View Full Version : When should I go to Thailand?
tastebud
27-06-2007, 11:30
I have a comedown so it's probably a bad time to be making decisions but I'm off work so there you have it.
Been planning a trip to Thailand (perhaps more of SE Asia as well should I go for longer; back-packing for approx. 4-7 weeks) for bloody months/years now but can't damn well decide when to go. I need to get booking
a) To relax me a little - I need to know that I'm going away!
b) To get the cheap flights.
So when is best to go - that is, some time between now and Jan 08?
I think RenegadeDog's going in Jan-Feb 08 (?) and it'd be nice to hook up with him but I'm not sure I can wait that long!
Advice please.... what's it like at different times of year? I guess I'd prefer it quite busy & back-packery (I know it mostly always is though) as I'll be on my own.
I also want to avoid the rain.
Also, could people tell me who they have flown with & best places to book through. I want the flights as cheap as possible obviously (v tight budget), and I'm happy to stop-over. I've googled loads but more advice is always welcome.
Finally, is amyone else planning to go to Thailand at any point this year? :D
Cheers
Anytime from late November to Feb is the best time to go as it's the cool, dry season. You're unlikely to get cheap flights then as it's peak period, but as long as you avoid the run up to Christmas and New Year the difference between going in low season is balanced out by the improved weather conditions.
tastebud
27-06-2007, 11:48
I'm thinking Nov to Dec might be a good time then. Wouldn't wanna be there for New Year, no way :D NY in London is way too much fun!
Brainaddict
27-06-2007, 12:59
I'm pretty sure you'd have fun at NY in Thailand too! :)
I'm pretty sure you'd have fun at NY in Thailand too! :)
Damn right.
I might be going for Christmas this year.
I've been there as late as March / April and the heat's still bearable as long as you're not doing much more than lying around on the beach and snorkelling a bit. Nice time to go, really - it's a bit quieter because of the heat.
tastebud
27-06-2007, 16:12
I'm pretty sure you'd have fun at NY in Thailand too! :)
yeah and i know a load of people going over there for ny too :D something to consider i guess.
ps. nvp: i love intense heat. well, within reason i guess...
RenegadeDog
28-06-2007, 05:33
Well, I think we will go around 15th Jan to 15th Feb. Would love to see you there :)
I won't be going in Feb 2007 though, unless I discover how to travel in time in the near future!
NY in Thailand is ace! I had a great time on a beach on Phuket for NY 01/02 - firework displays, bangers going off, general mayhem and much joviality. A lot more fun than any UK NY's I've had. Thais are good at mayhem and fun. (I wouldn't endorse Phuket, though. I only went there to meet up with mates, and was out of there a couple of days later.)
Had a great Christmas day too. I was staying at a wicked little place on the coast of Krabi, where the hosts made a veritable banquet of Thai curry and a quite unique but delicious take on a western Christmas Dinner. All to the background of cheesily sung Christmas hits ( - that sort of double speed vocals over corny asia pop. You hear this wonderful mauling of Christmas 'hits' all over. Thais particularly seem to love 'Jingle Bells').
Minnie_the_Minx
28-06-2007, 09:34
I flew with Emirates with a few hours stopover in Dubai
I think Eva Air is another option, then there's Thai Air.
You could always just trying getting cheapest flight to SEA and then booking a flight with the cheapo airlines
tastebud
28-06-2007, 09:50
I won't be going in Feb 2007 though, unless I discover how to travel in time in the near future!that totally & utterly confused me for a period of about four minutes :D
i need to have a think. would be great to run into you - guess i could go from november till jan.
I flew with Emirates with a few hours stopover in Dubai
I think Eva Air is another option, then there's Thai Air.
You could always just trying getting cheapest flight to SEA and then booking a flight with the cheapo airlines
I'd always pay the extra to go direct. Missing out the boring stopover helps counter the jetlag a bit, and it doesn't cost that much more more to do so. I flew with Eva last time and they were really good. Them and Thai fly direct, most of the slightly cheaper options have stopovers in dull Dubai.
Bangkok's the cheapest place to fly to just 'cos of the volume of traffic it gets, the surrounding countries are more expensive.
