Episodios

  • How & Why Did Thailand Largely Avoid Getting Colonized?

    How & Why Did Thailand Largely Avoid Getting Colonized?
    Aug 2 2024

    Every country has been colonized or occupied, including Thailand. However, Thailand is one of the handful of countries that did not get formally colonized for an extended period. Why? How? I answer that question in this 2-minute video.

    In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand!

    More info

    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon

    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

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    2 m
  • Are the Smiles in Thailand Fake?

    Are the Smiles in Thailand Fake?
    Jul 26 2024

    In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand!

    Watch the video of this episode!

    For good reason, Thailand is called the Land of the Smiles: the Thais smile easily and often!

    It reminds me of Africans or Latin Americans.

    However, how sincere is that smile? As I wrapped up my Thailand tour, I reflected on that question.

    What do you think?

    More info

    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon

    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!

    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr

    My Patrons sponsored this show!

    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

    Rewards start at just $2/month!

    Affiliate links

    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.

    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.
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    2 m
  • Carnival Magic: Thailand's largest & most colorful amusement park, located in Phuket!

    Carnival Magic: Thailand's largest & most colorful amusement park, located in Phuket!
    Jul 19 2024

    ERROR: At the start and end of this video, I say that the Carnival Magic amusement park is in BANGKOK. That's WRONG! It's in PHUKET, Thailand. I'm sorry for the error. There is no Carnival Magic in Bangkok. I should have known better since I filmed all the footage in this video! Phuket is a 12-hour drive or 75-minute flight from Bangkok.

    In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand!

    Carnival Magic is a massive Thai cultural carnival theme park in Phuket, Thailand. It is the world's first Thai carnival theme park, spanning over 40 acres and featuring dazzling lights, colors, and imagery celebrating Thailand's rich cultural heritage and traditional festivals.[1][2]

    Key Features

    - Inspired by exotic carnivals worldwide, Carnival Magic presents breathtaking evening celebrations, regal pageantry, and cultural fun unmatched by any other show.[1] - It features the world's longest parade float on a gigantic 70-meter stage in a 2,200-seat theater.[3] - The park boasts the world's largest light and sound show, the world's largest LED sculpture, and the world's tallest popcorn machine.[3] - Illuminated by 40 million lights in a dazzling display of colors and vibes, offering an extraordinary experience.[3] - Holds 9 Guinness World Records, making it Thailand's most awarded company by the Guinness World Record Organization.[3]

    History and Development

    - Envisioned in 2003 by the parent company Phuket FantaSea, to create a fantasyland celebrating Thai culture and traditions.[3] - Construction was halted and restarted 3 times due to the 2004 tsunami, the late 2000s recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] - Finally unveiled in 2022 after persistent efforts, with an investment of over $150 million, making it the largest theme park development in Thailand.[3]

    Carnival Magic offers a unique and immersive experience, showcasing Thailand's vibrant culture through spectacular shows, parades, and attractions, making it a must-visit destination for local and international visitors.[1][2][3][4][5]

    Citations: [1] https://www.carnivalmagic.fun/eng/ [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvzScwzVfhU [3] https://www.carnivalmagic.fun/eng/about.php [4] https://www.tourismthailand.org/Entertainment/carnival-magic [5] https://www.tripadvisor.ca/AttractionProductReview-g293920-d25008237-Carnival_Magic_Theme_Park_in_Thailand-Phuket.html

    999 Moo 3 Kamala Kathu Phuket 83150 Call : +66 76 385 555 Email : info@carnivalmagic.fun
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    7 m
  • Why Go To Thailand

