laartista

Hi, have been researching but haven't booked hotels or anything yet. Trio Aug. 30-Sept 9. 5 nights 4 days Bangkok, 4 days Koh Sumai.

1)Any thoughts on Sofitel, specif. location wise
2) how bad are mosquitos, I'm their favorite treat ugh!
3)Any good places to buy beads, glass and shell
4)Anyone do the bike tour to the floating market-looks like fun
5) Having a terrible time deciding on hotel in Koh sumai
6) Not including hotel is 4500 Baht enough per day


thanks

Kathie

The Sofitel where?

Are you acclimated to the tropics? If not, I'd be wary of a bike tour to the floating market.

And I'm not sure what you are including in 4500 baht per day - is it just food, local transport and incidentals? If os, that's more than enough unless you plan on ordering abottle of wine every evening, in which case the wine will be your whole budget!

laartista

Sorry Sofitel Bangkok either Silom or Sukhumvit. Am I acclimated to the tropics? Well I gre up in South Florida, but live in New york,why is it hard breathing weather, I'm in good shape. 4500 p/day food sights, drinking shopping whatever.

Kathie

Well, Bangkok is hot, hot, hot, or as one poster puts it, "hell hot." If you are now living in New York, you will have lost your Florida acclimation. There are a number of bike tours in Bangkok, I'd chose one that wasn't so far (and I'd choose anything other then the Floating Market - which the Luxe Giude terms "floating tourist trash&quot.

If you've decided to stay at a Sofitel, choose the one closest to a Skytrain station.

4500 baht per day should be more than plenty

laartista

Thanks again, my friend flys for delta so we can get her employee discount at Sofitel which is why we chose it. So you'de skip the floating market?I am more interested in the Grand Palace and Wats. Any ideas on bead shops?

Kathie

Do a search here. A friend of mine who is a jewelry maker asked about bead shops and other jewelry making supplies. I believe most of the recommendations were in CM. She did a great trip report in Fall, 2006. She posts as claire_david2

Kathie

Oops - posted too soon. The wats are really special. Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha and Wat Po are both musts - if you are interested in more wats, I'd recommend merit-making early in the morning at Wat Ben and a stop at Wat Arun. There are hundreds of Wat, I visit a few more off the tourist track wats each time I'm in Bangkok.

laartista

Oh thanks so much again Kathy. I use beads in my mosaics and pay so much here for them and most come from china so I figure may be less there.

Gpanda

We took a BKK bike tour with ABC Cycle. It was quite good. Not too taxing. I agree with Kathie that a floating market bike tour is likely to be hokey.

Zeer

For beads, Sampheng Market,Sampheng Lane Soi Wanit 1 is the place to go.

laartista

Thanks very Gpa and Zeers fot the info. I am really psyched for this trip , never been to Thailand.

rhkkmk

sofitel on sukhumvit is almost new so would be preferable....it is close to the skytrain too...

lots of beads along new road down by the river, especially silver...but many other places also

plan on a bit of rain at your dates....not sure what samui would be like then...

laartista

Really rain? that would suck. What's the mosquito situation in Bangkok and Koh sumai.

Kathie

Koh Samui should have good weather in August/early Sept. Check www.weatherbase.com using Surat Thani for Koh Samui. It starts to get rainier later in September.

chdv

I've stayed at the Sofitel Silom a few times on 2 or 3 night stopovers. It's a 5 minute walk to Patpong and a 5 minute walk to the closest Skytrain. Lots of good restaurants within walking distance. Friendly and helpful staff. My only negative comment is that the pool is very, very small, and not great for doing laps. But most importantly it's a wonderful place for the price.

laartista

Thanks again Kathy and chd. My list is unbelievably long for things to do and see in BKK, hope I can fit it all in. At least Koh Sumai should be a nice rest after Bkk. BTW how's the driving over there. Was thinking of renting a jeep on Koh Sumai.

rhkkmk

wonderful place to rent a jeep on samui...we did and could see the whole island in one day