Travel and Leisure Articles

Flying model aircraft via radio control (RC) has been a very popular hobby since the mid 1960s, with the advent of compact electronic radio control systems. However, in order to learn how to fly, all instruction had to be done with your model flying in the air. There was essentially no training that could be accomplished on the ground. As you can imagine, this method of learning to fly led to many accidents and crashed or damaged model aircraft.

With the availability today of powerful personal computers, practical radio control model airplane flight simulators are an everyday reality. For a very modest cost, you can purchase RC flight simulator software and hardware for home use. The hardware is a realistic replica of an RC transmitter (usually called the controller), plugged to your computer via the USB port. An RC flight sim produces extremely realistic images of flying sites, and the computer generated aircraft look and behave virtually like the real thing. You can even see the flight control surfaces move to your control stick’s input.

The aspiring model airplane pilot uses the controller to taxi the airplane to the RC simulator’s runway, increase the throttle, and take off just as if you were at the airfield. Of course, all engine sounds are realistically produced by the RC flight sim. The airplane becomes airborne, and the computer monitor’s scene is automatically orientated such that you get a great view of the airplane in flight from your position “on the ground.” It’s just as if you were really at the field.

When learning to fly a radio control model airplane, it is always a very good idea to have an instructor for your first few actual flights. The RC flight sim, however, is invaluable in minimizing the time needed in the air to become an accomplished flyer. As a general guide, you can easily cut your flight practice time in half when an RC flight sim is an integral part of your training strategy.

Another model flight training area that RC sims have changed forever is learning and practicing advanced maneuvers. In the past, learning a new stunt had to be done at the field. You always risked a crash when practicing loops, rolls, inverted flight, etc. With the availability of the flight simulator on your computer, you can now safely practice these new maneuvers as much as you like in the privacy of your own home, without fear of damaging your aircraft. It is almost impossible to describe how quickly you can acquire new flying skills via this method.

In addition, most of the new RC flight sims have very useful video clips from experienced model airplane instructor pilots on how to perform these new flight maneuvers. They include maneuver descriptions of what you will be doing on the RC flight sim, as well as a discussion of common errors. They even discuss what you will be doing with your control sticks to perform these stunts.

New aircraft are constantly being added to RC flight sim programs. One can experience flying a wide variety of model aircraft with a click of your computer mouse button. These planes can range from lightweight electric powered park flyers to turbine jet fighters. The sounds, control feel and performance of these various airplanes within the RC flight sim are very accurately reproduced.

Whether you are just starting out learning to fly radio control model aircraft, wish to improve your flying skills, or just want to have some fun flying indoors on a cold, windy winter’s night, the new generation of RC flight sims is an ideal way to enter the fascinating world of computer flight training.

Are you going to visit Melbourne?

Have you planned for any business tour to Melbourne?

Are you going on a Melbourne Tour?

If the answer of any of the above questions is true, then you should consider renting a serviced apartment for your accommodation. Serviced apartment rental is a popular, comfortable, and luxury option of accommodation in Melbourne.

Melbourne is a popular city of Australia with business and tourism importance. It is one of the most popular seaports of Australia and the city houses several offices of world’s renowned companies. Melbourne is a hub for import-export activities. So, as a businessperson you may have to visit this lovely city on regular intervals.

You must have tried different luxury hotels during your past stay at Melbourne. No doubt, luxury five star hotels provide great facilities along with all luxury for living. However, it is also true that they charge a heavy amount in return of those facilities and luxuries.

Nowadays, you can enjoy similar facilities and luxuries of living in Melbourne with serviced apartment rentals that too on affordable rates. You can also enjoy extreme level of privacy in cool and calm ambience, which is rare in luxury hotels accommodation.

Serviced apartments that are available on rent to common tourists and corporate executives are equipped with all essential facilities required for comfortable living. You will have your own kitchen with all essential utensils, cooking range, refrigerator and microwave. That means you can cook your favourite food yourself. You no longer need to depend upon the hotel’s schedules for your breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can enjoy your meals on your preferred timing without any worry.

