Africa - The Cradle of Humankind

World-renowned archaeologist Professor Phillip Tobias once said that "Humanity was a gift from Africa to the World". Many scholars believe Africa to be the birthplace of mankind and with the substantial archaeological findings in their favour the world tends to agree.

Robert Ardry wrote that, "Humanity evolved beneath the canopy of African skies on the immense card table of the African Savannah". Exploring this evolution is a magnificent way to gain insight into the origin of mankind. Not only will you be enlightened on your tour of South Africa's archaeological treasures you will also get to experience this beautiful countries modern day treasures

Another remarkable find was made in 1947 by Dr Robert Broom, who discovered a perfectly preserved adult Australopithecus africanus cranium, belonging to the 2, 5-million-year-old "Mrs Ples", at Sterkfontein. Several hundred discoveries followed, some dating back 3, 5 million years and the Sterkfontein site earned its name - The Cradle of Humankind. Some of the cradles findings include 500 skull, jaw, teeth and skeletal fossils of early hominids, thousands of other animal fossils, over 300 fragments of fossils wood, and over 9,000 stone tools. The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site and certain areas are open to the public. There are also various exhibitions, guided tours and lectures from reputed archaeologists. The Cradle restaurant is the perfect day of exploration and enlightenment. This beautiful restaurant built from stone, steel and glass opens up on three sides with a magnificent view of the African landscape

Where To Stay in Bangkok?

Finding a Thailand hotel is super easy these days. Do a search at google, and you'll have some pretty good idea of where you want to stay. Plus, you can just go ahead and book for a Bangkok Thailand hotel right online.  

If you plan to find a Bangkok hotel, you have tons of choices. Stay at Kaosan road if you're a backpacker. If you're not one, then stay close to the skytrain if you love shopping. If you're into good atmosphere and don't care much about getting around the city, then stay close to the Chao Phraya river, which is the main river of Bangkok.

If you want to stay at Kaosan road, you don't even need to book in advance. You can just walk around to see the guesthouse you like, and then just walk in. They always have a vacancy.

If you prefer to stay in the city center in order to get around easily for shopping, (and let me tell you, Bangkok is shoppers' paradise -- Hong Kong isn't cheap... but Bangkok is) then I suggest you check out Patumwan Princess hotel. It's right in the MBK shopping center (fake jeans, watches and bags) and also right at the Siam Square skytrain station. Erawan hotel, Le Meridien and the Four Seasons hotel are more luxurious. They're right at the intersection where you can see Zen and Isetan shopping malls right across the street. The Siam Square (where they sell funky clothing) and the Chidlom (Central

shopping mall) skytrain stations are within minutes away.

A lot of tourists like to stay at the Asia hotel, which is right at a Rajdevi skytrain station (one station away from MBK shopping center). It may be cheap, but it's kind of old. Well, very old actually. I don't recommend it. But it's totally up to you.

If you don't care much about shopping in Bangkok, then I'd really suggest you stay at the Sukothai hotel. It's a classy and luxurious Thai-styled hotel --but you'll have to take a taxi if you want to go anywhere. Or even better, stay by the Chao Phraya river if you can. It will give you a different feel of Bangkok, especially at night. It's rather expensive though, especially if you want to stay at the world-renowned Oriental hotel or the Peninsula hotel. If these two are too expensive for you, try Shangri-la hotel. It may be a little bit cheaper. And don't forget to book a Bangkok river cruise dinner at your hotel. The Chao Praya river is glamorous at night -- with a view of well-lit Wat Arun.

To get around town from your Bangkok hotel, you can ask the hotel's doorman to help you get a taxi. It's not expensive at all