Thailand and Vietnam - February 2017
Mar 10th, 2017, 02:07 AM
#21
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Crellston, I'll try again.
Yep, I booked direct with Vietnam Airlines online...
https://www.vietnamairlines.com/
...lots of look alike websites, but you know that.
We went to Bai Xep. Got public bus T11 at about 0840, which runs south along the south part of the seafront. Ticket cost 9k dong, takes 20 minutes, and drops you off on the main road at the top of the village, which is set in a cove. it's a steep walk down, even steeper back up, but it's a quite short walk.
We found the place to be non too friendly [not hostile], lots of stares with only the odd smile. It's a v.v.local fishing village atmosphere, no roads.....just narrow concrete paths with, which veer off onto other paths.
The beach is set in an arc, lots of small coloured fishing boats and coracles. But it was filthy.
We never came across any guesthouses, but they must be there somewhere.
Didn't stay long, and returned to the main road, and carried on walking along the road which is quite high above the never ending golden beaches. A few resorts hotels springing-up which is perhaps why the locals don't look too happy, but access to the beach was nigh on impossible. We hoped to come across a backpacker place called Lifes a Beach, but gave up after nearly an hour.....and caught the next bus back to Quy Nhon.
The only other walk we had out of town was to the beach at the Leper Hospital. Long uphill then downhill walk along a country road out of town which is used by fly-tippers. Some interesting stuff tipped.
The rest of our time we spent exploring as much of Quy Nhon as we could. Very interesting markets, plenty of local life everywhere, and we were never far away from a plastic chair to rest our legs, and have a drink of something. It's a very cheap place to visit, even by Vietnamese prices.
At the end of our trip we got a taxi back to Phu Cat airport @ 300K dong.
Yep, I booked direct with Vietnam Airlines online...
https://www.vietnamairlines.com/
...lots of look alike websites, but you know that.
We went to Bai Xep. Got public bus T11 at about 0840, which runs south along the south part of the seafront. Ticket cost 9k dong, takes 20 minutes, and drops you off on the main road at the top of the village, which is set in a cove. it's a steep walk down, even steeper back up, but it's a quite short walk.
We found the place to be non too friendly [not hostile], lots of stares with only the odd smile. It's a v.v.local fishing village atmosphere, no roads.....just narrow concrete paths with, which veer off onto other paths.
The beach is set in an arc, lots of small coloured fishing boats and coracles. But it was filthy.
We never came across any guesthouses, but they must be there somewhere.
Didn't stay long, and returned to the main road, and carried on walking along the road which is quite high above the never ending golden beaches. A few resorts hotels springing-up which is perhaps why the locals don't look too happy, but access to the beach was nigh on impossible. We hoped to come across a backpacker place called Lifes a Beach, but gave up after nearly an hour.....and caught the next bus back to Quy Nhon.
The only other walk we had out of town was to the beach at the Leper Hospital. Long uphill then downhill walk along a country road out of town which is used by fly-tippers. Some interesting stuff tipped.
The rest of our time we spent exploring as much of Quy Nhon as we could. Very interesting markets, plenty of local life everywhere, and we were never far away from a plastic chair to rest our legs, and have a drink of something. It's a very cheap place to visit, even by Vietnamese prices.
At the end of our trip we got a taxi back to Phu Cat airport @ 300K dong.
Mar 10th, 2017, 03:04 AM
#22
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Thanks for your perseverance LL. I too have had a few probs with this site lately. For some reason when I use it on an iPad the screen keeps shrinking to nothing, I keep losing posts and the screen locks. I think Fodors new owners are playing around with things. Maybe it's time move on?
Anyway thanks for the input which is really helpful. The seafood and cheap beer sounds like reasons enough for visiting QN, so I think we will probably just base ourselves there for a few days and see how it goes! Will probably arrive either by bus from the central highlands or by train from Saigon depending on the weather and then carry on by train north to Phong Nha.
