Ireland > Thailand x 2

dardoz

Hi guys,

I want to pick the brains of my fellow Paddies who have been to Thailand in the past few years. Basically, myself and my wife have been considering going on a 2 week holiday somewhere in Asia in Summer 2008. We have narrowed it down to probably Thailand and Cambodia. We want to visit maybe 4/5 ddifferent locations in the 2 weeks, but hopefully not spend the whole time travelling, so cut it down to less locations if you like.

First of all, I should mention we won't be going with a big budget, so think budget backpacking, beautiful landscapes, jungle adventure, picturesque ocean views

Now onto the questions.

1. Does any1 know any good backpacking guide websites for asia
2. Can someone give me a list of places worth visiting in Thailand and Cambodia

AND THE ULTIMATE QUESTION: Can any1 who has done something similar suggest a suitable itinerary for a 2 week Asian adventure?

Thanks in advance

BuffyBot

Not quite budget, but worth a read none the less http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055140132

Garthicus

Don't Worry too much about money on a trip like that, you can survive very well on a budget of say $60 per day. Thailand and Cambodia are very inexpensive (Bangkok is getting more and more expensive however) so once you are out of the big cities you will be fine. I will try and think of some kind of itenerary for ya

Saintly

Don't know if this will help - am just on week two of my two week trip to Cambodia and Thailand - spent 9 days in Cambodia - three in Phnom Penh, one in Battambam and five in Siem Reap. Missed out on the south coast though, which I regret. From Siem Reap, I flew to Chiang Mai, via Bangkok and plan to spend another week here - lots to do - cookery course, temple tours, hill walking and the incredible Elephant Nature Park. Like you, I didn't want to spend the entire trip travelling. Cambodia, without a shadow of doubt, has been the highlight of my year long trip, I just fell in love with the place. Will let you know how Chiang Mai goes...

Saintly.

S.M.B.

1. Does any1 know any good backpacking guide websites for asia

I'm in Bangkok at the moment and I'm using the travelfish website for pretty much all my info.

http://www.travelfish.org/

dardoz

Saintly wrote:

Don't know if this will help - am just on week two of my two week trip to Cambodia and Thailand - spent 9 days in Cambodia - three in Phnom Penh, one in Battambam and five in Siem Reap. Missed out on the south coast though, which I regret. From Siem Reap, I flew to Chiang Mai, via Bangkok and plan to spend another week here - lots to do - cookery course, temple tours, hill walking and the incredible Elephant Nature Park. Like you, I didn't want to spend the entire trip travelling. Cambodia, without a shadow of doubt, has been the highlight of my year long trip, I just fell in love with the place. Will let you know how Chiang Mai goes...

Saintly.

what made you fall so much in love with Cambodia?

Glowing

Saintly wrote:

- cookery course, temple tours, hill walking and the incredible Elephant Nature Park.

As you can see by my sig, i'm an avid supporter of the Elephant Nature Park. It's not just any park - its a sanctuary and refuge for injured, elderly and overworked elephants. They don't do rides or tricks but live in a most natural way possible. You'll get to help prepare their food, wash them in the river, and walk along side them, eye to eye. You'll get some amazing meals during your stay too!

Its an amazing place to spend a few days. Very rewarding, and you'll get a much nicer, more personal experience than sitting on their overworked backs.

www.elephantnaturepark.org

Don't be tempted into visiting the cheaper Elephant camps, they'll most likely offer logging shows and painting etc to make up for the difference in revenue. All the money you pay to ELP goes towards the elephants alone.

dardoz

how much is it to go to elephant nature park?

Glowing

http://elephantnaturepark.org/tour/index.htm - lists the prices. About 50 euro for a full day trip including lunch and transfers.

Its not the cheapest trip you'll make while over there but I'm sure anyone else who has visited before will say it was worth every penny! Great to know your money is going towards a good cause.

Edit: Here's my blog entry for ENP and pics: http://www.ballofdirt.com/entries/9772/126921.html

shrapnel222

my advice would be not to try and do to much as you'll just end up spending most of your time travelling. 2 weeks will fly by so pick and choose carefully.

certainties are bangkok, chiang mai, siem reap

another good little spot if you intend to spend a few days on the beach to unwind before flying home is koh chang. it's only about 4 hours by bus from bangkok and 2 hours by boat. it's a nice little island, usually not too busy and not as touristy as the usual culprits (samui, pan ghang, etc) and nowhere near as far as them, and much cheaper to get to.

empirix

Persoanlly i'd skip northern Thailand nad head South down to Phi Phi island - undoubtedly the best island there(i have been to them all) - closest i've come to Paradise. I'd also spend the majority of my time in Thailand, Cambodia is cool and all but i found it took more time to get around there - interesting place though, more expensive than tHailand.

TravelJunkie

Chian Rai is gorgeous. inland and high. villages along the river. Elephant safari too. Definately go there.

Glowing

TravelJunkie wrote:

Elephant safari too

The whole idea of going to ENP is that you DON'T do an elephant safari or trekking. They're terribly cruel. :rolleyes:

I've heard Chan Rai is fabulous too though!