Bangkok, The City of Angels or “Krungthep” is the capital city of Thailand. Bangkok is the hub for most of the commercial and economical activities of the Kingdom. At the same time, the City is very famous and appreciated by visitors for its versatility and multiple points of interests.

From temples, the Grand Palace, all the way over the some of Asia’s largest shopping centers and the largest outdoor market of Asia (Chatuchak), Bangkok definitely has what it takes to entertain visitors from all origins, either first time or return travelers.

Bangkok is excess in all of its unrestrained glory. Bigger, better, more: the city is insatiable, a monster that feeds on concrete, shopping malls and diesel exhaust.

The city demands that you be in the present and in the moment, not necessarily for a religious epiphany, but because the city is self-absorbed and superficial, blissfully free of wrinkle-inducing self-reflection. Smiles and sa nuk (the Thai word for ‘fun’) are the key passports into Bangkok society. A compliment here, a joke there – the demands of social lubrication in this megalopolis are more akin to a small village than an anonymous city and a necessity for survival.

Of the famous and infamous attractions, Bangkok’s best feature is its intermingling of opposites. A modern world of affluence orbits around a serene traditional core

You can jump between all of these worlds – wining and hobnobbing at a chic club, eating at a street side market, getting plucked and pummeled into something more beautiful, or sweating profusely on a long unplanned march. Bangkok is an urban connoisseur’s dream come true.

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Climate of Bangkok,Thailad >>

 

 

In the Loisaba Wilderness, outdoor “star beds” expose you to the Kenyan elements.

 

 

 

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

These places offer some of the world’s most beautiful me-time fixes

Book yourself in at a ger camp beside Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur for a sweet escape

Kettuvallam houseboats in the Indian state of Kerala are floating luxury hotel rooms

Only 12 guests are allowed on Australia’s five-acre Wilson Island at one time

(CNNGo) — If hell is other people, maybe you can find heaven where other people aren’t.

These places, though not entirely devoid of human life, offer some of the world’s most beautiful me-time fixes.

1. Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, Mt. Everest

Location: Tibet Autonomous Region, China

It’s freezing, there’s barely any oxygen and it has claimed more than 200 lives. But you don’t actually need to hit Mt. Everest’s summit to get away from it all.

Head for the North Face and you’ll pass by Rongbuk Monastery. At an elevation of 5,100 meters (16,732 feet), it’s an anxiety-settling 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) short of the death zone.

Opposite is the guesthouse, a basic, electricity-rationed, rustic little property where you can gaze upon Everest’s face and experience all the internal contemplation it brings on without having to risk life and limb.

Rate: Less than $10 per night. Information at windhoursetour.com.

Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp, Tsang, Tibet, China

2. Great White Lake, Mongolia

Location: Central Mongolia, between Tariat town and Terkhiin Tsaagan Nuur’s eastern shore

Book yourself in at a ger camp beside Central Mongolia’s Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, or “Great White Lake,” in the lush Khangai Mountain region and you’ll wonder why people ever felt the need to congregate in cities.

Located in the Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park, the area is pockmarked with volcanic rock. The lake itself was created by lava flow from an eruption thousands of years ago.

Even if there are others in your camp, go for a walk and within 20 minutes it’ll just be you, a vast expanse of land and a few pesky flies.

Rates: Less than $20 per night. Multi-day horseback tours and camps can be booked via onthegotours.com, or you can hike from camp to camp.

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3. Kettuvallam houseboat, India

Location: State of Kerala, southern India

They look like giant wicker baskets, but the kettuvallam houseboats that ply the many channels and backwaters of the Indian state of Kerala are floating luxury hotel rooms.

The boats can accommodate up to six guests and while you can disembark if the need grabs you (finished your novel too quickly?), it’s just as easy to remain on the water and let attentive crews cater to you for several days.

Rates: $210 for 22 hours. Book via thehouseboatskerala.com.

4. Wilson Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Location: Off the coast of Gladstone, Australia

If only Robinson Crusoe had it so good. Just 12 guests are allowed on this five-acre island at any one time, so no need to run out at dawn to reserve the sun loungers.

