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Less time in northern Thailand and add a couple days to Luang Prabang! It's a wonderful place. I know my trip report is long - but go read it!! And don't miss LP. :-)
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<b>Craig</b>: That worked - it's printing now.
<b>althom</b>(Karen?): I actually copied yours into a word doc, went through and deleted all the chatter, reduced margins to 0, and then printed the report - and <b>still</b> ended up with 58 pages! I can't wait to read it - that's my next project!!! Anyone else have trip reports they can link so I can read??? :-) <font color="green">Cyn</font> |
here is the link to my 2005 trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=27 i think your budget could work as others have suggested and i think the way kathie suggested makes lots of sense....you will be amazed at how cheap some places are to stay... do lots of research however and ask questions directly here... top 5: grand place jim thompson house wat arun klong tour prasart museum nothing in the rest of thailand can hold a candle to these, imo... i love the marriott on the river....but i have stayed in many other places in bkk.... assume you are coming from usa....if so your first day or two need to be considered a waste time....you will be very tired and need to adjust to the climate....go someplace to relax ...i like the marriott or one of the other river place for this... i do not think animals are treated any differently in thailand than in most of the rest of the world... |
rhkkmk (Bob?):
I seem to be having the darndest trouble with people's links - when I click yours, I get brought to the aisa formum - no report. Can you help me out? Yes, am coming from the states (not far from you I think - VT), and that is why I'm thinking to spend 7 nights in Hua Hin. Would like a beach-front serviced apartment - is there such a thing? First 2 days would be spent just acclimating, then start some "gentle" sightseeing. <font color="green">Cyn</font> |
Oh, I am just <b>so</b> excited! I just called AA to start the normally-arduous task of getting ff flights - and, in the matter of 10 minutes, I have tickets near the dates I was starting with, and I may even go to fc over bc for the extra 25m miles (135m vs 110m).
We'll be flying out of BDL to MCO (coach), then to tokyo(bc) and then to BKK (japan air only has 2 classes of service between Tokyo and BKK, so it will be the top class). Coming back, it will be top class from BKK to Tokyo (Japan air), then bc on AA Tokyo to DFW. First class DFW to BDL. The reason I'm thinking of upping to first over bc is because of no flat beds on the aa return. Also - I have never flow either Japan Air or Cathay Pacific - are they about equal, or is one better than the other? I'll copy this post over to the airlines forum too, but I am sooo excited - I now have <b><font color="blue">dates</font></b>!!! <font color="green">Cyn</font> |
Cyn, congrats on getting your dates nailed down!
I'm unclear why you plan to spend 7 nights in Hua Hin if you aren't beach people? |
Kaeng Krachan is only about 50 minutes from Hua Hin, you can take the day tours of the national park or you can stay close by, Kaeng Krachan Country Club is the best and all are cabins, houses, some very large, also has the golf course, and you can tour the park from there, Phanern Tung Mountain plus the river all in the area.
Just 30 minutes south of Hua hin is ASam Roi Yot, lots of places on the park area beaches, if you want luxury the Privacy Beach Resort is about the best, Villas go from about USD 100 - 400 for the top pool villas, though plenty of cheaper places like Dolphin Bat resort, from about USD 30, 1 bedroom apartment about USD 38, you can take the boat to Monkey island and 'try' and see the Pink Dilphins ( though we have never seen them on several attempts, but fun anyhow ). There are birdwatching places and wetlands in Sam Roi Yot in addition to the caves, temples and the pranburi River. The Krachen / Sam Roi Yot combination is popular for those who like national parks and wildlife though krachen far better for monkeys, deer etc. For Khao Sok the Kuraburi Greenview Resort is about USD 50-65 for a suite, less for the deluxe bungalows, they do all the park trip and canoes on the lake etc. From Hua Hin you can go by road south through Sam Roi Yot park and then it is not so fat by road down to Koh Sok. A car with a driver including fuel probably about USD 100-125, would take about 6 hours and you go through the Istmus of Kra and Ranong area. From there heading back you can go a few hours south and pick up a flight to Bangkok from Phuket Airport. |
Although not 'apartments' there are fully serviced bungalows a short walk from the beach in Hua Hin, they run up to about USD 95 for Ocean Breeze with a dip pool and you own personal staff, good area for elephants and temples.
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...reeze/details/ Coral Keys Bungalows are cheaper around USD 45 but again full service but no dip pool or anything, more basic. |
Correction to flights - NOT "MCO" - we're connecting in CHICAGO (ORD).
Kathie -lol- I <b>KNOW!</b> - it sounds strange. Here's the whyfore: I am a very bad jetlag person - It takes me at least a week, if not more, to get on schedule. By the time we get to Thailand, I will be one stupid, cranky, useless person. I'm trying to give myself 2 days to do nothing, and figured that a beach is the place for that - not that we'll be <b>on</b> the beach, mind you - just looking at it, maybe a walk of 2. Believe it or not, the other part of the reason is because my guide books tells me that those 2 national parks I mentioned earlier have the best opportunity to see a tiger (my love of animals) and other mammals and birds. Jeez, now I have to work...it's really getting in the way of my vacation planning! >:-) <font color="green">Cyn</font> |
Ah, I see. JamesA has great ideas about accommodations.
