Photos from the trip can be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roro_in_perth/sets/72157626747613674/
Day 1: Transfer to Bangkok
Flight on Jetstar. Happy with the service on this no-frills airline.
Transport: Passengers arriving at Bangkok international airport (Suvarnabhumi) enter the arrivals hall on Level 2. You will need to go down to Level 1 to access the public taxi rank (known as a taxi-meter). Don’t worry, there is plenty of signage.
You line up at one of the desks and tell the attendant your destination who will fill out a piece of paper which will detail the driver’s operating license number and also has telephone numbers and addresses to contact should you have a problem or complaint. Do not give this slip of paper to the driver, it is for you to keep. You will then be allocated a driver.
The flag-fall charge is 35 Baht which will be displayed on the meter when you start the journey. You will also have to pay the fixed airport surcharge of 50 Baht. If you travel via the express-way, you will have to pay the tolls (for me, it was 25 and 45 baht respectively).
The trip from the airport to the Viengthai Hotel (near Khaosan Road) cost me 263 baht (just over $8AUD).
Accommodation: Viengthai Hotel, 42 Rambuttri Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand. 02-2805434 (Separate review coming soon!)
Day 2: Bangkok
5am: Tour With Tong Pick-up in hotel foyer for VIP tiger temple & Elephant bath day trip
Tong contact: +66 8 1 8350240
· Long drive to Kanchanaburi Province (approx. 2 Hours).
· Visit The Bridge Over the River Kwai.
· Arrive the Tiger temple for the VIP morning program.
· Give food to the Monks.
· Play and Bottle-feed tiger cubs.
· Walk leisurely with the young tigers.
· Exercise the young tigers “unchained” in the small waterfall and playground.
· Give the tigers a bath.
· Hand feed cooked chicken to a tiger.
· Walk privately with the large tiger.
· Watch the “unchained” tigers exercise.
· Have lunch in a local restaurant.
· Elephant bath.
· Back to Bangkok (or you have the option of returning to the Tiger Temple for a free photo of a tiger laying in your lap).
Price : 8,500 baht per passenger (approx. $265AUD each).
This price includes:
· Airconditioned Transport.
· Gasoline & Toll fees along the trip.
· Licensed English Speaking tour guide
· The VIP morning program at the tiger temple.
· Lunch
· Elephant Village fee.
· Food given to the monks.
This price doesn’t include:
· Personal Expenses.
· Tip for the mahout at the Elephant Bath (is optional, but 100 THB each is appreciated due to the high cost of looking after and feeding the elephants)
(Separate review coming soon!)
Day 3: Bangkok
8.30am: Tour With Tong Pick-up in hotel foyer for Bangkok tour by public transport.
Flower Market / The Grand Palace & The Royal Temple of The Emerald Buddha / Wat Pho / Canal Tour / Shopping areas.
Total price for 8 hours: 1500THB (doesn’t matter how many in the tour, this is the total cost. Does not include entrance fees to temple or public transport fees)
(Separate review coming soon!)
Day 4: Bangkok (Start of 8 day Intrepid Tour – Explore Northern Thailand)
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/ttsk (Separate review coming soon!)
No planned activities for the day.
6pm: Meeting of Intrepid Tour in the lobby of the hotel. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information.
Day 5: Sukhothai
This morning we leave the hustle and bustle heading north by train bound for Phistanulok (approx. 6hrs), where we then transfer to Songthaews (open backed pick ups) for the remaining journey to Sukhothai (approx. 1hr).
Sukhothai was the first ancient capital of Siam, established in the 13th century. Located on a fertile plain, Sukhothai means the "Dawn of Happiness" and is now famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Park celebrating the Golden Age of Thai civilisation.
Why not try a local central Thai dish like Sukhothai Noodles at the fascinating local night market, your leader can assist in your selections.
Our clean, comfortable guesthouse in Sukothai is centrally located near the night markets and has air conditioning and ensuite shower.
Day 6: Lampang
The morning greets us with a bicycle day trip around the historical ruins of Old Sukhothai, set amid beautiful lakes and gardens (it is approx. 30 minutes from the guesthouse by songthaew).
Upon our arrival at the historical park, we hire bicycles and enjoy a few leisurely hours feeling the breeze in our hair and learning about the history of this fascinating place. We enjoy a home-cooked picnic lunch somewhere along the way, and conclude our afternoon with a visit to a ceramics factory and local market.