Guests have access to a library and various resort-style amenities, such as toiletries, housekeeping service and food and drinks.

If you book in January, you may have to share the place with green and loggerhead turtles, which crawl onto shore to lay their eggs.

Rates: From $680 per night for one of six permanent luxury tents. Book at wilsonisland.com.

Wilson Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Tel +61 3 9413 6284

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5. Takaro Peace Resort, New Zealand

Location: South Island, New Zealand

Takaro Peace Resort is so out of the way that guests used to have to fly directly to this wellness spa and relaxation lodge. Thanks to a new private road, it’s now even easier to ignore other people.

As well as holing yourself up in one of the resort’s 10 luxury feng shui-designed chalets, you can go on glow-worm cruises and walks on the magnificent 2,000-acre private estate.

Rate: From $190 (for standard chalet) per person per night. Book at takarolodge.com.

914 Takaro Road, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand. Tel +64 3 249 0161. contact@takaropeaceresort.com

6. International Dhamma Hermitage, Thailand

Location: Chaiya, Thailand

If you find it hard to find silence for 10 minutes during “normal” life, you might want to book a stay at International Dhamma Hermitage, a meditation resort attached to the Wat Suan Mokkh forest monastery 640 kilometers (about 400 miles) south of Bangkok.

Every month the resort hosts 10-day meditation retreats, during which participants take on vows of silence.

Turns out running your mouth is not an easy habit to break.

You get up early and fast between noon and dawn. Sitting on “luxury beds or seats” is a no-no.

Guests must register in person on the last day of the previous month.

Rate: $66 for 10 days. For more info go to suannmokkh-idh.org.

International Dhamma Hermitage, 1.5 kilometers (about 1 mile) from Wat Suan Mokkh, Chaiya, Surat Thani, Thailand. Khun.Reinhard@gmail.com

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7. Alert, Canada

Location: Nunavut, Canada

Located just 817 kilometers (507 miles) from the North Pole, and more than 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) from the nearest city, Alert is the last stop for civilization in the northern hemisphere. In the 2006 census, its permanent population was five.

Alert is mainly home to military and meteorological personnel and installations. The only feasible way to get there is by hitching a ride the next time the Canadian military sends a plane.

There are no tourist facilities and you’ll have to bring your own food. And sleeping bag. Then build your own igloo.

8. Kulala Wilderness Camp, Namibia

Location: Namib Desert, Namibia

If by becoming a recluse your intention is to feel small and insignificant, you need look no further than the Sossusvlei in the southern part of the Namib Desert. Sossusvlei roughly translates as “marsh of no return,” and that pretty much tells the story of this remote spot.

It’s a dead, dry, Dali-esque place, with the Deadvlei, a ghostly white clay pan area full of dead acacia trees, set against burning red sand dunes.

Book stays at the Kulala Wilderness Camp, within a private 37,000-hectare reserve, throughsafariadventurecompany.com.

Rate: From $300 per adult per night.

350 kilometers (217 miles) from Windhoek, Namibia. Tel +27 11 257 5111. info@wilderness-adventures.com

9. Loisaba Wilderness, Kenya

Location: Laikipia, Kenya

How do you make your African safari even more adventurous? Spend nights out with the animals.

In the Loisaba Wilderness, outdoor “star beds” expose you to the Kenyan elements (you do get a mosquito net). The unique beds, which jut out over the Ewaso Ng’iro River, are a joint venture between Loisaba and the local Laikipiak Maasai.

Traditional Samburu and Laikipiak Maasai warriors guide and look after you during your wilderness stay. Each bed-lodging can accommodate two to four people.

 

 Loisaba Wilderness, Nanyuki, Kenya. Tel +254 (0)62 31072. contact@takaropeaceresort.com

By Winnie So, CNNGo

Rate: $740-$1,190 per night through Loisaba Wilderness.

 

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Bangkok can soothe or ruffle, depending upon your circumstances. If you`re contemplating the sunrise at Wat Arun temple along the Chao Phraya River, you`ll marvel at what peace can be found in the midst of such a chaotic metropolis. Bangkok means City of Angels.

