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| May 2003 |
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| May 2003 |
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Can't afford a holiday in Southeast Asia? Think again! With the value of the Thai baht continuing to slide, there may be no better time to vacation in paradise than now!
The current exchange rate of about 45 baht to the US dollar means big bargains for visitors. The baht hovered at around 39 only six months ago. For many years leading up to the regional economic slump of five years ago, the baht traded at 24 to the dollar.
Although all the prices on our website are in dollars, we adjust our prices whenever the baht value increases or decreases a full point. That means many of our prices are lower than six months ago. To have a look for yourself click here.
New Packages, New Bargains
Thailand is not the only place where you can find bargains on the Purple Dragon website. Recently we have completely revamped our Bali tours. You can now choose from lavish resorts and extraordinary boutique hotels at lower prices than before. Dream of indulging yourself in a luxurious day of massage and pampering? We have added some intriguing new programs, including a visit to a rejuvinating Balinese spa, a cook-it-yourself culinary adventure, and an up-close look at the magical, mystical side of Bali that most visitors never see. click here.
We have also recently added a new two-night Simply Saigon package for visitors in a hurry. Coming soon: Five Star Hanoi, including a suite at the glorious old Metropole Hotel and overnight on Halong Bay aboard a teakwood yacht.
Phuket Gay Festival
Phuket, the idyllic tropical island in the south of Thailand, will hold its third annual Phuket Gay Festival on February 1-3, 2002. Different in style than the Bangkok festival, with its Asian metropolitan finesse, the Phuket festival is held in Patong, a leisurely beach town on the island that Conde Nast called "the most idyllic tropical resort in the world" in October 1999. Organizers are expecting their biggest attendance yet. The first two festivals have brought thousands of visitors and have brought Phuket into the international gay spotlight.
The PGF's activities will feature daily beach activities, trips to pristine tropical islands, a championship volleyball tournament, a mountain bike race, and two nights of lavish shows. The Festival culminates in a widely acclaimed daytime parade on Sunday,
All gay venues on the island will be in top gear and full dress, and Phuket will be offering the best of everything that has made the island famous: balmy weather, exciting nightlife, shopping, lodging at any level, the sparkling blue waters of the Andaman Sea, and arguably some of the best seafood in the world.
In the months prior to the Festival, local clubs and organizations will be staging pre-Festival events, as they have for the last two years, and will earmark a portion of all proceeds to support local health, education and poverty-alleviating charities. These will include small sporting tournaments, night club parties and disco and cabaret events, providing the basis for the early charity fundraising.
Purple Dragon is the Official Tour Operator for the PGF. You can read about all three of Thailand's pride events on our website.
Celebrate Your Love! Purple Dragon breaks new ground with Asian-style romantic unions designed for gay and lesbian couples. Whether you have just fallen in love or are celebrating a continuing passion with the love of your life, its hard to imagine a more enchanting setting to exchange affirmations in than gay-friendly Bali. Your customized nuptials may include a reception and exchange of vows at one of Bali's lavish princely estates, a dramatic volcanic peak, a lush jungle setting, or a luxurious boutique hotel. A musical wedding with local orchestras and dancers? A stretch limo or a charming horse and carriage? A religious officiation
or a new age union? Share your vision of a "perfect wedding day" and leave all
the details to us.
May/June Festivals in Paradise
INDONESIA
June 5 -- BULAN PURNAMA (Bali). Celebrations and rituals during the evening of
the full moon. For a full moon temple tour including dinner, guide, and
traditional Balinese costume, please
MALAYSIA
June 1 & 2 -- DAYAK FESTIVAL, Public Holiday in Sarawak
SINGAPORE
May 21 -- 1900 - 0100. Vincent's Lounge Celebrates its 12th Anniversary. Come along and Join the Party. Special drinks prices all night. 304 Orchard Road, 06-05 Lucky Plaza, Singapore. Tel: 7361360
June 23 & 24 -- DRAGON BOAT RACES, Afternoon at the Marina Promenade. Watch teams of pumped-up hunks racing in majestic dragon boats.
THAILAND
May 14 -- PATTAYA GAY FESTIVAL CHARITY DINNER. Tickets 750 baht. Mata Hari Restaurant, Pattaya.
May 16 -- ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY, Sanaam Luang, Bangkok (Government holiday)
May 27 -- PATTAYA GAY FESTIVAL FANCY DRESS DOG SHOW. Pattaya School Playing Field, Pattaya South Rd, Pattaya.
June 6 -- 24:00, Talent Contest. Anyone can enter. Bring your own music and costumes. THB2000 First Prize
The Balcony, 86-88 Silom Soi 4, Bangkok, 235-5891
Vietnam is full of intriguing sights and inventive minds. One of our friends captured this local adaptation of an otherwise-unremarkable form of transportation. On the modern new highway from Hanoi to Halong we have seen both boats and brides atop bicycles and even an oxcart laden with a helicopter.
The new VIP Lounge on our website will include a gallery of amazing photographs from our part of the world. If you have a really exceptional photo to share with our friends, please send it to doug@purpledrag.com. Members will have free access to our library of "before you go" information as well as members-only privileges, like contests and occasional special bargains. Carpenters and decorators are working overtime so the lounge can open on July 1. However, you can get a free pass today. Just sign up on our website.
About This Newsletter
You are receiving this newsletter because you are a former guest or because you have asked for information about our company. Our list is very private. We do not share it with anyone. However, If you do not wish to receive future email from us, we will remove you promptly at your request.
Read previous newsletters: March 2001
Copyright © 2001, Spice Trade Travel Limited. All rights reserved.
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