Filmwill Returns
Dec 5th, 2007, 03:41 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Filmwill Returns
Hello to all!
I just wanted to finally post something now that it's been almost a week since our return from our wonderful trip...I plan on posting bits and pieces of our trip report (although we did keep a travel blog again--and I can post that link here later) over the next few days.
Many thanks to those of you who followed along with us through Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hong Kong.
It was definitely a <i>much different</i> kind of trip this year...in so many ways: from the level of hotels to the overall experiences we had compared to last year.
Unfortunately, however, the whole family seems to have picked up a nasty stomach bug somewhere along the way (I think it was most likely somewhere in Vietnam) and it hit us all with varying degrees of severity and longevity (David and his Mom got it worst.)
Suffice it to say, it's miserable being back.
This trip definitely concretes (not that we didn't know this already) that we much prefer SE Asia to home...and the more we go, the harder it is to re-acclimate to life back in the States. (Definitely going through the post-Asia blues big-time right now.) Of course (who would expect less?) I'm already driving David nuts planning out our trip for next year...have to get an early start as we plan on using miles for our flights.
But, as not to leave you all hanging, and in short, my brief recap of our destinations:
-Bangkok: loved the Peninsula! Glad to report everyone's raves here are well-deserved. May have loved their spa even more, though...move over, Face--what an experience!
-Luang Prabang: it was everything I hoped it'd be...charming, beautiful, warm people, fantastic food! Our hotel was also quite amazing (La Residence)
-Hanoi: the biggest letdown of the trip for me (personally)...I would've rather just have done a day or two there. It just wasn't my cup of tea at all. I found the pace of the city to be nerve-wracking and the people to be harsh--made me miss Thailand all that much more. This of course may have been compounded by the horrific situation at the Metropole. All of the horror stories posted here and on TripAdvisor came true for us. The noise was a nightmare and completley ruined the experience of staying there--and the management couldn't have cared less. Luckily, though, we loved Halong Bay...and our 2-night cruise on the Halong Ginger was something I'll always remember.
-Hong Kong: a huge surprise, as I'm not a city guy at all...but I loved it! Reminded me of an Asian Manhattan--albeit cleaner, more orderly and . The commercialism is rampant, for sure, but somehow I didn't mind it as much. Or, maybe it was just that I ate dim sum approximately every 2 hours that really made me like it so much
I'm looking forward to sharing all the specifics with you guys very soon--but still adjusting to the time difference a bit and being sick, so more to come soon...
I just wanted to finally post something now that it's been almost a week since our return from our wonderful trip...I plan on posting bits and pieces of our trip report (although we did keep a travel blog again--and I can post that link here later) over the next few days.
Many thanks to those of you who followed along with us through Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hong Kong.
It was definitely a <i>much different</i> kind of trip this year...in so many ways: from the level of hotels to the overall experiences we had compared to last year.
Unfortunately, however, the whole family seems to have picked up a nasty stomach bug somewhere along the way (I think it was most likely somewhere in Vietnam) and it hit us all with varying degrees of severity and longevity (David and his Mom got it worst.)
Suffice it to say, it's miserable being back.
This trip definitely concretes (not that we didn't know this already) that we much prefer SE Asia to home...and the more we go, the harder it is to re-acclimate to life back in the States. (Definitely going through the post-Asia blues big-time right now.) Of course (who would expect less?) I'm already driving David nuts planning out our trip for next year...have to get an early start as we plan on using miles for our flights.But, as not to leave you all hanging, and in short, my brief recap of our destinations:
-Bangkok: loved the Peninsula! Glad to report everyone's raves here are well-deserved. May have loved their spa even more, though...move over, Face--what an experience!
-Luang Prabang: it was everything I hoped it'd be...charming, beautiful, warm people, fantastic food! Our hotel was also quite amazing (La Residence)
-Hanoi: the biggest letdown of the trip for me (personally)...I would've rather just have done a day or two there. It just wasn't my cup of tea at all. I found the pace of the city to be nerve-wracking and the people to be harsh--made me miss Thailand all that much more. This of course may have been compounded by the horrific situation at the Metropole. All of the horror stories posted here and on TripAdvisor came true for us. The noise was a nightmare and completley ruined the experience of staying there--and the management couldn't have cared less. Luckily, though, we loved Halong Bay...and our 2-night cruise on the Halong Ginger was something I'll always remember.