Bangkok Restaurants:
If you love food, you will love Bangkok. There are restaurants to suit every taste serving a huge selection of western and asian food.The variety of cuisine and dining experiences is one of the major attractions of Bangkok. You can eat breakfast at your hotel, lunch at a local noodle stall by the roadside, and have dinner with fine wines in a sophisticated air conditioned restaurant. Bangkok’s chinatown houses some of the best and most expensive Chinese restaurants in the city, along with many of the best and cheapest food stalls, especially at night. The restaurant mostly specialize in southern Chinese cooking, with noodles, seafood and at lunch time.Many guesthouses and open air cafes  serving standard Thai and Chinese dishes.

Bangkok Art Galleries:
Bangkok is home to several gallereies, both public and private. Private galleries in Bangkok range from small informal affairs to galleries with plush modern architecture. Many galleries of course focus on Thai traditional art and the main gallery for this genre is the National Gallery. Outside the galleries through, art hits the streets-wander down places like Khao San Road or the main student areas and you are bound to meet an artist seeling his/her paintings.

Bangkok Theatre: 
Through the years, the theatre has grown to become a prominent home for the performing arts in Thailand. Under its roof, the company has created numerous acclaimed productions, founded a performing arts school, carried out international exchanges, experimented with arts in different media all the while preserving and developing traditional arts. All these efforts are different facets of the same commitment — to develop excellence in Thai performing arts and artists. Many artists trained in Patravadi Theatre have become prominent artists on their own.

Since then, Bangkok has turned into a national treasure house and functions as Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic center.Ingredients and wine are clearly imported from Europe. If you want something other than Thai food in Thailand, this place is a great choice. The ambiance was very nice as well and perfect to take a date.

To know more about Bangkok entertainment please visit the link http://www.ticketstobangkok.co.uk. I found it useful.

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The Photo Getaway – You, raw beauty and memory cards that will take months to sort through. A trip planned for the purpose of capturing still images of wonderful places so that you may enjoy them forever and share them with friends and family. A few days spent taking memories to last a lifetime, here are 14 of the world’s best islands on which to do just that… oh to visit them all.

1. Santorini, Greece

This photo is from the Island of Santorini in Greece. The humid climate provides the possibility of playing with foggy conditions at certain times of day.

2. Iceland

This picture of Iceland shows that it’s not always covered with snow. Cold weather can provide phenomenal clear skies and amazing lighting conditions.

3. Boracay

Long sandy beaches to be photographed day or night along with beach cantinas to help quench your thirst and keep you chugging along with new ideas.

4. Seychelles

An island less travelled where you can spend time planning your photographs.

5. Phang-Nga Bay Phuket,Thailand

Also known as James Bond’s Island you’ll want to bring some good hiking shoes when you visit. You might also want to take an elephant ride along the beach.

6. Jamaica

Well known, popular and always a great place to be as a photographer.

7. Bali

This picture of Bali shows off one of it’s brilliant sunsets. hint-hint.

8. Maui

The volcanic nature of Maui can make for some golden opportunities.

9. Aruba

Photography in Aruba demands that you bring your underwater photo gear.

10. Hvar

An excellent place to take pictures of the rich at play.

11. Galapagos

The Galapagos islands are an excellent travel destination for photographers wanting to capture wildlife images from a wide variety of animals.

12. Anguilla

Pristine white sandy beaches make excellent backdrops for model photography.

13. Malta

If you were a pirate 400 years ago where would you hide your treasure?

14. Toronto – Center Island

I bet you didn’t see this last one coming! There is no “best” island to photograph and if there was it would probably be the one closest to you. Any island can provide absolutely stunning images to capture if you’re there at the right time with the right photo gear. When planning your next photo getaway do some extra research on special natural events that happen seasonally such as bird migrations or whale sightings. Timing is the second most important factor to taking excellent pictures after just being there!

