TRIP REPORT-6 cities in 3 weeks
Dec 2nd, 2005, 01:58 PM
#24
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Andy, I just tried switching the names and it stil comes out not too farfetched---
Doctor with a brain?(except for neurologists) Lawyer with a a sense of humor? Banker with a conscience?
Doctor with a brain?(except for neurologists) Lawyer with a a sense of humor? Banker with a conscience?
Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:16 PM
#27
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#5 ANGKOR WAT
We had a nonstop flight on Bangkok Airways from LP-Siem Reap. It flies 3 days a week but there is a daily connection through BKK. We saved time in immigration because we had our visas issued in USA.
We hired Pon Heary on recommendations from this board and we were very glad we did. She was smart, flexible, articulate, quickly gauged our level of knowledge and interest and designed her show and tell accordingly. She was sociable and made a good travel companion. She knew where to go where the crowds were thin, an important skill since Angkor gets 1 million visitors annually and most come between Nov-Mar.
We spent 2 full days and a half touring Angkor. We felt our time was well spent. Bante Srey is a must and Pon Heary will take you there when there are no tourist buses.
She currently charges $45 daily that includes a driver with a/c car—well worth the money.
I found Siem Reap the town, dusty and ugly. But you are there for one thing alone which is Angkor and the temples are extraordinary. If you have read the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana with some understanding of Buddhism, the temples will speak to you, for that is what they display in their magnificent carvings. Don’t go without reading something.
FCC hotel served our needs for $95 a night –cash rate through Pon Heary. It is not a 5 star but close.
We were quite happy eating dinner at FCC nightly because of the heat and humidity outside.
Last stop………..Bangkok
We had a nonstop flight on Bangkok Airways from LP-Siem Reap. It flies 3 days a week but there is a daily connection through BKK. We saved time in immigration because we had our visas issued in USA.
We hired Pon Heary on recommendations from this board and we were very glad we did. She was smart, flexible, articulate, quickly gauged our level of knowledge and interest and designed her show and tell accordingly. She was sociable and made a good travel companion. She knew where to go where the crowds were thin, an important skill since Angkor gets 1 million visitors annually and most come between Nov-Mar.
We spent 2 full days and a half touring Angkor. We felt our time was well spent. Bante Srey is a must and Pon Heary will take you there when there are no tourist buses.
She currently charges $45 daily that includes a driver with a/c car—well worth the money.
I found Siem Reap the town, dusty and ugly. But you are there for one thing alone which is Angkor and the temples are extraordinary. If you have read the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana with some understanding of Buddhism, the temples will speak to you, for that is what they display in their magnificent carvings. Don’t go without reading something.
FCC hotel served our needs for $95 a night –cash rate through Pon Heary. It is not a 5 star but close.
We were quite happy eating dinner at FCC nightly because of the heat and humidity outside.
Last stop………..Bangkok
Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:26 PM
#28
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Good to hear from you, Laurieco.....is your trip to SE Asia all planned? I posted travel agent info for Indonesia/Jogja-let me know if you need more details..
Yes, there are exceptions to every principle....you indeed have a good sense of humor...but that is an exception...
GTG in CT-why not, how about Feb when we have been hammered by a few snowstorms
we can call it the " travel share and care get together"
Yes, there are exceptions to every principle....you indeed have a good sense of humor...but that is an exception...
GTG in CT-why not, how about Feb when we have been hammered by a few snowstorms
we can call it the " travel share and care get together"
Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:39 PM
#29
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Kishore-sounds super. Glad to hear the verification of Ponheary's skill. We're using Ponheary in late December. She booked the Prince D'Angkor for us. Did you pay her in cash? US dollars? The hotel in cash? US dollars? Thanks.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:42 PM
#30
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Guenami,
sorry I did not reply to your post....I do appreciate your tuning in.......I am looking forward to your upcoming asia trip report. you must be excited.....I think travel is soul dialysis !
sorry I did not reply to your post....I do appreciate your tuning in.......I am looking forward to your upcoming asia trip report. you must be excited.....I think travel is soul dialysis !
Dec 2nd, 2005, 03:55 PM
#32
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Andy, we paid Pon Heary in US dollars cash and we paid her for the hotel charges in cash dollars as well, as per her request.
I will send her an email saying nice things about you..maybe she will lend you an umbrella, so you wont have to go to the local ER with heat stroke
I will send her an email saying nice things about you..maybe she will lend you an umbrella, so you wont have to go to the local ER with heat stroke
Dec 3rd, 2005, 07:43 AM
#35
Kishore, the trip is planned in my head only at this point! I tried to Call Thai Airways this morning to book flights but they aren't opened on weekends so will try during the week. I may need you to ante up on more info about the hotel you stayed at in Borobudor in case the Aman doesn't work out. I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth $700 per night more.
Dec 3rd, 2005, 02:40 PM
#36
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Laurieco, since the main attraction of Borobudur is the temple,in my opinion save the $700 to splurge on food and yes go stay at the Hyatt...book at asiarooms for $45-an incredible value IMO.
Now if you were writing a moviescript or needed a break after the last large tort case ....go to Amanjiwo!
Seriously if you need furhter please let me know..I will send you my email address
Now if you were writing a moviescript or needed a break after the last large tort case ....go to Amanjiwo!