In the afternoon we head to Lampang (approx. 3 hours) where we stay the night. Our basic twin share fan-cooled rooms are located in the town centre and close to the river, with multi share bathrooms.
Day 7: Homestay
In the morning, we visit the Elephant Conservation Centre near Lampang (approx. 45 minutes), where we can watch elephants having a communal bathing session as well as young and old elephants being taught the skills in the logging industry. Afterwards, we enjoy an unforgettable ride through the forest on the back of one of these magnificent creatures. After lunch there is time to visit the F.A.E. Elephant Hospital and then it's off to the warm and welcoming home of Intrepid's long-time friends.
We stay the night at a homestay in a small Thai village (approx. 1.5 hours from the Elephant Centre). Although accommodation is multi-share and basic (there will be fold-out mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms), we experience everyday Thai life - something not many travellers get to do. In the evening, we are treated to a traditional northern Thai khan tohk dinner accompanied by live music and dancing.
Day 8 - 10: Chiang Mai
In the morning we may have the opportunity to offer alms to the monks as they go about their daily routine.
We then pack a picnic lunch and set off by songthaew for the nearby hot springs where you can have an optional well-deserved soak in the mineral pools or a massage. Afterwards we continue for the short distance (approx. 40mins) to Chiang Mai.
Our accommodation provides a return to modernity, a great way to get refreshed before heading out to explore all Chiang Mai has to offer. A great night bazaar with lots of excellent food and plenty of colourful goodies for sale are waiting, and this is the perfect opportunity to unleash your bargaining skills. Later on, you might want to head down to a riverside bar for some live music and a couple of drinks.
The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has many famous temples and an interesting old city area. A great way to see the surrounding countryside is our cycling tour, on which you will visit temples and other places of interest. In your free time, you can visit the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep for stunning views over the city, attend Thai cooking classes, try bamboo rafting, shop or indulge in traditional Thai massage.
Our clean, comfortable guesthouse in Chiang Mai is located by the famous night markets and has ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.
In the afternoon of day 9, we board an overnight train for the trip back to Bangkok (approx. 13 hours). We use soft sleeper class trains for our overnight train journey. Multi share compartments are air-conditioned, with bunk beds; sheets and pillow provided. Our baggage travels in the carriage with us. There is a food and drink service available on board.
Day 11: Bangkok
Our train is scheduled to arrive into Bangkok in the early morning. We then transfer back to the starting hotel where this trip concludes, and you are free to depart at any time. If you are booking flights or other transport out of Bangkok on this day, please keep in mind that train delays are frequent - we suggest you do not book a flight earlier than 2:00pm.
No accommodation is included in Bangkok at the end of our tour. We have shared day rooms available for our use until 12 midday.
Transport: Taxi to airport (make sure you insist the meter is switched on!! Trip cost me approx. 320 baht (includes tolls)
4.55pm: Depart Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi) on Bangkok Airways
6.20pm: Arrive Phuket Airport
Transport: Pre-booked transport with hotel
Accommodation: Bamboo House, 492/1 Patak Rd., Karon Beach Muang, Phuket 83100 Thailand Tel : 66 76 398264 - 6. (Separate review available at http://littleroro.blogspot.com/2011/05/accommodation-review-for-bamboo-house.html )
Day 12: Phuket
Amazing Bike Tours (Separate review available at http://littleroro.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-of-amazing-bike-tours-phuket.html )
http://www.amazingbiketoursthailand.asia/phuket.php?phpMyAdmin=E5DCVEhu7MC7BvNMz9fF8mqDYRf
Phuket Country Side-Half day tour
This popular half day Biking tour in Phuket Island has our guests riding in the north east of Phuket Island, an area known for its small traditional Thai villages. Guests joining this Bike tour with Amazing Bike Tours will also have the opportunity to visit Phuket's Gibbon Rehabilitation Center and see how gibbons are cared for before being released back in to the rain forest.
This half day Phuket Bike tour will have guests Cycling on small country roads, Biking off road through palm and rubber tree plantations along dirt tracks. The route does also include a few hills. This bike tour is followed by our support vehicle, apart from the off road sections when the mini bus is never too far away.