-Hong Kong: a huge surprise, as I'm not a city guy at all...but I loved it! Reminded me of an Asian Manhattan--albeit cleaner, more orderly and . The commercialism is rampant, for sure, but somehow I didn't mind it as much. Or, maybe it was just that I ate dim sum approximately every 2 hours that really made me like it so much
I'm looking forward to sharing all the specifics with you guys very soon--but still adjusting to the time difference a bit and being sick, so more to come soon...
Dec 5th, 2007, 04:38 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for your report! Sorry to hear that you got the stomach problem but at least you enjoyed SE Asia.
We are off to Hanoi in just over a week and we still have time to change our plans. We have rooms in the classic wings at the Metropole so do you think we will be effected or do you recommend a change to a different hotel? I can change me reservations to the Hilton or reduce the time in Hanoi and go to Halong on an overnight cruise instead.
Appreciate any advice you can offer
We are off to Hanoi in just over a week and we still have time to change our plans. We have rooms in the classic wings at the Metropole so do you think we will be effected or do you recommend a change to a different hotel? I can change me reservations to the Hilton or reduce the time in Hanoi and go to Halong on an overnight cruise instead.
Appreciate any advice you can offer
Dec 5th, 2007, 05:03 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glad you had a good time. Sorry to hear of the stomach bug. If you read my Sri Lanka report, you'll see that Cheryl picked up a bug our last day in Sri Lanka.
I'm of the firm belief that the best cure for the post-Asia blues is to plan a new trip.
I'm of the firm belief that the best cure for the post-Asia blues is to plan a new trip.
Dec 5th, 2007, 06:40 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kim, sublime doesn't even begin to cover it. David hasn't stopped talking about our treatments there...which were so relaxing that we ended up limping out of there Seriously--I was apprehensive about the price (considering it wasn't much different than the prices here in LA) but I must say, THAT was actually one high-ticket item that's worth the cost.
Kathie, I just finished reading your trip report! You guys sound like you had such a wonderful time--I'm definitely adding SL to the 'must-do' list! And, yes, so sorry to hear about Cheryl. I look forward to swapping stories at the next GTG (say, we're due for a West Coast GTG fairly soon, are we not?) As for the next trip: I'm already on it! We're looking into a Phnom Penh/Golden Triangle/Ko Lipe trip (that is, if we can somehow manage a mileage ticket.) And, yes, now that I'm already harping on it, it's driving David crazy--it's only been a week back!
Hanuman, don't worry. If you're in the Classic Wing, I think you should be fine. No matter how much we protested, they wouldn't move us. The noise is pretty much confined to the Opera Wing (and I should say the entire Opera Wing, at that)...the hotel itself is marvelous. It was really just the fact that the staff doesn't act like the staff at a 5 star hotel should. You kind of expect certain things when you're spending that much and we were a bit shocked at their dismissiveness. It seems the hotel really should've partially closed down during the renovations--hats off to capitalism, though! I'd say stay. It's still the best option in Hanoi...the Hilton (prob. the 2nd best option, location-wise) looks nice from the outside but the inside looks like a Travelodge.
Bob, thanks for the tip on the silk market. Chris LOVED it! Have to say: there were such great deals to be had and I've never though in my life I'd buy as many silk scarves as we did on this trip. Lots of exotic Holiday gifts from faraway places = lots of happy friends! I already miss LP so much...a place definitely worth savoring.
FYI, the blog address is:
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/the_Georges/ I'm going to finish updating it this weekend, as we're about 5 entries short. It got to be a lot of work and we needed to spend more time enjoying our vacation!
Seriously--I was apprehensive about the price (considering it wasn't much different than the prices here in LA) but I must say, THAT was actually one high-ticket item that's worth the cost.Kathie, I just finished reading your trip report! You guys sound like you had such a wonderful time--I'm definitely adding SL to the 'must-do' list! And, yes, so sorry to hear about Cheryl. I look forward to swapping stories at the next GTG (say, we're due for a West Coast GTG fairly soon, are we not?) As for the next trip: I'm already on it! We're looking into a Phnom Penh/Golden Triangle/Ko Lipe trip (that is, if we can somehow manage a mileage ticket.) And, yes, now that I'm already harping on it, it's driving David crazy--it's only been a week back!
