lauren_s_kahn

This is my trip report on the wildlife viewing tour I did with Paddle Asia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian

lauren_s_kahn

I obviously accidentally put up the wrong link to the trip report. It was not about durian.

Here is the correct link:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...ayak-trip.html

crellston

Who is this altecocker person you write about?

rhkkmk

Phuket airport is no place to spend 4 hours.. it is bleak at best and short on seating---and very busy.

you were very lucky that the food was good.

at this point I think you need a nice 5 days in a lux Bangkok hotel to get the real feeling of Thailand--forget CM condos with all the problems you experienced and camping out in Phuket, one of the most vile places on earth

lauren_s_kahn

Thank you both for taking the time to give my blog hits.

The AlteCocker

Cattail

Hi Lauren, Though we obviously don't always agree, I do enjoy reading your trip reports. I also went on a PaddleAsia trips to the same bungalows - 2 or 3 years ago, so this report especially interested me!

I think that you would have had a much better time had it not poured and you had not gotten sick, or been forced to co-exist with creepy people. We had a wonderful experience with this tour company. I should add however that my husband and I kayak a lot, like camping, and it didn't rain all that much in early February. Most significant, for some reason we received a private guide who was wonderful, and no-one at the lodge was belligerent. AND I didn't get sick until the end of the trip, when we moved to another spot.

Tom and another guy, who was I think related to the Thai family who oversaw the lodge, pointed out all kinds of creatures and other interesting things we never would have spotted on our own. They took us on hikes where we hardly saw a sole. We had a blast with them playing in the water and joking on the trails. The people who run the huts are so nice, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I also met and liked Moo very much and had excellent communications from Dave before the trip.

The other island's accommodation, where I got very sick, was small, dirty and hot, hot, hot., so like you, I was not a happy camper. Tom, however, was the best, and made every effort imaginable to help -brought me cool drinks, retrieved fans, found a double-kayak and paddled for me when I felt able.

I know how awful it feels to be sick far from home. Thanks for the blog!

khunwilko

crellston - it's a yiddish colloquialism - look at the blog or google it!

lauren_s_kahn

Yes, being sick did not make for a good time. In fact, if I had known how sick I was going to be (probably flu, not cold), I would have just cancelled. It was also a disadvantage for me going with two couples. I was supposed to go with two friends in Chiang Mai, but, if you've read the blog, the woman tripped and broke her leg right after I got here. So I had to decide to go alone or not at all. I decided to just go. I did see a lot of animals I would never have seen on my own.

If you are considering the trip, I would recommend that you not go during Xmas as the bungalows were crowded--leading to inevitable problems with the communal facilities one day. It also means more noise at night from partiers. These are things that Paddle Asia could not control, of course.

On balance, I am glad I did the trip, but being sick did not help. At least it was something that will depart before I go home--and was not a broken leg for me. I have had injuries abroad and that is the worst.

When you take a long trip, you need to accept that there are going to be glitches and not everything will be perfect. After all, there are glitches when you are at home and you can get sick there too.

crellston

Khunwilko . Thanks for that I must have missed it in the blog! Makes sense now.great name for a blog.

lauren_s_kahn

The name of the blog, is, of course, a joke.

Today AlteCocker booked a unit at the Smith Residence Inn (new building) for 3 months next winter!

Cattail

That makes sense; It was Christmas. When we were there, not all of the huts were filled, though I agree that there's little privacy no matter. People stayed up conversing and laughing, but no-one was drunk or belligerent. I would have hated that too.

rhkkmk

have you done a write-up of your post-Phuket days?

lauren_s_kahn

I have done a write up of post-Phuket. It's here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...-thailand.html

Blog for Yangon will be here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...gon-burma.html

Blog for my final days in Bangkok will be here:

http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...-thailand.html

I fly home on January 14th. Today was my last day of sightseeing in Chiang Mai. I am taking a pass on Sunday Walking Street tonight, as I've already been twice. Tomorrow is for one final errand, packing and relaxing before going to Yangon on Jan. 6th. I have already arranged for pick up and a guide in Yangon.

rhkkmk

how time flies..

looking forward to your next chapters... have a blast in bkk

you might like to hire tong to take you sightseeing---www.tourswithtong.com

I can also suggest restaurants for you?? choose a good hotel instead of the less than perfect places you have been staying: a Marriott, an anantara, a Sheraton, a chatrium for instance..

lauren_s_kahn

I'll be using public transport in Bangkok. I don't need 5 star hotels. I already booked my hotel and will report on it later. Thanks.

lauren_s_kahn

By the way, rhkkmk, your link to tong tours does not work.