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Cyn, these give some more information about Krachan ( not spellings 'do' vary )
http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp...d=113&lg=2 http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp...on.asp?#sec539 Sam Roi Yot ( starts 30 mins south of Hua Hin town center ) http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp...attraction.asp http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp...pid=8&lg=2 The wetlands and marshes are famous for bidwatching, they have boardwalks into the wetlands and a good local parks office there. Phraya Nakhon Cave is a must see ! Khao Sok: http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp...d=200&lg=2 I wish these places got more 'press' as they are great for those looking for nature, but I guess the plus side is that they don't get too crowded. The advantage of both krachan and Sam Roi Yot is that you can stay in some luxy beach resort and be within 40-50 minutes of them, and back to luxury at night, for sam Roi Yot places like the Evason are within 20 minutes. Khao Sok you are also near the Khao Lak beach resorts so you can also stay at some nice beach place in Khao Lak and still be close to the park. |
cyn---that was my designation when in the navy btw....haha
where in VT?? my family is originally from bethel....my dad is buried there... send me an e mail and i will forward my report---i think i can figure that you: [email protected] any interest in coming to boston on oct 7 for our GTG?? lots of asia fodorites will be there: gpanda. rhkkmk, craig, simpsonc510,lcuy, boston harbor, guenmai and others...let me know if you want to come and i will send you info... 7 nites may be too long in HH??? i'd add to bkk... |
Posting link to Bob's (rhkkmk) 2005 trip report for future reference.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34641575 |
Cyn,
Here are my pictures from my trip last year, I hope you enjoy them! http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailsh...425/t_=2930425 Jenn |
I'm not sure why, but the link isn't working. If you copy and paste it works though, so try that.
Jenn |
Got it Jenn - thanks! I started taking a look - it's going to take me some time, as I'm on the dreaded dialup, but what I've seen so far looks wonderful - and it's great that you captioned them all!
OK everybody, in doing some reading of these wonderful trip reports (and if you have a link to one, I'd be thrilled to have you post it here so I can read it!), it has of course generated a few questions: 1.) How soon do I need to worry about getting hotel/apartment reservations? Our travel dates are Mid February through March. 2.) Same question for in-Asia flights - still sticking with the basic places listed above right now. 3.) Am I seeing these things correctly: when I checked some of the websites you were all kind enough to share with me, I'm seeing beach-front resorts and high-end properties for <b>$28-50 per night</b>, including breakfast? Or did I just dream that??? 4.) And the same for prices at restaurants - really? $33 for dinner for 2 inclduing wine and dessert?? 5.) I see some recommendations for different tour guides in the different areas we're considering - how soon should I be contacting them? 6.) I'm getting the feeling that perhaps we should <b>not</b> drive ourselves? Why not? 7.) The "unrest" that I'm reading about in the South - how far south? Further than Khao Sok? 8.) What's your best wildlife sighting in a natural setting, and how did you get to see it? 9.) I'm getting that shopping is a big deal for visitors to Thailand - and that's something that really doesn't interest DH (or me all that much, for that matter! :-) ). Why is shopping in Thailand so special? 10.) How did you feel about photographing people? Let me explain a little of what I'm trying to ask: When we went into villages in Africa, we left the camera in the lodge - we didn't want to intrude into private lives, snapping pictures (and I know just our visit could be an intrusion). I would probably just smile and waive if I had a bunch of tourists come into my town and start taking pictures of me, but I could also see taking offense at it. Karen - one image stands out in my mind from your marvelous report (and I haven't gotten all the way through it yet!:) ): The "gaggle" of monks (and how I laughed when I read that line!) getting their daily food from the villagers (or "trick-or-treating in the same costumes" - and I was laughing again!),-back to the serious question- with the tourists lined up taking pictures. How do you think they felt about it? Alright - I'll stop myself for now. Thanks for any input! <font color="green">Cyn</font> |
Yeah, righ t -"I'll stop now"... :-)
Just one more - how's the air quality? We really suffered when we were in China - both outside from the coal burning and the vehicles and inside the temples with the incense. How is it in Thailand? <font color="green">Cyn</font> |
i would make all my res as soon as i could to assure you getting exactly what you want....waiting too long may spell disappointment....all the hotel prices will be available before the end of this month on the discount sites..