If you are worried about the location of these serviced apartments in Melbourne then let me tell you, these serviced apartments are situated on well-connected locations. You will have easy access to bus routes, tram routes and metro services of Melbourne. The Central Business District of Melbourne and other interesting joints for entertainment and fun are nearby. Therefore, there is no need to worry about these issues.

So, give a serious thought to serviced apartments accommodation in your next visit to Melbourne. You will certainly love this new concept of accommodation rentals with luxury, and comfort of living along with a homely atmosphere.

Planning a Disney vacation is relatively easy with all the online tools available, but finding good Disney vacation deals requires a little more research. There are, however, some simple strategies to getting the best discounts on your Disney World trip.

Do comprehensive research before booking your vacation as many reservations require a deposit. Failing to investigate all available options can result in unnecessary expenses as you may not be getting the best deal. Furthermore, you risk getting locked in to a bad deal too early.

Work out your budget. Know how much you can spend on your Disney vacation as you do not want to rack up a huge debt from the trip. Estimate the costs associated with all aspects of your vacation. This includes lodging and travel, park admission, rental cars, dining, souvenirs, and play money. Remember that all these expenses must be at factored into your overall budget.

Once you have a budget, you may consider using a Disney vacation package as you look into Disney vacation deals. Disney offers a number of different options. Each option offers different levels of inclusive costs, such as lodging, park tickets, and meals. However, if you choose to invest in a vacation package, be sure you are able to use all the package benefits during your visit to Disney. Many people waste their money by upgrading to packages with features they will never use, wasting hundreds of unused dollars.

The area surrounding Disney World is filled with great attractions. Explore the area and see if you can find free or cheap entertainment and food. Often, you may find activities that don’t require spending any money. There are also numerous lodging options off-site. Consider spending two or three days directly on-site at the park and then transferring to a cheaper off-site hotel after your visit to the Disney resort area. This will not only save you money on lodging and dining, but it will also add excitement and joy to your vacation.

Planning in advance for Disney vacation is important if you want to secure an affordable and yet enjoyable vacation. Looking into various Disney vacation deals helps you to cut a few dollars here and there so that you can have money for extra attractions or to buy a special souvenir in remembrance of your trip. Don’t underestimate the savings you receive from more research. A few dollars here and there adds up to a lot when you bring the whole family along.

Everyone knows Alcatraz as the island prison in the San Francisco Bay but Alcatraz has a long history that reaches back further than its days as a federal penitentiary. In 1853 the Army Corps of Engineers began a project to fortify the island. When the project was completed 5 years later the first soldiers arrived there. During the Civil War cannons were mounted all around the island and Alcatraz became the largest American fort west of the Mississippi.

The army began sending military prisoners to the fort on Alcatraz Island in 1860 and for many years after the Civil War the island was used more and more for detaining prisoners. In 1907 Alcatraz was formally designated as a military prison and by 1912 a large concrete cell block was constructed which is still there today.

While under military control Alcatraz functioned mainly as a medium security prison. Over the years it became too expensive to operate and the War Department decided to close the prison in 1934 at which time the army transferred Alcatraz to the civilian Bureau of Prisons.

In the 1920’s and 30’s prohibition and the Great Depression were responsible for a steep increase in criminal activity. Alcatraz was where the most hardened criminals ended up. No convicts were ever sentenced to Alcatraz, all of the inmates sent there were transferred there from other federal prisons.

Alcatraz was now a maximum security prison with minimum privileges. Prisoners at Alcatraz had only four rights. Food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Everything else was considered a privilege and had to be earned.

Some of Alcatraz Island’s most notable residents included:

Robert Stroud:

George “Machine Gun” Kelly:

Al Capone:

The army began sending military prisoners to the fort on Alcatraz Island in 1860 and for many years after the Civil War the island was used more and more for detaining prisoners. In 1907 Alcatraz was formally designated as a military prison and by 1912 a large concrete cell block was constructed which is still there today.

