traveller123

DivineMadman, Thanks for your reply. Do you mind telling me the name of the hotel you stayed at while you were in Hanoi. I had thought about Dalat but I couldn't find an easy way to go on from Dalat to Hoi An Looking at the temperature charts for the begining of April there is every chance that it will be a lot pleasanter in Hoi An/Hue than the hot and humid weather we will be having in my part of Isan.

I have booked flights with my partner 3rd April 2018 to Hanoi, returning from Da Nang 13th April (thanks Air Asia sale) My initial thoughts are on the 4/5th take an overnight boat trip to Halong Bay which reading the reports above I had better splurge on a high end trip 6th sightsee in Hanoi 7th take either the overnight train or a flight and spend 2 nights in Hue 9th to 13th in Hoi An Has anyone got any up to date reports or any suggestions?

Like Peter haggling can be fun, but what I do in case like this when small amounts are involved is to haggle and then give the guy the original asking price. Usually rewarded with a big smile

I had a disaster taking a boy from Pattaya to Chiang Mai and then to Hua Hin. We just didn't get along and ended by mutual agreement with him going back alone early to Pattaya. Two days later while I was still in Hua Hin I met a guy and after a couple of days together he agreed to come with me for the remaining four days of my holiday to Pattaya. This was the complete opposite it was just so easy and enjoyable but the unexpected happened I really fell for the guy and ----8 years later we are still together and he makes me happy every single day. So Spoon just be aware that spending a long time together could have unplanned consequences!

My partner and I like Koh Chang and have been a couple of times for a relaxing holiday (we live in Thailand and it's about a 6 hour drive). We were not looking for it but we saw no signs of gay bars or a gay night life and I would suggest if you find a suitable guy your first week you take him with you for your second week. I would also suggest you consider splitting your week between two resorts on the island, Whitesands is probably the busiest resort and we stayed there on our first visit, the second time enjoyed the area near the fishermans village. You didn't indicate your budget for accomodation, on our last trip we stayed 3 nights each at the following: They are both smaller hotels and a little expensive but we enjoyed our stays: http://chaipura.com/ http://nestsenseresort.com/ There is no pool at Chaipura but there is a very nice beach 2 minutes walk away. It is also near the Fishermans Village from where you can get boat trips to more good beaches At Nest Sense there is a small but attractive pool however the beach is rocky. In both cases I would advise you to contact them directly to see if you can get a better price than the booking agencies. Finally just to emphasise my opening remarks, unless you are happy with your own company for a week I would say you need to take a companion

I recently used my Thai driving licence to hire a car in the UK

Im from the UK (now living in up country Thailand). In restaurants I believe in tipping for good service usually giving 10% of the bill even in Isaan where tips normally are loose coins. I did have an unpleasant experience in the US, when I went to a restaurant in The Nappa Valley for breakfast, was shown into a back, poorly lit room, had slow service and didn't tip I was subjected to unflattering comments by the middle aged waitress audible to the rest of the restaurant's customers on my way out.

Lay off a447a, your constant snipping is getting tedious

A couple of experiences of not having a departure card both involving Don Muang. The first time I noticed when I got home in Isaan after arriving through Don Muang that my departure card was missing. I sorted it by visiting my nearest Immigaration Office at Kap Choeng who gave me a new departure card with an explanation written on it in Thai why the serial numbers didnt tie up. When I next left Thailand through BKK there were no problems. Second time a lady in front of me in departures at DM asked me if I knew what would happen as she had lost her card. I told her I didn't know, she presented her passport and was waved through. I don't know if this would always be the case, perhaps it depends how awake the Officer is, although I suspect it is a common occurance.

Look at it positively you will be earning money for your next holiday. Can I add my thanks for your trip reports.

Thanks Bob and Sglad for taking the time to give detailed information

No he is not a fussy eater, he is always telling me he can eat anything, which he can. His taste ranges from fried bugs, grubs and village Isaan food to nice European restaurants - Cafe Des Amis in Pattaya is probably his favourite in Thailand as he loves scrubbing up for a special occassion. I'm usually the one that compares outside food to his cooking as I know how lucky I am (eight years now)

Thanks Sglad for your detailed reply. My partner is Thai, the problem is (well problem is not the right word) he is an excellent cook and I enjoy his food more than the food we eat in Thai restaurants in our Isaan Town.

Bob, Do you have a recommendation for a mid price thai restaurant in Chiang Mai say 1000 baht per person for food? A bit of background is that, apart from my partner, we are all in our 60s - ok I've just turned 70 and I only enjoy food that is mildly spiced (at home my partner cooks for me with one chilli and he has more on the side) A place with a good atmosphere and is not part of a hotel would fit the bill.

My partner and I will be in Chiang Mai for a few days over Christmas, on previous visits we have eaten and been happy at La Fourchette, it is only a small restaurant so booking is advisable We will be travelling with married straight friends of ours and based on Trip Advisor reviews have made a hotel booking at Phrasingh Hotel

Just what I need, pity I'm 400km from Bangkok

It is worth checking the price on Air Asia from Don Muang to Luang Prabang

http://www.lazada.co.th/lodge/?spm=a2o4m.brand-27696.0.0.zgIztD&sc=MzBs Lazada have a good range of Lodge cookware, however expensive and from a very quick look I didnt notice the stove you are after.

I have been way for 5 weeks on holiday and during my holidays I don't look atthe internet. It was therefore an unexpected and very pleasant surprise on my return to see Numazu posting again. A belated but sincere welcome back

;I flew in with Qatar last week at approx 12.30pm there were very long queues at Immigration, so having turned 70 a couple of weeks ago I decided to use the priority lane (thanks to the information on this website) and it was a breeze, 2 desks open and 6 people in the queue.

In June Air Asia wll begin flights from Bangkok (DM) to Danang which means a few days stay around Hoi An is a possibilty. Suspect there wouldnt be good nightlife but it looks like a scenic seaside town

Jomtien Complex is quite compact, my advice would be to just stroll around and go in the ones that you like the look of. Enjoy your visit

If you are looking for Thai style sea food there are 2 restaurants overlooking the sea at the far end of The Beach Road where the road turns away from the sea.You would need to get a taxi as it is a fair way to walk.Reception at Agate would book you a taxi. It is much more enjoyable eating there with a friend, so find a guy who is good for your nightlife, can speak enough English and enjoy. I also like Sandbar but the food there is more to Western tastes