Seriously if you need furhter please let me know..I will send you my email address
Dec 9th, 2005, 07:38 PM
#40
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Last stop…BANGKOK
Sorry for the delay in posting this last part…caught up in too much work, it’s about time for another vacation.
Bangkok has been extremely well detailed on this board, I think nobody needs to read a guide, there is so much info here
ACCOMODATION: The Peninsula hotel lived up to all the hoopla…we stayed on the 28th floor. The room had all you could ever want in a hotel room and then some. Breakfast selection was varied and plentiful .The view of the Chao Phraya was from two floor to ceiling windows. As Gpanda wrote, watching the river traffic is riveting and relaxing. Service was excellent. Room booked thru asiarooms
SIGHTSEEING: Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun ,Vimanmek Mansion were easily accessible by water taxi and a land taxi if needed. We had a wonderful visit at the National Museum. Else, a Dutch volunteer who resides in Bangkok, lead us on a fascinating guided tour that lasted 3.5 hours and left all of us richer in understanding of the wonderful Buddhist-Hindu fusion that is Thailand. The tour, which is free, is offered in English on Wed and Thurs at 9-30am and starts outside the ticket office. Do not miss it. Fireworks on Loy Krathong night –Nov 16 were awesome when seen from our room. We watched the new Harry Potter movie at EGV Grand Theater—the business class seating with socks, blankets and pillows thrown in was something we had never seen before. Table service was pricey and the movie cost 600baht each, but it was a great way to spend a hot afternoon.
TRANSPORTATION: getting around on the monorail and water taxi is fairly easy. We did get our share of “ Wat Pho is closed today” scams but one we have not seen described here is the 20baht “landing fee” we were charged when we got off at the Wat Pho pier. I just smiled and waied my way out-no problem. We met locals who have us wrong directions a couple of times, quite confidently…and our map came to the rescue.
RESTAURANTS;
1. Face-Lana Thai-different ,pricey, great atmosphere
2. Tongue thai-recommended by rhkkmk-fantastic thai food—thanks bob
3. Thiptara ( Peninsula)- they had a special prix fixe dinner for Loy Krathong night. The food was extraordinary. They gave us our own Loy Krathongs and helped us light them and float them on the Chao Phraya, while Thai dancers serenaded us. It was very romantic.
4. We ate lunches at several generic thai places at different malls and they were all GOOD and SPICY
We flew to Kuala Lumpur to catch our return flight and had to saty over for the night. The KLIA Concorde Inn @ $45 inclusive of taxes and large buffet breakfast was plain, clean and convenient place to stay close to the airport. They upgraded us to a suite. We had the refurbished first class cabin on the return trip on Malaysian and the service, food was of high caliber. All in all a memorable 3 weeks !
Happy Travels!
Sorry for the delay in posting this last part…caught up in too much work, it’s about time for another vacation.
Bangkok has been extremely well detailed on this board, I think nobody needs to read a guide, there is so much info here
ACCOMODATION: The Peninsula hotel lived up to all the hoopla…we stayed on the 28th floor. The room had all you could ever want in a hotel room and then some. Breakfast selection was varied and plentiful .The view of the Chao Phraya was from two floor to ceiling windows. As Gpanda wrote, watching the river traffic is riveting and relaxing. Service was excellent. Room booked thru asiarooms
SIGHTSEEING: Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun ,Vimanmek Mansion were easily accessible by water taxi and a land taxi if needed. We had a wonderful visit at the National Museum. Else, a Dutch volunteer who resides in Bangkok, lead us on a fascinating guided tour that lasted 3.5 hours and left all of us richer in understanding of the wonderful Buddhist-Hindu fusion that is Thailand. The tour, which is free, is offered in English on Wed and Thurs at 9-30am and starts outside the ticket office. Do not miss it. Fireworks on Loy Krathong night –Nov 16 were awesome when seen from our room. We watched the new Harry Potter movie at EGV Grand Theater—the business class seating with socks, blankets and pillows thrown in was something we had never seen before. Table service was pricey and the movie cost 600baht each, but it was a great way to spend a hot afternoon.
TRANSPORTATION: getting around on the monorail and water taxi is fairly easy. We did get our share of “ Wat Pho is closed today” scams but one we have not seen described here is the 20baht “landing fee” we were charged when we got off at the Wat Pho pier. I just smiled and waied my way out-no problem. We met locals who have us wrong directions a couple of times, quite confidently…and our map came to the rescue.
RESTAURANTS;
1. Face-Lana Thai-different ,pricey, great atmosphere
2. Tongue thai-recommended by rhkkmk-fantastic thai food—thanks bob
3. Thiptara ( Peninsula)- they had a special prix fixe dinner for Loy Krathong night. The food was extraordinary. They gave us our own Loy Krathongs and helped us light them and float them on the Chao Phraya, while Thai dancers serenaded us. It was very romantic.
4. We ate lunches at several generic thai places at different malls and they were all GOOD and SPICY
We flew to Kuala Lumpur to catch our return flight and had to saty over for the night. The KLIA Concorde Inn @ $45 inclusive of taxes and large buffet breakfast was plain, clean and convenient place to stay close to the airport. They upgraded us to a suite. We had the refurbished first class cabin on the return trip on Malaysian and the service, food was of high caliber. All in all a memorable 3 weeks !
Happy Travels!
