just found this = my first massage whilst being laughed at

7/3 Preparation


Hope you liked the first report - if you remember I was concerned I would never get back either alone or with my wife - I just know I needed to I knew that- I need not have worried as soon as my wife looked at the photos and listened to my tales of the people - the place - the sights - THE SHOPPING - and I gave her all the things I had bought in Thailand on my first trip - she said I want to go - so the planning started - I wanted to see more of the country this time - but at the same time I wanted Heather to experience some of the same things I had - so to an extent I would be repeating some of my experiences but in my eyes that would tell me, do I really like the place or was it first time honeymoon period syndrome - so on discussion we decided that we would begin and end in Bangkok, we would also visit Kanchanaburi but not on a day trip as I had we would spend 3 days there and use my taxi driver friend for transport and have a private tour of the place and take in all the sites of the area - Having heard from my friend on the last trip that he had enjoyed Pattaya we also decided to go there for 3 days - then we would fly to Phuket for 6 days and relax and I would realise a long held ambition of diving again as the last time was 30 years earlier whilst in the army - then via Bangkok to come home

So to booking the flights and hotels - the flights were not easy to find it was a minefield trying to match up the connecting flights with N Ireland eventually I opted for Thai Airways again from Heathrow with flights from Belfast with BMI - off the top of my head I think I got a good deal with Thai (about £450 each) but the bloody connecting flights were £150 (rip off) - Next the hotels I searched and searched the internet we ended up getting a fantastic BOGOF offer in Phuket at the Twin Palms in Surin beach a 5* hotel - we decided on The Mandarin in Bangkok as I knew it and was orientated from there for the sights etc and we would check out other hotels whilst there for a possible return - In Kanchanaburi we opted for The River Kwai hotel - right on the river bank - I cant remember the name of the one in Pattaya but it will come to me.

I was going to plan this down to last detail as I wanted it to be the holiday of a lifetime for Heather and I was desperate for her to fall for the place as I had - So I searched the internet for those special things that make a trip - the first was a deal on the business lounge at Heathrow and Bangkok - It was to be Heathers birthday whilst we were there (May - June 2006) so I arranged for a romantic meal and booked an appointment with the Jewellers in Bangkok - Whilst trawling the net and on one of my usual Man City sites I came across a fellow blue in Phuket who gave me good info on the area and said when we arrived if I rang him he would come out for a drink so numbers were exchanged and we arranged to meet once we got there - I made lists of what we wanted to buy and who for etc - I made a itinerary and printed it out I got directions to hotels etc printed in Thai for taxi drivers - I was leaving nothing to chance - I had bought enough baht back from my last trip so that I would not need to change any monies in the UK - all this took quite some time but I was learning as I did it and it was all to help in the future - So we were all booked by about Oct / Nov of 2005 and it was 7/8 long months before I was due back in the land of smiles - I / we could not wait - details to follow ………………………………......

Part of me thinks planning it all is the best bit but I know some who just get there and then decide where to go, where to stay. I'm not that brave!

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Alison

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It's Better to Burn Out than just to Fade Away!

know what you mean - I love the planning - the researching and getting a bargain - if you walk off the street to some of the hotels I have stayed in it would be 10x the price - the flights are the nightmare matching up connections etc and getting at the right price - but truth be told I love it

Hi Phil

Enjoying reading your reports, we are heading to Bangkok in April which jewellers did you go to?

Thanks

Sharrie

will have to look up the insurance cards will let you know - but if you are going to Phuket there is a great one there - one of the biggest in the world and its called WangTalang got some great deals there - but you really need to haggle

sorry guys was going to continue tonoght but feel like shoit have the cold - and on the morrow the sister in law arrives from spain and also have a meeting for the football plus arranging a suprise 80th for my father in law - so all go here - will get back as soon as possible

meanwhile T.I.T.

Thanks Phil, will have to brush up on our haggling skills :)

wangtalang is deffo the place for said jewels I bargained down from £800 to £450 for a couple of items - also on the last trip made a take or leave it bid of £300 on a ring my wife wanted that was listed at £700 and I got it - then there is upstairs a mind of trinkets hand carved - hand made etc - and cheaper than the markets - they will often throw these things in when buying jewels etc - one tip - do not buy off the shelf get it made it you have the time - pick the jewel and a design you want then get it made it will be cheaper - IF you employ the haggling skills