cmazza

we arrived in bangkok from detroit. had no problems with new airport signs were every where and easy to navigate. exchanged some money right away and were on our way.

our first 3 nights were at old bangkok inn I loved this hotel I did not want a big high rise and wanted a thai feel and that is what I got the room was beautiful and service over the top. We toured bangkok with Tan tour guide and absolutly adored her very informative and sweet.www.izthai.com we saw all the highlights of the city markets and canal tour. I enjoyed Bangkok but was ready to move on to Chiang Mai.

We flew Thai air from bangkok to chiang mai $50 usd with their special.our guide www.chiangmaitours.com pick us up and took us to Baan orapin hotel . This hotel was great the room was large clean nice patio and beautiful grounds. A word about sergent Kai He was in a car accident and did the portions of the tour with us that he could do he was visibly hurt. I found all guides to be great and do not feel that because he didn't services us the whole trip I did not get my moneys worth. We toured the temples in chiang mai ,doi suthep and markets . the next day we did bamboo raft ride,elephant ride and national park hike with hilltribes. the trip was great. the next day we traveled to thanton and saw an elephant show and dao caves , and hilltribes along the way. we stayed at thanton chalets. This was a beutiful hotel along the river very serene .

The next morning we were off to chiang rai. We visited more hilltribes markets,chinese village,hotsprings, local school along the way we took the speed boat to chiang rai.

In chiang rai we stayed at laluna hotel nice pool clean room ok hotel nothing really wrong besides a horrible breakfast just not quite up there compared to other hotels.
we went to the kings mothers garden very beautiful up in the mountains. and did the golden triangle area markets/shopping and took the boat to laos. nice trip the whole trip from chiang mai to chiang rai was serviced by www.chiangmaitours.com I found them to be very efficiant good guides meals included which was more food than I could ever eat. I would recommend them highly.

We then flew to phuket . stayed at sawasdee village. A little oasis this was my favorite hotel wonderful. Kata is a nice little beach town and the beach is beautiful. we relaxed for a few days at the beach and pool and got massages sooo cheap. The only tour we took was john grays seacanoe beautiful scenery and very relaxing day loved it. I really enjoyed thailand and thought it was a great destination happy travels.

Gpanda

We took a first trip to Thailand in 2002 that had an identical itinerary to yours. I think it's a perfect introduction. The flavors of the different locales mixed well. Glad you liked Sergeant Kai and his guides. We've used them twice with great results. Your choice of hotels was better than ours.

Mango7

Gpanda- Your name confuses me. I feel like I'm looking at grandpa and grandma in one word

Kathie

Mango, think of it as G. Panda

Gpanda

Giant Panda, shortened to gpanda. It's a long tedious derivation, but a nickname that has been with me for 40 years.

BeniciaChris

cmazza-Your information was quite helpful. I was trying to figure what to do with the last 4-5 days of our vacation in October. I have E-mailed chiangmaitours-you made it sound so exciting-Thanks Chris