Three days with Tong and crew: January 2010
Jan 22nd, 2010, 07:14 PM
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Three days with Tong and crew: January 2010
Here is some up-to-date info about working with Tong.
We contacted Tong a few months before our trip. She emailed us a few days after we emailed her and we transacted most of our business during one hour (10 AM EST, 10 PM Bangkok time). We hired her compnay for two days. Later, we asked for an airport pickup (700 baht). She asked me to email her to confirm with the flight number but she did not email me back after that.
We figured - if she shows up, great, if not, we would figure it out ourselves.
Tong delivered and then some. A friendly man was at the airport waiting for us just outside of baggage claim and delivered us to our hotel with no fuss. As soon as we arrived at the hotel, Tong called us and informed us that Anjana would do a city tour with us the next day. at whatever time we asked and that Tong herslef would take us to the floating market and the fishing village the following day at 7 AM.
Anjana was great - professional, knowledgable, sweet, and funny. She asked us what we wanted to do, we told her, and she took us to every place, using various forms of transportation (boat, tuk-tuk, taxi, walking). She cost 1500 baht for 8 hours, plus we paid for our entrance fees and the transport.
Tong is a treasure. So personable, so caring, so invested in her culture and traditions. Don't have time to wax on about her now (will do so later), but she is the real deal. So kind in so many ways. And she really goes out of her way to make things special for you. The day broke down like this - 3000 for ten hours of Tong + 1000 for gas +2000 for the boat ride and seafood lunch at thr fishing village- so about 200 US for the day. Worth every penny.
Some tips: let Tong and the guide know up front your likes and dislikes and they willbend over backwards to make sure things are perfect for you. They don't take you to shops or try to make you buy anything.
Gotta go - off the the weekend market!
We contacted Tong a few months before our trip. She emailed us a few days after we emailed her and we transacted most of our business during one hour (10 AM EST, 10 PM Bangkok time). We hired her compnay for two days. Later, we asked for an airport pickup (700 baht). She asked me to email her to confirm with the flight number but she did not email me back after that.
We figured - if she shows up, great, if not, we would figure it out ourselves.
Tong delivered and then some. A friendly man was at the airport waiting for us just outside of baggage claim and delivered us to our hotel with no fuss. As soon as we arrived at the hotel, Tong called us and informed us that Anjana would do a city tour with us the next day. at whatever time we asked and that Tong herslef would take us to the floating market and the fishing village the following day at 7 AM.
Anjana was great - professional, knowledgable, sweet, and funny. She asked us what we wanted to do, we told her, and she took us to every place, using various forms of transportation (boat, tuk-tuk, taxi, walking). She cost 1500 baht for 8 hours, plus we paid for our entrance fees and the transport.
Tong is a treasure. So personable, so caring, so invested in her culture and traditions. Don't have time to wax on about her now (will do so later), but she is the real deal. So kind in so many ways. And she really goes out of her way to make things special for you. The day broke down like this - 3000 for ten hours of Tong + 1000 for gas +2000 for the boat ride and seafood lunch at thr fishing village- so about 200 US for the day. Worth every penny.
Some tips: let Tong and the guide know up front your likes and dislikes and they willbend over backwards to make sure things are perfect for you. They don't take you to shops or try to make you buy anything.
Gotta go - off the the weekend market!
Jan 22nd, 2010, 07:29 PM
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so glad you've gotten to see what we're all talking about, uname!
also glad that you were not put off by the nastiness of some on that other post and you stuck with Tong and sounds like had a really fantastic time.
also glad that you were not put off by the nastiness of some on that other post and you stuck with Tong and sounds like had a really fantastic time.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 09:51 PM
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It is great to see that you are satisfied, as I was pretty sure you would be.
Thanks for coming back and telling us about it. It confirms my faith in Tong and helps to justify our defense of her whilst offsetting all the vitriol that comes with it.
Thanks for coming back and telling us about it. It confirms my faith in Tong and helps to justify our defense of her whilst offsetting all the vitriol that comes with it.
Jan 23rd, 2010, 03:02 AM
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Glad you had a good time. Your experience with Tong and her team is the most frequent report that we get. Our praise for Tong and loyal backing stems from similar enjoyment. A few do not appreciate her charms, but that's inevitable. Please tell us more detail.
Jan 24th, 2010, 06:43 AM
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When I used the forum for our travels in 2003, 2005 and 2007 to Thailand and Malaysia I read mostly very good reports about Tong and RATT. Though we used RATT on our travels Tong sounds just as friendly, informed as RATT. I would think there rates are competitive. The oly issue some had with RATT was if RATT did not promise she could hanle you personally 1 or 2 of her team were not as capable but we always insisted on her and it was great. On our next trip in 2011 I hate to change and try Tong but maybe I will consider it or stick with a good thing.At least there are 2 good driver/guides to use. I realize Ratt is not licemsed but it was never a problem in the 10 days we used her in our 3 trips though.
Jan 25th, 2010, 04:00 PM
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We left at 9 PM and ended up practically flying to the airport because there was no traffic - the trip cost 280 baht plus tolls.
Back in Boston now (I think - we elected a Republican)?
Back in Boston now (I think - we elected a Republican)?