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From Chang Mai the journey began. I decided to fly back to Bangkok, even to a budget savvy traveller the appeal of a night in a bed before the long journey to Cambodia was worth the additional £6. That was until the flight was delayed, I didn’t get to bed until 2.30 am and the bus to Cambodia left at 7 am the same morning. The journey from Bangkok to the Cambodian border was comfortable, starting off in a nice air-conditioned coach with plenty of spare seats to stretch out in, followed by a minibus and then a motorbike side-cart across the border. All was going well.

One across the border a group of us were shepherded into the back of 2 pick up trucks. We were told one of the bridges on the road to Siem Reap was broken, therefore we were to travel in the trucks to the bridge before meeting the bus at the other side of the broken bridge. The pick up trucks were so crowded, we had 12 people in addition to the 20 rucksacks which were forming temporary seats for more people who couldn’t fit onto the ledge at the edge of the truck. For the first hour or so the journey was fine, the scenery was so amazing, completely different to Thailand. I hadn’t expected such a contrast. The road, however, was the worst condition dirt track i have ever seen, with huge lorries and buses and motorbikes all charging along. They don’t seem to drive on any particular side of the road and road rules do not seem to apply.

Five very bumpy and uncomfortable hours later (by which time nearly 14 hours had passed since we left Bangkok), we eventually get to the broken bridge. We carry our bags across the bridge and get on the not so luxurious Cambodian bus, again with more people than seats, and definitely more bags than people. Again a little crowded but things were looking good, at least now we could hope to sleep for the 2 hour journey to Siem Reap, sleep on the pick up trucks would have led to us falling off the back. 30 minutes into this stage of the journey however, we again came to a halt. This time a lorry had got its chassis stuck in one of the potholes and was blocking the road. There were about 20 other lorries queued behind the one that was stuck, most with drivers sleeping in their hammocks underneath.

Residents of the local village had gathered to try to free the lorry, but with no success. Meanwhile, the local children were fascinated with seeing ‘white people’. I spent the 3 hours we were stranded there playing games with these children, teaching them songs such as ‘The Hokey Cokey’ and ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’. I knew my days as a play leader would come in handy sometime! Amazing doing this whilst also seeing fireflies and watching the moon set, very pretty.

At 2 am another pick up truck eventually arrived to take us to Siem Reap, this was even more crowded that the one earlier in the day. 1 1/2 hours later we were anticipating our arrival at our destination when the truck swerved to avoid a broken down car, once again the road was blocked! Yet again we were stuck. At least we were now on the outskirts of the city and a minibus soon arrived to take us onto the final bus stop, from where I hailed a motorbike taxi to take me and my huge rucksack on to my hostel. I eventually arrived at the hostel at 4am, 21 hours after setting out and very tired.

With hindsight do I wish I’d stumped up the money for the short flight from Thailand to Cambodia? Not one bit. Yes the flight would no doubt have been quicker and easier but this was a journey that I will remember forever.

Since returning from her travels, the author remains keen on travelling around the world. In her spare time she also enjoys working on her other interests which include trying and promoting experience days in the UK, and helping out with her partners web design Chester business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lyndsey_Abercromby
 

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Cities like London and Paris failed to make the list, with the NSW harbour city ranked ninth the selection.

The authors have described Newcastle as “underrated”, saying the city has been “overshadowed by its bigger, bolder and better-known sibling, Sydney”.

However Sydney, and Melbourne, have never made the list before as they are “too dull”.

Lonely Planet Asia Pacific travel editor Shawn Low said the book aims to inspire travellers to pick lesser known cities to explore.

Mr Low said hundreds of ideas were submitted by authors, staff and bloggers, then refined by a panel of in-house travel experts.

“The rankings come down to topicality, excitement, value for money and that special X-factor.

“We want to pick a destination that has good thing about it that has been flying under the radar a bit.

“Newcastle is a great city.”

Mr Low said that Australia’s better-know cities such as Sydney and Melbourne haven’t made the list as they are not interesting enough.

“Sydney and Melbourne are obvious choices, they are quite dull. We want to inspire people to think more broadly.”

Newcastle’s beaches, climate, night-life and arts were listed as key elements placing the city on the radar.

