Last minute questions

Old Oct 17th, 2013, 07:09 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Last minute questions

More questions!

Leaving Saturday with first stop Bangkok where it appears it will be raining for our 4 days.

Any tips for rainy days. Forecast is for temp in the 90's so thinking our raincoats will be too hot for us temperate climate types. Are umbrellas readily sold on the street?

Planning on taking an unlocked phone we bought in France last year. I am assuming this will work in SEA with appropriate SIm card. We will use this infrequently and maybe not at all.

Still fretting over driver or self drive for Mae Hong Son Loop. We are nervous about driving for the first time in a left sided country. Also wondering if the driver will find his own accomodation or are we responsible?

Thanks for any replies. We are very excited to explore an area other than Europe and expect a lot of surprises!
cindyjo is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2013, 07:23 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, it will be too hot for raincoats. You can buy umbrellas on the street. Your hotel may also have umbrellas to loan. I have a small folding umbrella that is always in my purse.

You can wait until you get to Chiang Mai to decide whether to self drive or to hire a driver. When you hire a driver, the cost generally includes their accommodation. But do be explicit in your negotiations. Getting a driver through an agency may be easiest for you.
Kathie is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2013, 08:03 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It has rained non stop for the past 3 days as a result of a typhoon making landfall in Vietnam. A lot of localised flooding which has caused a lot of traffic jams in the city. I believe that the rain will return to a normal pattern by the time you are here, late afternoon type or for an hour a day etc.

For your phone I recommend buying a prepaid SIM card from a company call AIS as they have the best coverage, especially outside of the big cities. You can find their shop or kiosk in any shopping mall throughout the country or even at convenience stores.

Do wait until you get to CM before deciding if you need a driver or not. Once outside of town there will be very little traffic and the directions are quite simple for the loop. Renting a car with GPS will give you added assurance!
Hanuman is offline  
Old Oct 18th, 2013, 07:47 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
An umbrella is a must rain or shine- many people carry umbrellas on sunny days for shade. No raincoats! You'll sweat to death.
Hobbert is offline  
Old Oct 18th, 2013, 01:33 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
driving is quite easy up north..
rhkkmk is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kimberlyb
Asia
10
Feb 5th, 2008 07:29 AM
rsa100
Asia
4
Dec 25th, 2007 07:23 AM
tomhmau
Asia
5
Oct 1st, 2007 11:29 AM
Duffyite
Asia
4
Mar 9th, 2007 10:10 PM
CFW
Asia
9
Aug 11th, 2004 09:53 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -