Hi everyone
As we've got 5 weeks in Thaniland later this year, we wanted to spend a week or 2 somewhere else. Have covered most of Thailand during other trips, and this time will stick around, KoChang & KoMak, KoLanta.

So we are thinking Cambodia (partner really wants to see AnkorWat) but i wonder if we should consider Laos or Vietnam - we've been to none of these 3 places. If anyone has been Siem Reap -is it somewhere you'd spend 7-10 days ??
We're interested in budget-moderate priced. Also prepared to fly rather spend days on public transport. What are your thoughts ?

Violet, I spent 2 weeks in Vietnam in Feb 2006 and loved every minute of it. We flew to Hanoi, then overnite Junk cruise on Halong Bay, then back to Hanoi, then flew down to Hoian on the coast for 4 nites and then spent a week in Saigon. Liked Saigon the most - shopping was fantastic, plus we did the Mekong Delta and Chu Chi Tunnel tours. Halong Bay was gorgeous, although in Feb it was quite cold and not the weather we had expected thats for sure! I would go back to Hoian and Saigon but not Hanoi and wd only do Halong Bay again if it was hot!!! Our trip was very cheap - about $2000AUD per adult for the whole 2 weeks. Accomm. in Hanoi was in the old quarter and only about 2 star. In Hoian we stayed at Hoian Beach Resort about 4 star and it was gorgeous. In Saigon we stayed at the Duxton very central and about 4.5 star. Hope this is of some help. I havent been to Cambodia but it is definitely on my list of places to go - mainly to see Angor Wat. Im off to Thailand for the first time in 54 more sleeps!!!!!

Thanks Kitty, Vietnam sounds awesome. Un fortunately i feel we should just limit to 2 countries as we really like to stop and chill out for at least half the time away. But i think its between Vietnam & Cambodia.....Ive found some very cheap flights with AirAsia, amazingly cheap to both places, but i must check for HoChi Min. What turned you off Hanoi (Ive just looked at it as its closest to Thailand) ??
So where are you headed in Thailand -need any info ??

Im not exactly sure what turned us off hanoi? I guess it was cold for starters. We didnt have a lot of time there as it was really only a transit point cos we wanted to do Halong Bay. We stayed in the old quarter which was both amazing and filthy at the same time. Plus I had a bad migrain the day after we arrived. I guess if we went back there in warmer weather and had more time to explore we mite enjoy it more.
We are doing the tourist run in Thailand and 10 nites in Phuket staying at the Patong Merlin and then 3 nites in Bangkok staying at the Novotel Siam Square. Ive already asked lots of q's on previous posts and got most answers I need. But if you have any favourite eating or shopping places in either Patong or Bangkok, Id love to hear them. Can I ask - do you use cash, credit card or what form of payment??? Ive heard be very wary to use credit card as fraud is on the rise. But Ive also heard not to take all your money in cash (which is what I usually do) I had planned to take cash but with credit card just as backup in case it runs out. What do you do?
Cheers! Lindy

Violet - I forgot to mention a fantastic site Ive discovered since becoming hooked on this travel forum!!!! Its called www.cathyandgarystravelpages.com
They are a couple from Adelaide who have pretty much been to every south east asian country at least once and have set up there own web site. Im pretty sure theyve recently come back from Cambodia and stayed there quite a while. They have lots of info and photos, plus you can ask them any q's you mite have. So .... its worthwhile checking the site out.

Thanks - i will check out their site.
In relation to eating places, we dont have regulars, just whereever, being such huge fans of Thai food we feel its great everywhere in thailand, havnt had any one bad experience. Although we did eat a dodgy prawn in KoSamet a few years ago, and we got VERY ill for 2 weeks, the worst Ive ever had there.
I must say though -grab a banana/chocolate/condensed milk/coconut fried pancake from the street vendors -LIFE CHANGING. You'll see them wheeling around a cart with a big shallow fry pan.

Money: we take a mixture of cash/credit/travellers cheques. That way youve covered no matter what. You can play the rates with your three methods, so if cheques are a higher rate -withdraw cash. Some cash is essential, but we limit it to a couple of hundred at a time. Withdraw $$ at banks, rather than hotels, travel agents. In the places you're going you wont be stranded without an ATM or money changer, so Id almost say leave out the cheques. However they can be replaced (American Express) if you loose everything. Thats worst case scenario.

Im just a bit confused as to whether my atm card will work over there. My credit union said it wouldnt but then "cathyand gary" (who know all!!!) say it will cos it has "Plus" on the back of it. When Ive gone to Bali and Indonesia Ive just taken lots of cash and used my credit card sparingly and had no probs. Have you ever had probs using credit card, like Im talking c/card fraud. Ive also looked into the Travelex cash card as it seems a bit safer - like an atm card but with a pin so safer than credit card. But .... there are costs, both to set it up and every time you withdraw. Have you ever heard of or used one of these.

Yes, Ive heard of Travelex, but not actually used it Thats a pain if your ATM card wont work, Id trust what the bank are saying there -better to be safe than end up moneyless ! I believe (and looking at my card) its actually the 'cirrus' logo that needs to be present on the cards, if there's NOT a VISA, AMEX, MASTERCARD symbol.

Haven't had any c/c fraud in Thailand, but we would only ever w/draw from a bank or teller machine (many many around where you're going), as opposed to using it for lots of frequent smaller transactions. So, dont use it for restaurant bills, days trips, shopping etc. Certainly use the card for flights, hospitals (god forbid), reputable hotel bills.

Id say just w/draw your cash, with enough to last you for 3/4 days at a time. Theres varied opinions on whether to take your cards with you for the day, or leave them in a hotel safe. I feel that again, on the basis of splitting things up - leave the cards in the safe, and take the cash with you. If you get mugged (highly unlikely) you have your cards somewhere else.

Yeh, still confused about my atm card. It has "plus" on it which cathy says will work in Phuket. So .... I guess I will take lots of cash, as well as my credit card and my atm card - just in case it does work. I never thought of actually just withdrawing cash from the bank with my credit card. That sounds like a good idea and probably much safer than using it for individual transactions. So ... once again thanx for your help.
As for the banana fried pancake thing - not quite sure Im that adventurous!!!! I try to avoid street vendors - dont really want to spend valuable time o/s feeling sick. If I do decide to try it - I will let you know how it goes!!!!!

Kitty,
If you dont try the Banana pancakes I will be bitterly dissapointed in you. In my 10 trips to Thailand over the last 20 years, I would have had at least 100 and I am still standing. In fact, last November, I discovered Mango pancakes as well. With chocolate sauce and condense milk it tastes like heaven on a paper plate. It is very clean and safe. Once you get up the courage from eating pancakes, try the BBq chicken and work your way up to the fried grasshoppers!!!!!

__________________
I love Thailand this much