Thailand Itinerary so far......
Oct 2nd, 2007, 02:51 PM
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Thailand Itinerary so far......
Help! This is harder than I thought!
Ok, 2 days in BKK:
1st day, arrive early a.m. Grand Palace, maybe massage etc.
2nd day tour with someone from Tong's team (she was booked
) to Floating Market, Tiger Temple, and Kanchanburi elephant camp. (Thanks for all your recommendations!!)
3rd day: Leave for Phuket early a.m.
1:30pm ferry to Koh Phi Phi
Staying in Koh Phi Phi 4 nights, Maya Bay, relaxing, maybe see some caves, ruins, etc.
8th day back to Phuket for 5 nights, then home. (California)
We're on a budget, we're late on booking, our flights are all booked, and BKK hotel is booked, still waiting to hear from PP Casita about room request on Koh Phi Phi, and no idea where to stay in Phuket that is $100-$200 range nightly preferably near a beach, and somewhere fun for New Year's Eve. Any suggestions?
I have posted a few times and gotten amazing answers, just a little overwhelmed not knowing which side of the islands is better etc.....since I've never been to Asia....
Ok, 2 days in BKK:
1st day, arrive early a.m. Grand Palace, maybe massage etc.
2nd day tour with someone from Tong's team (she was booked
) to Floating Market, Tiger Temple, and Kanchanburi elephant camp. (Thanks for all your recommendations!!) 3rd day: Leave for Phuket early a.m.
1:30pm ferry to Koh Phi Phi
Staying in Koh Phi Phi 4 nights, Maya Bay, relaxing, maybe see some caves, ruins, etc.
8th day back to Phuket for 5 nights, then home. (California)
We're on a budget, we're late on booking, our flights are all booked, and BKK hotel is booked, still waiting to hear from PP Casita about room request on Koh Phi Phi, and no idea where to stay in Phuket that is $100-$200 range nightly preferably near a beach, and somewhere fun for New Year's Eve. Any suggestions?
I have posted a few times and gotten amazing answers, just a little overwhelmed not knowing which side of the islands is better etc.....since I've never been to Asia....
Oct 2nd, 2007, 02:58 PM
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You have less than two days in Bangkok. Expect that you won't do a lot the first day since you arrive that day and will be jet-lagged and adjusting to the heat and humidity. The second day you leave the city... you really won't have any time to explore or experience Bangkok. I'd really recommend that you reconsider and use the second day to see a couple of the must-see things in Bangkok.
Oct 2nd, 2007, 05:42 PM
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On Phuket think first about which beach.
Note most places add a hefy NY Eve charge for compulsory party, not only expensive but it's much better to be out and about to enjoy.
Getting a place without a compulsory pary is best, if possible.
Patong Beach is by far the busiest, lots of nightlife and entertainment, big parties for NY Eve etc, clubs, bars, long stretch of beach, very busy indeed. Lots of mid range hotls plus B&B and guesthouses, trick is to get somewhere that you do not need to tuk-tuk to and from as that can add $9-12 per return trip, but, some of the cheaper places a tuk-tuk ride from the beach might have better facilities than some lower costs places in the center, but 100-200 you should be ok.
Karon Beach is about 15-20 mins by tuk tuk south, much quieter but still busy, like Patong almost all hotels ar across the road from the beach. Next down is Kata, busier now but no=wjere near Patong level.
North of Patong is Kamala, very built up along the beach now, Surin north from there, quieter. Tuk-tuks from these places about USD 9 each way though could be much more getting back at night over NY holidays, also I honestly at such a busy time would not recommend heading north by tuk tuk late at night, not a safety issue but too many drunk tourists on bikes etc.
If you want fun a and lively Patong, somewhat quieter Kata/Karon.
Tropica Bungalows in Patong over NY about USD 120, NO compulsory NY Eve party, not lux but 'vacation 3 star' style, busy part of town.
Andaman Beach Suites about 5 mins to beach, walking to nter, around the USD 180 over NY, that is reasonable value for that time and you are walking distance to everywhere.
As rates can triple over that period what would be termed as low cost/inexpensive outside of that period becomes $100-150 range over that period, if that makes sense!
http://www.patong-beach-hotels.com/cheap-hotels.html gives some sample of those probably easily in your price range for Patong.