Minnie_the_Minx
28-06-2007, 10:10
I'd always pay the extra to go direct. Missing out the boring stopover helps counter the jetlag a bit, and it doesn't cost that much more more to do so. I flew with Eva last time and they were really good. Them and Thai fly direct, most of the slightly cheaper options have stopovers in dull Dubai.
Bangkok's the cheapest place to fly to just 'cos of the volume of traffic it gets, the surrounding countries are more expensive.
I'd agree with you. Was a big mistake stopping over and then having to start another 7 hour journey
You'd be hard pressed to get there before xmas, though its a great time to be there. I had one of my best ever Xmas's there. Best proper Xmas lunch ever.
NY was spent on a little back packer island and they laid a big party on for all the travellers including free transport to the place that was holding the party.
tastebud
28-06-2007, 12:10
why would i be hard pressed to get there before xmas!?
:confused: I've been there twice before Christmas with no problems (leaving UK in early December). As I said before, it's more expensive because it's peak period (the week before Christmas/New Year is prohibitive - as are most flights anywhere are at this time of year).
tastebud
28-06-2007, 14:21
i'm :confused: too
:confused:
why would i be hard pressed to get there before xmas!?
Unless you wanted to spend 1k on the flight, I suppose that you could go many weeks before then, might get a cheap flight.
fela fan
02-07-2007, 10:22
The absolutely best time to go to thailand is any time.
Rain in bkk and the north of the country is finished beginning of november, mid-month at the latest. Down on the islands you need to wait another couple of months to let the rain disappear.
Jan to march seem to be the busiest times of the year here.
I've just had three weeks in ko phangan and it is the quietest time for people coming to thailand. Great for me, but seemingly not what you want!
I can't remember the name, but there's a relatively new airline from abu dhabi that is very good and cheap according to my mate. But it's a stopover.
They, and emirates, fly from various airports in britain which is great for those not living near london.
I think there should be a sticky thread on thailand - threads constantly pop up here!! I don't mind keeping it going...
Minnie_the_Minx
02-07-2007, 10:47
The absolutely best time to go to thailand is any time.
Rain in bkk and the north of the country is finished beginning of november, mid-month at the latest. Down on the islands you need to wait another couple of months to let the rain disappear.
Jan to march seem to be the busiest times of the year here.
I've just had three weeks in ko phangan and it is the quietest time for people coming to thailand. Great for me, but seemingly not what you want!
I can't remember the name, but there's a relatively new airline from abu dhabi that is very good and cheap according to my mate. But it's a stopover.
They, and emirates, fly from various airports in britain which is great for those not living near london.
I think there should be a sticky thread on thailand - threads constantly pop up here!! I don't mind keeping it going...
Am thinking of maybe going there 2nd half of September. Thought we might get a flight to Singapore, have a few days there, then get train up through Malaysia, have maybe five days on Perhentians, get train to Bangkok, few days there, then, not sure. We went to Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket around the same time years ago and weather was fine, but thought we'd try somewhere else (other islands).
Don't want beaches riddled with backpackers/gap yearers, but also don't want deserted.
Want areas that are malaria-free as well.
Would prefer there to be some nightlife, but not of the beach-party type
Any suggestions?
tastebud
02-07-2007, 10:54
cheers :)
Am thinking of maybe going there 2nd half of September. Thought we might get a flight to Singapore, have a few days there, then get train up through Malaysia, have maybe five days on Perhentians, get train to Bangkok, few days there, then, not sure. We went to Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket around the same time years ago and weather was fine, but thought we'd try somewhere else (other islands).
Don't want beaches riddled with backpackers/gap yearers, but also don't want deserted.
Want areas that are malaria-free as well.
Would prefer there to be some nightlife, but not of the beach-party type
Any suggestions?
Ko Jum (http://www.kohjumonline.com/)
Near Phi Phi / Lanta but about a million times quieter.
I stayed in the hut you can see on the front page (they nicked my photo).
ETA: it's been a few years since I was there (pre-tsunami) but it was just perfect for me. No big parties etc but always someone to have a drink with. If you wanted company, people were around - if you didn't, no problem. Golden Pearl is the place to stay - a great little family-run hut operation.
Damn right.
I might be going for Christmas this year.
I've been there as late as March / April and the heat's still bearable as long as you're not doing much more than lying around on the beach and snorkelling a bit. Nice time to go, really - it's a bit quieter because of the heat.