“Today’s ‘new’ Newcastle is a unique blend of imagination, sophistication and laid-back surf culture,” Lonely Planet‘s book says.

Tourism Hunter’s Executive Manager Sheridan Ferrier says it is an “honour” to be included in the top 10 list.

“I think it is testament to the range of experiences that we have to offer in Newcastle and is certainly attributed to our lifestyle as well,” Ms Ferrier told ABC News.

The city’s most bizarre sight, according to the authors, is the dome-shaped Queens Wharf Tower, which is 40m tall.

The city receives over 100,000 visitors per year.

Other cities to make the list include New York City, US; Tangier, Morocco; Tel Aviv, Israel; Wellington, New Zealand; Valencia, Spain; Iquitos, Peru; Ghent, Belgium; Delhi, India and Chang Mai, Thailand.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/australia/newcastle-named-among-worlds-top-10-cities/story-e6frfq89-1225946167212#ixzz142P8JSlv

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Tell your friends you’re going backpacking in Southeast Asia and they may smirk at the suggestion you’re getting in touch with your spiritual side. But there’s another kind of inner peace you may discover, the kind that can only come from saving money while still having the time of your life. Southeast Asia is beautiful, culturally rich and a place where its easy to live off of $20 or less a day. You won’t even feel guilty eating greasy street food–the cheapest way to dine–because you’ll burn off all the calories on the trail. Go now and you’ll avoid the crowds that come in peak season but still benefit from the cooler weather.

Mae Hong Son

 This northwestern Thai mountain region draws fewer tourists than Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but it still has everything a backpacker would need. You’ll find basic necessities like ATM machines and Internet cafes in the town of Mae Hong Son. Make this town or Pai your home base, but head to hill tribe villages for unforgettable culture and Thai food cooked fresh over an open fire. Hire a guide who can arrange your meals and campsites, or check into a Pai  Hotel for less than $30 a night and go on day hikes.

 Currency: baht

Peak season: November to April

Ho Chi Minh City

 Hostels can cost as little as $10 a night in the city’s backpacker ghetto, Ngu Lao. Spend a day trekking the Cu Chi Tunnels, a piece of Vietnam War history outside Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), before getting out and going north along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Hop-on, hop-off buses cost about $20 to take you all the way to Hanoi. The one place you’ll want to make sure to get off the bus is Dalat valley. See coffee and silk being made, and take in waterfall views.

 Currency: dong

 Peak season: November to March

Phnom Penh

 This Cambodian city draws a slew of tourists gawking at French colonial architecture and learning grim Khmer Rouge history on the Killing Fields just outside the city. The real attraction is Angkor Wat (near Siem Reap); a spectacularly preserved temple that was first built as a Khmer castle in the 12th century and has served as religious center for both Hindus and Buddhists. The less spiritual among you may recognize the temple as the site used in the 2001 movie, Tomb Raider. Siem Reap is backpacker-friendly with a number of inexpensive restaurants, Internet cafes, and places to burn CDs of your trip photos. Hostels in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap cost $10 and up a night, while buses between the two are $5–10.

Currency: riel (US dollars are widely accepted in cities

Peak season: October to June

Bangkok

 Southeast Asia’s own Sin City is the ideal place to celebrate the end of your long trek. The Guardian ranked The Dome Bangkok’s best bar, and it’s true that the swank rooftop lounge is a good way to indulge. On the other end of the spectrum, you can kick back with a beer in the aptly named Cheap Charlie’s, a shack surrounded by massage parlors (I’m not here to judge). Rest your head at Bangkok Centre Sukumvit 25, touted as the world’s largest budget accommodation ($9 a night in a dorm-style room), close to all transportation and equipped with WiFi. 

 Currency: baht

Peak season: April to August

Now that you have climbed Buddhist temple stairs, stood on the killing fields and partied in Bangkok, you can spread the word to all those smirky friends that backpacking in Southeast Asia isn’t just for college kids trying to find themselves. Or you may want to keep the information to yourself so it will still be affordable next time you go.