But again, let us know how busy resort are you want, you can of couse go by taxi/tuk tuk to and from Patong from other beaches but that can add to cost.
Daytime Patong Beach is busy/crowded but it's holiday fun.
See if you think Patong is what you are after of if you think it's "too busy/crowded" and then we can think of others at Kata etc.
Do get flight ex-Phuket fixed and confirmed as about a week after NY flights can be full with tourists heading back to Europe etc after Christmas/NY time.
Note most places add a hefy NY Eve charge for compulsory party, not only expensive but it's much better to be out and about to enjoy.
Getting a place without a compulsory pary is best, if possible.
Patong Beach is by far the busiest, lots of nightlife and entertainment, big parties for NY Eve etc, clubs, bars, long stretch of beach, very busy indeed. Lots of mid range hotls plus B&B and guesthouses, trick is to get somewhere that you do not need to tuk-tuk to and from as that can add $9-12 per return trip, but, some of the cheaper places a tuk-tuk ride from the beach might have better facilities than some lower costs places in the center, but 100-200 you should be ok.
Karon Beach is about 15-20 mins by tuk tuk south, much quieter but still busy, like Patong almost all hotels ar across the road from the beach. Next down is Kata, busier now but no=wjere near Patong level.
North of Patong is Kamala, very built up along the beach now, Surin north from there, quieter. Tuk-tuks from these places about USD 9 each way though could be much more getting back at night over NY holidays, also I honestly at such a busy time would not recommend heading north by tuk tuk late at night, not a safety issue but too many drunk tourists on bikes etc.
If you want fun a and lively Patong, somewhat quieter Kata/Karon.
Tropica Bungalows in Patong over NY about USD 120, NO compulsory NY Eve party, not lux but 'vacation 3 star' style, busy part of town.
Andaman Beach Suites about 5 mins to beach, walking to nter, around the USD 180 over NY, that is reasonable value for that time and you are walking distance to everywhere.
As rates can triple over that period what would be termed as low cost/inexpensive outside of that period becomes $100-150 range over that period, if that makes sense!
http://www.patong-beach-hotels.com/cheap-hotels.html gives some sample of those probably easily in your price range for Patong.
But again, let us know how busy resort are you want, you can of couse go by taxi/tuk tuk to and from Patong from other beaches but that can add to cost.
Daytime Patong Beach is busy/crowded but it's holiday fun.
See if you think Patong is what you are after of if you think it's "too busy/crowded" and then we can think of others at Kata etc.
Do get flight ex-Phuket fixed and confirmed as about a week after NY flights can be full with tourists heading back to Europe etc after Christmas/NY time.
Oct 2nd, 2007, 09:30 PM
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Kathie, I'm considering another day in BKK maybe at the end since we have to fly into there anyway to go home.....Oh ya, what I can expect for the weather temp and humidity level in Dec/Jan?
JamesA, Thank you for the phuket info! When I have more time tomorrow I will check out the link you gave me...
Thanks! I know we want it to feel like we're on an island, but it would be nice to be somewhat near the action...? I just don't want to feel like I'm in Los Angeles with a beach, but like we're really in a different land? Does that help?
JamesA, Thank you for the phuket info! When I have more time tomorrow I will check out the link you gave me...
Thanks! I know we want it to feel like we're on an island, but it would be nice to be somewhat near the action...? I just don't want to feel like I'm in Los Angeles with a beach, but like we're really in a different land? Does that help?
Oct 2nd, 2007, 10:15 PM
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I booked PP Casita through www.asia-discovery.com. They were very fast and efficient in responding.
Oct 3rd, 2007, 06:42 AM
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It's hot and humid year around in Bangkok. It is "coolest" in Dec-Jan. But as a regular here often says, it's "hell hot" for much of the year and "only " hot in Dec-Jan. For temperature ranges and rainfall, etc take a look at www.weatherbase.com
Penelope, even if you add another day in Bangkok at the end, you will have missed virtually all of the must-see places in Bangkok. That's your choice, of course, but I did want to note that you will come home from Thailand having seen mostly beaches (which are international resort areas) and little of the Thai culture.
Penelope, even if you add another day in Bangkok at the end, you will have missed virtually all of the must-see places in Bangkok. That's your choice, of course, but I did want to note that you will come home from Thailand having seen mostly beaches (which are international resort areas) and little of the Thai culture.
