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What's the night life like at Thong Nai Pan Noi on Koh Phangan? We don't want Haad Rin craziness but something like Lotus or Fizz at Sairee on Koh Tao.
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May 13, 2011 04:32
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Has anyone booked trains in Vietnam over the internet? Or is it easier to just book when I'm there?
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May 14, 2011 13:39
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A friend of mine has recently completed a degree (in radiography). Seeing as we started Uni together, I've got an MA, unfinished/abandoned PhD and have been working for a couple of years this counts as an achievement (in him getting his life together). He also has quite a bit of money saved and is planning on becoming an army musician in the relatively near future. Prior to this he'd like to go on holiday somewhere fun, I spent several months in Vietnam teaching English prior to going to Uni but never really travelled about all that much (got there and did some trips but kind of got into a comfortable rut of drinking/working/having fun). We'd both really like to do some sort of motorbike tour but I'm really not sure where the best place to start is, primarily we'd be having to go this summer and I'm not sure how pleasant a bike trip would be in the middle of the Vietnamese summer. I'm also not really sure on the best places to go, tying in Sapa and a Northwest loop would be cool but that's going vaguely going off what I remember from 7 or 8 years ago. Not really sure what places are like now. Anyone have any specific comments on the timing of the trip (is Vietnam just a bad idea that time of year? Is going places by bike worse?) or the other specifics i.e. places to go and planning travelling by bike (any recommendations on the best way to do that if we end up doing so?)
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May 16, 2011 15:19
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Summer here doesn't equate to the hottest time of the year there. This isn't a northern / southern hemisphere thing, just a regional weather thing. The hottest times in SE Asia are the end of March, all of April, and the beginning of May. The rest of the year will still be very hot though, but when you're on a motorbike it's not a big issue because you basically have a big rear end fan blowing on you at all times. The rest of the time you're pretty much going to sweat all day anyway, it's just a matter of degrees. If this wasn't your experience in Vietnam then you were in an exceptional place in Vietnam as far as weather vs. the rest of the region goes.
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May 16, 2011 17:57
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Oh no I remember sweating balls quite a bit of the time as well as getting caught out in a quite a few 'showers' that flooded the streets but I honestly can't remember exactly what months I was there (though I think I probably was there for April) and was worried it got hotter. Might let him know and try getting it sorted out, if anyone has any more local experience of the bike touring thing please let me know since all my knowledge is probably pretty out of date (when I left the classic vespas were just starting to gain popularity as an ex-pat bike and apparently Minsks have become less common among locals in the countryside and aren't as easy to get parts for? According to bits and pieces I've read on travel company websites).
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May 17, 2011 08:51
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MrNemo posted:Might let him know and try getting it sorted out, if anyone has any more local experience of the bike touring thing please let me know since all my knowledge is probably pretty out of date (when I left the classic vespas were just starting to gain popularity as an ex-pat bike and apparently Minsks have become less common among locals in the countryside and aren't as easy to get parts for? According to bits and pieces I've read on travel company websites). Minsks are less common (and sort of out of style) with Vietnamese people, but I didn't have any problems finding parts in Vietnam. Generally, because they're dead easy to work on and as long as it's not something really specific to the bike (electrical box, carb, something like that) a good mechanic can usually improvise something. With that said, carry a spare electrical box, a cable or two, a Minsk-sized innertube and plenty of sparkplugs. Cuong used to be the go-to guy for Minsks in Hanoi but I found him kind of poo poo when I was there in 2008; Flamingo Travel was pretty great though. Sapa's a tourist zoo nowadays, pretty scenery but probably one of the least pleasant places I've visited in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, the rest of northern Vietnam is pretty awesome, so don't let that alone dissuade you. How many weeks do you have for the trip?
