TALES OF THAILAND...A LIVE (ALMOST) TRIP REPORT FROM THE LAND OF SMILES
Jun 13th, 2009, 03:00 AM
#62
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Hi Bob,
I am going to the Happy Elephant in Bophut (Fishermans Village) early next week, I will do a comprehensive report on the food there. We ate at the Dancing Crab (formerly BBC) at Big Buddha Beach yesterday and loved it. I will do a compiled Samui report rather than a day by as I fear my Beach/Eat/Massage routine will bore everyone senseless.
I love Samui but I now agree with others that Chaweng has gone to the dogs. Luckily it is a big Island so it is easy to avoid it.
Wilko, I actually asked reception at C and C about transport after I mentioned that I thought the guys outside were too expensive, but they just rang the Asia Hotel across the road who quoted 1200baht. He also mentioned that there are no metered taxi's in Pattaya. There is obviously some sought of arrangement made with the rouges out the front. If so, that seems like a pity as they are such an ethical establishment in all other regards.
It's my Birthday tommorow, I will do an update as soon as I get over the effects of way too many Changs.
I am going to the Happy Elephant in Bophut (Fishermans Village) early next week, I will do a comprehensive report on the food there. We ate at the Dancing Crab (formerly BBC) at Big Buddha Beach yesterday and loved it. I will do a compiled Samui report rather than a day by as I fear my Beach/Eat/Massage routine will bore everyone senseless.
I love Samui but I now agree with others that Chaweng has gone to the dogs. Luckily it is a big Island so it is easy to avoid it.
Wilko, I actually asked reception at C and C about transport after I mentioned that I thought the guys outside were too expensive, but they just rang the Asia Hotel across the road who quoted 1200baht. He also mentioned that there are no metered taxi's in Pattaya. There is obviously some sought of arrangement made with the rouges out the front. If so, that seems like a pity as they are such an ethical establishment in all other regards.
It's my Birthday tommorow, I will do an update as soon as I get over the effects of way too many Changs.
Jun 13th, 2009, 05:12 AM
#63
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Hey Shane - happy birthday - hope its a great day for you and the family.
I think you are right and the visitors have changed a lot - understandably the Thai people will get a bit pissed off with a lot of them - they (the visitors) can be very tough on the locals. I was in Phuket a couple of years ago after a long absence from that area and there were many more farang who really just treated the hotel staff as slave labour and were very rude. When we were due to leave one of the breakfast waitresses came up and gave me a small pair of ceramic vases - I couldn't believe it - she said that it was nice to have me smile and be kind each day! I must say that most mornings most of the guests treated the staff as if they were blocks of wood. I treasure those little vases. We are going back this week so will see how things are again now. We don't usually stay in Phuket as we prefer Bangkok but we are in need of a bit of a relax and the plane stops there (from Perth) so its an opportunity not to waste.
I love your PTI - great name - I usually use a similar system but will now call it Shane's PTI in your honour.
I think you are right and the visitors have changed a lot - understandably the Thai people will get a bit pissed off with a lot of them - they (the visitors) can be very tough on the locals. I was in Phuket a couple of years ago after a long absence from that area and there were many more farang who really just treated the hotel staff as slave labour and were very rude. When we were due to leave one of the breakfast waitresses came up and gave me a small pair of ceramic vases - I couldn't believe it - she said that it was nice to have me smile and be kind each day! I must say that most mornings most of the guests treated the staff as if they were blocks of wood. I treasure those little vases. We are going back this week so will see how things are again now. We don't usually stay in Phuket as we prefer Bangkok but we are in need of a bit of a relax and the plane stops there (from Perth) so its an opportunity not to waste.
I love your PTI - great name - I usually use a similar system but will now call it Shane's PTI in your honour.
Jun 13th, 2009, 05:21 AM
#64
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we have seen some really rude farang behavior, especially in the sextourism areas, mostly by men who are very self-important and like to throw their money around....areas like soi 4 sukhumvit and downtown pattaya....
you will love the elephant, we ate there twice....sit outside or near to the back deck...
there is another nice restaurant, quite simple, almost next door...
i agree about chaweng....it was a touristy dump kind of town when we were there several years ago, but there are a few decent hotels amongst the mess...
you will love the elephant, we ate there twice....sit outside or near to the back deck...
there is another nice restaurant, quite simple, almost next door...
i agree about chaweng....it was a touristy dump kind of town when we were there several years ago, but there are a few decent hotels amongst the mess...
Jun 13th, 2009, 07:10 PM
#65
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Yes - the taxi situation in Pattaya is lamentable - and run by the police.
For other trying to get to U'tpao, the only other suggestion would be whilst in town go to one of the travel-shops and arrange a pick up with them at your hotel. The price will never be as good VFM as getting to Suvarnabhumi as they are guaranteed return fares from there.
However I haven't been on Samui for a couple of years now - I'm not too keen on concreting islands! i remember the meter taxi situation there was completely out of control with whole traffic jams made up of tooting taxis looking for un-available customers....have they dome anything about that?