I had been planning on going at Xmas but I'm not sure if I'll be able to afford it as I hit extreme arseache with living where I do and now I'm off there for a short holiday in a fortnight's time.
We will organise the Great Krabi Pissup one day!
We will organise the Great Krabi Pissup one day!
Been a long time coming but be sure ... It. Will. Happen. :D
fela fan
03-07-2007, 02:52
Am thinking of maybe going there 2nd half of September. Thought we might get a flight to Singapore, have a few days there, then get train up through Malaysia, have maybe five days on Perhentians, get train to Bangkok, few days there, then, not sure. We went to Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket around the same time years ago and weather was fine, but thought we'd try somewhere else (other islands).
Don't want beaches riddled with backpackers/gap yearers, but also don't want deserted.
Want areas that are malaria-free as well.
Would prefer there to be some nightlife, but not of the beach-party type
Any suggestions?
Late 90s i went to ko chang (near the cambodian border) a couple of octobers for the whole month. The weather was superb, the rains had stopped, there was a bit of wind, but blue skies every day and a wonderful temperature. I know that the island has developed a bit more now, but i also know that it seems to fit the bill you described perfectly! All the main beaches are on the west coast, so sunsets galore. White Sands Beach is the first one you come to and will have the nightlife you talk of, and progressively as you go south the beaches get quieter. The beaches are just outstanding.
Malaria? I think you have to be really unlucky to get this, and i pretty much understand that any place tourists go is malaria-free. But since you mentioned it, here is my guide to not getting malaria:
Before dusk put on your mozzie lotion (small blue plastic bottle. Don't buy in england, they often don't work), particularly near bones, ie wrists, elbows, ankles. Wear trousers (so many travellers i see wearing shorts at night time and with dozens of bite marks on their legs...). Sleep in a bungalow with fan not air con. The mozzies can't deal with the airstream created by the fan.
Enjoy your trip minnie, i feel certain you will!
What about non-beach places, no?
Minnie_the_Minx
03-07-2007, 10:00
Late 90s i went to ko chang (near the cambodian border) a couple of octobers for the whole month. The weather was superb, the rains had stopped, there was a bit of wind, but blue skies every day and a wonderful temperature. I know that the island has developed a bit more now, but i also know that it seems to fit the bill you described perfectly! All the main beaches are on the west coast, so sunsets galore. White Sands Beach is the first one you come to and will have the nightlife you talk of, and progressively as you go south the beaches get quieter. The beaches are just outstanding.
Malaria? I think you have to be really unlucky to get this, and i pretty much understand that any place tourists go is malaria-free. But since you mentioned it, here is my guide to not getting malaria:
Before dusk put on your mozzie lotion (small blue plastic bottle. Don't buy in england, they often don't work), particularly near bones, ie wrists, elbows, ankles. Wear trousers (so many travellers i see wearing shorts at night time and with dozens of bite marks on their legs...). Sleep in a bungalow with fan not air con. The mozzies can't deal with the airstream created by the fan.
Enjoy your trip minnie, i feel certain you will!
What about non-beach places, no?
Not bothered about mossies Fela, but I don't want to take anti-malarials (well I am, because they love me, but as long as they're nothing like the Phi Phi mossies!).
Have been to Chiang Mai and it was lovely. I know Chiang Rai and Pai are also meant to be lovely, but I'm only going for three weeks and with a semi-disabled b/f, don't really want to go running around too much.
How near to Bangkok or Malaysia is Ko Chang. I'm sure I've heard it's quite low down. Wondering about skipping Bangkok altogether and making way to Ko Chang from Perhentians but at the same time, I think we'd get bored with too much beach so wanted to break it up with a bit of city as well, and I wouldn't mind going back to Bangkok to go to the Royal Barge Museum again (my photos of it and some of the Grand Palace were stolen) :mad:
llantwit
03-07-2007, 10:42
Fuck me the flights are expensive to Thailand over the summer - I was hoping to get away for a quick coupla weeks, but can't find anything less than 600 squid!!:eek:
tastebud
03-07-2007, 10:43
yep! me too. cheapest i found was 634 for august. i need to book for later in the year, and i need to get booking! :)
Minnie_the_Minx
03-07-2007, 10:48
Not sure about Thailand, but September onwards is low season for Malaysia (start of rainy season) so that's when I normally go
fela fan
04-07-2007, 01:42
Not bothered about mossies Fela, but I don't want to take anti-malarials (well I am, because they love me, but as long as they're nothing like the Phi Phi mossies!).
