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...If you're reading this you should be reasonably serious about going diving on Ko Tao and probably know by now that this is one of the best dive areas in the world. Therefore I wont bore you with 30 metre visability, whale sharks, lack of polution, quiet dive sites. What you do need to know is dont sign up with the first tout that meets you coming off the ferry or speed boat. It is a good way to get a free taxi to accomodation but taxis cost less than £1 to anywhere. Dont be sucked in by cheap accomodation deals as every company gives you this. Go to a few bars in the main town - at the pier. Ask backpackers, not locals for recomendations. Choose the ones that sound best and go to their offices. Look for new equipment, ask about safety standards and remember - prices are fixed, all companies charge the same price, so you can afford... Read review

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...Its now possible to buy direct international flights to Ko Samui but mostly only from other asian countries flying with Bangkok Airways. For a trip from europe its easier to go direct to Phuket or Bangkok and then buy an onwards Bangkok Airways flight to Samui Airport. This the most comfortable option but also the most expensive. Overnight trains are OK, cheap and functional but you have to sleep. If you make too much noise the locals get very angry. There are various bus/ferry combo tickets which are by far the cheapest option but also are definately the most uncomfortable (especially the overcrowded minibuses) and are regularily involved in accidents. Remeber never to eat or drink anything offered to you by strangers on a bus or train. Unfortunately many people have been drugged and robbed this way.... Read review

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Advantages: a wonderful return of an american master
Disadvantages: lyrics

..., the frightfully gifted prodigal son who, throughout mountains of PCP and cocaine, never came home. Stevie Wonder, the golden child who, through the power of his moog and his imagination, took the frenetic joy of the revival to Neptune. I Can't Stop, Green's first full-length secular album in 26 years, succeeds in both showing how powerful and real the myth of Al Green is and in showing how the myth can differ from the artist as well. It not only shows why he is considered as, arguably, the greatest soul artist of all time, but also the full range of the gifts that made him mythic in nature, as well as the deeply human element of his art that has compelled people to it for over three decades. Those looking for the master of controlled sensuality and nearly unbearable sexual tension that created hit after breathtaking hit in the '70s will leave... Read review

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Advantages: A whole hatful of Al - 12 tracks of enhanced madness!
Disadvantages: I skip a track or 2 to get to the 'even better' stuff

...The God of Parody reaches into his box of satire delights and bestows fresh nuggets upon us. This is an all round 'hum-dinger' of an album. As it's my duty, even my raison d'etre, to bring un-mainstream music to the masses, I've been a Weird Al fan for ages. Most of you will know the popular stuff like his Michael Jackson parodies, 'Fat' and 'Eat it' but there is still a sad lack of Al in the charts. C'mon people, if that damn Crazy Frog can get to Number one... Sheesh!!! Snap Judgements 1. Couch Potato Parody of Lose yourself... Eminem never sounded so good. Fast talkin' TV trashin' 2. Hardware Store Rythmic and complicated. Watch for the mid-section then checkout the lyrics on the inlay to find out what just happened. Frenetic. 3. Trash Day Parody of 'It's gettin hot in here'... Don't particularly like... Read review

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Advantages: Secure, kosher food
Disadvantages: Long queues for check-in

...I've flown on a number of occasions with EL AL, over a number of years, and have found that the quality of the service is improving. I have little doubt that they are one of the most security aware airlines around and that is one of the key reasons I have chosen to fly with them. I also think that the in-flight service has improved, with staff becoming more polite and better quality, and selection of, food on offer. Pointers from my own experiences with EL AL: * Given the focus on security, if you have anything in your baggage likely to look suspicious, either take it in hand baggage or warn the security staff when you go through the checks. They may ask you to open your bags, but it's likely to be less hassle than if they spot it on the x-ray. * Avoid 'smart' comments to the security staff - I know friends who have really... Read review