about prices: you get what you pay for (not based on usa pricing, but based on thai pricing)...if you pay $40 for a hotel vs paying $100 there is a substantial difference in the places---just like in VT....there are some very acceptable places with limited services and comfort at $40 generally in more remote places...generally during the winter however a place at $40 in a resort setting might not meet your standards....you have to do a lot of looking and reading and ask on fodors...jamesA will give you very valuable feedback which is accurate if you ask and also if you tell him your needs and expectations....a/c is a must imo, although some fodorites claim it is not necessary but a NY'er needs a/c in thailand!! meal prices....in bkk and major areas food is available at all price ranges...one of our favorite rest. is at the marriott mini mall and we get a great thai meal for two with beers and water for about $15 or less.....biscotti (four seasons hotel) you get a great italian meal for about $75, without wine, which would cost you over $150 in boston....a nice dinner can be had at a nice place for $30-40 with beers....wine is very expensive so we avoid it.... book the guides now as their time is limited and many people have been disappointed with non-availability.... driving....in bkk absoulutely no...in some of the outlying areas it is ok to drive, say in hua hin or on one of the islands or in chiang rai....but honestly you can hire a driver and car for about the same price as car rentals and have no frustrations at all and total lux and relaxation.... the unrest is in the extreme south in the muslim areas near the malay border... wildlife....lots of that in nana and patpong (the adult entertainment areas), but i suspect you mean animals....we saw wild monkeys along a stretch of roadway not far from katchburi (sp), but have seen no other wild animals... shopping....thai shopping is very very cheap, including custom made clothing and jewelry....jewelry is an especially good buy, both gold and silver and some stones, especially sapphires and rubies.....quality varries with clothing....home furnishings are nice and reasonable....thai crafts are some of the most interesting and best buys... photos....thais usually don't mind having their pics taken....i find an occasional old lady who does not want to be photographed....i do not consider it an intrusion....i think that is PC bunk....i always hold my camera up and signal my intention of picture taking as a polite gesture...if they wave me off i don't take the pic, usually, but sometimes sneak one.... |
Cyn,
I'm glad you are enjoying the pictures. I really had a fantastic time in Thailand. I'm not an expert, but I'll try to answer some questions. Shopping- Things are very cheap in Thailand, that why I think people love to shop there so much. I'm not the biggest shopper, but I did end up buying lots of things for people back home. In most places you can bargain just like in Africa. Pictures- I always asked the person and/or my guide if it was okay to take a picture. I never had anyone say no. Food- There is a wide range of food. I found the food and drinks to be very cheap compared to the US. You could eat out in nice restaurants for a fraction of the price that it would cost here. I did think wine was somewhat expensive. All of the hotels I stayed in included breakfast as well. Driving- I would definitely not drive myself in Bangkok. I guess it just depends on what you are used to. You can usually hire a car and driver for a reasonable price there and it's much easier. Jenn |
Cyn, here are some of my answers to your questions:
1. hotel/apartment reservations: as soon as you are certain where you want to stay. Feb. & March aren't the height of high season, but some of the places you will want to stay are small. Don't feel rushed, but I'd say you should certainly have the reservations made two months before you go. 2. same for air 3. High end properties for $28-50 a night... well, no. Ther are certainly places to stay in that price range, but they are not high end properties. 4. Restaurants meals are a very good value. Wine, hyowever is not. Wine is expensive, the selection is not especially good. We are wine drinkers at home, but avoid wine in Thailand. Dinner for two at some of the best Thai restaurants (including beer, mineral water, appetisers, entrees and dessert) will be about US$50 or less. You can certainly pay more, especially at Italian restaurants in hotels... the prices will still be much less than at home. 5. Tour guides. I don't hire guides in Thailand. I occasionally hire a car and driver (such as to get to the Prasart in Bangkok or I'll hire a driver to get to Doi Suthep outside of Chaing Mai). You can make car and driver arrangements on the spot in Thailand. If there is one of the guideds mentioned here that you want to hire for a day or two, make arrangements at least a couple of months in advance. 6. Driving - no. Traffic in Bangkok is incredible, parking non-existent, etc. Taxis are cheap. Outside major cities... you could choose to self-drive in the far north in rural areas, but I'd rather have someone else driving so I can attend to the scenery and tell them when to stop for a photo. 7. The unrest is in a relatively small area near the Malay border. It is not anywhere that would impact you. 8. Thailand is not especially the place for wildlife viewing. For that, I'd recommend Borneo (read Kathie's Borneo Trip Report from the end of 2005 and plan another trip) 9. Shopping: I'm only interested in buying things I can't get in Seattle. So I shop for crafts, have gorgeous silk jackets made, buy Jim Thompson designs, and - buy jewelry. I don't frequent the malls (either at home or in Bangkok). While teh jewelry is available in Seattle, the price in bangkok is between one fourth and one half of what I would have to pay in Seattle. Sapphires and rubies are very good deals. If you are interested in jewelry, let me know and I'll give you the contatc info for my jeweler. 10. photos - we always ask before taking photos and VERY rarely does anyone say no. The monks are glad to pose for you and smile and nod to the request to take photos. Some hilltribe peoples and some very old people will say no. |
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