While under military control Alcatraz functioned mainly as a medium security prison. Over the years it became too expensive to operate and the War Department decided to close the prison in 1934 at which time the army transferred Alcatraz to the civilian Bureau of Prisons.

Alcatraz Finally Closes

After 29 years of operation as a federal prison Alcatraz finally closed on March 21, 1963. It simply cost too much to operate the facility, nearly three times as much as other federal prisons. Being an island, everything had to be shipped food, clothing, supplies, even fresh water. The federal government determined it was more cost effective to build a new facility than to keep Alcatraz open.

In 1972 Congress established the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Alcatraz Island was included as a part of it. In October of 1973 Alcatraz was opened to the public for the first time and interest has continued to grow over the years. Each year more than 1.3 million people visit the island.

Capone’s career in crime started young and he quickly worked his way to the top. He controlled a huge criminal empire that was bringing in $10 million per year back in the 1920’s. Capone was convicted in 1931 for income tax evasion and sent to Atlanta Federal Penitentiary before being transferred to Alcatraz. Capone finished his time in Alcatraz on January 6, 1939 and was transferred to Terminal Island in California to serve a one year misdemeanor sentence. From there he was released on November 16, 1939 and after a short hospital stay returned home to Florida. George R. Kelly was transferred to Alcatraz in 1934 from Leavenworth in Kansas. At just 19 years old, Kelly had separated from his first wife and then got involved in bootlegging. Before long he was making a name for himself as a gangster. When he met his second wife, Katheryn Thorne who was also a seasoned criminal, the pair really started to pursue their careers and criminals not only as bootleggers but as bank robbers and kidnappers. The nickname “Machine Gun” Kelly actually came from his wife Katheryn. She purchased a machine gun for her husband and was making a name for him by passing out spent cartridge shells at the underground clubs as souvenirs from her husband “Machine Gun” Kelly. Many historians believe that she was the brains behind her husbands image and many of there successful bank robberies. Better known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz” Robert Stroud was transferred to Alcatraz in 1942 from Leavenworth where he had spent the last 30 years. Stroud spent six years in segregation D Block and eleven years in the prison hospital. In 1959 he was transferred to the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield Missouri where he eventually died of natural causes in 1963.

Each of us has this special event that we want to celebrate perfectly. In order to make sure that it will be a perfect one, every detail will be considered and planned.

There are different events that people considered special such as wedding, baptismal, birthday, prom night, and also business trip. These are some of the events that people spend time with to make it memorable and a great one.

Most people spend their time and effort to plan all the details to make it the best and worthwhile event. There are lots factors that you have to think about and consider for your event. One of the factors that you need to consider is transportation.

Yes, you need to think about the transportation for your event. Like for instance, if it is your wedding that you are planning for, you have to consider a vehicle that can give you satisfaction and can aid in making it a perfect event. Limousine is the best vehicle for your wedding. So in order to have it for your wedding, you have to book for limo service ahead of time, about 3 to 6 months before your wedding day.

You have to consider the number of passenger to distinguish what type of limo you have to rent. Of course, you could want a white limousine, but if in case you want something different, there are limousines that are made available for you with different colors such as gray, pink, blue and so on.

Of course, you want the best service for your event, so you have to make sure you’re booking with the best limo company and you will be getting the right limousine service. There are plenty of websites that offer limo service, so you can check out few websites and go on details. Check out the rates, the services and features they offer, the available limo they have and so on.

It is best to ask questions. Let the limo company’s manager answer all your questions. If they can’t tell you what you want to know and hear, move on and look for other limo company. Besides, there are lots of limo companies out there.

Search for the limousine service that can give you satisfaction. Ask for their rates, what is in there package and so on. Look for the limo for yourself, in order to make sure that it is in good condition. Make sure that the limo service comes with a professional driver. You would also ask if the driver has a uniform.