Hanuman, don't worry. If you're in the Classic Wing, I think you should be fine. No matter how much we protested, they wouldn't move us. The noise is pretty much confined to the Opera Wing (and I should say the entire Opera Wing, at that)...the hotel itself is marvelous. It was really just the fact that the staff doesn't act like the staff at a 5 star hotel should. You kind of expect certain things when you're spending that much and we were a bit shocked at their dismissiveness. It seems the hotel really should've partially closed down during the renovations--hats off to capitalism, though! I'd say stay. It's still the best option in Hanoi...the Hilton (prob. the 2nd best option, location-wise) looks nice from the outside but the inside looks like a Travelodge.
Bob, thanks for the tip on the silk market. Chris LOVED it! Have to say: there were such great deals to be had and I've never though in my life I'd buy as many silk scarves as we did on this trip. Lots of exotic Holiday gifts from faraway places = lots of happy friends! I already miss LP so much...a place definitely worth savoring.
FYI, the blog address is:
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/the_Georges/ I'm going to finish updating it this weekend, as we're about 5 entries short. It got to be a lot of work and we needed to spend more time enjoying our vacation!
Dec 5th, 2007, 07:28 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just read your blog on Vietnam - great information!
I have some questions and I hope you don't mind me asking. How did you book the Ginger? Also, how was the food at dinner on the boat? I'm thinking of doing 2 nights in Hanoi and then do the 1 night cruise. Do they offer any discount if I book them once we're in Hanoi or do you advise that we book them now.
Thanks again!
I have some questions and I hope you don't mind me asking. How did you book the Ginger? Also, how was the food at dinner on the boat? I'm thinking of doing 2 nights in Hanoi and then do the 1 night cruise. Do they offer any discount if I book them once we're in Hanoi or do you advise that we book them now.
Thanks again!
Dec 5th, 2007, 07:36 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would advise booking them now, as I think they are one of the few companies that don't use multiple booking agencies. But a quick search online shows other companies advertising the boat now, so maybe things have changed and I'm mistaken. Either way--the boat was sold out both nights we were there, so if you really are set on that boat, you might consider booking early. If you don't care about which boat you're on, you might benefit from chancing it and booking whatever you can get your hands on when you arrive in Hanoi.
I booked with the company that owns the boat directly...their site is:
http://www.cruisehalong.com/
They have a new boat, the Jasmine, that starts service on 12/18 I think--and it's truly luxe in every sense of the word...private balconies, jacuzzi tubs, etc... I thought the Ginger was pretty decked out, though (if you compare it to others of the like on the Bay) and I'm sure it's probably cheaper than the Jasmine.
Good luck!
I booked with the company that owns the boat directly...their site is:
http://www.cruisehalong.com/
They have a new boat, the Jasmine, that starts service on 12/18 I think--and it's truly luxe in every sense of the word...private balconies, jacuzzi tubs, etc... I thought the Ginger was pretty decked out, though (if you compare it to others of the like on the Bay) and I'm sure it's probably cheaper than the Jasmine.
Good luck!
Dec 5th, 2007, 09:54 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hanuman,
Forgot to answer your question about the food: FANTASTIC! We had some wonderfully fresh seafood meals on the boat. Hopefully you like shellfish, as there's an abundance of fresh prawns (the size of a small child) as well as fantastic crab to be had.
They fed us so much food so often it was almost excessive--but it's kinda hard to complain about eating well.
Forgot to answer your question about the food: FANTASTIC! We had some wonderfully fresh seafood meals on the boat. Hopefully you like shellfish, as there's an abundance of fresh prawns (the size of a small child) as well as fantastic crab to be had.
They fed us so much food so often it was almost excessive--but it's kinda hard to complain about eating well.
Dec 6th, 2007, 06:46 AM
#16
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I kept up with your blog-- it was a great read! I am looking forward to the HKG update as Tim and I are spending a few days there in March.
Thanks to you, I *really* want to go to Luang Prabang now! So I am planning my return trip to Asia before we've even departed on our first.
Liz
Thanks to you, I *really* want to go to Luang Prabang now! So I am planning my return trip to Asia before we've even departed on our first.
Liz
