Can't wait to go back...
Written: Sep 20 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive once you get there, friendly people and beautiful temples, sights, and beaches
Cons: Food (at times), long flight
The Bottom Line: I would recommend going to Thailand, because it is completely exotic and different from anything we've experienced. People are great and everything is relatively inexpensive.
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| alisa111's Full Review: Thailand |
My husband and I went to Thailand last year (2001) end of June through the beginning of July. We flew from Chicago to Osaka (12 hours), Osaka to Bangkok (another 6 hours after a 5 hour layover in Osaka, Japan) on Japan Airlines.
Anyhow, we spent six nights in Bangkok, five in Phuket (Kata Beach area specifically), and 2 nights on Phi Phi Island. On a side note, although we did go to Thailand during rainy season, it didn’t rain all that much for us and when it did it would be for a brief moment at night. Plus, prices were a lot cheaper during this time of year.
In Bangkok, we stayed at the Centre Point Silom, an executive apartment, which had to have been the best place I have ever stayed at in my entire life, including any five star business suites I’ve stayed at for business. The one bedrooms are so spacious and extremely nice. I cannot rave enough about this place. My aunt in Thailand booked the room for us and we got a Thai citizen rate of $55/ night. I think the rate off the internet was around $66, both during low season, which is such a great deal for what you get. The service was fabulous. There is also a washer/dryer in the room. Fully stocked kitchen. VCR. Walk in closet. The Silom location is great, it is a five minute walk to the train station which is very clean and quick and inexpensive. Plus, the location is right on top of the Robinson's department store and a grocery store. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely stay there again when I return.
We had a great time in Bangkok. We visited the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and so many other Wat’s that I can’t even recall the names at this time, seen the reclining Buddha, the Golden Buddha, the floating markets, Chinatown, Vimanimek Royal Mansion, Rose Garden, went shopping at huge malls that are nine floors high, shopped on Patpong street at the night markets, and took a fabulous dinner cruise down the Chao Phraya river to name a few things. I can go into further details if anyone wants to know.
If you have limited time, you definitely would need to see the Grand Palace, just remember there is a dress code and to not wear sandals unless they have a backstrap and don’t wear shorts. Of course, you can always borrow stuff there. The reclining Buddha is huge and definitely a sight to see. Shopping is great in Bangkok, things are very inexpensive and you can get some great deals. The dinner cruise was also fabulous and I would definitely recommend that. So much seafood like you would not believe. Plus, it was great to see Bangkok at night from the river. Chinatown is pretty cool to see, but I wouldn’t recommend walking around too long, because the pollution there was overbearing. This area is just very crowded, cramped, and dirty. However, there are also many areas throughout Bangkok that are the same way, but we felt that Chinatown was particularly more congested.
We then spent the next five days in Phuket, specifically Kata Beach at the Kata Thani. This was also a nice hotel, not as spacious as the Centre Point, but still very nice. The beach was nice, however since we went during monsoon season, the waves were very choppy and there were too many jellyfish to swim in the ocean.
Phuket is very touristy. The prices also reflect the fact. Personally, we had a great time in Phuket, but would not go back because we would like to see another part of the country that was not as touristy.
We did take a sea cave canoe tour that was fabulous. You get to see such amazing limestone formations in the water and go through caves where part of the tour you had to lie on your back to get through such narrow areas.
We also did an animal tour, that I regret so much having paid money to support such cruelty. In particular, we saw the monkey show, because I had seen it on TV and it looked cute. However, when you get there you will be so surprised. Or I was just ignorant for not thinking about it beforehand. These poor monkeys are shackled by the neck and the chain is tugged HARD, when they don't perform. When you walk in, there are probably 50 or so monkeys all shackled by the neck on these little chains, where they are close to each other, but not close enough to touch one another. And there were baby monkeys put in this little cage, where I think that the only way they were obtained was by killing the mothers. It was absolutely terrible. I never felt so guilty to contribute money to support this kind of animal cruelty. Please do not see this show.
After Phuket we took a ferry to Phi Phi Island. Thank God, I took my Dramamine because the water was very choppy and there were so many people that had gotten sick. I think the fact that it was monsoon season also contributed to the reason why the water was so turbulent. And then, a long tail boat to Phi Phi Island Village. The water was amazing, I have never seen such clear blue, beautiful water in my life. Phi Phi Island Village is a nice hotel, however, it is somewhat too secluded because we were stuck having to eat there all the time at inflated prices. Our bungalow was nice, but being in the middle of a jungle, there were little bugs around the sink and toilet that grossed me out. Overall, we had a great time just relaxing and lying around the beach on this island.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
alisa111
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Reviews written: 2
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