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After graduating University with a degree in Business, like every other fresh faced, ambitious young professional I joined the ‘rat race of life’.

After 2 years of stress, meeting ‘sales targets’, being abused by disgruntled clients, getting up at stupid times in the dull British weather, I had decided this was enough and there must be more to life somewhere out there in the World.

Without much planning, money or resources I handed in my resignation and bought a one way ticket to Thailand and a few days later I was lying on the white pristine sands of Lamai beach Koh Samui (an island off the East coast of Thailand).

It did not take me long to get addicted to this easy relaxed way of life and subsequently over the last four years I have lived in some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Some countries I have lived in include Cambodia, Thailand, India, Australia, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Malaysia and Singapore.

I have trekked the jungles of India, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Sierra Leone, have had countless encounters with animals and wildlife you would never imagine seeing. The world is literally your oyster and you can do what ever you want from, trekking in luscious wildlife enriched jungles to lying on desolate beaches, living with local tribes high up in the mountains, and when you feel like it you can live a cosmopolitan life in the city.

The purpose of this article is to let you know that there is a big wide world out there ready for you to see and experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kingston_C_James

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Are you tired of busy cities, crowded streets, high rents and almost non-affordable mortgage? Well…there are places in the world where you can live well for less. The cheapest places to live are also the most beautiful and exotic destinations. So why not make your dreams come true, pack your bags and move to one of those paradise locations, if not for a lifetime, then at least for a year or two?

There are two simple rules to follow while searching for low cost destinations. Firstly: if you find a place cheap enough to travel to, then most probably you will also find it cheap to live in. Secondly: wherever you are, the further from the big cities and large agglomerations, the cheaper it gets.  

Of course ‘cheap’ is a very relative concept, and what is cheap for you may not be cheap for people living some place else in the world.

But if ‘cheap’ means spending just a few dollars/euro/pounds a day, then these locations in Asia and Central America may interest you…

THAILAND

Have you ever been to Thailand? Do you remember that feeling of paying $1 (€0.70) for a glass of beer? Did you ask yourself then what it would feel like to pay that much for a drink back home? Or the other way round… what would it feel like to enjoy such prices on a daily basis? If your answers are yes, yes, yes …then why not consider moving to the Land of Smiles for a while?

Life is short and, really, no one forces you to spend your days sitting in the office with a computer as your best friend. Think about sandy beaches, constant sunshine and excellent food and realize that you can have it all for less than $500 (€350) a month.

Of course this amount will not pay a beach apartment but you can easily find cheap accommodation in places as beautiful as Chang Mai, up north, where you will pay around $30 (€21) a month for a small flat. Nearer the coast, a room in the apartments runs at roughly $90 (€63) upwards.

Cooking at home will cost you nothing as fruits, vegetables and meat at the local markets fall into the budget category. If you are too lazy to cook then try excellent Thai food from street-side food stalls. You can get spicy chicken with rice or noodles for around $1 (€0.70). Spending around $200 (€142) for food a month, you still have around $200 (€142) spare to enjoy local trips, restaurants, parties and some small shopping.

CAMBODIA

Thinking about Cambodian history, the bloody regime of Pol Pot and poverty, no one would dare to call the country a paradise, but in terms of living cost Cambodia rivals Thailand. It does not have as great beaches as its Thai neighbor but, well, it is not all about beaches, right?  You can easily live for less than $500 (€350) in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh.

As there are more and more foreigners living in the town, the accommodation prices are getting higher – it would be hard to find something below $200 (€142) a month, but you can always reduce this cost by sharing a flat with a friend or some long-term travelers.

With $300 (€213) left, you can easily get by in the country. The food prices are similar or lower than in Thailand. Eating in local restaurants will cost you around $2 (€1.40) a meal and $1 (€0.70) a beer but if you really aim to trim your budget, you can try food from street stalls- simple but delicious. Traveling by tuk tuk will cost you several bucks/euro a day. 

