Haad Rin Delights

Posted on October 10, 2011 by administer

Haad Rin is the name of the main tourist town on the Thai island of Koh Phangan. It is also the name of the place where the famous Full Moon Party is held every month come rain or shine (only the sun nearly always shines in Koh Phangan). It is small town full of the delights of life that is perfect for outgoing people who love both going out and relaxing on a tropical beach.

History of Haad Rin

Haad Rin up until the late 1980s was a virtually unheard of little town on an equally obscure Thai island. Tourism didn’t make it to the Samui Archipelago until 1972 and of those first backpackers to make it to Thailand’s southern islands only a handful made it to Koh Phangan.

That all changed in 1987 when a party was held on the beautiful sunrise beach of Haad Rin Nok. It was for a friend and just happened to be the night of the bright full moon. Legend has it the party was a great success and thus was born the FMP – the Full Moon Party.

Over the years the party increased in size and with it the fortunes of Haad Rin changed. The once sleepy and hippy enclave started upgrading accommodation and many new bars, restaurants and guest houses started appearing in the small town.

Haad Rin and the Full Moon Party

Haad Rin Today

Despite the commercialization of Haad Rin it is still a small place that can be negotiated on foot. It is a place with amenities and facilities for tourism but not one with an ultra modern feel or one that charges so much as to be prohibitively expensive. Although Haad Rin hotels charge peak rates during the FMP you can still find a room for under $50 a night.

The great thing about Haad Rin is that it is a friendly place. There are plenty of bars in the town and on the main beach where like-minded travelers and revelers get to met each other and swap stories. There are lots of fun events around the full moon party period including Muay Thai fights and a foam party to get people in the mood.

And of course the following day what better way to cure a sore head than a delicious fruit shake and a swim in the clear warm water of the Gulf of Thailand?

Below is a YouTube video of the Drop in Bar Foam Party that happens 2 days before the FMP.

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Natural Resources in China

Posted on October 6, 2011 by administer
White flag dolphin

White flag dolphin

‘Natural resources’ is a phrase that covers a wide variety of things. It is possible to talk about water resources, climatic resources, biological resources, forestry resources and mineral resources. Anything of value for humanity that comes from the natural world could be classified as ‘natural resources’. It is possible to take a deeper philosophical position and state that people and their ideas and the products of their imagination are from a natural source (we are animals after all) and thus should also be classified as ‘natural resources’. However, you wish to define the term, China is without doubt rich in natural resources.

The first thing to note about China’s is its vast size. China has 122,400 km2 of farmland. The agriculture centers of China are north China, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Szechuan Basin and the Pearl River Delta. These areas grow a variety of foods including rice, wheat and corn. Marine products include shrimps and fish from the 67,500 km2 area of fresh water lakes in China.

In terms of water, China has the sixth largest reserves of fresh water – 2.8 trillion m3.?China has the potential to be the world leader in hydroelectric power. Considering the environmental damage the Three Gorges Dam has caused it is a good thing China has not managed to maximize its hydroelectric power output.

China has found deposits of 135 of the known 150 minerals in the world. China leads the world in deposits of tungsten, antimony, titanium, vanadium, zinc, rare earth, magnesite, pyrite, fluorite, barite, plaster stone and graphite.

China’s biological resources are also impressive: it is home to 32,800 higher plant varieties and 104,000 animal varieties. These include the rare giant panda, the golden monkey, the Yangtze alligator, white-flag dolphin, the metasequoia and the dove tree that are found nowhere else in the world.

20 types of minerals have been found in China’s territorial waters. These include petroleum, natural gas, iron, copper, phosphorite and glauconite. Although China has extensive coal fields and has started taking oil from the Beibu Gulf in the South China Sea, supplying the energy needs of its rapidly expanding economy is one of the greatest challenges of China’s technocrats. It is interesting to note that China leads the world in solar panel production (Japan foolishly missed a trick) and central government orders have done a lot to enforce more solar energy production in the country.

Considering China’s abundance of natural resources it is vital to note that the manufacturing basis of the country is continually eating away at these resources: minerals do not ‘grow’ back. There is a limit to how many ‘consumer’ items China can make cheaply to sell to the world. At the same time these factories are using up (and polluting) vital water resources. Chinese officials basically scuppered the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference because it would not let independent observers monitor China’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Playing politics between superpowers has jeopardized the most important global effort to ensure climatic resources are preserved for future generations. Not only China, but the entire world has to understand that the economy must come second in importance to the environment – without the environment, without clean air, stable weather cycles, clean water there can be no economic prosperity.