· Tour Cost : 1,600 Thai Baht
· Trip duration : Half Day
· Departure Days : Every Monday and Thursday.
· Pick up time: 7:30-8:30am at your Phuket hotel.
· Drop off : Usually around 13:30-14:00 at your hotel, resort, guest house in Phuket.
· Children : Children aged12-16 years are welcome on this trip and receive a 200 Baht discount.
· Bike Rental : Trek Mountain Bike, helmet and water bottle are included in the tour price.
· Tour Distance : 20 KM
· Support :This Bike tour is followed by a support vehicle apart from the off road sections when the bus is never too far away.
· Insurance : Limited Insurance is provided by Amazing Bike Tours.
· Group size : Minimum 2, Maximum 12.
· What to bring : Sports shoes suitable for cycling, T-shirt, shorts or long pants, Sun cream, Hat, Sunglasses, camera.
· Tour Includes : Mini Bus Transfer to/from your hotel, Trek Mountain Bike, Helmet, Water Bottle, Fruits, Drinking water, English speaking guide, support vehicle and Limited Insurance.
Dinner:
Ging Restaurant, 192/36 Karon Road, Karon, Phuket 83100, Thailand. Ph 0812712446.
Here is my review from TripAdvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g1215780-d1199818-Reviews-Ging_Restaurant-Karon_Phuket.html) :
“Average food...I really can't see what the fuss about this place”
Date of review: 10 May 2011
I went to Ging's last night with my sister based on the reviews on trip advisor. Red Onion was closed for a few weeks (boo!), so Ging's was second on my list. Having travelled throughout Bangkok and northern Thailand the week before and being spoilt for choice in terms of fabulous dishes, I was expecting amazing food at Ging's but was disappointed with the food. We were one of two groups at the restaurant so there was no atmosphere (although I guess May is the low season). I ordered Pad Thai chicken for 120 THB (as I was missing the fresh Pad Thai I ate on Khao San Road - a bargain at 50THB). It was one big gluggy mess. The noodles were sticky and tasteless and the only fresh ingredient I could taste was a few spring onions thrown into the dish. My sister ordered Seafood and Vegetables served in a gravy type sauce for 300 THB. Rice was an additional cost. Her dish looked a bit better (there were a few unidentifiable bits of seafood thrown in it), but for 300THB, I expected an awful lot better than what she was served. So a disappointing experience really after all the hype - I honestly can't understand why others rave about at this place. Sure, the servings are big and the food is relatively cheap (for Phuket), but I have eaten much better (and fresher) food in Thailand. Although the free serving of fresh fruit after the meal was a nice touch, it is not enough to make me want to go back for what I would class as an ordinary meal.
Day 13: Phuket
Organic Massage
Day 14: Phuket
JC Tour Phuket Day Trip (Separate review coming soon!)
08:00 AM - Land transfer by air-condition vehicle to Sea Cave Canoe's private pier at Leam Sai (East Cost of Phuket Island)
09:00 AM - Depart to Phang-Nga Bay: transfer by comfortable escort boat. Sigh seeing transfer length is about 45 Minutes passed a hundred of difference shape Islands.
10:00 AM - Arrive at Kho Panak, start to explore by canoeing to Bat Cave, Sea Tunnel, Oyster Cave, and Diamond Cave. Those places can make you forget your be hide. See the unseen place Hong Island (Rooms Island)
11:30 PM - Visit the world famous James Bond Island, the movie named James Bond 007 filming here.
13:00 PM - Having the buffet Lunch as the escort boat cruise to sigh seeing Phang-Nga Bay View
14:30 PM - Arriving Lawa Island. Do self paddling or show your swimming as well as sunbathing on the beach.
16:00 PM - Back to the Sea Cave Pier, sip the good bye drink.
17:00 PM - Arrive the hotel
Cost: 1,700 Baht/person for adult; 1,000 Baht/person for child (under 12 years old).
Tour includes:
· Transfer in-out from the hotel
· Unlimited Snacks and Soft Drink and Water
· Lunch on board
· Life Jacket
· Insurance
· Tour guide & paddle guide
What to bring:
· Swimming Suits
· Shorts & light T-shirt
· Beach towel
· Sunscreen
· Hat
· Sunglasses
· Camera
Depart Day 15
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