Going into details and considering all the factors needed are important in order to gain the right limousine service to have a perfect event.

When you book for a limousine service, make sure that the limo company has a contract. Before you sign the contract, read the details, make sure that everything is in there. As soon as you are assured that the contract is true and accurate, sign it.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson

http://www.gcls.com

Exploring Lanceston, Cornwall, in the English Peninsula is an opportunity to see Cornish life and living as it is today. It is a town — and an ancient borough — in the northern region of Cornwall. With a population of about 7,200, it sits some 2 miles from the border with Devon, the third-largest of the English counties. The natural border between Cornwall and Devon, for the most part, is former by the River Tamur. The town is also known as the “Gateway to Cornwall.”

The town is able to avoid the flooding which plagues the area from time to time due to its location on the side of a large hill. It serves as a market town and a shopping nexus for northwestern parts of rural Devon and northern Cornwall in general. It benefits from its location on the A30 trunk road, which runs through several towns and into western Cornwall. In recent years, the town’s economic base has benefitted from the growth of large business development.

There are a numbers of pubs and restaurants in the town, which can make for lively weekend evening nightlife. Culturally, Launceston was the home of the famous poet Charles Causley, a onetime contender for the title of Poet Laureate of the monarch. It hosts an annual music festival, called “Castle Rock,” every July. The historic Launceston Castle dominates the town. It is a Norman-era structure, first built in 1067. Robert de Mortain, half-brother of William I (William the Conqueror) is most responsible for its construction.

Architecturally, the town hosts a fine example of Tudor design — the church of Saint Mary Magdalene — built between 1511 and 1524. There is a tower of the church, constructed from the remnants of an earlier church on the site, that dates from the 14th century. History runs all through Launceston, with buildings and structures dating from medieval periods up through the Georgian-era. The famous actor Roger Moore, of James Bond fame, took education at Launceston College, which is a boys grammar boarding school.

Cornwall is a county in England, located at the tip of the southwestern English peninsula. It currently has a population of around 532,000 people. It is the homeland of the ancient Cornish people and is one of the six historic Celtic nations. It continues to hold onto its language and culture. The only city in the county is Truro. Both Launceston and Cornwall are excellent examples of Cornish life in modern day England and the United Kingdom.

Thousands of people visit Florida every year to visit Disney World and to enjoy their annual holiday / vacation. Whether you are spending time alone or with family and friends Florida proves to be a hit year after year due to the amount of interesting activities on offer. Business men and women feel the need to relax and rewind, and through visiting Disney World in Orlando they have the chance to return to their child hood and leave the stress and worries of every day life behind.

When you visit Disney World in Orlando, you can stay in a choice of many different holiday apartments, hotels or villas. In fact, Disney World offers a range of hotel accommodation from budget to luxury packages. However, renting a holiday villa is the perfect way to spend a holiday in Orlando with family or friends. Typically holiday Villas can sleep between 8 and 10 people and through sharing with Family or friends they can make your holiday costs much cheaper than staying in a hotel.

Many holiday Villas near to Disney World in Orlando are luxurious in their decor and surroundings. After all, when you are on holiday why would you not want to enjoy a luxurious afternoon by the pool, or sitting on the terrace on an evening and watching the sunset?

When you stay in a holiday villa near to Disney World you will typically have access to your own private pool and spa area, along with a terrace area that allows you to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. In some cases your pool might be shared and you should check this before you book.

Many holiday villas form a small community, and this means that there is often a shop or communal games room nearby. So if the weather takes a turn for the worst your kids can enjoy themselves and stay out of trouble!

Of course, when you stay in a holiday villa near to Disney World you don’t just have to visit the Theme Park. Why not take a drive down to Miami Beach and The Florida Keys? There is so much to see in Florida it would be a shame not to see it whilst you are there.

Villas in near to Disney are becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers, normally down to the reasonable cost and an opportunity to escape from the Theme Park. This gives you the opportunity to get away from the hectic lifestyle of the theme park and relax in scenic Orlando.

