Thailand

[vicandug]

Hi all.

Ug and I are off to Thailand for 2 weeks this Friday.  I have one problem though that I am sure Ug just doesn't understand.
I'm not all that excited about going.  I would much rather be finding a spot under a tree here is Aus with my camper trailer.

Do you think there is anyway that Jetstar will let me take my camper to Thailand, then Ug, my sister and brother in law can have their fancy hotel and I can still have my home away from home on wheels?

lol...

Should be good though.

Catch up when we get back.

Vic and Ug. (Graeme)

 

[dales133]

I'm heading off there, Singapore and Malaysia in June.
Witch part of Thailand are you going?

[brickiematt]

Hi all.

Ug and I are off to Thailand for 2 weeks this Friday.  I have one problem though that I am sure Ug just doesn't understand.
I'm not all that excited about going.  I would much rather be finding a spot under a tree here is Aus with my camper trailer.

Do you think there is anyway that Jetstar will let me take my camper to Thailand, then Ug, my sister and brother in law can have their fancy hotel and I can still have my home away from home on wheels?

lol...

Should be good though.

Catch up when we get back.

Vic and Ug. (Graeme)

 

I know exactly how you feel Vic!
My wife's been trying to get me on an O/S holiday for years, but I'm simply not interested.
Too much see around this neck of the woods first
Have a safe trip, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it (just dont admit it to Graeme )
 

[vicandug]

I'm heading off there, Singapore and Malaysia in June.
Witch part of Thailand are you going?
[/quo
We are going to Phuket.  We went there a few years ago.  We also went to Koh samui last time and that is a place I loved.  Phuket is very busy and I don't really like crowds.

I will have a good time.  I will go nuts on the plane trip.  Me and sitting still for 7 hours just does not happen very well. lol.

I shouldn't complain really, some people aren't lucky enough to even have a holiday anywhere at all. 

[vicandug]

I know exactly how you feel Vic!
My wife's been trying to get me on an O/S holiday for years, but I'm simply not interested.
Too much see around this neck of the woods first
Have a safe trip, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it (just dont admit it to Graeme )
 

Exactly my point Matt!  We have a huge backyard and I can't wait to see it all.  I was outvoted 3 to 1 for this trip so I just have to suck it up.  lol.   
It will be nice to get away though. 

[Doug.b]

Just go and get a Thai massage and you will forget everything.

Doug

[dales133]

Yea i get bored to death flying anything over a couple of hours.
I've been to Thailand a bunch of times but the Mrs hasn't.
We're going to kanchanaburi (bridge over the river kwai, Tiger temple and POW camp/war musem) kho samet and Authaya at this stage.
Highlight for me is legoland in Malaysia. ..ye I'm a big kid
But I'd rather be home finishing my camper if the truth be known

[jwb]

Sorry to be there bearer of bad news but the total flight time is
more than 9! Unless you just quoting the 1st leg !
Enjoy !

[camper48]

hi all.
used to be a great holiday
oh then there is the girls
enjoy

[poidda]

Yea i get bored to death flying anything over a couple of hours.
I've been to Thailand a bunch of times but the Mrs hasn't.
We're going to kanchanaburi (bridge over the river kwai, Tiger temple and POW camp/war musem) kho samet and Authaya at this stage.
Highlight for me is legoland in Malaysia. ..ye I'm a big kid
But I'd rather be home finishing my camper if the truth be known

Anyone who goes to Thailand and doesn't go to Kanchanaburi is missing out.  It's a must.  I've spent about 3 months all over Thailand and this place and surrounds is one of my favourites.

A tip for the bridge over river kwai.  If you are staying close by, get up at sunrise and take a walk to the bridge before the bus loads of Japanese tourists arrive.  It gets very busy during the day and is absolutely stunning at sunrise.

[dales133]

Yea I've been there about 10 years ago and was there for the anniversary of the Japanese surrender and the sound and light show/festival.
I've spent close on a year in Thailand all up and it was one of my favorites for sure.
Trat province is another place I love as is northern thailand

[vicandug]

Anyone who goes to Thailand and doesn't go to Kanchanaburi is missing out.  It's a must.  I've spent about 3 months all over Thailand and this place and surrounds is one of my favourites.

A tip for the bridge over river kwai.  If you are staying close by, get up at sunrise and take a walk to the bridge before the bus loads of Japanese tourists arrive.  It gets very busy during the day and is absolutely stunning at sunrise.

Are these places near Phuket?

[tk421]

Are these places near Phuket?

About 850 km away...

I sympathise. I can't stand beach holidays. They bore me to tears. I'd rather be off exploring.  I had a great month in Asia travelling by local public transport up the Mekong through Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Sorry to disappoint you, but to my mind Phuket is just full of English hippy wannabees who've watched the Beach and think they'll 'discover' themselves if they get a Henna tattoo and some hair braids, then get off their faces at full moon party.  There's more interesting places to go.