Have noted your homestay in Hanoi and will check that out when we return to the north in Nov. Any suggestions for Dalat accomodation? As I recall, you visited on a previous trip. Will also check out New Siam Riverside when we pass through Bangkok next time.
Anyway thanks for the input which is really helpful. The seafood and cheap beer sounds like reasons enough for visiting QN, so I think we will probably just base ourselves there for a few days and see how it goes! Will probably arrive either by bus from the central highlands or by train from Saigon depending on the weather and then carry on by train north to Phong Nha.
Have noted your homestay in Hanoi and will check that out when we return to the north in Nov. Any suggestions for Dalat accomodation? As I recall, you visited on a previous trip. Will also check out New Siam Riverside when we pass through Bangkok next time.
Mar 11th, 2017, 11:04 PM
#23
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@ Crellston<<<Have noted your homestay in Hanoi and will check that out when we return to the north in Nov. Any suggestions for Dalat accomodation? As I recall, you visited on a previous trip. Will also check out New Siam Riverside when we pass through Bangkok next time.>>>
The Hanoi 3B Homestay in Hanoi was excellent, more small hotel than Homestay...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_...tay-Hanoi.html
The staff couldn't do enough to help, Lily who runs the online bookings and tour desk seemed to be the main player. The included buffet breakfast was exceptional.
The place is on the northern edge of the Old Quarter, v.close to Long Dien bus interchange, which we used twice to get from and to Hanoi Airport @ 30k dong for a ticket on the frequent No.86 bus.
From the Homestay it's 15 minute walk along Hang Ngang to reach Hoan Kiem Lake.
When we went to Dalat in September 2015 we stayed for 5 nights at Dreams Hotel...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_..._Province.html
If you check on the TA Vietnam Forum, Scotsman posted an excellent JBR blog about Dalat, well worth a read, as are all of his JBRs.
In Bangkok the vfm at New Siam Riverside, all considered, is unbeatable. We had our final 3 nights of our just ended trip there to unwind before the flights home.
When we initially arrived on 3 February I decided to give the New Siam Palace View a try. It's part of the New Siam Group and almost new. V.close to the New Siam Riverside but not on the river and breakfast not included. But it was excellent vfm too. Across the road on Phra Athit is the New Siam II, also part of the same Group. Never went in, but it looked very popular.
The Hanoi 3B Homestay in Hanoi was excellent, more small hotel than Homestay...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_...tay-Hanoi.html
The staff couldn't do enough to help, Lily who runs the online bookings and tour desk seemed to be the main player. The included buffet breakfast was exceptional.
The place is on the northern edge of the Old Quarter, v.close to Long Dien bus interchange, which we used twice to get from and to Hanoi Airport @ 30k dong for a ticket on the frequent No.86 bus.
From the Homestay it's 15 minute walk along Hang Ngang to reach Hoan Kiem Lake.
When we went to Dalat in September 2015 we stayed for 5 nights at Dreams Hotel...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_..._Province.html
If you check on the TA Vietnam Forum, Scotsman posted an excellent JBR blog about Dalat, well worth a read, as are all of his JBRs.
In Bangkok the vfm at New Siam Riverside, all considered, is unbeatable. We had our final 3 nights of our just ended trip there to unwind before the flights home.
When we initially arrived on 3 February I decided to give the New Siam Palace View a try. It's part of the New Siam Group and almost new. V.close to the New Siam Riverside but not on the river and breakfast not included. But it was excellent vfm too. Across the road on Phra Athit is the New Siam II, also part of the same Group. Never went in, but it looked very popular.
Mar 14th, 2017, 03:22 AM
#24
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A bit about Bangkok.
Our Emirates Airbus A380 touched down at BKK early afternoon on Friday 3 February. Long walk from the Gate, Immigration was efficient, but it took our bags quite a while to hit the carousel.
