Mirasia

Tong was not avail for floating mrkt and "secret place" I asked if she had other guides to recommend she said her husband could take us but he is not a guide and doesn't speak much English. He would charge US$75 plus gas $20. This seems high and we are not sure if we will get the same sort of tour that Tong gives. Should we go for it? Any suggestions? I am very interested in the lunch place and monkey place but I don't know what it is and Tong said her husband knew where it was. Help!

Mirasia

the price was for 10 hours.

hawaiiantraveler

I would say definately do not do it, way too expensive for someone with no experience and lacking your language,but I'm sure I'll get slammed for saying it.

Doesn't she have a bunch of other drivers and guides that she recommends? I remember reading here anyone she recommends is great.

I'm sure her clientele will comment to help you.

Try reaching Ratt if you can't get anyone.

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Aloha!


Aloha!

offwego

Now now HT we've called truce on slamming... : )

I'm sure the only reason Tong presented her husband as an alternative is because they are the only ones who know where this "secret place" is.

Well, that is until Andy and Bob come back and give us all detailed directions... Ha ha-(hope not since everyone is trying to keep this eco-sensitive area free of the hordes that could descend on it)

Tong's other guides have never been there so she can't suggest them for you. Not sure if Ratt knows where this place is either so not sure if that will be an option.

I think that the "secret place" can only be toured if Tong is available to take you. Her husband is a nice guy, but he certainly won't give the sort of tour she would; he's not licensed and doesn't have a great command of the language as she told you, so I guess it comes down to how bad you want to go!

Mirasia

This is my first time to Thailand so I don't want to miss anything, the reason Tong suggested her husband is because he knows where this place is, I guess the other guides don't. For the people that have been to the floating market how much will we miss if we go this route? From the post that I read about this "secret place" it seemed like it was another tour of some sort so other people must know about it.
I agree with you, I don't want to pay the same as I would for an experienced guide.

Kathie

This is your first time to Asia... you will miss most of Asia. Face it, it isn't possible to everything. If you really want to go the "the secret place" with Tong, save it for your next trip.

rhkkmk

quite honestly i don't think this is anything special, but until we go there we can't make a judgement....i did see a write up about it by someone else recently so it is not inknown....

believe me if andy is going there it is not an unknown place....he is very timid...

we will be able to share it by mid-december after our return home...

i don't think the price is unreasonable really....its average...

having a "guide" usually means that you will receive all sorts of detailed political, religious, educational info, and i don't think any of that would be given on this sort of an outing, so the husband may be perfect for the trip....i prefer less info myself rather than more....limited capacity....i say it before panda says it...

Gpanda

You said that this will be your first trip to Asia. Consequently, I don't think it's imperative to see "the secret place". There are countless non-secret places to see that are amazing. You can do the floating market with someone else, but IMO, it is not one of the amazing places. It's interesting, but not fascinating. I would pick another destination and perhaps do it on your own.

MaryW

Mirasia - you don't say how long you will be in Thailand and where. There are so many things to do that you may find it better not to worry about the floating market this time if you can't have the trip and guide you want - save it for the next time - we all seem to get hooked and go back over and over again and there is still something to see.

Mirasia

Thanks for all your help and great suggestions. I didn't mean it to sound as though the floating market and the secret place was the most important thing for us to see. I have read all your comments on the floating market and I thought to combine it with something else in the area would be good, and I have to admit that Mary's write up intrigued me as well as the fact that Bob and Gpanda were also going I figured it must be good! Our itinerary is filled with other places that you have all recommended so I will be seeing alot as well as meeting you at the Elephant Bar!! See you then.
Linda

rhkkmk

see you soon at the elephant

mary_e

Wouldn't bother with it if Tong isn't going to be your guide. There are so many other great things to do in the Bangkok area, I'd do something else. Tiger Temple, maybe?