Ken,

The guides were inside both sites. We just went with "feel". I was impressed with both the guides we hired. Both times they approached us after we entered the sites. I would not trust anyone outside the sites. Figure on paying 300-400 baht to the guides.

Hope this helps

Rob

Thanks for the prompt reply! It definitely does help... another question - we'll be in Bangkok for about 3 days.. do you think it's worth it to check out the floating market/tiger temple during that time?? It's just that there's so much we want to see and do, and such little time... and we have no idea when we'll have enough time to make it back to SEAsia (coming from NYC).. Thanks again for your reply!
Ken

it is very worthwhile to visit both of those places but with only 3 days i would skip them on this trip....plenty to do inside bkk without venturing outside....that trip would take a whole day really...

Ken,

If you only have 3 days in Bangkok I don't know if you want to use one whole day going to the Floating Market and the Tiger Temple. Having said that, I would. The experience of sitting amongst the tigers is something I am going to remember and cherish for ever. Believe me, I am not one to gush BUT!!!

Perhaps you could miss the Floating Market and go straight to the Tiger Temple--I don't think that I am being much help--you really don't have enough time to see a fraction of what Bangkok offers.

Are you planning on going back to Thailand in the future?

Rob

Thanks for your input, Bob... I know, it just seems like there's so much to see and do, and so little time in which to do it... and I'd like for us to really be able to take our time, since that seems to be the best way to really experience the region...

I think the biggest decision is deciding what we think is most important... some people want to see every Wat in Bangkok... others feel like once you've seen a few, you get a general sense of it and really don't need to see any more of the similar...

I think what we are looking for most are unique experiences - we're looking to see and do things that we can't do anywhere else - especially anything close to NYC. Now the question is how to narrow that down to about 3 days... There has been a lot of good advice and discussion on the boards - we're still filtering through it all!

As for restaurants - thank you very much, I received your list the other week... We are definitely studying the Thai section for interesting restaurants. While we are looking for authentic Thai food (not toned down for tourists), we would also like good service in a nice atmosphere... We're currently looking at the Thai restaurant at the Pen, Harmonique and we're debating between Face and Tongue Thai.. I've read some good and not-so-good reports of both recently on the boards... and we're also considering skipping Face becasue we'll be spending about 3 days in Chiang Mai, which I gather is full of Lanna Thai style cooking...

Thanks again for your input!
Ken

Rob - you're right about 3 days not being enough time to see what Bangkok offers... without having been there yet, I would imagine that it would be like trying to see all of New York City in 3 days... yes, you can see the main stuff - Times Square, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, etc. but there would be tons of amazing stuff you would miss...

With that said, unfortunately, I can't change my plans very easily now - since we're leaving in early March.

As for when we'll be going back... well, without having been there yet, I feel like I'd want to go back all the time - however, with my job and my wife-to-be's job, we can't always find large blocks of time for vacations... we typically take long weekends - which isn't necessarily practical when travelling halfway around the world... then again, it's not that practical for a trip to Paris either, but that didn't stop me in the past!!! haha...

Thanks for your replies - I would never say that you (or anyone else on the boards) are of no help - any input at all is well appreciated! Ken

kh---here are some sightseeing ideas::

grand palace of course
jim thompson house
klong tour of thornburi
wat pho
wat arun mabble wat
and that's enough wats for a first short trip
v-mark palace
patpong at nite
64th floor of the state building at silom and new roads---sky bar--one drink
daytime ride on chao payra express boats--5 or 6 stops up river from taskim pier
barge museum, in combo with klong tour


harmonique---it is unique,,, the service is not very good...food is excellent, it is cheap...but good quality

tongue thai...we have had our best thai meals there..

the penn thai al fresco...unique..food was good but not my favorite...more regional...nice experience however and moderate price...

jesters at penn is excellent, but you could be in nyc except for the river view...

rang mahal sunday brunch at rembrandt hotel--excellent

face is worth the trip at nite especially

Finally got through this entire thread as well as your photos, Rob. Very nice report - thanks for taking the time.

Bob, I made a copy of your list of suggested sites/restaurants..thanks! Anyone else have anything to add for first time visitors (just the generic itinerary/must try restaurants..obviously other stuff is probably best to be tailored individually).

Thanks for the list Bob!!! We have definitely planned on most of the items in the list... however, what's the barge museum?? I've read some references to it in other posts, but I'm not quite sure what it is... how long does it take to go through? If doing it in combo with klong tour, does the boat driver just hang around and wait for you or do you pick up a new driver when finished?? Thanks again... Ken

Joe,

Send me you e-mail address and I will send you to the shutterfly site so that you can see my pictures.

Rob

Maisymoo,

Glad you liked the report & the pictures.

Thank you for your kind words Frank.

Rob

Great report Rob--really informative. I am planning a first trip to Thailand (actually spent a few days in Bangkok a few years ago on a cruise--but this will be a more in-depth trip) in November. One of my plans is to spend 4-5 days at the end of the trip in a beach resort area. I was concerned when I read about the widespread rain in the area. Do you (or anyone else) know whether that is unusual and/or should I be focused on one area over another for mid to late November. Any help would be appreciated.

Cadwex

The way the weather is changing worldwide I don't think that anyone can predict what the weather is going to be like at any time in any location.

We were rained out in Samui in December but had wonderful weather in Koh Chang when we changed hotels.

Prior to our trip to Thailand I was under the impression that the rainy season would be finished when we arrived--wrong!!

I would think that the East Coast would be your best bet for November but others on this site are much more knowledgeable than I am.

Rob

What a wonderful trip report - funny too!

Thanks Rob. I will post a new message asking just that question. I know what you mean regarding world weather in general however. I'm really impressed how you got yourselves to the right place with no advance planning. Hope I will be that flexible and quick on my feet if I need to be.