Thailand forum

bangkok-chiang mai-laos-cambodia-bangkok

halongbay07

motodop
Posts: 29

is this route easily done? and if so i would welcome any tips including border crossings.

and by the way i have 3 weeks!

thanks.

#1 Posted: 14/7/2009 - 01:53
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

Do you have one of those cool witches brooms or a private jet?? If the answer is no, then no, this route is not easily done. You would be spending half your three weeks in a bus - literally.

#2 Posted: 14/7/2009 - 02:13

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Victory in Pattani
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

halongbay07

I agree with MADMAC..

nights - place
2 - BKK
1 - train to CM
3 - CM
1 - Huay Xai
2 - boat to Luang Prabang
3 - LP
2 - Vang Veing
3 - Vientiane

This is 17 nights (and you only have 21).

And, you've hardly touched the places, or done anything memorable other than travel.

Cheers

#3 Posted: 14/7/2009 - 06:43

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An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
halongbay07

motodop
Posts: 29

thanks guys, i thought as much but just wanted to get a clearer picture, unfortunately i cant get anymore than 3 weeks so i guess ill have to rethink my plan, possibly just miss out laos?

ive never been to those countries before only vietnam, so any tips would be welcome. :)

#4 Posted: 16/7/2009 - 00:48
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

It really depends on what you want to do. Bruce and I can both give you good advice, depending on your desires. If you are looking to go trekking through jungle trails, seeing natural sites, going to temples and the like - Bruce is your man.

On the other hand, if you are a city boy, interested in tips on Thai or Lao nightlife and what to do in Isaan - I can help you.

I live here, so my take is of course different from Bruces in that vain as well.

What are you interested in doing?

#5 Posted: 16/7/2009 - 01:25

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Victory in Pattani
halongbay07

motodop
Posts: 29

i think its bruce's help im going to need most then, as im definetly looking to explore and see the country, but i appreciate any help that either of you can give.

im only planning on staying in bangkok for 2-3 nights when we first arrive so any tips of the best places to see in the city would be great.

cheers.

#6 Posted: 17/7/2009 - 01:38
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

For classic cultural stuff, Bruce and Rufus are you boys. I'm sure one of them will be here postwith.

#7 Posted: 17/7/2009 - 02:34

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Victory in Pattani
halongbay07

motodop
Posts: 29

thanks madmac! i look forward to hearing from them then. :)

#8 Posted: 18/7/2009 - 15:09
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

halongbay07

The pitch here is that you've listed a heap of great destinations, but can't fit them all in with the limited time you've got.

The sad fact is that there is only one person that can reliably be responsible for your journey planning (unless you've got a bucketful of cash).

So, choose one country - only one country.

Plan a journey, and then come back with the details. For example...

day 1 - arrive place A

day 2 -X - do these things in place A

day X+1 - travel to place B

day X+2 to X+5 - do these things in place B....

etc.

So, where to start?

Once you've chosen your nation, search the Travelfish nation pages, look at the places, the 'attractions' at the places, and the travel connections between the places.

Once you do that, I suggest much of your journey comes together.

- - -

I realise what I'm about to write may sound weird, but you've already done the planning process OK. For example, you wrote "bangkok-chiang mai-laos-cambodia-bangkok". This merely means you've planned at the super macro level.

Now, its time to look in more detail at the places, the attractions in those places, and the linkages between the places.

Your turn...

Cheers

#9 Posted: 18/7/2009 - 18:14

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An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
halongbay07

motodop
Posts: 29

thanks for a great answer bruce.

basically i would like to see the real thailand and get away from the most touristy areas and as madmac said: "If you are looking to go trekking through jungle trails, seeing natural sites, going to temples and the like - Bruce is your man."

this is definetly the sort of thing im after in the time ive got, so thailand is going to be my 1 country as you suggested, but i would still like to make a go of getting to cambdia for at least 2-3 days just to see angkor watt, im thinking the latter part of the trip would be better for this.

cheers.

#10 Posted: 19/7/2009 - 23:51