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May 17, 2011 13:36
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Sooooooo I've locked in another trip in mid July, partly as a bachelor party for a friend - but they'll head home after Koh Phangan: 2 nights in Bangkok, 3 on Koh Tao, 4 on Koh Phangan, 9 on Koh Tao again, 3 in Penang. The plan is diving on Koh Tao (advanced nitrox and deco procedures I guess), drinking on Koh Phangan, eating in Penang... Getting from Koh Tao to Penang is a bit of a pain in the arse. If I weren't pushed for time I'd get a boat to Chumporn then train to Penang, but instead I'm getting a boat to Samui, flying to KL, then flying to Penang...
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May 19, 2011 02:12
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Are you going to be doing a food walk in Penang (guessing with EatingAsia)? If so, consider me JEALOUS!
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May 19, 2011 18:38
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Steve. posted:Sooooooo I've locked in another trip in mid July, partly as a bachelor party for a friend - but they'll head home after Koh Phangan: At least the transfer from KL to penang is a breeze. Penang is awesome for food! Definitely go for the bakwuteh (pork rib soup). Too bad you don't have time for Malacca too! I think I was really lucky but Malaysian weather was beautiful and the light was just lovely. I don't what I did but my photos there were the nicer bunch. Pork rib soup (bakwuteh)  Malacca  And...  They dont' have A&W root beer out of a cold frosted mug in Hong Kong. Nor did I find any in Thailand or Vietnam. Forget Dr. Pepper. Root beer is the real deal!
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May 19, 2011 19:52
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caberham posted:
The same cannot be said for any of the food at an A&W. 
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May 19, 2011 20:06
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caberham posted:At least the transfer from KL to penang is a breeze. Penang is awesome for food! Definitely go for the bakwuteh (pork rib soup). Too bad you don't have time for Malacca too! I think I was really lucky but Malaysian weather was beautiful and the light was just lovely. I don't what I did but my photos there were the nicer bunch. I'm flying Firefly in to and out of Subang rather than KLIA, too... so much easier than KLIA. I've found lately that I normally hit KL from either Singapore or Koh Tao (via Samui) anyway, and Subang is so much more convenient. I lived in Penang for six months when I was sixteen, about ten years ago. I've been to Malaysia about ten times since but I haven't been to Penang - the timing just hasn't worked out. I'm really looking forward to this visit, though. I'm staying here and I'm hoping to meet up with the Eating Asia guys for a "food walk" - I figure I could just wander about and eat by myself, but I've been following their blog for years and I really want to avoid the rubbish and go straight for the good stuff. Plus, hanging out with them would be pretty cool. I wish I had time for Malacca... I've been meaning to go there for a long time, too. Knowing me I'll be in Malaysia again soon enough, though. I just hope my current run of vomiting (courtesy of alcohol (don't be the only white guy in a night club of 500 people celebrating a friend's birthday), food poisoning (thank you, Koh Samui Airport), and a giant fever (probably some kind of Koh Tao AIDS)) every time I visit Malaysia doesn't continue  moflika posted:Are you going to be doing a food walk in Penang (guessing with EatingAsia)? If so, consider me JEALOUS! I hope so - they can't be sure of their schedule just yet but they're moving from KL to Penang so it's looking likely. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be in Penang on July 30th, 31st, and August 1st so if anybody wants to join me... get in touch!
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May 20, 2011 00:48
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Niiice. I know you're going to be too busy stuffing your face, but if you can manage it, take some pics and share. Vicarious living is about all I can do at the moment :/
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May 21, 2011 17:33
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moflika posted:Niiice. I know you're going to be too busy stuffing your face, but if you can manage it, take some pics and share. Vicarious living is about all I can do at the moment :/ Will do 
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May 22, 2011 06:39
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Help me out, T&T: my 2 month trip through SE Asia is coming to an end in 3 days when I fly out from Bangkok. Does anyone know of a good spot in Bangkok to buy photo cheap photo gear? I just went to the MBK mall and it had a good handful of stores. I'd love to find the same gear for cheaper before I leave. Thoughts?
