Phuket and Bangkok - Anyone been?

[RG]

Originally Posted by scradley_6666

This thread has become very interesting for me as i leave this friday for phuket.... I'm lookin forward to phi phi island and the sea kayaks already got those tours pre-booked... I'll let you know how i go...

Please do, this thread got me thinking so I mentioned it to the mrs.

Looks like were off to Phuket later this year.

[Pinch]

Yeah, the Phi Phi Island tour seems a must. Best I can find is AUD 65 pp.

Other things that look cool are the Elephant tour and ride in Phuket ($44 pp) and the Tiger Temple and bridge over the River Kwai tour that I have found for $86pp (from Bangkok).

Never really thought much about Thailand, but its looks pretty fantastic. I hope I can get my deals done to make it come off.

[blueoval]

Pinch

yes the tiger temple is a must based on what my friends who were there last year have said. An experience to remember.

Although they said, dont go to the Zoo there as they treat the tigers with little respect. They said it was very sad to see and the tiger temple was by far the best experience of an up close encounter.

The Elephant ride is also good (once again based on friends) but prepare for mud, flies etc.

Have a good time

[Feathers]

A friend of mine is trying to get a few of us together to head over to Phuket in June/July for a week or two.

I'm not sure. Should I go just to say I've been, or give it a miss and save the money to go somewhere I actually want to go to?
I'd love a holiday, would prefer to travel with friends though none of them want to go anywhere I do, but it's never been on my list of places to visit - it just doesn't appeal to me. We have nice beaches here, and I don't like crowds, or nightclubs.


My wishlist is Canada, Finland, Prague, Holland, and maybe Hungary.

[XWildGT]

Ive been to phuket wasn't bad but i went to changmi and also went up in the hills on a trek and camped with the villagers now that was awsome had a ball went off the tourist track had a guide with us who kept us out of trouble did bangkok as well and pi-pi island went to the Burma border thats as far as we could go as there was some bad s--t going on while i was there went to the Golden triangle etc i would go back again i loved it and the changi beer is awsome i personal wouldn't spend to much time in phuket its real touristy

[RG]

Originally Posted by Feathers

A friend of mine is trying to get a few of us together to head over to Phuket in June/July for a week or two.

I'm not sure. Should I go just to say I've been, or give it a miss and save the money to go somewhere I actually want to go to?
I'd love a holiday, would prefer to travel with friends though none of them want to go anywhere I do, but it's never been on my list of places to visit - it just doesn't appeal to me. We have nice beaches here, and I don't like crowds, or nightclubs.


My wishlist is Canada, Finland, Prague, Holland, and maybe Hungary.

GO TO PRAGUE, YOU MUST GO TO PRAGUE. Most beautiful place I have ever seen, even more romantic than Paris too.

[Peuty]

One of my mates when to Thailand and he told me a story about one of the 'shows' that he went to see.

There was the usual ping pong stuff, balls etc. But the big finale, was the girl standing up, squatting a bit and squeezing a budgie out. It then flew around the room and landed on a member of the audience's head.

Classic stuff.

[blueoval]

my cousin lives in Prague. He said if I ever go, to stay with him.

LOL @ Puety and budgie story.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Feathers

My wishlist is Canada, Finland, Prague, Holland, and maybe Hungary.

If you have a sense of adventure you can easily land in Finland, travel overland through the European countries you mention then fly out from Hungry.

Finland to Estonia via Ferry (Linda lines if memory serves), then overland to Latvia, then another ferry across to Sweden, then bus (Eurolines) down to Holland via Germany, then across to Hungry through another bunch of European countries, again with bus via Eurolines.

I did a similar trip, and hostelled it along the way. Travelling overland works out to be very cheap. An added bonus is that if you bus it at night you also save a nights accomodation between destinations.

Doing it with internal flights within Europe and 3 star hotels over 2 weeks will cost the same as doing it by bus and staying in hostels over a month.

Cheers,

Jason

[RG]

Or trains if you don't like buses. We went the trains, the City Night Line was great!

[Feathers]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

If you have a sense of adventure you can easily land in Finland, travel overland through the European countries you mention then fly out from Hungry.

Finland to Estonia via Ferry (Linda lines if memory serves), then overland to Latvia, then another ferry across to Sweden, then bus (Eurolines) down to Holland via Germany, then across to Hungry through another bunch of European countries, again with bus via Eurolines.

I did a similar trip, and hostelled it along the way. Travelling overland works out to be very cheap. An added bonus is that if you bus it at night you also save a nights accomodation between destinations.

