Stekmer

Hullo and thank you in advance.

I am visiting Vietnam for 18 days in early / mid October this year and would really appreciate any suggestions about how to allocate my time between the South, Centre and North.

At the moment I am flying into Siagon (from KL) and out of Ha Noi. I am thinking perhaps 4 or 5 days in Siagon (Chu Chi tunnels. Mekong tour, city walk) and then flying to Da Nang to get down to Hoi An for a couple of days and then back to Da Nang for a couple of days and then a train to Hue to fly to Ha Noi. Perhaps 2 days in Ha Noi with an overnight boat trip to Ha Long Bay and another day at leisure in Ha Noi before flying to Bangkok.

Any comments most welcomed.

Am I allowing too much time in Siagon?

Is there somewhere that is a ‘must see’ that I should include?

Any recommended hotels that are downtown in any of the above places in the US$30 to US$45 range?

Any recommendations for travel agents to look for (or avoid)?

Are Pacific Airlines OK or should I wait and take pot luck on getting flights with Vietnam Airlines?

Thanks in advance

Stekmer

I've heard mixed reports about Pacific Airlines in Vietnam.

I am looking at booking flights between Siagon, Da Nang, Hue and Ha Noi.

I would prefer to use Vietnam Airlines but they have no Internet booking options.

Can any one comment on Pacific Airlinesin terms of reliability, safety and internet booking system?

Thanks

Thanks for the reply.

The Mac Service Centre in Siam Discovery Centre wanted 1,900 baht to replace the battery and UFicon in Panthip (right hand side at rear of ground floor), a Mac specialist did it for 963 baht with a 2 month waranty - took an hour and works great.

The battery in my iPod Mini has finally died and I've had no luck looking at MBK or Panthip - other than one shop that wanted 1,000 baht.

Does anyone know any places that can replace the battery (non user replacable).

Thanks in advance.

The battery in my iPod Mini has finally died and I've had no luck looking at Panthip etc.

Does anyone know any places that can replace the battery (non user replacable).

Thanks .... in advance

Thanks for your reply rfsmdo

How do you book your room and are they reliable in keeping the type of room that you request?

I tried faxing the hotel twice and then emailing but got no reply until I telephoned.

The comments of "fax not working" & "haven't checked internet today" were not encouraging.

I'm planning on faxing , emailing and phoning about 3 days before I arrive in the hope that my 'deluxe with private balcony' will be held for me.

Thanks again

Thanks for the info 'whatsupdoc'.

What did you think of the rooms?

Have you tried to climb the stairs of Angkor Wat?

Not sure of your point ...... but yep - sure did climb the stairs at Angkor Wat.

The obvious differences include .... The Paragon is a hotel and not a World Heritage site and I wasn't carrying any bags or making the same climb 4 or 5 times a day.

You've probably read these reviews http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g2...Phnom_Penh.html

I can't tell whether the lift has been installed, certainly as of April this year it wasn't

Thanks for the reply and link seonai.

I quite like the Tripadvisor reviews and this had already helped narrow down my choice of hotels.

Guess I'll just live in hope and wait to find out.

I managed to finally get a booking in the Paragon Hotel on Sisowath Quay road in Phnom Phen. (after I tried to send a fax, then phoned to ask why the fax wasn't working and asking them to reply to my email instead)

My choice was based on the fact it has a view of the river from a private balcony - and most reviews I've read seemed positive EXCEPT for some comments about steep stairs.

The Hotel, in the Cambodian Yellow Pages, claims to have an elevator and I've read one review about the hotel planning to install one.

Can anyone tell me if they have fitted an elevator yet - or - is it still a steep climb up narrow stairs?

Thanks

I flew from KL to Siem Reap a month ago with AirAsia - I think from BKK they only fly to Phnom Phen.

There is a boat ride up the river to the lake and then a bus to Siem Reap or a bus or you can even hire a car and driver for the trip - check some websites for prices.

We just took the taxi driver from the airport - US$25 per day - he was great. Drove slowly, spoke good english and was at our disposal for 12 hours a day.

Tuk Tuks (not the same as Thailand) can also be rented from Siem Reap to cover the Angkor site - admission US$40 for 2 or 3 days.

Personally I thought 3 days was enough in Siem Reap .... but then I bore easily with temples and stop appreciating them after the first few.

Stayed in the Royal Crown Hotel - booked through AsiaRooms. Great hotel - highly recommended and a bargain at A$45 a night with pool and breakfast.

Happy to look for the drivers email or phone number if you want - just message me.

Hope this helps

Stekmer

AirAsia have good prices to Phnom Phen - I got a US$95 return fare for March 2008 (booked 2 weeks ago)

I flew from KL to Siem Reap last month on AirAsia also. Good experience.

Airport tax to get out is US$25

I've used Asia Web Direct (AWD) a couple of times for hotels in KL and had no problem .... but then I didn't need to contact them for any thing after I made my booking. My room was reserved and waiting for me - no problems.

Google search wasn't very helpful for that particular...Hacked by TAIWKHBO3C157

Try doing a search for 'free browser hijack removers' - there should be a few available. Spybot Search and Destroy would be worth a try or Hijack This or Adaware - all free versions. Windows Defender is also a free download from Microsoft (if your OS is legitimate).

Personally I'd be very worried about security. Update your antivirus, get a firewall (Comodo has a free one that is good), and run Adaware etc on a regular basis.

You could always try going back to a previous 'Restore Point' , assuming you have XP.