Have been to Chiang Mai and it was lovely. I know Chiang Rai and Pai are also meant to be lovely, but I'm only going for three weeks and with a semi-disabled b/f, don't really want to go running around too much.
How near to Bangkok or Malaysia is Ko Chang. I'm sure I've heard it's quite low down. Wondering about skipping Bangkok altogether and making way to Ko Chang from Perhentians but at the same time, I think we'd get bored with too much beach so wanted to break it up with a bit of city as well, and I wouldn't mind going back to Bangkok to go to the Royal Barge Museum again (my photos of it and some of the Grand Palace were stolen) :mad:
My guide to not getting bitten was to replace taking those nasty pills!
Ko Chang is near the cambodian border, about a four or five hour bus trip from bkk to trat (well, laem gnop is the actual boat town) town, and then a boat of no more than an hour. Maybe much less, i last went nine years ago! It is a stunning island with sunset views every night. If one discounts phuket as an island (with its causeway), then chang is thailand's biggest island.
There's always kanchanaburi, which is not exactly city, but what a most interesting place to go for a couple three days. You have a boat trip up the river kwai, the jeath war museum to visit, all the cemetaries, hellfire gorge, and all the stuff about the famous bridge. You stay on rafthouses on the river, and there are great restaurants riverside too. A really excellent place to go for a short time and nicely breaks up beach stuff too. Only about two or three hours from bkk.
fela fan
04-07-2007, 01:45
Fuck me the flights are expensive to Thailand over the summer - I was hoping to get away for a quick coupla weeks, but can't find anything less than 600 squid!!:eek:
July, august, and december i imagine must be really expensive for flights out of UK.
If i was to nominate the best months to visit thailand, they would be november (from bkk and northwards), december - june everywhere. And flights presumably will be much cheaper these months.
And if i was still living in england, the only time i'd go would be during the winter in order to escape some of the shit weather.
lenny101
04-07-2007, 08:50
July, august, and december i imagine must be really expensive for flights out of UK.
If i was to nominate the best months to visit thailand, they would be november (from bkk and northwards), december - june everywhere. And flights presumably will be much cheaper these months.
And if i was still living in england, the only time i'd go would be during the winter in order to escape some of the shit weather.
I am flying out to Mlaysia soon, can't go till August but the cost of flights double in that month. Have to wait till September and put up with this shitty weather.
llantwit
04-07-2007, 11:15
And if i was still living in england, the only time i'd go would be during the winter in order to escape some of the shit weather.
Ta Fela.
To be honest thee weather is SO shit here this summer that I'm just craving some summer sun.:( :(
Minnie_the_Minx
04-07-2007, 14:18
My guide to not getting bitten was to replace taking those nasty pills!
Ko Chang is near the cambodian border, about a four or five hour bus trip from bkk to trat (well, laem gnop is the actual boat town) town, and then a boat of no more than an hour. Maybe much less, i last went nine years ago! It is a stunning island with sunset views every night. If one discounts phuket as an island (with its causeway), then chang is thailand's biggest island.
There's always kanchanaburi, which is not exactly city, but what a most interesting place to go for a couple three days. You have a boat trip up the river kwai, the jeath war museum to visit, all the cemetaries, hellfire gorge, and all the stuff about the famous bridge. You stay on rafthouses on the river, and there are great restaurants riverside too. A really excellent place to go for a short time and nicely breaks up beach stuff too. Only about two or three hours from bkk.
Just remembered one other requirement. B/f does NOT eat foreign food :rolleyes: so therefore need somewhere that's got lots of places that can cater for western tastes :D
fela fan
05-07-2007, 02:02
Ta Fela.
To be honest thee weather is SO shit here this summer that I'm just craving some summer sun.:( :(
Sorry, that was a bit unthoughtful of me! I can see from wimbledon, plus reports i hear (i've been nicely tucked away on one of the islands away from the madness of the world, unfortunately back in it now) that the weather is bad right now! I cannot believe that a june can be so bad. But listen, one of the reasons i never returned to england was the weather! I just cannot stand cold.
