Thailand itinerary

opinions

Travelling to thailand and possibly laos/vietnam. going for 5weeks. just wondering if anyone has done anything similar or knows the best routes? where would you recommend to visit?

v.e.r.b.a.l

Did 10 weeks in SE Asia at the end of a big trip last year. I can tell you about our route and you might get some ideas!

We were coming from Sydney, so we started in Singapore. Then we flew to Phuket (just cos it was cheapest!) and stayed in Phuket Town (away from the horrible resorts) just cos we got in late at night. We got a boat to Ko Phi Phi. Then a boat from Phi Phi to Krabi. We got a minibus in Krabi to Koh Sok National Park (which I really recommend - often overlooked in the beach-riddled south). Then we got another minibus to Surat Thani, just to hop on a boat to Ko Samui. Stayed a night there and it was even too much. Horrible place. Skip it. Then we got another boat to Ko Pha Ngan and headed to the very north to Bottle Beach for a secluded rest away from the puking and ****ting in the sea of Hat Rin. Then it was another boat back to Surat Thani and an overnight bus to Bangkok. Then an overnight bus to Chiang Mai. We missed Pai (which I'm devestated by!) but I'm glad we didn't miss the White Temple in Chiang Rai. Amazing place.

Didn't like Thailand that much. The beaches are stunning, but you can't believe a word anyone says. Everyone's out to scam you. Plus they're destroying their environment and treating people in a disgusting manner (the Karen tribes in the North), but that's a discussion for another thread!!

We got a minibus from Chiang Mai to the border and crossed on a boat to lovely relaxed Laos. We stayed a night in Huay Xai, debated going North and debated the Gibbon Experience and hopped on a 2 day slowboat on the Mekhong that brought us to Luang Prabang. Ended up staying 6 days here, we loved it so much. We got a minibus to Phonsavanh to see the Plain of Jars and avoid unexploded ordinance and then got the most horrific bus of our lives to Vinh in Vietnam.

There's loads more to see in Laos, which is a lovely place, but we were running out of time if we wanted to fit Vietnam in comfortably, so we'll save it for another trip!!

We had to stay the night in Vinh, but only cos it was night and we'd missed the last trains and buses. Got a train up to Ninh Binh, rented a moped and saw some amazing scenery and met some brilliantly friendly locals. Recommended. Then another train up to Hanoi. Then a night train up to Sapa (an organised kind of thing we got in Hanoi), did 2 days of amazing trekking there and then back to Hanoi. Then a bus (the same organised thing) to Halong where we did 3 days on Halong Bay. Gorgeous! Then a flight (it was Tet, so all transport were booked out!!) to Danang and a shared taxi to Hoi An. From Hoi An (reminded me a bit of Luang Prabang) we got a sleeper bus to Nha Trang for some beach time. Then another sleeper bus to Ho Chi Minh City. We were running out of time here, so skipped Mui Neh and the Mekong Delta. Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling place full of history and some tiny tunnels. We got a hassle-free bus across the border to Phnom Penh from Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam was our favourite place in SE Asia, but it seems to be very 50/50, judging both on people we met and people on boards.ie - half the people loved it and half hated it. I guess it depends on your experience.

Time was really running out, so didn't see too much of Cambodia. Got to spend some time on the beach in Sihanoukville, then see the devastating past of Phnom Penh and then got a bus up to Siem Reap to see the glory of Angkor Wat.

The border crossing back into Thailand is a long one, but not as difficult as it used to be.

If you need specific info on any of the above feel free to PM me and I'll be glad to help. That route that we took is a very-well beaten one and transport is easy to manage to most places (a bit tougher for Sihanoukville, Phonsavanh, Vinh and Koh Sok), but remember:

never sit in the back of a minibus (you or the person beside you won't be sick)
always charge your iPod (blocks out the sound of pretentious Dutch travellers)
always ask for a picture of the bus or train (in Vietnam anyways!!)
never believe anything a túk túk driver tells you!!