Who wants to play 20 Questions (Help for noobie survey)

Ok so i have never travelled before and this will be a surprise B%26#39;day present for my wife and I who both turn 30 at the end of this month.

Got an online quote today from MEL to HKT 2 Nights accom at Centara Villas then 5 nights own arrangements and finishing with 2 nights accom in Grand China Princess BKK before flying home to MEL

(i figured to save cash i could go to wotif or something closer to the dates to get the rest of the accom, is that risky? and the airasia flt from HKT to BKK is only $40AUD)

THE Questions

1. See above re cost.

2. how long does a customs check-in take when i get there cause fly lands at 19:40 and i beleive its about an hour to karon beach.

3. ive heard you can travel ultra light on the way over and almost buy your clothes for the stay while your there thus is the cheapness of stuff in markets? fact or fiction.

4. do i need to carry id other than passport, what else do i take (that i wouldnt take on a trip to the gold coast)

5. i want to see a few of the gold budda type monuments/temples for great photo ops can anyone recomend a few.

6. phi phi islands seems quite popular given my lack of time over there do people advise a day trip or over night.

7. patong vs phuket town (we will go to both) is one better for markets/shoppong over the other. is there must sees at either.

8. ive been told not to book any activeities (ie elepahant trekking, diving, stage shows ect) from home in australia because if i wait till im there i could get 3 for the price of one compared to paying before i leave. Fact or fiction?

9.must see%26#39;s in BKK

10. drivers, i see many people talking about hiring driveres, is this the best thing, or are tuk tuk%26#39;s the go (or are just use a few times for the experience) are drivers costly, can youget them for a whole day and will they wait while you do your activity then take you to your next thing or are they mor like taxi drivers who drop you off get paid then you order a new one when your ready.

OK 10 QUESTIONS IS ENOUGH.

AND I KNOW I AM CRAMING HEAPS INTO SUCH A SHORT STAY PROBLEM IS IM IN A SITUATION WHERE IVE GOT SOME MONEY FOR ONCE AND RATHER THAN GOING TO THE QUEENSLAND THEME PARKS FOR THE 10 MILLIONTH TIME IM BITING THE BULLET AND GOING OVERSEAS. THE TIME CONSTRAINTS ARE FORCED DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO GET ANY LINGER TIME OF WORK, HAVING SAID THAT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET ANOTHER SHORT BREAK FOR ROUND 2 LATER IN THE YEAR.

I HAVE 27TH MARCH - 5TH APRIL EARMARKED.

CHEERS ASH.

ANY HELP GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Who wants to play 20 Questions (Help for noobie survey)

1. Often you can get great hotel rates from travel agent in Aust. They buy in bulk.

2. Allow at least an hour for customs and bag pickup. More if you have a connecting flight.

3. Clothes are reasonably priced. Sure you can buy them there if you want. Personally I don%26#39;t like to waste holiday time shopping.

4. Take a copy of all your travel documents. I leave one at home and one in the suitcase and originals on my person.

5. You will be staying in Chinatown in Bangkok and within easy reach of the most impressive temples. Grab a tuk tuk and he will take you for almost nothing if you visit his friend%26#39;s shop.

6. You don%26#39;t have enough time for Phi Phi unless you want to spend the whole trip on the run. It%26#39;s a long flight from Aust - you might want some chill out time.

7. Markets everywhere. Phuket town a bit cheaper but Patong is on your doorstep.

8. Book tours when you get there but not in your hotel. Find a travel agent - they are everywhere - and know the going rate before you book.

9. Bangkok must see Grand Palace complex. Think about a guide for a day. Search forum for recommendations.

10. Cheapest transport is taxi in Bangkok. Hire a car and driver for the day for your first trip as this is best way to see most in a short time. Look through postings here for recommendations. Do tut-tuk once. In Phuket I avoid taxi and tuk-tuk.

regards

Freddy

Who wants to play 20 Questions (Help for noobie survey)

Hi Ash,

I will answer as many as I can,

$40 from BKK to Phuket is very good.

2. how long does a customs check-in take when i get there cause fly lands at 19:40 and i beleive its about an hour to karon beach.

A:How long is a piece of string! Thai people never do things in a hurry, so be patient, just depends how many flights are in and where you are in the queue, we have been through in minutes, other times up to an hour.