Anyway, good luck in getting the sun.
fela fan
05-07-2007, 02:03
Just remembered one other requirement. B/f does NOT eat foreign food :rolleyes: so therefore need somewhere that's got lots of places that can cater for western tastes :D
English food, well farang food, is available wherever we go in thailand! Including on the raft houses in kanchanaburi.
Anyway, food is just a fuel, no?!
Minnie_the_Minx
05-07-2007, 08:01
English food, well farang food, is available wherever we go in thailand! Including on the raft houses in kanchanaburi.
Anyway, food is just a fuel, no?!
Yes, but b/f needs fuel :D
Unless you wanted to spend 1k on the flight, I suppose that you could go many weeks before then, might get a cheap flight.
If you don't mind changing a few times to save some money, you might like to have a look at getting a flight to India and then another connecting flight to Bangkok.
Heathrow to Delhi is usually under £300 (one way) and onwards to Bangkok is usually about £100 to £150-ish. These are only one way, though - I don't get returns as I like the flexibility of returning from wherever / whenever I want.
The flight back's often even cheaper, however - there's a great little travel agent in Paharganj (Delhi) who regularly gets me back to London with BA for under £200. He gets last minute cancellations so you've got to be flexible - I usually just go in and ask him to get me the cheapest flight any time in the next week or so. Used him 4 or 5 times now.
tastebud
05-07-2007, 09:16
i like the idea of a stop over in india actually. think i could handle india again, if it was just for a few hours :D
llantwit
05-07-2007, 09:45
Sorry, that was a bit unthoughtful of me! I can see from wimbledon, plus reports i hear (i've been nicely tucked away on one of the islands away from the madness of the world, unfortunately back in it now) that the weather is bad right now! I cannot believe that a june can be so bad. But listen, one of the reasons i never returned to england was the weather! I just cannot stand cold.
Anyway, good luck in getting the sun.
Ta fela.
Mind me asking what island you were hiding on?
Could do with a recent insider tip in case I do find a flight.
Been thinking of Koh Lantah.
i like the idea of a stop over in india actually. think i could handle india again, if it was just for a few hours :D
Couple of days in Delhi or Calcutta then fly out to a Thai island to relax after it all.
Ideal. :D
tastebud
05-07-2007, 13:17
god, i dunno about that. the idea of india on my own frankly terrifies me.
fela fan
06-07-2007, 01:59
Ta fela.
Mind me asking what island you were hiding on?
Could do with a recent insider tip in case I do find a flight.
Been thinking of Koh Lantah.
Well, it all depends on what you want. Ko Phangan is famous enough for its full moon parties, but it also happens to be my favourite place in the world. The beach i was on is on the north-western corner of the island (full moon parties are on the south-east), and is called Mae Had. At low tide you can walk along a sand bar to a small island called Ko Maa, which has one resort on it.
Mae Had is EXACTLY like it was 15 years ago when i first went there. My bungalow was 270 baht a night, and watching the sunsets from my hammock was just one of my major activities. In effect (june is very quiet here) i had my own private beach (you needed to do a bit of exploring to get there), and my own private waterfall.
Just a 10 minute bike ride away is Chaloklum beach which has a village (mae had just has a shop or two) and a few dive shops. I went there when i felt like communicating with people.
The whole western side of this island is magnificent, and the north-western corner is simply just as it was in the 90s. I can't get there often enough, unfortunately i live in the north of thailand now so my visits are much less frequent. In the 90s i got there three times a year on average.
Truly magnificent, and recommended to anybody who wants to slow their life down rather than party at night time. I can't imagine anywhere more beautiful than this island.
I loved that place, I use to bike there from Haad Rin every day to snorkel, sunbathe and read books. I've done that for weeks on end.
I liked Haad Rin for the food they do there. The Israeli cafe does the loveliest salad and there is a proper bakery with western bread products and there are three book shops there. Bikes are so cheap to rent I just get one from the guy outside where the boat docks for the entire time I'm there.
I doubt someone with a schedule could do this tho, I was in a little groove and world of my own.
tastebud
06-07-2007, 09:33
i found a flight for 600 that flies direct (thai), leaving on 1st november returning on 24th december. oh i don't know... a stop over would only be 429 or something.... cannae decide....
