Page 17 - RCI EV Asia October 2015

battle against Burmese intruders. Open all year round and located at Tha Rua Junction in Thalang, about 12km north of Phuket City. (www.phuket.com). For dinner in Phuket, we recommend Raya Thai Cuisine on Dibuk Road for their Keng Kati Sai Poo (crab curry with coconut milk) at $70 for two. (ph 6676 218 155; www.phuket.com/magazine/raya-restaurant)
PAT5TAYA, Thailand
About 150km east of Bangkok lies Pattaya which has great wildlife, amusement parks and historical museums. Just 15 minutes south of Pattaya Bay is Jomtien Beach, a popular destination for jet skiing, parasailing and scuba diving.
The elephant ride and jungle trek tour from Pattaya is a fun one-hour elephant trek, followed by a 30-minute rural jungle walk. Catch your breath before enjoying a relaxing and tranquil lake rafting or take up an exciting ox-cart ride. Half-day
tours start 10am and 3.30pm. (Adults $70, Children $60; www.toursbylocals.com/Pattaya-Tours). If you want to see
all of Thailand’s highlights in miniature, visit Mini Siam where there are over 100 carefully crafted models on show. See replicas of important historical sites at a scale of 1 to 25. Thai buildings such as the Phra Sri Rattanasasadarm Temple, the Victory Monument, the Bridge over the River Kwae, and the Phimai Stone Sanctuary are displayed. (Open: 7am-10pm, Adults $10, Children $4.70; ph 03872 7333; www.minisiam.com). On the border of South Pattaya, you will find the Phratumnak Hill, which offers one of the best viewpoints overlooking Pattaya.
SEPANG GOLD COAST, Malaysia The6district of Sepang is located in the southern part of the state of Selangor, and is best known for its Sepang International Circuit. Home of the Malaysian Grand Prix Formula One - Malaysian leg and the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, visitors can take a behind-the-scenes circuit tour by foot. (Adults $50, Students $25; ph 603-8778 2200; www.sepangcircuit.com). Don’t miss the National Automobile Museum where you can view classic cars and hear stories from the many motoring events. Opens 9am to 6pm daily. Entry is free. (www.jmm.gov. my/en/national-automobile-museum-sepang). The Sepang Gold Coast offers a slice of paradise blending tropical relaxation and real adventure. It’s also a great place to see rural villages, river life, elephants, as well as cultural sites. Discover the wealth of flora and fauna dotting the Sepang River as you mosey along this mighty waterway in a wooden boat. Once you’ve finished spotting monkeys, otters and water birds, refuel your appetite on ikan bakar, a grilled fish specialty offered at the local seafood restaurants along the shoreline.
HAINAN, China
Hainan Island is a great family holiday destination that’s often overlooked by everyone but the Chinese. It is often called the “Hawaii” of South East Asia thanks to the distinct tropical climate and abundance of fresh cuisine. The capital Haikou sits on the northern coast while the popular tourist destination of Sanya reels in visitors on the south coast. See Hainan’s famous
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GET WET (top to bottom)
Splashing around Pattaya style, guaranteed to please kids of all ages. Feel the need for speed in Sepang by taking a behind the scenes tour of the Grand Prix circuit. City beach; Hainan has great beaches as well as a full sized city and all of the conveniences that go with it, like shopping, restaurants and pretty much everything else you could need.
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ENDLESS VACATION 15