Short trip to Bangkok via Dubai
Mar 10th, 2014, 09:24 AM
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Short trip to Bangkok via Dubai
Last Fall I read a notice that said that Emirates Airways was adding several new cities to it’s American service, among them Boston. I registered on their site to begin receiving emails from them… Around Christmas one of these emails contained the announcement that Boston to Dubai and beyond service would commence on March 10, 2014. As Karen and I have long wanted to visit Dubai, probably as a stopover on our way to India or Thailand, I checked out prices being offered. They were offering an introductory offer of $891. (all in) to Dubai, and just a couple hundred more to continue on to Thailand. We talked about it that night over dinner and decided to book a 10 day trip commencing on March 11. We would enjoy 5 nights in Dubai and 5 nights in Bangkok.
Hotels are very expensive in Dubai. I of course began with a Marriott search of availability. They have several hotels as well as serviced apartments in Dubai. The Dubai Marriott Al Jaddaf caught my eye as it was slated to open in January. I booked 5 nights for 100,000 points (50,000 less than the other Marriotts). Now I just had to keep my fingers crossed that it would open on time---it did about 2 weeks late.
Bangkok was a cinch as we would return to the Anantara Riverside as we often do---already we have 9 nights scheduled there for October. We have planned a very simple stay for Bangkok—lots of pool time.
The Trip Advisor reviews have all been favorable on the Al Jaddaf thus far, so I am pleased with that. We will be anxious to see the progress at the Anantara on it’s new sister hotel and mini mall replacing the former underground garage and mall out front. Last fall it was a dirt lot that they had begun to dig in.
We have booked a 2 day hop-on, hop-off bus tour for Dubai for about $70 each. We plan to see the highlights that way and then return to specific places we may want to see more closely, like the spice and gold souks and probably the Dubai malls, one with it’s indoor snow ski trail.
I remembered also that our driver, Anoop, from our first India trip, now lives in Dubai, so I have contacted him and we have scheduled to spend Saturday together. He also insists on picking us up at the airport when we arrive, which is very nice. It will be fun to experience Dubai from the eyes of an ex-pat from another country.
Our flight on the 11th is at 2315 and we arrive in Dubai at 1930 on the 12th. We will leave my car at the Boston airport in the Thrifty lot while we are gone as this is such a short trip. The planes they use are Boeing 777 (Bos to D), the same one as is now being searched for in the Bay of Thailand. Just like the 747, it has 4 rows of two seats at the rear and we will be seated there with a big gap between the window seat and the window. The flight to Dubai is 12 hrs and 15 min and next Monday’s flight to Bangkok is another 5 hours and 50 min.
Updates will probably be made when we return as I am not taking my computer this time, although I may
Hotels are very expensive in Dubai. I of course began with a Marriott search of availability. They have several hotels as well as serviced apartments in Dubai. The Dubai Marriott Al Jaddaf caught my eye as it was slated to open in January. I booked 5 nights for 100,000 points (50,000 less than the other Marriotts). Now I just had to keep my fingers crossed that it would open on time---it did about 2 weeks late.
Bangkok was a cinch as we would return to the Anantara Riverside as we often do---already we have 9 nights scheduled there for October. We have planned a very simple stay for Bangkok—lots of pool time.
The Trip Advisor reviews have all been favorable on the Al Jaddaf thus far, so I am pleased with that. We will be anxious to see the progress at the Anantara on it’s new sister hotel and mini mall replacing the former underground garage and mall out front. Last fall it was a dirt lot that they had begun to dig in.
We have booked a 2 day hop-on, hop-off bus tour for Dubai for about $70 each. We plan to see the highlights that way and then return to specific places we may want to see more closely, like the spice and gold souks and probably the Dubai malls, one with it’s indoor snow ski trail.
I remembered also that our driver, Anoop, from our first India trip, now lives in Dubai, so I have contacted him and we have scheduled to spend Saturday together. He also insists on picking us up at the airport when we arrive, which is very nice. It will be fun to experience Dubai from the eyes of an ex-pat from another country.
Our flight on the 11th is at 2315 and we arrive in Dubai at 1930 on the 12th. We will leave my car at the Boston airport in the Thrifty lot while we are gone as this is such a short trip. The planes they use are Boeing 777 (Bos to D), the same one as is now being searched for in the Bay of Thailand. Just like the 747, it has 4 rows of two seats at the rear and we will be seated there with a big gap between the window seat and the window. The flight to Dubai is 12 hrs and 15 min and next Monday’s flight to Bangkok is another 5 hours and 50 min.
Updates will probably be made when we return as I am not taking my computer this time, although I may
Mar 10th, 2014, 12:49 PM
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Hey Bob, have a great time. For all it's perceived faults you will eat, shop and have very good service, so am sure you will have a great time. It's been a looooong time since I've been to Dubai, so am very interested in your take as you know we have a 4 day stop over on the way back from Sri Lanka .....and WOW didn't realise you are going to BKK, Very jealous!!
Mar 10th, 2014, 04:52 PM
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Coming back so soon? Will be good to see you in Bangkok again.
We enjoy Dubai for the shopping when there is a sale on but found things quite expensive there. The most fun part is people spotting, specifically trying to spot a real local person! I believe only 1 out of a 100 person is a local in Dubai and the rest are from everywhere else.
I hope the leg from DXB to BKK will be on an A380!