To have the heart of a lion is to be courageous and also something more, it suggests a hint of nobility or majesty with that courage. To be both brave and proud, to face your fears with your head held high and to give no sign that you are quaking in every muscle and will probably have to change your pants after the first unexpected sound. It does not mean that you have to be a good person. Richard the Lionheart, the inspiration behind all of this, was apparently a bit of a heel. He tried to overthrow his father, then revolted against his brother and pledged his undying allegiance to his father but of course he was a liar liar pants on fire. Because it was only a matter of time before he and daddy were at it again and he had in for the Jews, he was a total anti-Semite. He also decided that it would be a very good idea to go off to the Middle East and kill a lot Muslims in the name of Christianity and the crusades. But everyone remembers his military reputation and his gallantry and his chivalry. Steven Runciman says of him that, “he was a bad son, a bad husband and bad king, but a gallant and splendid soldier.” That’s being lionhearted.

The hearts of rabbits. Sound at all appealing or does it sound a little weak and wussy? Ever read “Watership Down”? There are the gutsiest little rabbits in the world in that book and in case you were wondering, they’re not entirely made up. If you have every owned a rabbit, properly, you will understand. They are territorial and very protective of what is theirs. They are stubborn and resistant to change. They are slow to love and temperamental as anything but once they do love they will love forever. They are feisty and contrary to popular opinion they can be quite fierce. You try making a rabbit go to bed when it doesn’t want to and see if you survive without losing any of your 6 litres of blood. To have the heart of a rabbit would entail being determined and stubborn, being brave when you have to be but also being smart enough to know when to run, knowing the value of love and not bestowing it lightly and being someone that no one ought to cross. That’s not a bad thing to be by any manner of means.

What about the heart of a warthog? Yeah, I donÂ’t know anything about warthogs except what I saw in The Lion King and I have an idea that might be slightly Disneyfied. I donÂ’t think that they really sing and befriend meerkats. And the world is all the poorer for it.

You could have the heart of a vulture. ThatÂ’s quite an interesting comparison. When one thinks of vultures one immediately thinks of death and scavengers and ugliness. The birds do not bring out warm and fuzzy feelings in even the most kind hearted and gentle of us. But let us take a closer look at what they really are. They are survivors. They are designed specifically to survive harsh conditions (which seems kind of cruel when you think about it like that). They do have a pecking order, literally, and they do have to fight for what they eat, and they do have to withstand extreme heat, and they do sometimes eat gross rotting food but they survive it all.

People who are survivors are also not necessarily nice people. Sometimes to do what you have to in order to survive you have to sacrifice certain human aspects of yourself. We all do it to a certain degree and if you think that you donÂ’t, just think how many times you have turned a blind eye to some poor needy soul on the street. That kind of apathy requires a sacrifice of something human and we all do it. Every single one of us. Vultures also take advantage of opportunities, they might start feeding on something that is not quite dead yet but that might as well be.

Some people are opportunists as well, especially to that degree, where they canÂ’t wait but have to dive right in before the time is right. Or they might take advantage of things that result in pain to others. The heart of a vulture, on close examination is not really a good thing to have.

The hearts of animals work very well in their own breasts; they do not always translate entirely well into human form. Even the ones that sound very impressive and that you would think are the ones to be admired have their drawbacks, being lionhearted for example. One neednÂ’t stick only to animalsÂ’ hearts; all animal characteristics that humans try to personalise are backhanded compliments in the end. To be a sly fox implies both quick wit and something twisty, slippery and oily that leaves an unpleasant aftertaste on the mind. There are other expressions but this oneÂ’s tired brain cannot think of them at the moment.

In order to see these hearts and characteristics where they belong, in the animals that they belong to, one can easily pop down to oneÂ’s nearest African country, the further South the better and book a safari and/or camping trip in one of the many game parks that abound in the region. The experience is unforgettable, the animals are magnificent and the hospitality is out of this world.