Hope this helps

So I've read about another increase in the tax on alcohol and ciggs.

Not really concerned about the increase in tobacco tax - but - with a trip back to Jomtien planned I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me what this actually means in terms of price increases in my 2 favourite beverages, i.e. a 700 ml bottle of Sang Som and a can of Leo.

Thanks in advance

NLA passes bills to increase alcohol, cigarette taxes

BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Thursday approved in principle four bills that will increase tax on alcohol and cigarettes.

-- The Nation 2007-11-22

Purely from a point of self interest .... what does this do to the price of a 700 ml bottle of Sang Som ??

I really like this forum but think that some posters are bordering on being a LITTLE HARSH.

Just for the record:

• It was an email from a friend to me in Australia.
  
• He has been to Thailand several times - yes he is a little naive but that also makes him pleasant to know - as opposed to being a hard cynical bastard that knows it all.
  
• I have many things to do with my time other than to post fictitious items.
  
• The intent was to warn others that things like this do ACTUALLY HAPPEN - hopefully to warn other trusting souls that people can be nasty.
  

I received this email from a friend who arrived in Thailand earlier last month for a six month stay .... very scary.

Sorry haven't been in touch, had many things on my mind. Hotmail is best now. I can collect it on my new PDA. Had the other stolen along with my laptop and 20000 baht.

Was sitting on steps of Panthip watching when lady sat near me and started chatting with me. Then her friend come over, both well dressed. After a while they asked me if I wanted to eat at the rest & bakery on r/hand side facing.

I say no because I will meet Ying soon. It was near 5.40pm. They said a coffee and they would buy. When coffee nearly finished, one lady ordered a large Singha beer & 2 glasses,1 for me.

She appeared to drink some of hers and then topped mine up from hers, about half glass. Didn't think too much about it because I've seen ladies in bars do same thing.

Soon after more food came. I was bit surprised because I don't remember them ordering it. Then I remember trying to walk and feeling like I was very drunk. I commented on it and she said "Singha very strong". I thought rubbish, not strong. That was last my memory till 6.30am when I woke up in a hotel room about 10klm north of Don Muang, minus laptop and PDA.

Somewhere along the way I withdrew 20000 baht from my account with my debit card. That was also missing. I spent the day at police station. They said I was lucky they didn't kill me!!

Guide to a fairly normal and happy existence in Thailand.

Nicely covered - clear and concise.

Can't think of much, if anything, that you have missed.

Random acts of kindness to Farang by Thai's do occur. The trick is knowing how to pick when it is happening.

My constant struggle is to sort the scamers from the legitimately friendly and I hate the bad PR that can be created when I get it wrong..... Usually its in regard to someone being legitimately friendly that I mistake for trying a scam.

Give Kanchanaburi some thought.

• Easy enough to get to in a couple of hours.
  
• Relatively under commercialised (other than the day trippers to the bridge)
  
• Has a nice relaxing feel about it.
  
• Good value accommodation and great night market for local food.
  
• Charming long distance 'taxi' ride back to Bangkok (mine was in a late 1960s Toyota Crown)
  

Thats my two baht worth ....

Stekmer, I spoke too soon a big storm has just come in and it's f^%&*ing pi$%^&ing down!

###### ..... just when I was starting to dream of some beach time ...

Oh well.

Thanks for the speedy replies everyone - Love this forum.

Greetings,

The weather forecasts sound like its overcast with daily thunderstorms at the moment with no hint of fine weather for at least a week.

I arrive on Friday .... is it really as bleak as the forecasts suggest ????

Thanks for any replies ..... hoping for good news

I much prefer the northern areas over the southern but have done a trip covering both - it went like this:-

• A few days in Bangkok - book trains and flights (unless arranged prior to arrival)
  
• Bus to Pattaya and a few days easing into the climate and time zone
  
• Back to Bangkok and the overnight train from Bangkok to Songkhla and connect with a boat to Koh Samui
  
• Four days on a beach
  
• Flight from Koh Samui to Chiang Mai
  
• A week in the north - lots to see and do
  
• Night train from from Chainag Mai back to Bangkok
  
• Bangkok for some last minute shopping, reconfirm flights etc.
  

With the benefit of hindsight I would avoid the south altogether and get my beach time closer to Bangkok - I just don't see why the long trip to the south is worth it (personal view and obviously in conflict with the many people who love the region).

Don't forget places like Kanchanaburi and Lopburi to base your self for the great things to see and do in this area.

Personal view:-

• Bangkok for a few days
  
• Side trip to Kanchanaburi (bus) for 2 days
  
• Overnight train (from Bangkok) to Chiang Mai
  
• Flight back to Bangkok
  
• Bus (or taxi) to Pattaya
  
• Bangkok for last minuet stuff
  

Hope this helps

Back in Jomtien again next month and wondering about visiting the Elephant Park.

Has anyone been recently?

Any advice on the best way to get there, entry fees etc would be most appreciated.

Does anyone in the Jomtien area run day tours for the Elephant Park?

Thanks in advance ....

its to do with the climate, back home your hair and nails would grow quicker in the summer months

Agree with you on that .... nails in particular grow faster at home in summer (Australia with its 30+ degree days) and the same thing happens, quite noticeably, on arriving in the tropics.

As for the hair loss and/or re-growth ..... I can remember thinking that when I was in my late 40s. Then I shaved my head and now live with the belief that I have stubble in places that were previously completely deforested. Think I'll keep this belief rather than growing my hair again and risking disappointment.