I'm not keen on road travel by taxi from BKK into town so decided to take the Air Rail Link. Made our way to the Basement Level avoiding all the exchange kiosks on the Arrival Level, which were offering poor rates.
On the ARL concourse are a few other change kiosks, including Super Rich which offer the best rates on the day. Changed enough to tide us over, and bought our ARL tickets @ 45 baht a ticket.
The ARL train had plenty of empty seats, and we enjoyed the 30 minute ride to the end of the line at Phaya Thai.
Finding a taxi to continue our journey to our accommodation in Banglamphu, and working out in which direction was a challenge because I hadn't a clue. The traffic was v.busy and the fumes were choking. We waved a taxi down and must have stopped at most of the traffic lights along the way, the journey took 40 minutes.
Lots of Black ribbons, and quite a few people mainly in clusters dressed in black. I think that Thai civil servants have to wear black until the end of the mourning period for the late King.....never saw any yellow or red shirts.
We know the Banglamphu area well, the first evening we just wandered around nearby, including Khao San Road about a 5 minutes walk away. As it is every night of the year Khao San Road was buzzing, not only with backpackers, there were plenty of couples young and not so young, and families too.....it is a very popular place.
Decided to splash out on our first meal, sat down at a street stall just of Soi Rambutti, and dug into a piping hot freshly cooked Pad Thai with bean sprouts, egg, and chicken....@ 50 baht a serving! A big bottle of cold Chang lager washed it down nicely.
Picked up 3 x 1.5 litres of bottled water from 7-eleven @ 37 baht, and back to the New Siam Palace View for an early night.
Saturday 4 February. Up early, breakfast not included with the room, so we left the guesthouse at 0830. Walked to Phra Athit which runs parallel to the Chao Phraya River and found a nice little spot for breakfast, Maxim BBQ, and have chicken fried rice, cooked in front of our eyes, @ 60 baht, and a refreshing soda and lime.
Along Phra Athit,I noticed a box of free black mourning ribbons outside a shop. So I took a couple and pinned them on our gilets.
Then to Pier 13, right by the very popular Navalai River Resort, to catch the Orange Flag river ferry up-stream to the final stop, Pier 30, at Nonthaburi We bought our tickets at the pierhead @ 15 baht each. The ticket is good for one stop or for as far as the terminus.
The river ferries zig-zag from one side of the river to the other at a fair pace, and getting on and off can be a a bit challenging for anyone with mobility issues, or had a drink too many.
The Chao Phraya is the ticking heart-beat of Bangkok, very busy with all sorts and sizes of water traffic. The ferries pass some great sights, and here and there small rickety wooden dwellings on stilts.....how long will they remain in this city of shiny, souless high rise and massive shopping malls?
The journey to Nonthaburi takes just over 30 minutes. Nonthaburi is very much a locals place, there's a very big covered market, and it's also home to the infamous Bangkok Hilton Prison. It's always very hot at Nonthaburi too.....we've visited several times over the years so didn't hang around, enjoying the ferry trip was the aim.
Got the ferry back to Pier 13, another very pleasant ride of 30 minutes or so.
From Pier 13 we walked along Phra Athit to the New Siam Riverside Hotel, our favourite mid-range hotel in Bangkok, in order to book a room for our final 3 nights at the the end of our trip.
Back to the New Siam Palace View for a swim. Enjoy an hour in the lovely pool, which we had to ourselves. A nice cup of coffee in our room followed, and then an afternoon kip.
Out again just after 1700, a wander round the area, and found another busy Pad Thai stall.....love it.
Finished off the day with a couple of beers at the legendary Gecko Bar on Soi Rambutti.....a bit spit-and-sawdust type of place that regularly attracts a character or two. Have a nice putting the world to right chat with an elderly Swedish man.
Back to the guesthouse.....showers, relax, and kip. Both tired, and caught a bit of sunshine too.
Our Emirates Airbus A380 touched down at BKK early afternoon on Friday 3 February. Long walk from the Gate, Immigration was efficient, but it took our bags quite a while to hit the carousel.