I am standing on top of a windblown cliff. Below me the enormous caldera of Deception Island stretches from one copper coloured cliff to the next. On the black volcanic beach penguins and seals compete for a place in the sun. Overhead a skua patrols the skies while a blue iceberg lazily floats by in the open ocean. This is Antarctica, the 7th continent and the last frontier of adventure travel. I make my way down to the beach and strip down to my swimming trunks to take a dip in a hole we dug in the sand which by now has filled up with warm water from the hot springs. As I sip on a drink I think back to the adventures that have come my way over the past few days.

I travelled to Antarctica with Peregrine on the Akademik Ioffe, also known as the Peregrine Mariner. Originally built in Finland only a few years ago as a Russian re- search vessel, this comfortable ship has been chartered by one of the worlds fore- most adventure travel companies, Australian based Peregrine. Staffed with a friendly Russian crew, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Canadian, Australian and British guides and fitted with modern comforts such as a sauna, gym, bar and pool, this ship was to be my home for the next nine days.

We left Ushuaia at 6 pm with the sun still high in the sky. One of the strangest phenomenons of sailing the Southern Ocean during the summer is the amount of day light you get. The sun comes up long before anyone is awake and doesn’t go down until 11 pm. At night it never really gets dark and often travellers can be seen on deck in the middle of the night watching the scenery and wildlife go by. The amount of light gives you enormous energy and sleep is often the last thing on your mind.

Soon our small group of 32 travellers and 40 crew left the calm waters of the Beagle Channel behind and entered the stormy seas of the Drake Passage. Days are livened up by sightings of many different species of Albatross, Petrels and whales, as well as by the lectures of the competent guides. Their enthusiasm is unmatched in the industry and their love for the continent is evident all throughout the trip. On board we had a naturalist/ornithologist, a historian, a photographer and an expert on tourism management, each of whom gave informal lectures and slide shows in their own field of expertise.

After two days on the open seas we entered the sheltered waters around the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. On board we had some German scientists whom we dropped off at Bellingshausen, a Russian research station. From here we sailed on towards our first landing site at Mikkelsen Harbour. Here a deserted Argentine research station sits on a low hill on an islet surrounded by majestic mountains. Chinstrap penguins have made their home all around and they don’t seem to be the least disturbed by visitors. I made my way between two colonies to the other side of the islet where a Weddell seal was lazing in the sun. It turned onto its side curiously observing me as I sat down on a rock taking in all the scenery around me. Enormous mountains capped by blue glaciers formed the back drop to a picturesque bay littered with floating bergie bits of all different sizes and shades of blue and white. A Chinstrap penguin emerged only meters away on a slippery rock, lost its balance, fell over backwards and shocked this clown-like creature dove back into the water. Back on the other side of the island some penguins were bathing themselves in a tidal pool in the centre of the colony. A hungry skua was walking around waiting for a chance to grab an egg from one of the nests.

During the January and February hatching season these giant birds often take their chances and run a gauntlet of snapping beaks to prey on weak penguin chicks. After about two hours on the island we boarded our zodiacs, motorised rubber rafts that cruise vessels use to ferry travellers from the ship to shore and for expedition cruises in the waters around landing sites.

Peregrine, always keen on trying out new concepts, is known in the industry for finding new landing sites and taking trips other companies could only dream of. This time it was a crossing of the 7-mile wide Gerlache Strait in zodiacs, something that had never been done before. Speeding across the calm waters we cruised between icebergs in all shapes and sizes, fantastic sculptures left behind by the forces of wind and water. We witnessed a giant piece of ice break off a berg and tumble in a spray of ice cold water into the deep waters of the Gerlache. One of our landings took place at Wilhelmina Bay, where we cruised around in our Zodiacs observing birds and wildlife and crossing fields of pack-ice. We spotted a Leopard seal guarding a nearby penguin colony, waiting for its chance to catch an unsuspecting meal. Further down we observed a Crabeater seal relaxing on an iceberg as it floated in the current of the bay. We landed at the foot of an active glacier, a spot where presumably no one else had landed before. With just over 10,000 visitors a year chances are that at some point during your cruise you will be the first human visitor to set foot on a particular spot.