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Advantages: Crystalbrite Background, DVI, 8ms response
Disadvantages: Bulky power supply

...I had this monitor sent to me by Acer after my previous monitor, the AL1914 was deemed beyond repair. My first thoughts were of excitement as the 1951 was of a considderably higher spec than the old monitor. My excitement became a reality when I got the monitor set up. On opening the box, I found the monitor itself, the power supply, and both a VGA and DVI cable. The stand was already pre-fixed to the monitor and this also doubles up as a wall mounting bracket, should you wish to attach the monitor to the wall. On the back of the base there are sockets for the mains power supply, one for the VGA cable, one for the DVI cable and one for an audio feed, should you wish to make use of the monitors internal speaker. Personally I prefer to use my own speakers so I am unable to comment on this feature. The first thing you will notice... Read review

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Advantages: Good service
Disadvantages: Overbooking

...El Al have been improving their service in the last few years, and cabi crew attitudes are now excellent in most of their flights (as opposed to the past when it was: "sit down and shut up, I'm busy'). The flights from London tend to be heavilly overbooked (the airline books many more seats than it actually has, because not all passengers show up to flights). Inevitably this means that in some flights passengers are asked if they are willing to wait for the next flight for a reasonable compensation (there are always people willing to do so). Even if almost everybody boards the flight in the end it can be a very stressful experience, waiting till the last minute to know if you have a seat available, even though you paid a full fair ticket. There are several things you can do to prevent this: a. It is a little known fact... Read review

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Advantages: A peaceful desert Oasis (Not the band silly!)
Disadvantages: Very, very, very, very expensive!

...Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa is located approximately 60 minutes drive from Dubai International Airport. Transfers can be organised with your tour operator, but will be in two stages. The first stage is a transfer from the airport down the highway and into the desert and onto the perimeter fence of the resort - this should take no more than 45-50 minutes. Once at the perimeter of the Al Maha estate, you will pass through security and await the arrival of the hotels jeeps, who will then transport you up to the main resort, which will usually take another 15 mins or so. Despite the transfer time, particualrly after a 7 1/2 hour flight from the UK, this was not uncomfortable or irritating like some transfers can be, so I hardly noticed the time. The Resort truly is an Oasis in the desert and is perfect for a romantic break or to kick... Read review

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Advantages: Privacy and desert luxury - own private pool
Disadvantages: Pricey even by the standard of other 7/6 star resorts

...The Al Maha desert resort is unique amongst Dubai's luxury hotel offerings. Combining nature reserve, luxury hotel and Arabian hospitality the resort is highly recommended by this reviewer! The resort is set in the desert about 40 minutes drive (by hotel provided 4x4) from Dubai's International airport. It provides peace and quiet with first class luxury and service to match the best that Dubai has to offer. The chief attractions of this hotel are Peace and quiet Your own private pool Tasteful Luxury Nature Reserve Peace and quiet An ideal place to relax after the hustle and bustle of city living. The hotel has a meet and greet service at the airport which will welcome you to Dubai and arrange your transport to the hotel. As the hotel is set in its own 225 square kilometre private estate you must use the hotel... Read review

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Advantages: Traditional Comedy
Disadvantages: Traditional Comedy

...Al Murray is a love/hate kind of stand-up - his archetypal pub humour seems to appeal more to what the media would consider a generation that's past. I'm not so sure this is the case. This stand-up routine holds up with "comedy genii" of today, the Peter Kay's and Ricky Gervais' of the world, but is just more old-fashioned. To those who saw Time Gentleman Please, the underrated sitcom in which Murray played his Landlord character, his stand-up is a natural extension of this. The bigoted, patriotic and traditional pub landlord, standing up for all that is British. One of the strengths of the characters is that there is something ridiculously gay about Murray anyway. The fact we know this humour is tongue-in-cheek almost makes it acceptable to laugh at. As an old traditionalist (says a boy of 17), there's certainly room... Read review

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