On this same topic, China is the center of the bamboo economy. China is the biggest cultivator of bamboo. It is mostly moso bamboo from the Guangzhou Province. Although China is relatively poor in hardwood trees it is rich in bamboo – the world’s fastest growing natural resource. Bamboo can be used to make strand woven bamboo flooring, bamboo kitchen utensils, bamboo blinds and bamboo furniture. Bamboo charcoal has many uses and bamboo vinegar is an important natural remedy.

The rest of the world cannot disengage with China because of its stubborn refusal to play along with international cooperative efforts. China is rich in the vital resource of bamboo; the rest of the world needs this bamboo and bamboo know-how. China needs the West’s experience with environmental oversight. The whole world needs China and America to stop trying to gain one up on each other economically and work together to preserve the world’s natural resources.

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China and America

Posted on October 4, 2011 by administer

China and America have a surprising amount in common. Superficially, the two countries seem diametrically opposed – America is a ‘capitalist’ country and China is a ‘communist’ country. These are just labels by which the game of ideologies is played.

Both America and China have big standing armies. They are two of the last important countries in the world to give up the outdated notion of continually building up army numbers and resources. Although China hasn’t invaded any countries recently (unlike America) it does make noises every year or so about re-taking Taiwan which it sees as belonging within the People’s Republic of China. Many Mongolians and Tibetans would argue the People’s Army are occupying forces in Inner Mongolia and Tibet.

It is interesting to note that both China and America manipulate their vast populations through nationalism. Both populations have been instilled with a bizarre reverence for their flag; Americans and Chinese have a nauseating patriotism that is blinding them to the injustices perpetrated on them by their own governments.

In China the communist party has denied the people democracy. In America the ruling elite of the Republican and Democrat parties have handed over the reins of power to Wall Street. Alan Greenspan and Henry Paulson, the former Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs (and then the Secretary of the US Treasury), made sure that the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the implosion of the US economy due to a deregulated banking industry was consequence free for the Wall Street Brahmins. Indeed Paulson added insult to injury by getting Congress to give (with no strings attached) $700 billion to the banking industry in America. This money was not used to help the 10 million people made unemployed by the 2008 financial crisis. Much of the money went on private jets and bonuses for chief executives on Wall Street who clearly were born without consciences.

Just as surely as the communist leader who ordered the tanks in to crush the peaceful protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989 got away with it, so the CEOs of AIG, Goldman Sachs and Lehman got away with bankrupting the American (and European economy) and managed to give themselves bonuses for their egregious actions.

In Europe governments and NGOs have done more to rein in the banks and regulate them. They are not blinded so much by the ridiculous proposition that ‘the markets know best’. Nor do most people in the world believe that there dictators know best. The Arab Spring is clear demonstration of that. It seems that the peoples of the world are waking up to the abuse of power, the evil of nepotism and cronyism and the damage done by conflicts of interest. The notable exceptions are the Americans and Chinese people who have been brainwashed into believing that any criticism of their countries leaders is an attack on their national identity.

It is such a shame that the world is led by two countries that are so morally corrupt thanks largely to the docility and dopiness of their populations.

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Fruits from all over the World

Posted on October 3, 2011 by administer

What may be seen as one of the benefits of globalization is that in many countries we’re now able to purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables that were grown outside that country. This ensures a disconnect for many of us regarding the optimal growing conditions for the produce that we eat. It’s only when we go to visit tropical climates such as Thailand, China, the Philippines, Ecuador and so on that we discover that fruits grown tropically and picked and eaten locally taste so much better than what we can find in Western supermarkets. It is not always the case that local fruits and vegetables are going to be better. However, one of the benefits of buying local produce is that there should be a shorter period of time between when it is picked and when you can eat it. Also, the fruits and vegetables are more likely to be picked when they are ready rather than long before they become ripe. This is one of the big problems with mass production of fruits today – they’re picked for the way they look rather than the way that they taste.

Living in Western countries, there are loads of fruits and vegetables that are grown domestically. However due to consumer demand or perhaps supermarket dictat we now have year round access to “year round” produce. The result being that many of us simply don’t know what a good mango tastes like.

Image from Stock Food

There are so many impediments to good taste that our fruits have to deal with. Some of these include, washing, waxing and irradiation. These are much more to do with preserving the way the fruit looks so that it looks more attractive to the eye and will have a longer shelf life.

The point is that it’s simply quite a challenge for us to start to find out about the seasonality of fruits from our own country. Why must we have year round availability? Is it what we really want?

