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More in Myanmar  You asked for it! We are continuing to develop new packages to Myanmar (Burma), our top-requested new destination. We have just added a two-night extension to exotic Mandalay to our new Yangon package. Visit four ancient kingdoms in and around Mandalay and discover a land that is just beginning to open to tourism. For more information, see www.purpledrag.com/myanmar/mandalay.htm We have also added a two-day package in Bagan for those who wish to delve deeper into this lost city: http://www.purpledrag.com/myanmar/bagan.htm Coming Soon: Club Sanook!
For months now we have been telling you about the new "VIP Lounge" on our website. We are almost ready to unveil it, and you can join free. Members will have members-only privileges, access to specially-priced packages not on our "public" website, and access to our library of "before you go" information. Club Sanook Members will earn points on Purple Dragon travel to redeem for future discounts and freebies! If you are already receiving our newsletters and postcards, sign up here. If you have not received information from us in the past, please click here. Been There? Done That? Not Yet! Even if you have visited Southeast Asia a dozen times, there are always new, exciting things to see and do. We spend our own weekends looking for fantastic new experiences for our guests. Here are a few we have recently added to our website: Some of Bangkok's most beautiful and fascinating Buddhist temples are rarely visited by tourists, and little known to city residents who do not live in their immediate vicinity. Oases of peaceful contemplation and devout merit making, Bangkok's Transcendent Temples hold simple wonders waiting to be discovered by guests with special interests in Buddhism, art, and Thai history. See www.purpledrag.com/thailand/temples.htm for more details.
A secret oasis at the outskirts of Bangkok? For years we kept hearing about a mysterious island in the middle of the Chao Praya
River, a supposedly unspoiled haven populated by Mon (pre-Thai) people who tend ceramics workshops where they fire earthenware pottery in enormous walk-in kilns. Happily, it really does exist and as we walked through banana plantations and quiet temple compounds we could hardly believe we were in suburban Bangkok. The island is encircled with a 7 kilometer raised walkway, perfect for hiking, roller-blading, or exploring by rented bike. The village near the boat pier is busiest on weekends when those in-the-know come here to sample delicious Mon and Thai fresh-cooked specialties and take in the laid-back atmosphere. More about Ko Kret Island at www.purpledrag.com/thailand/kokret.htm
Explore ancient Khmer ruins in Thailand! Many long-time Siam fans have been interested in an upcountry adventure to explore some of the less-visited sights in Isan, (Northeast and Eastern Thailand). For a real slice-of-Thai-life experience, consider our new Khorat, Road to Angkor two-day or three-day trip from Bangkok. You'll get to visit the famous Phimai sanctuary, a beautifully restored Khmer ruin, and continue on to the majestic hilltop templ of Phnom Rung near the border of Cambodia. See www.purpledrag.com/khorat.htm for more details. The beautiful island of Bali has been hit hard by the slump in Indonesian tourism. Many people don't realize that the island is almost 100% Hindu and therefore quite safe and free from the tensions that have plagued other islands in the country's fascinating tapestry of cultures and beliefs. The good new for visitors is that prices have improved quite a bit, so if you're longing for a gorgeous beach retreat or a magical haven of art and spirits, check out our new lower-priced Bali Holidays at www.purpledrag.com/bali.htm Bangkok and Pattaya Set Gay Festival Dates for 2002 If you have ever experienced one of Thailand's Pride celebrations you know how much fun they are! Gays and lesbians from around the world are set attend the Gay Games in Australia and then stop over in Thailand for Bangkok Pride 2002, November 8 through 17 and the Pattaya Gay Festival, November 29 through December 1. Purple Dragon is offering a special package for the Bangkok event at www.purpledrag.com/bgf.htm and we will repeat our popular Gay Festival Dinner Cruise on Saturday, Nov 16 at 8pm (see www.purpledrag.com/bgfboat.htm). Book early as hotel and events sell out far in advance of the festivities. More news on Asia's various gay pride festivals is available at www.purpledrag.com/gfests.htm Will You Win Our Contest #3? Know a little about Southeast Asia? Want to win a fabulous free holiday for two? A free trip for a traveling companion? A big Purple Dragon discount, or some other terrific prize? Test your knowledge today. (All the answers are on our website, so it's not as difficult as you might think.) Answer three simple questions at www.clubsanook.com/newsletters/contest3.htm and you could be a winner! For the answers to Contest #2 click here. May and June Holidays and Festivals in Paradise Indonesia
 Photos of the Month Our friends Lee and Rodge sent an entire CD of fantastic photos from their recent trip. Here's one from the third annual Phuket Gay Festival in February. The Burmese angel in the photo is cooling herself with one of the lovely Purple Dragon fans we gave away along the parade route. They are so collectable now that we expect to see them for sale on eBay soon.
The voluminous, voluptuous Douglas, our Director of Marketing and resident Vietnam expert, could not help himself when he saw this sign in a ceramics crafts village outside Hanoi last month. Whether you are bulky and love to shop, or you simply love to buy in bulk, you will enjoy the Hanoi Crafts Spree tour we will begin to offer May. Depending on your interest, you can visit villages making paper, furniture, carved wood, ceramics, and even bird cages. Like the sign says, "We like your order." Tour of the Month
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Copyright © 2002, Spice Trade Travel Limited. All rights reserved.
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May
2002
In love with Thai food? Who isn't? Here's a chance to dazzle friends back home with tom yum goong or tod mon pla
made in your own kitchen. Our new Tase of Thailand package includes three days of cooking lessons (you can add one or two more days if you like) a little sightseeing and a bit of Northern-style nightlife. Expert chefs will teach you how to prepare five or six different dishes every day. You get your own spotlessly clean work station, utensils and all the necessary ingredients. The best part is, you get to eat your class work. Class sizes are small so you get a lot of personal attention from the instructors. Emphasis is on dishes that require ingredients that are easy to find back home. If you are not traveling alone and your companion is not interested in cooking, our guide will show them the sights while you are learning how to make beautiful flowers out of ordinary tomatoes and carrots.