    Why Go To Thailand
    Jul 12 2024
    If there was ever a podcast where you're better off seeing the video, this is it! It features lots of footage that I shot the first time I visited. In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! Timeline 00:00 Intro 00:50 History 03:05 Temples 04:10 Islands 05:38 Snorkeling, SCUBA diving, & fish 07:15 Lodging 08:15 People 09:00 Dance & nightlife This video gives you an exciting overview of Thailand! You'll learn about Thailand's history, beaches, aquatic sea life, temples, languages, culture, nightlife, and dancing. Subscribe to watch my video kissing a Thai elephant! Video script Welcome to the Land of Smiles! Thailand is a country that tantalizes your taste buds, tickles your senses, and leaves you wondering if you’ve accidentally stepped into a vibrant dream. Thailand has got to be one of the most aptly named countries on the planet. The “Land of Smiles” delivers grins at every turn with its beautiful scenery, delightfully eccentric cultural experiences, and some of the most blissed-out, friendly people you’ll ever encounter. Just be prepared for lots of bewildered head-scratching and delighted laughter as you embrace the organized chaos and tongue-in-cheek whimsy that makes traveling here such an endlessly entertaining adventure. A History with More Spice Than Your Pad Thai Thailand boasts a history as rich and complex as a bowl of tom yum soup. Kingdoms rose and fell, leaving behind a trail of magnificent temples and enough intrigue to make a soap opera jealous. We won’t bore you with dates (because, let’s face it, remembering your anniversary is hard enough), but here’s the gist: powerful empires, epic battles fought on elephant back (seriously!), and a whole lot of cultural exchange. The Thais like to refer to their nation as the “Land of the Free” since they proudly managed to avoid getting colonized by myopic European powers who were too distracted trying to invent terrible ideas like bloodsports and obesity. The origins of this glorious nation trace back to the ancient Sukhothai kingdom, which ruled large swaths of present-day Thailand from the 13th to 15th centuries and essentially laid the groundwork for all the mischief to come. They invented the Thai alphabet, converted the nation to Theravada Buddhism (a spirituality that preaches detachment yet somehow birthed the Muay Thai boxing culture), and kick-started a prolific period of temple construction that persists today. Thailand maintained a rich, quirky cultural identity through a delightfully convoluted pageant of kingdoms and capitals. Thailand’s history is like a spicy curry – full of twists, turns, and unexpected ingredients. Imagine a time when Ayutthaya was the New York City of Southeast Asia, bustling with trade, culture, and probably a few epic food fights. Then came the Burmese invasion, like a hangry Godzilla stomping through the city. But fear not! The Thais rebuilt, and today, Ayutthaya’s ruins are a testament to resilience and the importance of investing in sturdy walls. Thailand’s history is as colorful as its temples and diverse as its cuisine. From ancient civilizations to modern-day monarchy, this country has seen it all. Fast forward to today, and Thailand is a vibrant mix of tradition and modern life. You’ll find glittering skyscrapers sharing the skyline with ancient temples, monks in saffron robes browsing smartphones, and grandmothers selling mango-sticky rice beside sleek cafes. The Grand Palace complex is a must-see if only to check off “tour the wildly ornate milieu of one of the world’s most eccentric, propaganda-addicted royal dynasties” from your bucket list. The palace grounds feature the famous Emerald Buddha sculpture - a diminutive jade figure that looks like something you’d win at a county fair but is priceless to Buddhists. Nearby sits the aptly named Wat Pho, home to the epic Reclining Buddha statue that’s so colossal you half expect it to pop up and start rapping about all the golden donuts it ate. Temples and Religion: Where Buddha Takes Center Stage Thailand has more temples than there are grains of sand on its beaches. Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha is so chill it’s practically horizontal. And the Grand Palace? It’s like a wedding cake made of gold and gemstones. As for religion, Thais blend Buddhism with a dash of animism, like adding chili to mango sticky rice. It’s a spiritual cocktail that keeps the universe in balance. Thailand is steeped in Buddhism, and the magnificent temples testify to the country’s rich spiritual heritage. Wat Pho will leave you speechless with its reclining Buddha and towering golden chedis. In Ayutthaya, explore the crumbling ruins of ancient temples, remnants of a once-great kingdom. Island Hopping: The Aquatic Adventure Now, let’s get to the good stuff: the islands! Thailand’s coastline is dotted with gems – Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi – each offering a slice of ...
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    14 m
  • 300th Episode! Listen To The Most Popular Episode!

