Bangkok Phuket Singapore and Dubai - Easter 2015

Leanne1812

MasterPoo wrote: »

We were originally going to go to Phuket, but changed to Koh Lanta, Krabi. Reading reviews Koh Lanta is hopefully as deserted as we want it to be.

I was in Koh Lanta a couple of years ago in July. It was low season and utterly deserted, most places were closed. We travelled for a family wedding so our dates were tied. It was a little too quiet for my group as we had two single guys but if April is peak/high season there should be a little more life. I really would have loved to see the fire dancers on the beach & apparently lots of little pop up bars/restaurants on the beach too in peak season.

Enjoy :-)

callum9999

Doshwaster wrote: »

OK, maybe "miserable" was the wrong word. I'm sure they are having a good time, it's just that doing Thailand on a an ultra-low budget isn't my idea of having a good time.

However, one the the beauties of Thailand is that you can spend as little or as much as you want. You can just as easily pay £2 a night for a room as £200.

Which is obviously fair enough!

An experienced backpacker can pretty much do that anywhere though. Iceland's an incredibly expensive country but I spent an average of about £15 a day (including everything) while I was there - and could have spent even less had I not taken a pricey coach up into the mountains. Ditto with the Galapagos Islands this summer - I'll be spending a tiny fraction of what normal tourists would, yet I'll no doubt enjoy it just as much as they do.

Leanne1812

I just remembered when we travelled down to Koh Lanta we did a shared minibus going and it wasn't good. It was a tight squeeze and a long wait before we even got on the road. I'd go for a private taxi if I were you or the option of the boat should be available perhaps? No boats went in July because it was rainy season.

MasterPoo

PompeyPete wrote: »

We've all had a bad travel experience. BA and Etihad have been my worst. Never had a problem with Thomson, especially on their cruises (x4). Thomson Dreamliner gets excellent reviews on the TA Air Travel Forum.



Have a look on Booking.com or Agoda for Khao Lak, Ranong, Khao Sok National Park, and Nai Yang. There are loads of comfortable places that run out at less than £150 for 7 nights. I've booked our first and final accommodation at...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297914-d1014912-Reviews-Cousin_Resort-Khao_Lak_Phang_Nga_Province.html

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297937-d1490380-Reviews-Kingsacre-Thalang_District_Phuket.html

Both were recommended by people I trust. I've got our Ranong, and Khao Sok accommodation up my sleeve, so we've got plenty of flexibility with our itinerary.

Those actually don't look to shabby, report back please?

I'm just overly fussy, but I think I will take the challenge of trying something the other end of the scale, I will never know until I try at least once.

PompeyPete

kazwookie wrote: »

Travel where you can by Bhat bus, just wave them down , and ring the bell when you want to get off, approx. 10 bhat per journey per person

What's a bhat?

Baht buses are called songtaew in most of Thailand. It's worth doing a bit of homework before using them for the first time...

http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/reader/reader427.html

There's plenty more on Google and the the Pattaya TA Forum.

MasterPoo

10 Days 7 Hours 9 Min till departure...............

I'm still reading hotel reviews, trying very hard not to get swayed into changing, but I'm just going to roll with it now, particularly looking forward to 7 nights in Koh Lanta of doing NOTHING......EAT. SWIM. SLEEP. REPEAT. I've not paid for any excursions yet, I'm going to go and see how we feel, also a friend who's just returned from a 3 week honeymoon highly recommended I go and haggle, that will be fun!

I'm toying with the idea of doing a diving course whilst in Koh Lana

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

10 Days 7 Hours 9 Min till departure...............

I'm still reading hotel reviews, trying very hard not to get swayed into changing, but I'm just going to roll with it now, particularly looking forward to 7 nights in Koh Lanta of doing NOTHING......EAT. SWIM. SLEEP. REPEAT. I've not paid for any excursions yet, I'm going to go and see how we feel, also a friend who's just returned from a 3 week honeymoon highly recommended I go and haggle, that will be fun!

I almost never book day trips in advance. It is much better to wait until you get there where you will find a travel agent on every corner where you can haggle to the best deals in person. If you don't get a good deal then just walk next door and see what happens. Leaving it until you get there also allows you change your plans as you go, see what the weather is looking like and find pick up any tips along the way.

MasterPoo

Finally I'm packing......Emirates called this morning to confirm pickup of 04h45 OUCH, but I'm excited to go on our adventure........will report back, I'm really hoping the jet lag won't be as predicted on this thread, pray for me hahahaha

I jokingly told my nail technician today might be the last time she saw me if my plane crashed, I hope it's not the case! GULP!!!!

eDicky

Doshwaster wrote: »

I almost never book day trips in advance. It is much better to wait until you get there where you will find a travel agent on every corner where you can haggle to the best deals in person. If you don't get a good deal then just walk next door and see what happens. Leaving it until you get there also allows you change your plans as you go, see what the weather is looking like and find pick up any tips along the way.

Doshwasher knows what he's talking about. But remember to be good-humoured and keep a smile on your face when negotiating / haggling over tours or anything, especially in Thailand, no need to take it too seriously western-style. Enjoy your trip, beginning with the Emirates transit at DXB T3 ..!

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

Finally I'm packing......Emirates called this morning to confirm pickup of 04h45 OUCH, but I'm excited to go on our adventure........will report back, I'm really hoping the jet lag won't be as predicted on this thread, pray for me hahahaha

Have a great trip and be sure to write us a full trip report when you get back.

I never get jet-lag when flying to Bangkok as it's a 24 hour city so you can eat, drink and sleep whenever you want.