Belém is not on everyone’s wish list when visiting the Amazon region.  Most head straight for the jugular city of Manaus, 1400kms northwest on the junction of the Amazon and Rio Negro, but for those who do make the detour, the rewards can be surprising. The city’s beautiful buildings include the famous Opera House modeled on La Scala in Milan, the Basilica of Nazaré built after the style of St Peter’s in Rome, and the fresh fruit and produce market, Ver-O-Peso, with its decorative wrought-iron turret that was transported in sections from Britain and is now an icon of the city.

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If Koh Samui’s powder sand beaches and secluded bays dotted with sun-bleached rock formations are not enough then there are jungle covered mountains concealing waterfalls and cool rock pools, exotic butterflies, wild orchids and gigantic ferns. Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting, but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more. 

The allure of the pocket-sized island of Koh Samui is strong, but more temptations await in Thailand's far north west, in the province of Chiang Rai. This highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer. The Thai Government, in a concerted move to  stop the practice, has curtailed poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods  The scheme has worked well. An increasing number of tourists arrive each year, lured by the legacy of the region’s notorious past, its true scenic beauty and the distinct hill tribes of northern Thailand. 

Standing on the Thai soil of a steep hill overlooking this small outpost at the very apex of the Golden Triangle I gazed out and over the mighty Mekong.  On my left was mysterious Myanmar.  On my right was even more enigmatic Laos.  I had finally reached the edge of the Kingdom.

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As far as the eye can see only green palm fronds wave in unison.  Millions of swaying coconut palms are indeed a cordial greeting but the centrepiece of this 80-island archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand offers much more. 

If Koh Samui’s powder sand beaches and secluded bays dotted with sun-bleached rock formations are not enough then there are jungle covered mountains concealing waterfalls and cool rock pools, exotic butterflies, wild orchids and gigantic ferns. 

The allure of this pocket size island is strong but more temptations wait in the far north western province of Chiang Rai, one of the most remote provinces of the country’s 76 self-governing administrative divisions. 

A major reason for going to Chiang Mai is that the city can be used as a base for an excursion to the Golden Triangle. 

Located at the northern extreme of Thailand, where the Kingdom of Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar (Burma) at the confluence of the Mekong River, this highly fertile area has a history as a leading opium producer.

The Thai Government, in a concerted move to not only change this image but stop the practice has curtailed most poppy cultivation and instituted programs to teach hill tribe people new ways to earn their livelihoods such as producing alternate agricultural crops like macadamia nuts and coffee and reviving almost-lost handicraft techniques.

An illustrated feature on the Thai temptations of Samui and Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle can be written on assignment from 1000 to 2000 words - depending upon editorial requirements - and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

Located in a small town at the edge of Grater Bangkok, the world’s largest elephant is not on the conventional tourist circuit.

Known to many visitors as the Erawan Museum it’s a serene sanctuary unlike any other in the world.

Inside the 39 metre long jumbo is a museum of antiquities and a magnificent stained glass window. 

The final room located in the elephant’s ‘head’ is filled with Buddha images while the ceiling is decorated with celestial stars.

An illustrated ‘filler’ story of 250 to 500 words about the world’s largest elephant can be written on assignment depending upon editorial requirements and supplied with a selection of hi-res digital images.

Laucala Island, east of far-flung Taveuni in Fiji, opened in 2008 for just 50 discerning guests who don't mind shelling out upwards of 3800USD per night for a beachfront Plantation Residence. Set amidst a working coconut plantation, at this level of opulence, privacy, exclusivity and exquisite service is de riguer.  With astounding attention to detail, assisted by a guest to staff ratio hovering around 7:1, Laucala Island has perfected the art of fine hospitality infused with an element of Fijian warmth.

Fiona Harper is one of few journalists invited to visit Laucala Island. Contact Fiona Harper to commission your exclusively crafted feature or puchase the article for immediate download.

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Cruising into Port Vila Harbour I’m reminded of those romantic South Pacific voyages I dreamt of as a teenager, having secured by chance a berth on a yacht through the Kimberleys. This tantalizing coastal passage introduced me to sailing, whetting my appetite for further adventures at sea. Reluctantly disembarking in Darwin, I left the yacht with my head filled with dreams to travel to far-flung exotic ports. The idyllic islands of the Pacific Ocean were then, as now, high on my ‘must see’ list. I wasn’t alone as it turned out. Pulitzer Prize winning novelist James Michener long before was also seduced by similar dreams, crafting his epic novel Tales of the South Pacific based on his experiences in Samoa and Vanuatu......

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Quashing my fears of paranoia, thinking that I’ve stepped onto the wrong boat, I quickly learn that the balaclava is to keep the heavily polluted water from splashing into her face, and I soon wish I had had the foresight to bring my own. Taking her nod of the head as approval, I snap away. Turning the camera around to show the children the screen snapshot, they both roll simultaneously onto their backs, legs in the air, giggling in puerile delight when they see their own faces staring back at them. The crinkling of pleasure in their mothers eyes assures me that I’m on the right boat after all.....

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The course is run by the elephant camp at Anantara Resort and Spa in the Golden Triangle near Chiang Rai. It is home to 34 elephants and is set up like a traditional mahouts’ village that used to exist in the hills of Northern Thailand when most of Thailand’s elephants were employed in the logging industry. The Thai Government set up the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) to ensure the well-being of elephants; the camp at Anantara is the northern extension of the TECC and offers guests a great chance to get to know these massive pachyderms