    300th Episode! Listen To The Most Popular Episode!
    Jul 4 2024
    To celebrate my 300th WanderLearn podcast episode, I'm sharing my most popular episode. If you like the nuanced way I tackle the controversial subject of hunting, be sure to go to the bottom of this page and follow the links to hear the other episodes I've done related to hunting. In 2018, Brittany Hosmer Longoria was swept up in a social media firestorm with these trending hashtags: #disgusting#cuntress#findThisBitch#huntTheHunter#Monstress#immoral#murderHer#KillHer#poacher What had she done to induce such a vicious reaction? The surprising answer is nothing that remarkable. What she had done was to hunt a leopard in Namibia and take a photo of her holding the dead leopard. Here's why that's unremarkable: First, she was not a poacher. She spent nearly $40,000 to get all the permits to legally hunt that old male leopard. I could understand that people would get worked up if she were a poacher. She was not. She did everything by the book. Nobody disagrees with that. Second, she didn't post the photo on Instagram. She submitted it to the Safari Club International (SCI) when they solicited photos that exhibited a "hunting heritage." She uploaded the photo to SCI's private server. SCI would evaluate these photos. But before they could, an animal activist got a hold of the photo and released it to the public. In other words, it's not like Brittany illegally shot a leopard and then bragged about it. On the contrary, she went through all the legal steps and took a pretty standard post-hunt photo. This sort of thing happens thousands of times every day, so what Brittany did was thoroughly unremarkable. Therefore, it's a bit hard to understand why she, out of all the legal hunters who post photos of their trophies, would get targeted by social media harshly. I met with her in 2019 at the SCI conference to talk with Brittany. Listen to this podcast and tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Although I met her briefly, she's clearly a shy and humble person. Introverts dislike the spotlight. I commend her for her courage in facing the spotlight to dispel some myths and misunderstandings about hunting. I warned her that I would hit her hard with tough and uncomfortable questions, which a journalist must do to capture all sides of a story. Indeed, you'll hear that at one point in the interview, she nearly shuts down, seemingly exhausted by my barrage of questions. As always, she kept her cool and composure, which her hysterical enemies often do not. I commend Brittany. Moreover, I wanted to give her a chance to answer some thought-provoking and provocative questions that people who dislike hunting may have. Meanwhile, people who hate hunting should listen to her pro-hunting arguments. Many people who have a knee-jerk adverse reaction to hunting have never given much thought to it. Ignorance leads to misunderstandings. So if you hate hunting, listen to this podcast. I don't expect to convert you. In fact, I am not even trying to convert anyone to anything. I just like to promote listening and the calm exchange of ideas. I am a part-time vegan (I only eat animals when I'm traveling or when I'm a guest at someone's house). So I'm not a hunter. However, I believe many people who disapprove of hunting don't see the nuance in this complex subject. I don't claim to be an expert. I just like to listen and learn. I hope you do too. If so, share this episode and comment below. If you want to leave a comment, here's a tip: the less emotional and savage your comment is, the more convincing it will be. Scream and swear often if you want to turn people off from your argument. I know, this is the Internet, so we're all supposed to get outraged about everything. But please try to act like a grown-up. Here is a funny and educational video about the subject https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQh-f1rBjx4 What about Green Hunts? The hardest question I didn't ask Britt Longoria during the podcast is why she doesn't do Green Hunts. I didn't ask that question because I didn't think about it, but a couple of people asked me after the interview. A Green Hunt is when you shoot an animal with a tranquilizer instead of deadly ammunition. After the podcast, I asked Britt if she could answer the question. She wrote her response and here are the highlights of what she said. Green Hunts are much cheaper than normal hunts. Killing one white rhino costs $60,000 versus $7,500 for a Green Hunt of the white rhino.She wrote, "Although a green hunt would be an exciting adventure, there is a lack of hunting fulfillment and intent, which is hard to describe to people who have not experienced the full cycle of a hunt."Britt concludes, "During a green hunt, there is a whole entourage of people participating, rather than the meditative qualities of a private or solo hunt. The intent of a green hunt would be different as well for science, sport, or entertainment; rather than the profoundly emotive process that may or may not end in harvest ...
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    46 m
  • He's Seen Most of Countries in Less Than a Year - Michael Zervos

    He's Seen Most of Countries in Less Than a Year - Michael Zervos
    Jun 27 2024

    I interviewed Michael Zervos in Cote d'Ivoire a few months ago. He was 10% done with his every-country-speed tour.

    I interviewed him today, June 27, when he's halfway done!

    Watch the Video

    In the second half of the show, Michael Zervos reflects on Africa.

    00:00 Intro

    03:30 Sudan

    07:00 Africa

    More info

    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon

    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!

    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

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    My Patrons sponsored this show!

    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

    Rewards start at just $2/month!

    Affiliate links

    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.

    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.
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    19 m
  • How To Travel in Africa with Young Kids

    How To Travel in Africa with Young Kids
    Jun 21 2024

    Here are two episodes featuring Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, author of Following the Sun: Tales (and Fails) From a Year Around the World With Our Kids.

    Margaret spent a year traveling to 29 countries on six continents with her husband and their two young kids.

    How did she do it?

    What did she learn?

    What advice does she have for traveling parents with young children?

    Watch the Video

    00:00 Africa 02:50 Is a travel agent necessary? 04:10 Zimbabwe 05:20 Egypt

    More info

    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon

    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!

    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

    • Facebook
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    My Patrons sponsored this show!

    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

    Rewards start at just $2/month!

    Affiliate links

    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.

    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.
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    8 m
  • Family of 4 Traveling Nonstop to 29 Countries with Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, Following the Sun book author

    Family of 4 Traveling Nonstop to 29 Countries with Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, Following the Sun book author
    Jun 14 2024

    Here are two episodes featuring Margaret Bensfield Sullivan, author of Following the Sun: Tales (and Fails) From a Year Around the World With Our Kids.

    Margaret spent a year traveling to 29 countries on six continents with her husband and their two young kids.

    How did she do it?

    What did she learn?

    What advice does she have for traveling parents with young children?

    Watch the Video Timeline

    00:00 World-proof your kids 05:55 Origin of the book title 09:20 Screwups 16:00 Career advice

    More info

    To leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTapon

    You can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.

    If you like this podcast, subscribe and share!

    On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:

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    My Patrons sponsored this show!

    Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTapon

    Rewards start at just $2/month!

    Affiliate links

    Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!

    In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken.

    Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!

    For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear.
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    20 m