rewein
longtail driver
Posts: 5

#1 Posted: 23/3/2008 - 21:49


unfortunately I can only take 10 business days off of work to take this trip. If I leave Saturday and come back Sunday, that's 16 days with 13 days after travel. Initially I was thinking only Thailand with a stop in Angkor, now that I've been reading, I want to see everything, but still only 13 days on the ground. Here are the locations that are on the list now:

Arrive Bangkok 1 day
Fly to Chiang Mai 3 days
Fly to Luang Prabang 2 days
Fly to Hanoi 1 day
Fly to Hue and Hoi An 2 days
Fly to Saigon 2 days
Fly to Siem Reap-Angkor 2 days
back to Bangkok for flight home.

We prefer cultural and natural sights to cities, so I am considering a minimal stay in Bangkok and Hanoi. I know the least about Luang Prabang, Hanoi, and Saigon. We are good with long days, just want to see the most we can. This trip will be July-August.

I know this is not the ideal and I would love to spend months here, but since I can't, please let me know your suggestions to get the most out of a short trip.

THANKS!!

Jon_Mak_Mak
tuk tuk driver
Posts: 166

Located in:
United Kingdom

#2 Posted: 24/3/2008 - 05:14


Hi, Im sorry but I dont think that so little time in each place is a good idea at all. I understand that you want to see it all in a short time but I dont think you will see anything with such little time.

Better to just got to Thailand and a trip to Angkor for a few days but if not try some of this.....

1 day in Bangkok - Start early, go to the Grand palace then wat po, then wat arrun and then that could take you to the afternoon depends on how fast you walk! Like Thai food? Eat at any street stall with other Thais eating there. You could get another attraction in in the after noon and then in the evening go to sun lum night bazzar / patpong (this is thi culture!) or Ko san road (depending on what you like)

I would love to recommend you loads of places to see in BKK like the baiyoke sky tower, sukhumvit area, and various other wats and monuments but in one day you aren't gonna see much, not properly anyway.

3 Days in Chiang Mai is a bit more Time. If you like elephants their are a few places to see them such as Mae Teang (north of CM) and they have river raft rides and off road 4x4 and that sort of thing. That could take you a day. In the evening go see the night bazzar in chang klan. A couple of other things in chaing mai are Wat Doi Suthep, CM Zoo and a tour of the old walls and inner-city temples. There are other things around chiang mai as well you could arrange a day trip to.

2 days at Angkor! That is not enough. I love this place and have been a couple of times and will be going back again. Heres a list of the best *in my opinion* places to see in the 'angkor thom area' as they are all together. I think you will be wasting time going to the further-away temples.

Angkor Wat.
Ta Prom.
Bayon. (And Angkor Thom)
Preah Khan.

A boat trip on Tonal Sap is worth the effort to get to and for grub the Red Piano has some of the best asian food! (when we went anyway) A vist to the 'old market' in the centre is worth it too and the Cambodia Culture Centre is and interesting place.

Heres some photos of Seam Reap & Angkor Wat. (and check my other albums for Thailand, malaysia, Loas, Indonesia ect..)
http://travel.webshots.com/album/562649702vuhkls

Hope some of this helps and let us know how it goes. ;)

rewein
longtail driver
Posts: 5

#3 Posted: 26/3/2008 - 02:36


Thanks for your feedback, I also spoke to a friend who said we would be best off spending at least a week in northern Thailand and then hitting only one other place Angkor/Luang Prabang/Hanoi. I now think I can take a couple more days for the trip, about 15 days on the ground, so we would like to try to hit Northern Thailand + Luang Prabang + Angkor/Siem Reap leaving all of Vietnam for another trip. Any other responses are appreciated!

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2548

Located in:
Indonesia

#4 Posted: 26/3/2008 - 14:19


Take a look into Bangkok Airway's Discovery AirPass -- could save you quite a bit with your flights.

I think nixing Hanoi is a good idea -- 15 days will be far more comfortable doing North thailand, LP and Siem reap than trying to fit Vietnam in as well.

Jon_Mak_Mak
tuk tuk driver
Posts: 166

Located in:
United Kingdom

#5 Posted: 30/3/2008 - 20:46


I would agree with Northen Thailand and another place. Angkor Wat and the other ruins really are amazing!

:)