Living in Phnom Penh, the town of no McDonald’s and Starbucks, may be a life changing experience for you. Be aware that Cambodians are extremely poor but modest people, so treat them with respect.  Getting to know a few natives may help you to understand the complex history and tough life in the country. You can always teach English or get involved with some non-governmental organizations to help change the reality around you.   

For visa details read an article at www.shelteroffshore.com

You will find similar costs of living in nearby countries such as Vietnam and Laos .

PHILIPPINES

Another exotic destination where life will cost you not more than $500 (€350) a month is the Philippines. Following the rule of getting away from big cities, Manila is not an option, as a rent prices start at $360 (€255) a month.  But if you head for Cebu, one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, with sandy beaches, golf courses and great shopping, you can get an apartment for $150 (€106) a month. In other bustling towns, such as Damaguete City, you can easily rent a room for around $40 (€28) per month.

Food is also cheap. $200 (€142) a month will be absolutely enough to provide you with all necessities including alcohol and tobacco – a big glass of beer and pack of cigarettes cost $0.55 (€0.39) and $0.80 (€0.57) respectively. 

Moreover, the Philippines offer a special resident retiree visa   that you can get as early as at the age of 35, but you need to deposit $50K in a bank there. At the age of 50 and above you have to deposit $10K and prove a monthly pension of $800 single ($1K couple).   

Malaysia , has a similar retiree offer called My Second Home program.

COSTA RICA

Just a few dollars/euro would be enough to survive in Costa Rica. And surviving in Costa Rica may be just a pleasure. The land has 12 different climatic zones and abundant wildlife, but in general, the weather is hot tropical and the natives (called Ticos) are very spirited and friendly people.

Prices in San José are low – the cost of goods and services is among the lowest of all cities throughout the world. You can easily live on $500-$600 (€350-€425) a month if you share a house or flat with a partner or a friend. 

Obviously the further away from San José, the lower the cost of housing.  Around 75 km (50 miles) from the town you can rent a small or medium house for $250 (€177) a month.

In the restaurants you can have an excellent meal with desert for about $4.00 – $5.00 (€2.8-€3.5). And if you buy food at local markets and from the street vendors, you pay less- a bunch of bananas will cost you $0.50 (€0.30) or less. Cigarettes are only about $1.20 (€0.90) per pack. In general, the prices in supermarkets are 30% higher than on the local markets and street stalls.

While in Costa Rica you can learn or develop your surfing skills as the coast has great breaks and excellent surf conditions. And if you’re not too lazy, you can learn or practice your Spanish. Lessons will cost you much less than back home or in Spain. 

To find out more check the blog by Tim, who has lived in the country for several years.  It seems that he knows a lot about living in Costa Rica.

If you seriously think about moving to Costa Rica, you should also read ‘Living Abroad in Costa Rica’ by Erin Van Rheenen, who herself moved to live there and wrote from experience. The book explores the country’s history and culture, describes the nation and, of course, suggests a reconnaissance trip to Costa Rica before you decide to move.

BELIZE

Your dream of a personal heaven for a bargain price may also come true in Belize, which is considered one of the most beautiful countries in Central America. It has it all: great beaches, subtropical climate, and diverse wildlife. The official language in the country is English – that makes things simpler, doesn’t it?

The country is also a paradise for scuba diving and snorkeling lovers .The Belize Barrier Reef offers 127 offshore Cayes (islands) where you will find the best preserved marine ecosystems in the world.

The costs of living are similar to those in Costa Rica. For a large house in Cayo district, a one-hour drive west from Belize City, you may pay $300 (€210) a month and if you share with two other friends, it is only $100 (€70)!!!

Groceries are cheap when bought locally. Imported stuff is in general 50% more expensive so if you want to trim your budget, you should shop at local markets and buy from street vendors. 

If you’re 45 or more you may consider retiring to Belize. The Retired Person’s Incentive Program may allow you to live a tax free lifestyle, which should definitely help you save up a few bucks.

Before you pack your bags, be aware that the country has dry and wet seasons so the weather is not always as perfect as you wish. The wet season starts in May and ends in October – it rains all the time and the hurricanes may occur, so if you want to spend just a few months in the country, go between November and April.