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May 24, 2011 18:21
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negativeneil posted:Help me out, T&T: my 2 month trip through SE Asia is coming to an end in 3 days when I fly out from Bangkok. You won't, it's all imported and taxed/dutied. Hong Kong or to an extent Singapore can compete with American retail prices, but otherwise don't bother unless you need it on your trip. If you're looking for film cameras there's a decent selection at the Saphan Lek market, which is a general catchall nerdmall (they have animes and videogames too). Again, prices aren't fantastic or anything.
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May 24, 2011 18:30
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negativeneil posted:Help me out, T&T: my 2 month trip through SE Asia is coming to an end in 3 days when I fly out from Bangkok. Generally consumer electronics are much cheaper in the US than anywhere abroad, including in the countries that make those same items. It doesn't make a lot of sense but that's how it is. Also if you buy in the US you have some recourse if your stuff is defective* -- if you buy in Asia you're usually out of luck, but hey, getting it fixed will at least be fairly cheap. *I somewhat regularly blow Thai people's minds here in NYC by letting them know they can return stuff to the store. Yes, Somchai, even if you peeled the tags off. Jing jing. Just take the saran wrap off the remote and it will be okay. raton fucked around with this message at 18:51 on May 24, 2011 |
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May 24, 2011 18:38
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I think Pantip Plaza (close to Platinum and Pratunam) should be slightly better than MBK. At least they'll have a few more shops to choose from. Pirom Plaza is another super nerdy place for camera gear, animu and so on but prices are not very good as pointed out above.
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May 24, 2011 18:45
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Ringo R posted:I think Pantip Plaza (close to Platinum and Pratunam) should be slightly better than MBK. At least they'll have a few more shops to choose from If you go to Pantip you'd better be ready to bargain, buncha sharks in there. Also bring some "sexy dvd movie" guy repellent. Pantip is unquestionably Bangkok's electronics mecca but holy gently caress can it be unpleasant trying to shop there. I can deal with an occasional walk down Patpong even but something about Pantip just gets to me. raton fucked around with this message at 18:53 on May 24, 2011 |
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May 24, 2011 18:48
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I'm going to be flying into Bangkok for 20 days in July. I originally planned to go with a school trip, but now I am considering going on my own and travelling to some other places in SE Asia. A few questions: I have an idea of what countries I want to visit (Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong), but haven't scheduled out everything. Is it alright to do things off the cuff and make arrangements when I get there? Same thing with lodging, should I book rooms or can I find a place to stay when I get there? edit: Should have read the first post Tuff Scrote fucked around with this message at 03:14 on May 25, 2011 |
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May 25, 2011 00:24
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Heads up for Australians: http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/au/en/deals/deals-of-the-day.html Booking Period 20 May 2011 - 30 May 2011 Travel Period 15 Jul 2011 - 26 Sep 2011 09 Oct 2011 - 17 Nov 2011 15 Jan 2012 - 31 Mar 2012 $600-ish return from several Australian cities to many cities in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore (well, the city in Singapore), Vietnam, and so on. Worth checking out. I'm not sure if the sale is Australia-only.
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May 25, 2011 02:28
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Captain Appleseed posted:Has anyone booked trains in Vietnam over the internet? Or is it easier to just book when I'm there? I booked it at my hotel. They even got me a taxi for a very fair price  A question that might be a bit weird: I had a ton of Vietnamese girls complement me on my skin. I don't tan well (I.E. I can vanish in front of a white wall) and apparently they really like that. Has that happened to anyone else? I thought it was weird but every girl at work (in Saigon) did that.
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May 25, 2011 03:14
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Popelmon posted:I booked it at my hotel. They even got me a taxi for a very fair price Yeah, white/pale skin is prized in Southeast Asian cultures, especially by women. Whitening creams are commonly sold, and a lot of women take extra precautions to cover up in the sun.
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May 25, 2011 03:28
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Yeah, white/pale skin is prized in Southeast Asian cultures, especially by women. Whitening creams are commonly sold, and a lot of women take extra precautions to cover up in the sun. Haha, the avoid the sun thing is so true. After lunch we always went to a grocery store across the street to get ice cream and the girls always ran from shadow to shadow / some even used umbrellas.
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May 25, 2011 03:30
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The arm-length gloves in Vietnam crack me up. They do it a bit in Cambodia as well, maybe it's a colonial holdover? Thai people are kinda silly about the whole white skin thing with the cremes and umbrellas, but Vietnamese chicks are downright hilarious with the giant hat, the arm length gloves, the obvious whitening cream base, the parasol and the facemasks. Granted the historical ethnic differences mean people from certain areas are darker than others, but they're like the whitest Southeast Asians by a longshot already yet they act ten times as insane as Thais or Malays or Filipinos.
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May 25, 2011 12:09
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Official Pattaya Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS7hZhO0ee8 (To those of you going there, this is what to expect)
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May 25, 2011 13:50
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Common Bangkok expat conversation: "I hope we don't have more of these protests, it's getting really annoying - I can't get through traffic to make it to the bar. When will the Goddamn skytrain extension open finally!?" Common Pattaya expat conversation: "Wot m8? Blowjobs are now 500 baht a pop and you gotta go upstairs? Fookin unsat. Wot's Pattaya comin' to? Why if I weren't former SAS, I'd go take care of things meself, but since my hands are legally considered weapons..." Seriously, if you think I'm kidding, go read Pattaya web forums. The place should be nuked from orbit (except then all the scum would stay in Bangkok instead of filtering out).
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May 25, 2011 14:53
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Speaking of Sky Train. Is it connected to the airport now? When I was there in '09 they were still building it.
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May 25, 2011 15:06
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Fiskenbob posted:Speaking of Sky Train. Is it connected to the airport now? When I was there in '09 they were still building it. Yes, it's pretty nice. That Pattaya song is catchy.
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May 25, 2011 18:16
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ReindeerF posted:Seriously, if you think I'm kidding, go read Pattaya web forums. The place should be nuked from orbit (except then all the scum would stay in Bangkok instead of filtering out). Leave Pattaya open but just put one of those big industrial shredders under a trap door behind the entrance to every disco and girlie bar. Slather marmite and borscht on the doorframe and keep a platter of hamburgers, bratwurst and heintz baked beans just out of reach on the other side.
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May 25, 2011 21:10
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Last time I was in SE Asia we flew out of BKK and spent a day and a half in Bangkok (Khao San Road) and a day and a half in Pattaya for for whatever reason. I remember leaving with the feeling that Thailand was a scummy poo poo hole compared to Vietnam (and even Cambodia). It was not until after I got back, read this forum more and did some research did I realize that I spent all my time in the shittiest parts of the entire region.
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May 25, 2011 22:06
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To be fair, Pattaya's not that bad if you stay the gently caress away from the nightlife areas. Though Jomtien has nothing on any of the beaches down south.
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May 25, 2011 22:24
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I've never been to Pattaya but it's at the top of my list for places to go next time I'm in Thailand. Has to be a goldmine for street photography and schadenfreude, two of my favorite things in the world. Also, ReindeerF described it as the Mos Eisley of Thailand in the Japan thread, which I found hilarious and fitting. I'm just imaging that weird hammerhead alien in a Chang singlet with a bargirl on his arm.
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May 25, 2011 22:26
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Pattaya is beyond redemption. Best street photography (and commentary) I've ever seen is from Khao San Road or Ko Pha Ngan.
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May 26, 2011 01:49
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Pompous Rhombus posted:You won't, it's all imported and taxed/dutied. Hong Kong or to an extent Singapore can compete with American retail prices, but otherwise don't bother unless you need it on your trip. Really? Because I just went to CentralWorld and got this for $95 instead of $180 today.