BTW - Have you been to "Uncle Nim's Majic Garden"? very strange little valley filled with concrete Buddhist statues. It's marked on the maps. If you go up there there are one or two benefits - great views, a couple of hill-top restaurants - the views being more important than he food - and clean lavatories!
I have traversed the isle several times in my 4wd - easy in the dry but I've had to turn back a few times in the wet. If you take to the hills though, you'll be rewarded by some spectacular scenery and views...even a bit of wildlife - great to get away from the ever increasing madding crowds down below.
For other trying to get to U'tpao, the only other suggestion would be whilst in town go to one of the travel-shops and arrange a pick up with them at your hotel. The price will never be as good VFM as getting to Suvarnabhumi as they are guaranteed return fares from there.
However I haven't been on Samui for a couple of years now - I'm not too keen on concreting islands! i remember the meter taxi situation there was completely out of control with whole traffic jams made up of tooting taxis looking for un-available customers....have they dome anything about that?
BTW - Have you been to "Uncle Nim's Majic Garden"? very strange little valley filled with concrete Buddhist statues. It's marked on the maps. If you go up there there are one or two benefits - great views, a couple of hill-top restaurants - the views being more important than he food - and clean lavatories!
I have traversed the isle several times in my 4wd - easy in the dry but I've had to turn back a few times in the wet. If you take to the hills though, you'll be rewarded by some spectacular scenery and views...even a bit of wildlife - great to get away from the ever increasing madding crowds down below.
Jun 14th, 2009, 05:27 AM
#66
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I guess we don't know exactly when your big 43rd birthday bash is going to be, but do enjoy it!
Are you planning to rent a car at all? It's a fun way to be able to drive around the island for a day (or two). I highly recommend it. Car rentals are not expensive, and they will perhaps bring the car directly to your hotel. I know they did that for us, on Samui, back in April 2008. We had a car for almost all 5 days of our visit.
Have you been to The Cliff Restaurant yet? Very nice place. Great food. Great view.
Another great view is from a place called Beverly Hills (?) just out of Chaweng. You can go there for a nice cold Coke or beer and take in the view. It is also a restaurant, if you are hungry for lunch. I've not had any food there, just a nice cold beer. Cheaper than the fancier Cliff.
Are you planning to rent a car at all? It's a fun way to be able to drive around the island for a day (or two). I highly recommend it. Car rentals are not expensive, and they will perhaps bring the car directly to your hotel. I know they did that for us, on Samui, back in April 2008. We had a car for almost all 5 days of our visit.
Have you been to The Cliff Restaurant yet? Very nice place. Great food. Great view.
Another great view is from a place called Beverly Hills (?) just out of Chaweng. You can go there for a nice cold Coke or beer and take in the view. It is also a restaurant, if you are hungry for lunch. I've not had any food there, just a nice cold beer. Cheaper than the fancier Cliff.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:41 PM
#67
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Just got back to work today after flying back to Melbourne 48 hours ago and driving back to Mildura last night.
As soon as I get a few things sorted out I will finsh my report.I have about 1500 photos to go through and I will post a link to some of the better ones.
The whole family agree that this was the best trip to Thailand that we have had and we are already planning a return in June 2010. I have a business jumket to Beijing to look forward to now in late August which gives me enough time to loose the 6kg that I have put on.
I apoligise for not continuing with my daily updates but as I got more relaxed and started sleeping in later, time got away from me.
As soon as I get a few things sorted out I will finsh my report.I have about 1500 photos to go through and I will post a link to some of the better ones.
The whole family agree that this was the best trip to Thailand that we have had and we are already planning a return in June 2010. I have a business jumket to Beijing to look forward to now in late August which gives me enough time to loose the 6kg that I have put on.
I apoligise for not continuing with my daily updates but as I got more relaxed and started sleeping in later, time got away from me.
Jun 23rd, 2009, 06:47 PM
#68
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Glad you and your family made it home safe and sound. Sounds like you are ready to go back to BKK again next year.
Hope the big birthday bash was a great time for one and all.
Take it easy, and write your report when you can get to it.
Carol
Hope the big birthday bash was a great time for one and all.
Take it easy, and write your report when you can get to it.
Carol
Jul 4th, 2009, 08:39 PM
#69
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The rest of my trip report will be finished shortly.
For now, I have a few photo's to show you on the link provided.
http://www.travelforum.org/album.php?albumid=10
For now, I have a few photo's to show you on the link provided.
http://www.travelforum.org/album.php?albumid=10
Jul 5th, 2009, 04:09 PM
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Thanks for the pics, shane. Your boys will remember their adventures in Thailand for a very long time! The photos really capture a lot of their unique experiences. Where else but in Thailand!
Carol
(just dropped off DS and a friend... a newbie to BKK... at OHare about 8 hours ago... on their way on UA to NRT-BKK)
Carol
(just dropped off DS and a friend... a newbie to BKK... at OHare about 8 hours ago... on their way on UA to NRT-BKK)