On one hand, the choice that it gives us is amazing. Being about to get hold of berries in the winter is great. Then again, there is a world of difference between bland out of season supermarket fruit and the real deal, hand picked at the height of its ripeness. On a personal level, I’d prefer less choice and more taste!

Fruit that we can purchase in the supermarket works pretty well when it comes to juicing though. It’s cheap and perhaps not as sweet as it could be. The thing is, for making juice, perhaps being really sweet isn’t what’s required. This could make the juice “too sweet”. Choose from low cost through to high end models depending on how much you’re willing to spend. The best juicer reviews are to be had online. Reading the internet is free and it’s a wonderful source of information.

A CBS report Pomegranate Ranked Healthiest Fruit Juice talks about the nutritional benefits of drinking fresh fruit juice as part of your diet.

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The Mandate of Heaven

Posted on October 2, 2011 by administer

The Mandate of Heaven (pinyin: Tianmìng) is an important philosophical concept that is helpful to the outsider to understand the mechanics of power in China. It is a concept that is different from the Divine Right of Kings used in Europe as it has an important element of accountability that is missing in the Divine Right of Kings.

The Mandate of Heaven was first used as a concept in the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) to justify their overthrow of the earlier Shang Dynasty. This was near the start of recorded Chinese history. The Zhou Dynasty stated that the Shang had clearly lost the blessing of heaven (pinyin: Tian), and that is why they were overthrown.

The Mandate of Heaven is based on the correct observance of the Five Confucian Relationships. Only a just and fair ruler would be allowed to rule the Middle Kingdom. If a ruler broke the Five Confucian Relationships heaven would withdraw its support for the Emperor and the consequence would be regime change.

Unlike the Divine Right of Kings in the West the Mandate of Heaven did not disbar commoners from becoming Emperor. The Divine Right of Kings gave a blood line the divine right to rule a country. It is a right of birth and crucially it is not based on any fitness to rule. The Mandate of Heaven clearly shows that a ruler may only stay in power while he shows himself to be worthy of the position. This is a form of accountability that was intended as a balance against despotism.

The notion of the Mandate of Heaven is still a very popular idea among Chinese. While things are going well on a personal and national level it is felt that the rulers have a right to rule. If things turn bad – bad crops, natural disasters, foreign invasion and economic collapse – then that right is withdrawn.

Although there is a major groundswell for more democratization in China the Communist Party still firmly hold the reins of power. Seen from the point of view of the Mandate of Heaven the position of the Party remains very strong because China is rapidly catching up with the USA and Japan in terms of economic growth. Money is pouring into China. They continue to prosper despite the rest of the world being on the verge of an epoch defining recession.

The high speed train crash and the accident on the Shanghai underground both in September 2011 displayed callousness on the part of the administration in the way they tried to cover up the extent of the disasters (especially the high speed train crash). This greatly angered the Chinese public. If the incompetence of government sponsored utilities and services continue the public will start making noises about the Mandate of Heaven being withdrawn. At this point a Brutus will be waiting in the wings to stab the party in the back and take his heavenly mandated place on the throne of China.

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Koh Samui

Posted on September 29, 2011 by administer

Chaweng Beach in Koh SamuiLife is not all work, work, work or indeed studying about China all the time. It is necessary to take time out from the hectic nature of our everyday lives. What better way to relax and rejuvenate than on the tropical Thai island of Koh Samui? Read below to find the essential information concerning the popular island of Koh Samui.

Overview

Koh Samui is located in the southern part of the Gulf of Thailand. It belongs to a group of islands known as the Samui Archipelago. This archipelago also contains the popular islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao as well as Ang Thong National Marine Park.

Koh Samui is Thailand’s second biggest island. It has an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of about 50,000 people. The principal town of the island is Nathon. The island enjoys sunny, hot weather all year round except during the month long rainy season which usually occurs between October and November.

Koh Samui is easily reached from either the mainland of China or from Hong Kong. There are both direct flights to Koh Samui as well as connecting flights via Bangkok. It is worth mentioning that there re often some great air flight deals available between Bangkok and Hong Kong.

History of Koh Samui

Koh Samui is found on Chinese maps dating back to 1687. A prehistoric drum from the Stone Age was found on Koh Samui in 1977 which has lead archeologists to surmise that the island was first used by fishermen over 15 centuries. The island is rich in tin so it is also assumed that the island was mined in the Middle Bronze Age.

In the Twentieth Century few people outside of Thailand had heard of Koh Samui. That is until 1972 when 2 backpackers managed to catch local transport to the island. They returned to Bangkok declaring they had discovered paradise. From that point tourism in Koh Samui quickly took off.

Facilities and Amenities on Koh Samui

Koh Samui is second only to Phuket in terms of development for a tourist beach destination. In the Northeast there is an airport. There are big supermarkets including Tesco Lotus. There are modern hospitals, a decompression chamber for divers, several excellent dentists and a good road system that covers most of the island. There are ferry ports at Maenam, Big Buddha, Bophut, Lipa Noi (car ferry) and Nathon. The popular beaches of Chaweng and Lamai have small towns next to the beach that contain nearly everything needed for a holiday such as ATM machines, post offices, gyms, shops, restaurants, bars etc. The best markets for food and souvenirs are located in Nathon. This is also the place where you should go to renew your visa.

Beaches in Koh Samui

You can draw a diagonal line from the Northwest of the island to the Southeast of the island. The upper section contains the most popular and developed beaches, the lower half the quieter and less developed beach areas.

The longest and best beach on Koh Samui is Chaweng. This is the main tourist hub of the island. The beach has fine, white sand and is good for swimming. Off the coast at Chaweng there are coral reefs and a couple of small islands to explore. The nightlife of Chaweng varies from simple Thai restaurants to fine dining to Brazilian samba shows to tacky ‘beer bars’.

Lamai is just south of Chaweng and offers more of the same but on a slightly smaller scale.

In the north is Bophut. The entrance to the area contains the trendy and boutique area called Fisherman’s Village. This is a street where many of the bars and cafes have retained the original Chinese wooden architecture. Next to Fisherman’s Village is the relaxed beach of Bophut. It has several mid-range and luxury resorts.

To the West of Bophut is Maenam. It has a 7 km long stretch of white sand beach. The sea gets deep quickly at Maenam. There is extensive palm and tree cover. Most of the accommodation in Maenam is along the beach. There are lots of budget places to stay in Maenam. As a consequence the area has more of a backpacker vibe. There are only a few bars and restaurants in Maenam.

South of the diagonal line there are a number of quiet beaches such as Laem Set, Bang Kao, Taling Ngam, Phangka and Thong Tanote. They tend to have coral in the sand and the sea bed. They also have large tidal differences. Swimming at these beaches is generally better between April and September.

Accommodation in Koh Samui

Koh Samui accommodation varies from small bungalows with air-con, fridge and TV or rooms in small locally owned hotels for as little as $30 a night. There are plenty of cheap places to stay in Koh Samui. There are lots of mid-range resorts with communal pools, air-con rooms with hot water, TV and fridge that cost in the region of $50 to $70 a night.

Hilton, Marriot and Amari all have luxury resorts in Koh Samui. Stand out luxury resorts include The Library at Chaweng, Amari Palm Reef Hotel in Chaweng and the Conrad Koh Samui in Taling Ngam.

The beach of Laem Set is home to the Kamalaya. This is a luxury wellness center that has a host of experts to teach yoga, Pilates, tai chi and a lot more. They also have saunas and a far infrared ray sauna. There’s also a fitness center with private trainers.

Activities / Places to visit in Koh Samui

The icon of Koh Samui is undoubtedly the Golden Buddha at Bang Rak. It is a 12 golden Buddha at the top of a staircase that goes out over a lake. In the south at Wat Khunaram there is a 30 year old mummified monk wearing saffron robes and sunglasses. It is one of the very few Buddhist mummies in the world.

There are plenty of dive spots around the coast of Koh Samui as well as farther afield at Sail Rock, Chumphon Pinnacles and Koh Tao. The sea is warm and there are few better places to learn how to scuba dive than in the Gulf of Thailand.

There are a few waterfalls to visit. There’s also Canopy Adventures who have tree houses with zip lines to allow guests to see the forest of Koh Samui. There’s also a go cart track, a full size golf course, sail boats to hire, kite boarding lessons, Muay Thai gyms and lots of spas. For those with the ethical stomach there is a tiger show on Laem Set beach. In short there’s plenty to see and do on Koh Samui.

Koh Samui – Conclusion

Koh Samui is a developed island. Although the south is much quieter you are never far away from all the amenities you could want. The better beaches tend to crowded and the less popular beaches in the south are not great for swimming. For some the nightlife on Koh Samui is the reason to visit. For others the brazenness of it all is off-putting. You can spend a lot of money in Koh Samui and you can also get by on a limited budget. Koh Samui is still paradise, but very much a paradise in the mainstream.

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