Post all my questions at one time or separate posts?
May 31st, 2008, 09:20 AM
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Post all my questions at one time or separate posts?
On Oct.31,2008, my husband and I will be arriving into BKK late for a 14 day Thailand trip on NWA frequent flier miles. I have enough miles for business class, but really disappointed that we had to settle for coach perk pass for now. I'm still trying once and twice a day for the business pert saver, which makes it hard to book hotel reservations and guides in case the business class opens up on a different day.
I have been reading this forum for months and received lots of good advice from all the regular Fodorites. Was planning to book with a tour company, but after reading how easy it is to get around in Thailand, I decided to go for it. The problem is when it comes down to pinpointing everything, I get overwhelmed with all the different information I've read, especially getting on and off skytrains and river ferries to get where I want to go. Being this will be the last of our internationasl trips, mainly with my husband's bad knees and our ages, I find it very hard making these decisions. I have a list of questions to ask, but don't know if I should list them all in one post or in separate posts. So before I go any further, will wait for your advice.
I have been reading this forum for months and received lots of good advice from all the regular Fodorites. Was planning to book with a tour company, but after reading how easy it is to get around in Thailand, I decided to go for it. The problem is when it comes down to pinpointing everything, I get overwhelmed with all the different information I've read, especially getting on and off skytrains and river ferries to get where I want to go. Being this will be the last of our internationasl trips, mainly with my husband's bad knees and our ages, I find it very hard making these decisions. I have a list of questions to ask, but don't know if I should list them all in one post or in separate posts. So before I go any further, will wait for your advice.
May 31st, 2008, 09:53 AM
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I'd say, ask all the questions about one location (Bangkok) in one post. Often, a long list of questions won't get answered all at once, so if after several responses, a particular question doesn't get answered, bring it to our attention ("But what about the____?) Start with basic questions first, decide where to stay, then we can help with particulars.
Also, don't worry about directions for getting on and off the skytrain and water taxi. Much of this you'll figure out once you get there. Sometimes, people who have been to Bangkok before ask specific routing, so the instructions sound complex but are pretty easy once you get there.
You may want to hire a driver for a day or two. The skytrain has lots of stairs, so it that's a problem for one of you, taxis or a driver would help. There are several well-recommended drivers, notably Ratt and Julie Taxi.
Also, don't worry about directions for getting on and off the skytrain and water taxi. Much of this you'll figure out once you get there. Sometimes, people who have been to Bangkok before ask specific routing, so the instructions sound complex but are pretty easy once you get there.
You may want to hire a driver for a day or two. The skytrain has lots of stairs, so it that's a problem for one of you, taxis or a driver would help. There are several well-recommended drivers, notably Ratt and Julie Taxi.
May 31st, 2008, 10:12 AM
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A handy site for Bangkok:
http://bangkok-city.com/
Skytrain does have escalators in many places but also lots of steps and the escalator can be thirty yards away or even across the road. The subway is a bit easier but still stairs.
Taxis are plentiful and cheap in Bangkok but traffic is awful and you can spend a lot of time in it if in a taxi.
River ferries miss all the road traffic but normally where they stop, there ar no taxis so you have to walk some distance to where you can get a taxi or where you want to go.
What you probably will find hard too is that Thailand is HOT and humid and apart from air-conditioned shopping malls, it is often difficult to get out of the sun. It can be trying to those not used to it.
Does your husband take cod liver oil? This can help in that it literally lubricates joints. Not too much of it over a short period as it usually contains Vitamin A which is harmful if large amounts are taken in over time.
Have you considered an Asian cruise, taking in Thailand, etc? The initial cost can seem expensive but that is your accommodation, travelling, food and often drink. You pay extra for tours you take. A number of elderly people use cruises as an easy way of getting around the world.
http://bangkok-city.com/
Skytrain does have escalators in many places but also lots of steps and the escalator can be thirty yards away or even across the road. The subway is a bit easier but still stairs.
Taxis are plentiful and cheap in Bangkok but traffic is awful and you can spend a lot of time in it if in a taxi.
River ferries miss all the road traffic but normally where they stop, there ar no taxis so you have to walk some distance to where you can get a taxi or where you want to go.
What you probably will find hard too is that Thailand is HOT and humid and apart from air-conditioned shopping malls, it is often difficult to get out of the sun. It can be trying to those not used to it.
Does your husband take cod liver oil? This can help in that it literally lubricates joints. Not too much of it over a short period as it usually contains Vitamin A which is harmful if large amounts are taken in over time.
Have you considered an Asian cruise, taking in Thailand, etc? The initial cost can seem expensive but that is your accommodation, travelling, food and often drink. You pay extra for tours you take. A number of elderly people use cruises as an easy way of getting around the world.
May 31st, 2008, 10:58 AM
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Cyberia, but a cruise in no way gives a person a flavor for a place. If you want to travel to Thailand, you have to go to Thailand, not take a cruise.
(Also, cod liver oil does not "lubricate the joints," but that's a whole different issue.)
If walking in general is an issue, (vs. stairs, which are harder on the knees) let us know that so we can help with solutions.
(Also, cod liver oil does not "lubricate the joints," but that's a whole different issue.)
If walking in general is an issue, (vs. stairs, which are harder on the knees) let us know that so we can help with solutions.
May 31st, 2008, 11:06 AM
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Thanks Kathie for your quick response. I will start separating my questions by cities and go from there. I read a lot about Tong, Tan and Ratt, but have heard anything about Julie Taxie. Is this a service you can hire by the day and she just drives you around?
If that is the case, that is really what we would be interested in, a driver for a few days. We read up on the sites we will be seeing without all the deep details the guides go into, we usually forget what they said after we leave.
If that is the case, that is really what we would be interested in, a driver for a few days. We read up on the sites we will be seeing without all the deep details the guides go into, we usually forget what they said after we leave.
May 31st, 2008, 11:11 AM
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Julie Taxi is a car service (as opposed to a guide service), Ratt is a driver, not a guide, but Tong is a guide. I used Julie Taxi when we went out to the Prasart. You can hire by the day or half day. It's been a few years since I last used her services. It sounds like you are more interested in a driver than a guide.
May 31st, 2008, 12:03 PM
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Julie is the owner of the taxi service and has several drivers, though it is a small company. We had Emma when we used the service.
Here is the current contact info:
email: [email protected]
mobile phone: 081 8462014
Fax: 02 991 8396
Here is the current contact info:
email: [email protected]
mobile phone: 081 8462014
Fax: 02 991 8396