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May 26, 2011 14:42
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negativeneil posted:Really? Because I just went to CentralWorld and got this for $95 instead of $180 today. It might have come from China. I'm not saying it's a guaranteed fake, but it was overwhelmingly my experience that all photo equipment in Thailand was at least as expensive as the US, generally more so. But you can find knockoff Chinese stuff in retail stores as opposed to just on eBay.
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May 26, 2011 14:53
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Pompous Rhombus posted:It might have come from China. I'm not saying it's a guaranteed fake, but it was overwhelmingly my experience that all photo equipment in Thailand was at least as expensive as the US, generally more so. But you can find knockoff Chinese stuff in retail stores as opposed to just on eBay. Hey now are you trying to say good fakes aren't made locally!? 
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May 26, 2011 15:58
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I'll be flying in to Thailand for 3 weeks in July. I have about $2.5k to spend. My intinerary is going to be something like Bangkok > Chiang Mai > Phnom Phen > Siem Riep > Hanoi > Krabi > Bangkok I plan on flying to each place, but would I get more out of the trip (meeting people, seeing things) if I took a bus? Anywhere I really need to check out in those places (bars, clubs, restaurants)? I mostly just want to see the historic sights, meet interesting people, and bang a few European girls on the way. I'm a 25 y/o dude from the US if that helps. I heard the Full Moon Party is crazy, but kind of scummy. Is it something I have to go to, or can I skip it? Also, an anyone recommend a good travel backpack? Tuff Scrote fucked around with this message at 19:06 on May 26, 2011 |
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May 26, 2011 18:50
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Tuff Ghost posted:I'll be flying in to Thailand for 3 weeks in July. I have about $2.5k to spend. I went to the Full Moon Party and did the traditional thing (getting shitfaced, waking up in an unknown place, missing the ferry and having to take the night boat to reconnect with my friends), but I wouldn't recommend going there unless you feel comfortable among a massive bunch of drunk hooligans dirtying the beach. It's not even that good if you want to bang European girls because with that ratio of men to women it can easily be defined as a sausage fest. As for flying, I'd do it, especially considering all those places are quite far from each other, except Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Suffering through an 18 hour bus ride on lovely roads just for the slight chance of meeting someone interesting doesn't cut it for me. I heard good things about night buses, though. As for a travel backpack, I use an Osprey Porter 46, which was more than enough for my last trip. It fits the maximum legal carry-on size for most airlines, it weights very little, it has backpack straps that you can hide and a pretty useful side handle. There are similar products from Patagonia and other known brands, but this came recommended and it was much cheaper for me.
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May 26, 2011 20:27
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I'd say your cramming in too many places. I had a similar itinerary in mind for 5 weeks but ended up staying in BKK for 5 days instead of 2 and so on for the rest of the trip. I took the bus between bangkok in Chiang Mai and it was full of thai making (probably justified) 'men farang' jokes on my expense, no backpackers in there. First night of trying to meet people in Chiang mai I kept bumping in to groups that met eachother on the train, apparently the train is just on big booze fest. Make sure to get your tickets a few days ahead though, it was full when I wanted to use it. Chiang Mai is also a place where you can easily spend more days than planned just touring around the mountain(s) on your scooter. I went to a half moon party on a hippy farm in Pai, which was great, but the people I spoke too about the 'official' full moon party on Koh phangan either loved it or hated it. I guess it totally depends on your tolerance for drunk aussies/scandinavians and your general mood during the evening. My experience with backpacks is that is doesn't matter much, you only carry the thing when you're between taxi and guesthouse or taxi and airport. Make sure it has a front zipper to be able to quickly acces your stuff on the bottom. Also, I see more and more people just opting for trolleys, it's bad for your image with the backpackers but it's way more practical.
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May 26, 2011 20:39
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Too many places IMO. Skip Hanoi and visit Vietnam another time (there's a lot to see), and you could feasibly skip Phnom Penh also unless you have a real interest in seeing the killing fields, remnants of the Pol Pot regime etc. Give yourself some more time, you'll want it in pretty much all the places you're visiting in Thailand.
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May 26, 2011 22:03
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