[vicandug]

About 850 km away...

I sympathise. I can't stand beach holidays. They bore me to tears. I'd rather be off exploring.  I had a great month in Asia travelling by local public transport up the Mekong through Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.

Sorry to disappoint you, but to my mind Phuket is just full of English hippy wannabees who've watched the Beach and think they'll 'discover' themselves if they get a Henna tattoo and some hair braids, then get off their faces at full moon party.  There's more interesting places to go.

I agree!  You haven't disappointed me at all. But I was outvoted by hubby, my sister and brother inlaw. Put me under the stars with my camper any day. I hate shopping and that's what my sister will want to do.  The boys will sit at the bar on the beach.  Wow!  So much fun... Not!
Here I am sounding ungrateful again

[dales133]

I've been through lo Cambodia Thailand and Vietnam myself. All of it by local transport .
Best way to travel.
Like I said I'll probably go to kho samet as it's pretty much a thai holiday destination and not to many farang. ... Cheap sea food and just over an hour from bangers so I've been there a couple of times to escape the heat and madness.
Best island by far in Thailand kho Chang. .. Beautiful place and a bit off the beaten track

[Alan Loy]

I was "persuaded" to go to Phuket by swmbo and went with little enthusiasm but really enjoyed myself.  We got arround the island by local transport and by hiring a car for a few days. I would recommend using both particularly if you are sick of the beach.

The different beaches each have their own flavour.  Patong is really busy but there are plenty of others that are more laid back.

[GeoffA]

.......The boys will sit at the bar on the beach.......

I'm not a fan of overseas travel either, but I can see some attraction there ^....

[Alan Loy]

I agree!  You haven't disappointed me at all. But I was outvoted by hubby, my sister and brother inlaw. Put me under the stars with my camper any day. I hate shopping and that's what my sister will want to do.  The boys will sit at the bar on the beach.  Wow!  So much fun... Not!
Here I am sounding ungrateful again

Can I suggest a trip to Phuket town.  There is real history there and its an interesting place to wander arround (you can also shop or have a beer).  Have lunch there, there's plenty of options most non touristy.  If you go by local bus it will give a different appreciation for Phuket.  It's not just about tourists, real people live & work here.

If you have a car then Big Buddha is worth a visit.  The views are amazing and the trip there is scenic.  There are some great little restarants with great views to have a meal or just a drink, well worth stopping.

[Hodgies]

Watching with interest, heading off to Thailand in September with my daughter.
Will look forward to your thoughts after your trip.

[dales133]

Go to the produce markets.its where I spend a lot of my time in Asia.
Just wander round and check out the sights and sounds, get some food there.another thing I do is write down the place I'm staying in English and the local script then just walk off for hours or get a bus to the middle of nowhere and you can always find your way home in a taxi or Public transport.
Just don't forget to write down your address it makes it so much easier

[Alan Loy]

Go to the produce markets.its where I spend a lot of my time in Asia.
Just wander round and check out the sights and sounds, get some food there.another thing I do is write down the place I'm staying in English and the local script then just walk off for hours or get a bus to the middle of nowhere and you can always find your way home in a taxi or Public transport.
Just don't forget to write down your address it makes it so much easier

I always take a business card from where I'm staying or failing that get one of the staff to write it down for me.  Getting staff to write down where you're going can also be helpful.


or hire a car 

[dales133]

Yea definatly helps to have a business cars but some of the dives I've stayed in over the years, Al be it owned by very nice people, wouldn't know a business card if they saw one... but god advice

[Alan Loy]

business cards or name cards are an important thing in some places/classes and not in others.  I always used to take mine to exchange if it seemed important ie they offered theirs.  Now I'm retired I'm wondering if I should get some made up???

[dales133]

Actualy that's quite true.
Even in like 1991 when I was in Java I was asked all the time for "name card" and by Japanese ect.
I went through sumba, flores, ambon, Timor sum away ect they were pretty primitive then.
Took 8 hours to travel 130k on a bus the roads were so bad

[vicandug]

Hi all..

We are still here and I have enjoyed this trip so much more than the last one.

We have done a lot of touristy things but also just spent a lot of time by the pool.

Today we went to the floating village.   Loved it.

It's not the same Patong as our last visit which is a bit of a shame as it seems to have become more commercialised.   There are no more chairs on the beach, now there are just mats. No more bars on the beach but you can still buy alcohol and sit and have a drink.  The stall holders don't barter anywhere near as much.

But I have had a good time and really not looking forward to the all night flight on Friday and returning to the cold.  Really really looking forward to the next my swag trip to Flinders Ranges in September though.

Vicki