During our cruise we engaged in several invigorating hikes, a Peregrine speciality. Walks are optional and moderate and will take you to a penguin colony perched on top of a cliff, to a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular scenery, or exploring the remains of an old whaling station. No matter where you go the solitude of the land, the incredible vistas and the feeling of being at the end of the world will strike you. On some of the cruises travellers can participate in sea kayaking or camp out on the ice. Peregrine has pioneered both activities and no other company offers these op- tions at this time. Kayaking is for experienced paddlers only as executing a perfect Eskimo roll is essential in the cold waters off the Antarctic Peninsula. Camping out overnight can be done by anyone and is of course an unforgettable experience. Complete silence will surround you while you feel like an early Polar explorer bundled up in the comfort of your sleeping bag.

We made numerous landings during our cruise, in remote places like Trinity Island, Cierva Cove and Orne Harbour. Everywhere we went new discoveries and wildlife awaited us, from colonies of Gentoo penguins to flocks of Cape Petrel swimming near our zodiac, from a Minke whale crossing the bow of our ship to Wandering albatrosses flying in the wake of the Akademik Ioffe. Southern Elephant seals and Macaroni and Rockhopper penguins can be observed at several landing sites while acrobatic schools of Gentoo penguins can be seen porposing as they make their way home through the deep waters off Deception Island.

On our third day in the archipelago we entered the caldera of Whale’s Bay on Deception Island through the narrow straight known to sailors as Neptune’s Bellows. Here we were to make our last landing before we returned across the Drake Passage to the wild lands of Patagonia. Just before arriving in Ushuaia we rounded Cape Horn in the perfect setting of a gale force 9 storm and 25 foot waves. It was here that we raised a glass for those sailors who did not make it through these turbulent waters and whose soul was carried away to rest for ever in the frozen continent, that last frontier. We felt as if a piece of our soul had stayed behind there too, in the solitude of the giant glaciers and snow fields; blending in with the cool evening air, swirling around forever over the sparkling blue waters of the Gerlache Strait.

I got off our ship early the next morning and stood for a while blinking in the early sunlight as the sun rose over the mountains surrounding Ushuaia. This must have been how Amundsen felt when he finally came home after his explorations of Antarctica. A lost soul wondering where to go next, fighting against the urge to turn around and make his way back towards the southern edge of Mother Earth.

Philatelic Museum Bangkok records the Thai stamp and postal history from the mid 1800s - the present day, with stamps honoring the reigning monarch of the day and marking significant events in Thai history.

The museum was first established in 1947 when the postal services were under the Post and Telegraph Department. After reorganization of the civil service and several relocations, the Philatelic Museum, currently under Thailand Post Company Ltd, finally found its permanent home in Sam Sen Nai Post Office next to the Saphan Kwai skytrain station on 15 December 2004.

Stamps often tell the story of the history and culture of a society. The Thai stamps in the Philatelic Museum Bangkok have their stories to tell too.

The Thai postal history - the early days

Our story begins in the reign of King Rama IV (1851 - 1868). In those days, before the existence of a postal service in Thailand, people sent letters through messengers or friends who were traveling within or out of the country.

With the signing of the Bowring Treaty in 1855, Thailand opened up for foreign trade. The presence of foreign businesses and consulates in Bangkok necessitated a postal service. This was setup in 1867 by the British Postal Service and run by the British consulate in Bangkok purely for communications between consulates.

As Thailand had no stamps of her own then, she used stamps of British India which were also used in the Straits Settlements, Malacca, Penang and Singapore. Stamps for use in Bangkok were marked with a capital “B”. The mail was routed through Singapore and had a Singapore postmark.