Doing it with internal flights within Europe and 3 star hotels over 2 weeks will cost the same as doing it by bus and staying in hostels over a month.

Cheers,

Jason

Thanks Jason!! That's pretty good info!!

Russell - I have no issue with bus travel - considering I drive one for a living. Actually it would probably relax me, being something so familliar!
I really want to visit Ploskovic Castle, though it's a fair way out of the city.

Germany would be interesting. Really want to go on the tour through Auschwitz.

The only thing that may hamper my travels is that I want to be in Helsinki for the Helldone Festival on New Years' Eve.
I realise that is the middle of their winter, it's dark 24/7, and bitterly cold.
It would make it virtually impossible to see things like Suomenlinna and the Rock Church.

Anyway, I won't hijack the thread any further.

Back to the regularly scheduled programming...

[belvo]

ive been to phuket once and its a preaty cool place everything so cheap. have u ever been to bali thats realy nice great shoping everthing is extremly cheap and food is awsow lobster for like 5 bucks and its a beutiful place

[Nostalgia]

Phuket and Bangkok, Jeez talk about evading the swear filter

I have never been but i have friend's over there at the moment.

They are due back late Sunday night.

I will get their feedback and pass it onto you if you like Pinch.

Cheers, Adam.

[iCat]

Spent 2 weeks in Bangkok, 5 days in a cheaper, clean hotel, and then the rest at the Marriott Resort. Under $200 aus a night for a junior suite with balcony, it is absolutely superb. Is just out of town, on the river, but the resort has small complimentary teak boats which run you up to the train station to take you right into town. It was lovely to join the hussle and bustle of Bangkok, but so nice to come back to our own private resort.

Oh, and go to the Tiger Temple. It's a little bit touristy now, but its a wonderful experience. the love and respect the monks have for their animals and the surrounding wild animals is awesome.

i only went over for the Asia Cup soccer, wasn't really keen on going to Bangkok as such, but i so want to go back again.

[Pinch]

Thanks all for the informative replies. 'Shows' aren't really my thing though, but will report back on the rest. Bon voyage to all those still to head over too.

[Pinch]

Just an update I found on Trip Advisor. Thailand has introduced a foreign card ATM fee of B150 for each transaction (credit or debit). That's about $A6. You will need to add this to your card issuers fee. So each transaction is likely to cost $8 - 15. Great way to entice tourists who are staying away in droves due to political instability.

Back to the 70's and travellers cheques and money changers it seems. Usual Thai charge for cashing traveller's cheques is B33 (about $A1.20).

[Bucknaked]

We only ever take travelers cheques and a small sum in cash, which is really in case we run out, or we need to exchange a small amount at the airport for some drinks or a bite to eat.

Just take TC. They are accepted pretty everywhere, use only the money exchange on the street as you get the best rate. Hotels are terrible. Back in October, exchange rate was low 20's. Previous 2 trip's it was low 30's.

[CPOCSM]

Originally Posted by schnoods

Im going to Bangkok and Pattaya in April.


Looking forward to good times, Seeing Family and enjoying the cheap shopping/living.

Also a tip for any singles there, check for an Adams apple, easiest way to tell...

Ahhhh Pattaya - my idea of heaven (I am a sailor remember!!)

Marilyns Bar was the place to be and if you want budget accom and be right in the thick of it, the Pattaya Lan Hotel is the place to stay - has hot AND cold running water and is air conditioned.

Phuket is not bad but the Patonga types are gunshy after the Tsunami.

As for the She-males - you will never pick them unless you do a Paul Hogan on them, if in doubt, go for the grope and come up swinging if there is meat and 2 veg!

Hooroo

Hooroo

[MrXr6Tickford]

sorry to sorta hijack the thread but i'd rather not start a new thread...

Anyone been to Hong Kong? Any tips on things to do? Should i get a guide? Im gonna try organise a few mates to go... Ill keep you all updated...

[CPOCSM]

Anywhere in Kowloon - I stayed at the Peninsula and was pickedup at the Kai Tek airport in a Rolls Royce (an old one though!!). Honkers is just a gas and very geared to the tourist dollar. I would suggest you get off the beaten track and look at the local markets - just gets you away from the hustle and bustle. Haggle your **** off too - they expect it there.

Hooroo

[Mickxr8]

the worst thing about thailand is having to come home!. been 4 times . been to chang mai , river kwai etc. my best advice is try to get a land only flight . most hotels are cheaper and then barter for tour prices @guides etc. these package tours are a ripoff