We enjoy Dubai for the shopping when there is a sale on but found things quite expensive there. The most fun part is people spotting, specifically trying to spot a real local person! I believe only 1 out of a 100 person is a local in Dubai and the rest are from everywhere else.
I hope the leg from DXB to BKK will be on an A380!
Mar 11th, 2014, 12:42 AM
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Hi. Newbie here.
The best part of Dubai is where the life is, and Dubai Creek is the heartbeat.
You can spend hours down by the Abra stations, or even take one across the Creek to Deira...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Du...w=1024&bih=653
You can even walk under the Creek, and when you come out at the Deira side you're straight into the Souqs.
As for Bangkok, for a first time visitor it can quite an intimidating experience, 24/7 in your face. But it's a great city, providing you have a plan for how to spend your time.
You need to base yourself close to a Skytrain station (BTS), Underground station (MRT), or by the river.
Like Dubai, the Chao Phraya River is the heartbeat, and we choose our hotel (mid-range) close to it. Our favourite hotel is The New Siam Riverside in Banglamphu, close to Khao San, and right on the river by a public ferry pier (#13).
I'd say that 5 days is too long in Bangkok, and it's worth a side-trip to either Ayutthaya (ancient capital of Siam), or Kanchanaburi (Bridge over the River Kwai, and glorious scenery. But you really need 2 or 3 nights for each.
The best part of Dubai is where the life is, and Dubai Creek is the heartbeat.
You can spend hours down by the Abra stations, or even take one across the Creek to Deira...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Du...w=1024&bih=653
You can even walk under the Creek, and when you come out at the Deira side you're straight into the Souqs.
As for Bangkok, for a first time visitor it can quite an intimidating experience, 24/7 in your face. But it's a great city, providing you have a plan for how to spend your time.
You need to base yourself close to a Skytrain station (BTS), Underground station (MRT), or by the river.
Like Dubai, the Chao Phraya River is the heartbeat, and we choose our hotel (mid-range) close to it. Our favourite hotel is The New Siam Riverside in Banglamphu, close to Khao San, and right on the river by a public ferry pier (#13).
I'd say that 5 days is too long in Bangkok, and it's worth a side-trip to either Ayutthaya (ancient capital of Siam), or Kanchanaburi (Bridge over the River Kwai, and glorious scenery. But you really need 2 or 3 nights for each.
Mar 11th, 2014, 03:49 AM
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LancasterLad welcome to Fodors! - RKK is a multiple vistor to BKK he has been there 20+ times and is a prolific poster on these boards about Bangkok 
you will get used to his posts about his many trips to SE Asia!
you will get used to his posts about his many trips to SE Asia!
Mar 11th, 2014, 03:21 PM
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Lancasterlad, 5 days too long in Bangkok?? Welcome to the Bangkok Lovers board. For many of us, it's our favorite city in the world. My first visit to Thailand back in the 80s was 9 days in Bangkok. I loved it and haven't been able to get enough of it in 30+ visits there.
Mar 11th, 2014, 11:20 PM
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Kathie.
Bangkok is one of my favourite cities too.
But Thailand is also one of my favourite countries.
And there's a whole lot more to Thailand than loitering too long in Bangkok. 2 or 3 nights to kick-off, and a couple to finish off with is plenty.
Even for a short visit, it's easy enough, and preferably by train to do a side trip up to Ayutthaya for a day. A ticket from Hualamphong station costs 15 bahts!
Ditto a side trip from Thonburi station to Kanchanaburi, although a couple or three nights will give you a better taste of the area.
Returning to Bangkok from Cambodia last March we crossed the border overland at Poipet, had a couple of nights in Aranyapraphet, and then caught the early morning 3rd Class train. 6 hours ride, 42 stops, locals and food and drink vendors on and off all the time, sat at the back with the Monks, and all for 48 (forty-eight) bahts. Great fun!
Bangkok is one of my favourite cities too.
But Thailand is also one of my favourite countries.
And there's a whole lot more to Thailand than loitering too long in Bangkok. 2 or 3 nights to kick-off, and a couple to finish off with is plenty.
Even for a short visit, it's easy enough, and preferably by train to do a side trip up to Ayutthaya for a day. A ticket from Hualamphong station costs 15 bahts!
Ditto a side trip from Thonburi station to Kanchanaburi, although a couple or three nights will give you a better taste of the area.
Returning to Bangkok from Cambodia last March we crossed the border overland at Poipet, had a couple of nights in Aranyapraphet, and then caught the early morning 3rd Class train. 6 hours ride, 42 stops, locals and food and drink vendors on and off all the time, sat at the back with the Monks, and all for 48 (forty-eight) bahts. Great fun!
Mar 12th, 2014, 04:07 AM
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I'm another Bangkok fan. I'll be in the city for two weeks next month. Our group will probably take a 2-3 day beach trip, but the rest of the time will be in Bangkok. I travel to the city several times a year, and always try to muster 2 weeks if at all possible.
Mar 12th, 2014, 10:33 AM
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We arrived right on time.
We had the lux to be upgraded to business class for some reason... The flt was oversold.
More later.
The hop on hop off bus is our orientation plan for tomorrow. It was 88 at 1930 when we arrived tonight so tomorrow will be hot I am sure.
We had the lux to be upgraded to business class for some reason... The flt was oversold.
More later.
The hop on hop off bus is our orientation plan for tomorrow. It was 88 at 1930 when we arrived tonight so tomorrow will be hot I am sure.
