to brag to all of your friends and family.
3.  Never carry your wallet in your back pocket - Safety first.
4.  Put a travel alert on your credit cards - You can never be too sure.
5.  HAVE FUN! 
You're bound to forget something, but don't stress over it.  What's done is done and you should simply be focusing on having a good time.  Now that you have read a few of my travel tips, enjoy your vacation.  The problems you are currently facing should not be on our mind while you are on vacation.  This is "you-time," act like it.  And don't forget to come back and share your stories with me.