I'm not keen on road travel by taxi from BKK into town so decided to take the Air Rail Link. Made our way to the Basement Level avoiding all the exchange kiosks on the Arrival Level, which were offering poor rates.
On the ARL concourse are a few other change kiosks, including Super Rich which offer the best rates on the day. Changed enough to tide us over, and bought our ARL tickets @ 45 baht a ticket.
The ARL train had plenty of empty seats, and we enjoyed the 30 minute ride to the end of the line at Phaya Thai.
Finding a taxi to continue our journey to our accommodation in Banglamphu, and working out in which direction was a challenge because I hadn't a clue. The traffic was v.busy and the fumes were choking. We waved a taxi down and must have stopped at most of the traffic lights along the way, the journey took 40 minutes.
Lots of Black ribbons, and quite a few people mainly in clusters dressed in black. I think that Thai civil servants have to wear black until the end of the mourning period for the late King.....never saw any yellow or red shirts.
We know the Banglamphu area well, the first evening we just wandered around nearby, including Khao San Road about a 5 minutes walk away. As it is every night of the year Khao San Road was buzzing, not only with backpackers, there were plenty of couples young and not so young, and families too.....it is a very popular place.
Decided to splash out on our first meal, sat down at a street stall just of Soi Rambutti, and dug into a piping hot freshly cooked Pad Thai with bean sprouts, egg, and chicken....@ 50 baht a serving! A big bottle of cold Chang lager washed it down nicely.
Picked up 3 x 1.5 litres of bottled water from 7-eleven @ 37 baht, and back to the New Siam Palace View for an early night.
Saturday 4 February. Up early, breakfast not included with the room, so we left the guesthouse at 0830. Walked to Phra Athit which runs parallel to the Chao Phraya River and found a nice little spot for breakfast, Maxim BBQ, and have chicken fried rice, cooked in front of our eyes, @ 60 baht, and a refreshing soda and lime.
Along Phra Athit,I noticed a box of free black mourning ribbons outside a shop. So I took a couple and pinned them on our gilets.
Then to Pier 13, right by the very popular Navalai River Resort, to catch the Orange Flag river ferry up-stream to the final stop, Pier 30, at Nonthaburi We bought our tickets at the pierhead @ 15 baht each. The ticket is good for one stop or for as far as the terminus.
The river ferries zig-zag from one side of the river to the other at a fair pace, and getting on and off can be a a bit challenging for anyone with mobility issues, or had a drink too many.
The Chao Phraya is the ticking heart-beat of Bangkok, very busy with all sorts and sizes of water traffic. The ferries pass some great sights, and here and there small rickety wooden dwellings on stilts.....how long will they remain in this city of shiny, souless high rise and massive shopping malls?
The journey to Nonthaburi takes just over 30 minutes. Nonthaburi is very much a locals place, there's a very big covered market, and it's also home to the infamous Bangkok Hilton Prison. It's always very hot at Nonthaburi too.....we've visited several times over the years so didn't hang around, enjoying the ferry trip was the aim.
Got the ferry back to Pier 13, another very pleasant ride of 30 minutes or so.
From Pier 13 we walked along Phra Athit to the New Siam Riverside Hotel, our favourite mid-range hotel in Bangkok, in order to book a room for our final 3 nights at the the end of our trip.
Back to the New Siam Palace View for a swim. Enjoy an hour in the lovely pool, which we had to ourselves. A nice cup of coffee in our room followed, and then an afternoon kip.
Out again just after 1700, a wander round the area, and found another busy Pad Thai stall.....love it.
Finished off the day with a couple of beers at the legendary Gecko Bar on Soi Rambutti.....a bit spit-and-sawdust type of place that regularly attracts a character or two. Have a nice putting the world to right chat with an elderly Swedish man.
Back to the guesthouse.....showers, relax, and kip. Both tired, and caught a bit of sunshine too.