Minnie_the_Minx
06-07-2007, 09:37
i found a flight for 600 that flies direct (thai), leaving on 1st november returning on 24th december. oh i don't know... a stop over would only be 429 or something.... cannae decide....
depends where the stopover would be and for how long
tastebud
06-07-2007, 09:45
yeah... the price increases the shorter the stop. and the destinations get less desirable with the lower price. i know what a grumpy fucker i am when i travel, which is why i think i should pay the extra & fly direct :D think i might just go to trailfinders at the weekend rather than booking online. they are always good/helpful.
Minnie_the_Minx
06-07-2007, 09:55
yeah... the price increases the shorter the stop. and the destinations get less desirable with the lower price. i know what a grumpy fucker i am when i travel, which is why i think i should pay the extra & fly direct :D think i might just go to trailfinders at the weekend rather than booking online. they are always good/helpful.
I always use Trailfinders. They've only fucked up once (with a hotel booking)
tastebud
06-07-2007, 10:21
um, sunray, or someone... will i be able to find drum & bass easily? :)
Brainaddict
06-07-2007, 10:25
i found a flight for 600 that flies direct (thai), leaving on 1st november returning on 24th december. oh i don't know... a stop over would only be 429 or something.... cannae decide....
The stopovers I've done were all in the middle east for a couple of hours only - well worth it to save £250.
um, sunray, or someone... will i be able to find drum & bass easily? :)
Only on the full moon party though I want to stab the full of shit MC they often had babbling away. The rest of the time your going to have to bring it with you because the Thai's are mad on cheesy hip hop.
'Don't wish your girlfriend was more like me, don't cha..' know it, or tracks like it? If you don't oh you will by the time you leave.
The bars generally will have live bands and will play to varying standards either rock or hip hop or club like bars with DJ's and there its just pure hip hop.
The Full Moon Party on Ko Pha Ngan is truly horrible. I'd avoid it like the plague if I were you.
If you're nearby (Ko Tao, for example) you might find a nice little beach party or two without shit music / teams of blokes pissing into the sea /people abusing the hospitality of the locals etc.
The beach i was on is on the north-western corner of the island (full moon parties are on the south-east), and is called Mae Had. At low tide you can walk along a sand bar to a small island called Ko Maa, which has one resort on it.
Mae Had is EXACTLY like it was 15 years ago when i first went there. My bungalow was 270 baht a night, and watching the sunsets from my hammock was just one of my major activities. In effect (june is very quiet here) i had my own private beach (you needed to do a bit of exploring to get there), and my own private waterfall.
Yeah, really nice place. A couple of photos I took there:
http://www.pbase.com/jamieashley/image/18063928.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/jamieashley/image/18063929.jpg
i found a flight for 600 that flies direct (thai), leaving on 1st november returning on 24th december. oh i don't know... a stop over would only be 429 or something.... cannae decide....
429 is pretty decent, 7 weeks. About as long as you'd need to see a lot of Thailand without trying very hard. I reckon I sat on beaches for at least 8-10 weeks alone.
Could head to Laos and/or Cambodia for a couple of weeks if that took your fancy. The people of Laos are great and while there isn't much to see there, its a worth a visit for the welcome. Cambodia is only 4 hours from BKK but follow the advice on this website on how to get there from someone who really knows his stuff (and publishes the little free and very useful guides you get there)
http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-overland-bkksr.htm
Do not use Kaosan road travel agents for anything other than their internet access and while I'm thinking do not use Asian internet cafe's for internet banking where you have to enter a full password.
The Full Moon Party on Ko Pha Ngan is truly horrible. I'd avoid it like the plague if I were you.
If you're nearby (Ko Tao, for example) you might find a nice little beach party or two without shit music / teams of blokes pissing into the sea /people abusing the hospitality of the locals etc.
I like it. Reminded me of a full on rave. Pounding acid techno off a huge sound system was a real welcome surprise after 5 months of just my feebly small iPod mini for music.
The locals don't have to put it on if they get pissed off by it. Makes them shit loads of cash.
How much time did you spend in Goa then NVP?
I refer you to Alabama 3.
You like it. I don't.
You've shared your opinion on it. I've shared mine.
