24 hours and 15 minutes since its inception this post has garnered 99 replies. I claim the homour of being 100.

Thanks dogster BUT there might be a last minute change of plan with our W. Australia travel.

MaryW,

If we do go to Margaret River I hope you don't mind me asking you some question Mary. Will know by early next week where we will be going for sure.

Talk about "inception" just watched it yesterday - great flick dogster.

Are you talking about Howling V? In which Dogster is eaten by a werewolf? You mean you actually watched it all the way through? That's more than I've EVER done.

Thanks, dogster. I had my Spousal Equivalent drooling over the Upper Mekong and now you've blown it. I thought the mere sailing would be exhilarating given the navigational challenges described.

I noted the "Lost Civilization" cruise mentioned the fascinating Mekong fish farms. NOT! Talk about boring. Not to mention nauseating with dead fish floating around in fenced off fish pens and huge bags of mass-produced fish food at the ready. I can never again eat shrimp and other fish that come from SEA. Blech.
But retail opportunites and hard-eyed villagers, please no. Tho having been around the world last year, much of it on a boat, I found very few places (Oman is one) that weren't like that.

So, in a mere 48 hours we have made one decision: One week. Good idea about the jumping off point for further adventures.

There are only 6 singles and 2 suites available on that Chindwin itin. in Sept. 2010. I've already had to cancel a Sept. trip to Africa, so definitely can't do that. But it looks interesting.
Perhaps give them a head's up for Set. 2011 now in case we can book the whole boat, or most of it?

No, no dogster. "Inception" with your look alike and protege - Leonardo DiDogster.

Kenya is back on the planning board after report of a great migration! Trouble is I might have to do it alone.

Dog is gone.

At least he is pre-embalmed.

Dear Dogblabbermouth, thanks for that - I'm sure I would like Hanuman very much.

Hanuman - if you do get to WA let me know your dates - unfortunately I'm flying out on 4th August to South Korea. Will be back 24th August. However I'll be in Perth on the 3rd - maybe we will have a chance to meet there.

Any questions I'm happy to try with. Margaret River is still a 3 hour drive from me so I don't go there all that often - you should look at the Walpole/Denmark region as well - lovely area but it is our winter and although not very cold it is the wettest time.

Let me know and we can get in touch.
Mary

Thank you MaryW. I remembered that you'll be going to S.Korea for a ceramic exhibition from your earlier post. I was looking at a place call "La Foret Enchantee" which I can find very little information about or any review. But it look more like Kenya now.

It looks nice Hanuman and is in a nice spot but I don't know it - I will ask around and see what I hear. If you are more likely to go to Kenya for now, I'll keep my eyes open and see whats good for the future.

It looks like the Pandaw1947 can be chartered. That's something we should look into, if we have enough people. My guess is that when it comes to clicking the BUY button, the number of participants will drop dramatically. We have to ensure that the kibitzers not influence the plan. Let's identify the people who are <b>seriously</b> considering going sometime in 2011 to either India, Burma, or somewhere else in SE Asia, for a 7 day cruise which will probably cost in the neighborhood of $3,000/pp. Assume that the selected cruise has a good itinerary, accommodations, etc.

For each of the three possible destinations (India, Burma, SE Asia not Burma) please give the number of people and place yourself on a scale of 0-10, where 0 is hell no, I won't go and 10 is bar exceptional circumstances I intend to go.
I'll start: 2 people India (5), Burma (10), Other (10)

Optimally, we need an Oct/Nov date in 2011. We do have some flexibility, though not as much as we might wish.

India - we would be most interested in the Ganges, but it sounds like that's only available as a longer cruise. If we could get the Ganges (Varanasi) segment we'd be more likely to go (8-9). Elsewhere in India 2 people, (5).

Burma - We'd love to return to Burma, but would be most interested in the Chindwin or similar. If the Pandaw 1947 is able to be chartered for our group, and if we could move the cruise to Oct or Nov, that would be best for us. 2 people (8-9). If it's the "usual" Burma cruise, 2 people (5).

SE Asia elsewhere - I assume this to be the HCMC to Siem Reap cruise 2 people (8-9).

The only possibility for me is Chindwin in Feb 2011, provided the cost isn't significantly above $300/night. But since I'd still only be a 6 or 7, discount my input. If it works out that way, great, I'll give it more thought then - I plan to be in Myanmar in Feb anyway.

Good way to set it up, Marija.
2 people. Burma (10), non-Burma SEA (8-9), India (meh/depends where/4-5). Flexible on the month. Feb good, so's Nov.

I like the idea of one week. I would not be interested in Burma cruising unless it would be the Chindwin.


I would be most interested in India, I think, but need to do more reading and hear more details.

I am not much interested in the Lower Mekong. Seems too well worn a path for our intrepid group.


I am "one person only," as they called me in Vietnam.

india would hold the most interest for us... timeframes are totally open thus far for 2011...

Well Bob, this will make for interesting dinner conversation between us tonight. Looking forward to it.

Bob can you rate your likelihood of going on a "good" one week India cruise, using the 0-10 scale? I assume you're not interested in Burma and SE Asia other, correct?

eks, if we put together Chindwin, how likely are you to go using the 0-10 scale? Assuming a "good" India trip, how likely are you to go?

(I am more than aware of the perils of attempting to quantify something like this, but unless we can gauge interest in some crude fashion it's going to be hard to proceed.)