In 1875, during the reign of King Rama V (1868 - 1910), Prince Bhanurangsri Sawangwongse, younger brother of the king, published a newspaper “Court” for royalty and high officials. A local stamp was affixed for delivery services. This laid the groundwork for the Thai postal service in the future.

Philatelic Museum - the advent of the postal service

In 1880 some members of the government felt a pressing need for a postal service for the general public and petitioned King Rama V. The king agreed. Fittingly Prince Bhanurangsri was tasked to do this and was appointed the first Director General of the Post Department. The first post office was built in Charoen Krung Road by the Chao Phraya River near the mouth of the Ong-Ang canal.

Thai stamp history - the first stamp issue

With the establishment of the domestic postal service, Thailand issued her first postage stamp on 4 August 1883; 43 years after “Penny Black” the world’s first prepaid adhesive postage stamps appeared in England.

The first set of stamps had the portrait of King Rama V, was designed by William Ridgeway and printed by the Waterlow Printing Company of England. The stamps bore no country name and were only for domestic use. The Thais had their own nickname for these stamps, “Solot”, after the price of the stamp in the old currency.

Originally stamp denominations were in solot, att, sio, salung, the old Thai currency units. When the currency was changed to baht and satang, new stamps were issued.

On 1 July 1885, Thailand joined the Universal Postal Union, which coordinates the international postal system. In line with international convention, the country name and price in Arabic and Thai numerals were printed on the Thai stamps.

Subsequent commemorative issues in the Philatelic Museum

On 11 November 1908, Thailand celebrated the 40th anniversary of the reign of King Rama V, the longest reigning Thai monarch then, with a new set of postage stamps.

In the reign of King Rama VII (1925 - 1935), special stamps marked 150 years under the reign of the Chakri Kings. The stamp had portraits of King Rama I (1782) and King Rama VII (1932). What was the significance of this 150 year anniversary?

An astrologer had predicted earlier that the Chakri dynasty would come to an end after 150 years. On 1 April 1932, the 150th anniversary of the dynasty, there was a big celebration to prove soothsayer wrong. Though the prediction wasn’t completely right, two months later, the absolute monarchy was overthrown in a coup on 24 June 1932.

In the reign of King Rama VIII (1935 - 1946), a special set of stamps were issued in 1943 featuring the Monument to the Expeditionary Force. These stamps weren’t meant to commemorate the Thai military effort during World War I. Furthermore, the stamps were priced in “cents”.

Called “Four States”, these stamps were meant for use in the four Malay states of Kelantan, Perlis, Sara Buri (the state of Kedah today) and Trengganu. These states, which were ceded to Britain in the reign of King Rama V, came temporarily under Thai rule during World War II when Thailand declared war on Britain and the USA.

The story of the stamps in the Philatelic Museum continues into the reign of King Rama IX, the present king. There were several memorable occasions when commemorative stamps were issued.

When the Benjarong (Thai pottery in five primary colors) issue won second prize at the International Stamp Competition in Vienna, Austria in 1981, these stamps secured a place in the Philatelic Museum.

The commemorative issue celebrating the Bangkok Bicentenary (1782 - 1982) provides the centerpiece of the Philatelic Museum. These set of stamps had the nine Chakri kings, Rama I to Rama IX in denominations from 1 baht - 9 baht.

In 1999, Thailand celebrated the 72nd (the 6th cycle) birthday of HM the King with another set of stamps. Firm believers in astrology and the 12 zodiac signs, Thais consider anniversaries in multiples of 12 particularly 60, 72 extremely auspicious.

Besides the displays of prominent issues, the Philatelic Museum preserves hundreds of the old stamps and envelopes in frames filed in chronological order. I was surprised to see old envelopes used by early Chinese immigrants in Bangkok to remit money to China.

There’s also a comfortable library well stocked with books, collectors’ journals and stamp bulletins and a souvenir shop.

Since 1883, the Thai postal service has made more than 720 stamp issues. The Philatelic Museum Bangkok preserves this postal and stamp history of Thailand and the significant events related to these issues.