No problem.
fela fan
07-07-2007, 02:44
I loved that place, I use to bike there from Haad Rin every day to snorkel, sunbathe and read books. I've done that for weeks on end.
I liked Haad Rin for the food they do there. The Israeli cafe does the loveliest salad and there is a proper bakery with western bread products and there are three book shops there. Bikes are so cheap to rent I just get one from the guy outside where the boat docks for the entire time I'm there.
I doubt someone with a schedule could do this tho, I was in a little groove and world of my own.
And for me that is what ko phangan is all about, getting into your own little world. And removing time by entering a timeless zone.
For those who are interested, my daily expense over the three weeks while i was there was about 1000 baht, which is maybe 15 quid. That included my bungalow, motorbike, maybe four or five beers (small bottles), food, and my dope. Things to do?
Firstly, nothing, which is an activity i enjoy thoroughly, although it might not be to everyone's taste.
Snorkelling and diving.
Swimming.
Walking.
Reading.
Writing.
Watching the wildlife (including four or five foot monitor lizards).
Going up the nearby waterfall.
Tootling about on my motorbike on virtually deserted roads.
Photographing.
Watching sunsets.
Looking for shells.
What i like best is that you never know what you're going to do until you think about it. As soon as you find out what you are going to do next, roll a joint before doing it. Joints are the perfect way to go from one activity to the next.
Timeless and priceless. I just can't get enough of it. But then the nightmare returns: i need to go back to earning money...
fela fan
07-07-2007, 02:50
On the matter of flights, i realise i'm going the other way, buying my ticket in thailand to get back to england, but i always get my travel agent to quote me on thai (direct, but usually more expensive, but if a deal is on, then the leg room is the best of any airline i've been on) or singapore (second best airline, a very nice airport to hang around in for a couple of hours) or emirates. The latter is for me the finest airline, and nearly always the cheapest quote. For those living in england, they come to bkk daily from gatwick, heathrow, manchester, glasgow.
There's a newish airline too, based in abu dhabi i think which is meant to be very good, and cheap. Can't recall the name though.
I've never paid more than 500 quid, and it's usually about 30,000 baht.
On you travels round the island did you ever see that sign. Coconut Artifact office or something?
What on earth is a 'Coconut artifact', and what do they do when someone finds one? Do they search for images of Budda in coconuts. Do they have a hall of fame of special coconuts.
I spent a shit load of time thinking about that but always forgot when I got somewhere utterly unimportant.
And for me that is what ko phangan is all about, getting into your own little world. And removing time by entering a timeless zone.
For those who are interested, my daily expense over the three weeks while i was there was about 1000 baht, which is maybe 15 quid. That included my bungalow, motorbike, maybe four or five beers (small bottles), food, and my dope. Things to do?
Firstly, nothing, which is an activity i enjoy thoroughly, although it might not be to everyone's taste.
Snorkelling and diving.
Swimming.
Walking.
Reading.
Writing.
Watching the wildlife (including four or five foot monitor lizards).
Going up the nearby waterfall.
Tootling about on my motorbike on virtually deserted roads.
Photographing.
Watching sunsets.
Looking for shells.
What i like best is that you never know what you're going to do until you think about it. As soon as you find out what you are going to do next, roll a joint before doing it. Joints are the perfect way to go from one activity to the next.
Timeless and priceless. I just can't get enough of it. But then the nightmare returns: i need to go back to earning money...
tastebud
08-07-2007, 13:29
I hate people who simply refer to Alabama 3 for their views on Goa. Get your own fucking opinions! :mad:
;)
Nah, Goa's beautiful. I did only see the place extremely low season though admittedly. It was like ghost town(s) but still fucking beautiful & a nice, calm end of trip destination.
(Cheers btw fela :) - and Sunray!)
There's a newish airline too, based in abu dhabi i think which is meant to be very good, and cheap. Can't recall the name though.Yeah many of the flights I've found seem to stop over there too. Dunno, depends on how long for I guess.
Nah, Goa's beautiful. I did only see the place extremely low season though admittedly. It was like ghost town(s) but still fucking beautiful & a nice, calm end of trip destination.
My feelings exactly.
There's a hell of a lot more to Goa than airy-fairy hippies and shit parties. It's a shame some people can't see beyond that but it's their loss, really.
