Sun, Sea and Serenity: Holiday Bliss in Thailand

You’ve heard that it’s paradise - the holiday destination to end all holidays destinations - but what is it about Thailand that’s just so appealing to visitors? The answer can be boiled down to three key attractions: sun, sea and serenity. If you're taking advantage of cheap holidays to Thailand, here’s how you can find all three:

Beautiful Beaches

The first of the two ‘S’s can be found along Thailand’s stunning coastline and on its remote islands. Indeed, Thailand’s sun-drenched beaches are renowned across the globe as some of the very best in the world.

Mae Haad beach on the island of Ko Tao (aka ‘Turtle Island’) is a hotspot for water sports. If you’re interested in kayaking, water-skiing or snorkelling during your visit, it’s the place to be. For a more peaceful beach scene, head to Kao Kwai on Koh Phayam island, a quiet hideaway for laid-back sun-seekers.

Of course, a guide to Thailand’s best beaches wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Sunrise Beach in the town of Haad Rin on Koh Pha Ngan. Home to the famous ‘Full Moon’ parties, Sunrise is the ultimate party destination.

Temples and Treatments

If you’re seeking the third ‘S’ on the list, serenity, there’s no easier place to relax and quiet the mind than Thailand. Take refuge in the country’s many majestic Buddhist temples. The Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple, situated atop Mount Suthep near Chiang Mai, is one of Thailand's most sacred sites and the ideal place for quiet reflection. For something a bit more surreal, check out the bizarre ‘White Temple’ in Chiang Rai.

Thailand is also known as a haven for health and wellness. It’s home to some of the best spas in the world, and treatments unique to Thailand have become popular all over the world. Thai massage involves a special method of stretching the muscles, as well as rhythmic pressing and even walking on one’s back. Every Thai spa offers authentic massages, while also providing other spa treatments like body wraps, scrubs, facials, manicures and pedicures.

Of course, there’s really no need to boast about all that Thailand has to offer - the country sells itself! Unlike other destinations, Thailand is not just a passing tourist trend. Its ancient traditions and unparalleled scenery make it an easy choice for anyone seeking sun, sea and serenity.

Check-up visit to my doctors

I am supposed to see my doctors last week. That was after my discharged from the hospital a week before.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to follow that instruction coz I feel so weak.   I still do, up to this moment, but will do my best to see them now, coz I really feel the need to. 

I hope I could soon go back to my regular activities.  Thankful  that I got a stay-out house assistant.  She makes things a little lighter for me around here.   Grocery shopping is done by daughter.  Other chores are being performed by son.  I just feel blessed that kiddos are always ready to help. 

Thanks everyone for dropping by!   Hope to see you all back here!

My asthma attacked again

I am home now from my two day hospital confinement.  I had breathing difficulty again that started Sunday afternoon.  I puffed my inhaler and expected the aggression to subside.  It didn’t.  The following  Monday morning, I contemplated on visiting the ER again. However, our part time house assistant arrived and had to wait for  her  to finish her work for the day before DH could drive me to NKTI (hospital) later that day.  Actually, I really didn’t want to be brought to the ER. But as I was anxious that it might be another Thoracentesis case, or worse yet,  another silent Heart attack, didn’t think twice any further!

Good thing, after a number of diagnostic and lab procedures I went through, results revealed it didn’t affect the heart.  Neither was it another case of lung fluid collection. It was only the usual asthma attack that keeps bothering me every so often.

When doctors advised I had to be admitted,  I refused telling them that I’m already relieved.  But DH agreed with the doctors when we’re informed I wasn’t fully recovered yet.  Asthma may soon come back and I may not be aware if it’s affecting my heart.  With that being said, I gave in.

Home now and recuperating.   Won’t deny I’m not perfectly in good shape yet.  Still feeling weak! 

Hopefully, I’ll get back to my usual high spirit and strength soon!  Hopefully too, I could go blog hopping the soonest.  Thank you for your precious time!

Coping with cancer

 

How to live with your diagnosis

With over a million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year, the grim reality is part of our everyday lives. People are living longer, habits are changing, and the disease itself has mutated to include more than 200 known variations that afflict humans. Unfortunately, it looks as though cancer rates are on the rise. There is hope, however - for you and your loved ones if a positive diagnosis is indeed made. Living with cancer is becoming more and more common, as millions of dollars of research are resulting in many successful treatments.

Funding Your Care

There is no easy route, however, for those diagnosed with the disease. Treatment options are mainly difficult, seemingly never ending in cases, and commonly very expensive. Fortunately, there is financial help for cancer patients available. For example, some life insurance policies allow the policyholder to cash out their settlement via life settlements, often called Viatical Settlements. Therefore, the policyholder becomes the beneficiary and can utilize the lump sum of cash in the fighting of their disease.

Educating Yourself

For many, the entire world of cancer is an unknown. It’s a mysterious disease even to the most educated, and the majority of us know very little about it. With over 200 different forms, it seems as though it can manifest itself in any part of our body. And while some forms of cancer receive mass levels of attention across multimedia, others are virtually unrecognized - despite similar, if not higher mortality rates.

It’s important to educate yourself about all the aspects of the disease that may affect you or your loved ones. Come to terms with the realistic chances of survival, but also teach yourself about the one-in-a-million victory stories. Give yourself an understanding about your enemy and you will learn the best way to defeat it. It takes great levels of strength to beat cancer, but it is also next to impossible without great amounts of knowledge.

Live Positively

Thinking optimistically will make all the difference in a patient’s chances of survival. In the words of Henry Ford, “If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” Strength  lies in both the mind and body of a patient, and support of their loved ones gives them a proper foundation. Fighting cancer is one of the most difficult ongoing struggles that people face today. It’s important to take it seriously, and approach it with steeled nerves and a ready spirit, but it is arguably more important to bring a positive attitude to every encounter. Even when it seems as though the odds are entirely against you, remember, all it takes is one person to make a one-in-a-million story come true.

The Prognosis

As we said above, cancer is nothing to be taken lightly. In 2007, it was responsible for roughly 13% of all human deaths worldwide and the diagnosis rate has risen every year since. Fortunately, advancements are constantly being made and there are comforting options for patients and their families. Financial help for cancer patients is available through very helpful life insurance companies. A variety of treatments are available, both for physical healing and mental well-being, and the success rate is growing with every patient. A cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.

About the author:

Dale Canten is a yoga instructor and health enthusiast.