3. ive heard you can travel ultra light on the way over and almost buy your clothes for the stay while your there thus is the cheapness of stuff in markets? fact or fiction.

A: Mostly true, if you are a man lol, if you are a average-larger western woman take your own favourites, can be a challenge getting things that fit, heaps of sarongs, shorts, tshirts etc.

My husband just takes his undies and buys a new outfit for every day, plus getting your laundry done is cheap as chips.

4. do i need to carry id other than passport, what else do i take (that i wouldnt take on a trip to the gold coast)

A: You are required by law to carry your passport on you in a foreign country, however a photocopy tends to suffice, we have never been asked to show anything, so leave passports in hotel safe or safety deposit box, unless you are cashing travellers cheques, you will need it for that.

5. i want to see a few of the gold budda type monuments/temples for great photo ops can anyone recomend a few.

A: Plenty of temples to see, do a search.

8.ive been told not to book any activeities (ie elepahant trekking, diving, stage shows ect) from home in australia because if i wait till im there i could get 3 for the price of one compared to paying before i leave. Fact or fiction?

A: Fact, there are so many tour operators on the streets and each one you go to will be cheaper, just find one you feel good about.

If you can go to Phi Phi, a day trip is good but better to stay time permitting.

Bkk, tiger temple, MBK shopping plaza (huge), floating markets, theres too much to do it all in 2 days.

Drivers in Patong are used often, many ppl (tourists) become good friends with their drivers, hence recommending them to others on the forum, there are many on the forum, or you will undoubtably meet someone who drives a tuk tuk who has a car or friend with a car available for trips. Yes you can arrange for them to wait for you, just make sure you offer to buy them lunch and a few cold drinks, plus a nice tip at the end if you are really happy.

I%26#39;m sure there will be many other replies to your questions, good luck and have an awesome holiday, Phuket is nothing like the gold coast lol!!! Cheers, Sue

Have been to Thailand 6 times and am leaving this Saturday for another trip,14 nights in Patong and 4 in BK, always have enjoyed Thailand, even when it rains. The best advice I can give you is to speak to people around the pool at your hotel, they probably will be Aussie, they will tell where best to eat, prices, tours etc.

3. Fact - you will be amazed at what you can buy in Thailand, clothes, shoes etc.

5. Some great temples to visit in Phuket as well as BK

6. Do a day trip to Phi Phi you will see as much as you would spending a night there.

7. Patong is a much more viable place to stay than Phuket town, shopping, restaurants etc better. Must see Fantasea, do dinner deal, you will be amazed at the size of the restuarant. 1/2 day island tour, James Bond island, sea caves. Book when you get there, much cheaper on the streets and you can barter for a better deal if you book everything at the same time and place.

9. Visit MBK shopping centre, if your are in BK on a Sat or Sun go to Chatachuk markets, I have been there 3 times and have not been right through the place. Hire a car and driver, best if you can arrange other people to go with you, to go to the Bridge over the River Kwai, floating markets and the tiger temple, can be done in 1 day. Do a bike ride in the country side, one of the best experiences I have ever had in Thailand. What ever you decide to do you will enjoy your self and remember to smile and have a laugh with the locals

Some comments:

I wouldn%26#39;t bother with Phi Phi Island. I would head to Coral Island and spend the night.

Yes you can get cheap clothes, but don%26#39;t overdo it - don%26#39;t come with nothing. Phuket Town has some decent shopping, cheaper than Patong. The architecture is also worth seeing as there are a number of buildings with Portuguese influences.

It is cheaper to book from Phuket. - see my above comment re Coral Island Fantasea is ok but don%26#39;t eat there. The food is ordinary. I would hardly call it a ';Must see'; however. Get a driver and do a sightseeing tour of the island. You book him for the whole day.

Take a tuk Tuk to Lam Sing beach. Most posters here do not know about it and it is one of the nicest beaches in Phuket, far better than Karon and even Kata Noi.

In Bkk: definitely a city tour, including the Rose garden, China Town, the Bhudda the Thais stole from Laos, Chattuchack Market if you are there on a weekend, The Floating Market.

Photocopying your travel docs is a good idea. Some posters have suggested emailing jpegs of the same to yourself. I hadn%26#39;t thought of this, but it is a sensible idea.

Finally enjoy your trip.

What, no questions about the weather? Andy will be distraught.

lol, good point that.

11. expected weather last week of march