I'll be there for the Winter again this year and I'm looking forward to it already. Renting a house for the season this time, I've decided. :)
tastebud
08-07-2007, 21:43
Goa's beautiful. End of. :)
In any case, I booked my flight to Thailand... two months in Nov & Dec... I wussed out & booked a direct flight.
Woo hooooooo :):)
:cool:
Edit: I'm flying out to Bangkok on 1st Nov & flying back to London on Xmas Eve. Anyone else gonna be there at all then?
Probably go to Laos too cos BA keeps telling me to, and other parts of SE Asia, but not exactly sure where yet. Woo, again :)
Goa's beautiful. End of. :)
In any case, I booked my flight to Thailand... two months in Nov & Dec... I wussed out & booked a direct flight.
Woo hooooooo
:cool:
Edit: I'm flying out to Bangkok on 1st Nov & flying back to London on Xmas Eve. Anyone else gonna be there at all then?
Probably go to Laos too cos BA keeps telling me to, and other parts of SE Asia, but not exactly sure where yet. Woo, again :)
wow tastebud congratulations. :)
i am aquainting (sp?) myself with going travelling also, the only thing is i have this strong pull to go back to india to connect myself at least a bit with my spritual self again (yoga etc). james is thinking of taking a month out too. however maybe we can meet somewhere obviously i would have more time than ja. to stay on longer. how exciting.
btw would also be deffo interested in direct flights...rather pay more money xxx
tastebud
09-07-2007, 13:08
do it! we could meet halfway somewhere. i found that just going ahead and booking it was a smart move, too much deliberation is bad & now i'm a very, very happy tastebud! :)
Minnie_the_Minx
09-07-2007, 13:16
do it! we could meet halfway somewhere. i found that just going ahead and booking it was a smart move, too much deliberation is bad & now i'm a very, very happy tastebud! :)
so how much did you get it for?
tastebud
09-07-2007, 13:18
623. it was 480 if i stopped over in the middle east somewhere (fuck knows where though - never heard of the place!) but the times were all a bit off-key. 3am and stuff. i just went for the lazy, stress free option.
Brainaddict
09-07-2007, 13:22
623. it was 480 if i stopped over in the middle east somewhere (fuck knows where though - never heard of the place!) but the times were all a bit off-key. 3am and stuff. i just went for the lazy, stress free option.
Very lazy :mad: :p
tastebud
09-07-2007, 13:23
It was making me stressed just thinking about it.
Brainaddict
09-07-2007, 13:24
It was making me stressed just thinking about it.
Stopping off for a few hours in a shiny airport where you can read a book while you wait? Oh the agony :p
tastebud
09-07-2007, 13:26
Stopping off for a few hours in a shiny airport where you can read a book while you wait? Oh the agony :pIt wasn't that so much that bothered me. It was more the fact that the flights home were really shit, 3am departure & stuff. And then getting back to London on xmas Eve at some ridiculous hour. As soon as she offered the direct option everything seemed to fall into place :)
do it! we could meet halfway somewhere. i found that just going ahead and booking it was a smart move, too much deliberation is bad & now i'm a very, very happy tastebud! :)
yes totally , can only be a good move.
my aim is to think a plan up also within a few weeks and do it rather than keep fluffing about.
i have you in thailand in my mind would be fabulous and magical travelling around there together wouldn't it.
i am so distance nostalgic since so oo long now.
:)
tastebud
09-07-2007, 13:28
Innit! We'd have a ball :D
Brainaddict
09-07-2007, 13:28
It wasn't that so much that bothered me. It was more the fact that the flights home were really shit, 3am departure & stuff. And then getting back to London on xmas Eve at some ridiculous hour. As soon as she offered the direct option everything seemed to fall into place :)
Fair enough - can't remember if I flew at funny times now. Probably did. I remember getting back from one trip not having slept for 36 hours. It was sooooooooo good when I did sleep that it was almost worth it :)
tastebud
09-07-2007, 13:32
Fair enough - can't remember if I flew at funny times now. Probably did. I remember getting back from one trip not having slept for 36 hours. It was sooooooooo good when I did sleep that it was almost worth it :)Yeah but you're a freak who runs away from gangs at 3am in South America, takes buses at night whilst the locals point and laugh, travels through war zones, etc.... :p
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