This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Thailand. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:1689 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-05-15T08:03:04Z 340048http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Thailand. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-25:6596572 2008-02-25T06:11:53Z 2008-05-15T08:03:04Z dungroovin http://realtravel.com/member-m4613964-dungroovin.html <p>a entry by dungroovin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_ngai-krabi-reviews-hotels-d3649168.html">Ko Ngai, Krabi.</a></p> <p>Dear blog forgive us, for it is full 20 days since last we blogged.</p><p>We have been sorely tried as in thine wisdom thou hast seen fit to cast us upon mere specs of coral in the middle of the Andaman sea which are not troubled even by a road let alone thine wonderful wibbly wobbly web.</p><p>In fact I can't even find one of 'em in thine miraculous "database of most of the populated regions on the planet".</p><p>We set off from Trang with an hours bus trip then get loaded into a longtail boat, again it's a little nerve racking to see all you have in the world being chucked across river from ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_ngai-journals-j6596572.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_N3hDl5yb2sqrwN87yJqos9rlWFU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/N3hDl5yb2sqrwN87yJqos9rlWFU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_N3hDl5yb2sqrwN87yJqos9rlWFU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=N3hDl5yb2sqrwN87yJqos9rlWFU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fko_ngai-journals-j6596572.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ko_ngai-journals-j6596572.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-14:6191870 2007-12-14T10:47:22Z 2008-04-25T08:01:15Z RollingStone http://realtravel.com/member-m6042580-rollingstone.html <p><em>"gobsmackingly pretty from its aqualine water, right down to its lush tropical toes"</em></p> <p>a entry by RollingStone from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/koh_phangan-surat_thani_province-reviews-hotels-d4439892.html">Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province.</a></p> <p>I've been on Phangan a couple of days now. I certainly picked the perfect location (by accident though). Caught the ferry over from Koh Samui, ended up being seated next to a couple of Canadian guys. I swear if I'd lit a match the whole boat would have gone up. They reeked of stale beer. Anyway all nose hairs and long legs....funny. I also saw my first ladyboy. Hair in bun, eyebrows perfectly plucked and tissue-stuffed boobs to boot...When I finally arrived in Phangan my ride seemed to have gone astray and I ended up flagging a pick-up and was eventually dropped at the end of an unsealed ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/koh_phangan-journals-j6191870.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_v9Yg96O1G1IOuj1mRCeSiTqZMrA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/v9Yg96O1G1IOuj1mRCeSiTqZMrA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_v9Yg96O1G1IOuj1mRCeSiTqZMrA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=v9Yg96O1G1IOuj1mRCeSiTqZMrA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkoh_phangan-journals-j6191870.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/koh_phangan-journals-j6191870.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-14:6849202 2008-04-14T06:30:21Z 2008-04-14T06:33:50Z James Bunting http://realtravel.com/member-m6621200-james_bunting.html <p><em>"By the time i got back to the hostel i had a face-wide grin flour-cemented into my face!"</em></p> <p>a entry by James Bunting from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand.</a></p> <p>Songkran Day; the Thai New Year; The Water Festival; The most fun I've had in ages!</p><p>Songkran Day runs from April 12th to April 15th. It is the Thai New Year (based on the Lunar Calendar) where the 12th is New years eve and the 13th New Years Day. To celebrate, the Thai people shut up shop for three days, most public services cease to run, and the Khoasan Road, including the surrounding few roads is cordoned off and decorated so the Thai people, and travellers a like, can partake in what can only be described as the biggest water-fight in the world!</p><p>We arrived on the 12th with a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6849202.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_tyCCqFCNM66t5h6mng9XMGyQLlY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/tyCCqFCNM66t5h6mng9XMGyQLlY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_tyCCqFCNM66t5h6mng9XMGyQLlY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=tyCCqFCNM66t5h6mng9XMGyQLlY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-journals-j6849202.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6849202.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-06:6814900 2008-04-06T13:37:23Z 2008-04-10T05:07:16Z NomadPix http://realtravel.com/member-m666400-nomadpix.html <p>a review of Sananwan Palace, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand</a>.</p> <p>Great people, firm bed, laid-back. Despite the internal room decor (rooms remind me of Transkei but are clean and tidy) the whole set-up is really professional with them more concerned about your getting your flight in time than their payment. The Banks and Bird family owned biz is a great night's crash, close to the airport.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-reviews-b6814900.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Jeip6HKeYzUTVzv6gJGZkRImpdE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Jeip6HKeYzUTVzv6gJGZkRImpdE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Jeip6HKeYzUTVzv6gJGZkRImpdE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Jeip6HKeYzUTVzv6gJGZkRImpdE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-reviews-b6814900.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-reviews-b6814900.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-03:6802006 2008-04-03T14:44:41Z 2008-04-03T14:44:41Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-thailand-reviews-hotels-d4871626.html">Chiang Mai, Thailand.</a></p> <p>This morning we took a tuk tuk to the Immigration Office by the airport to extend our visas. Originally we expected to be out of Thailand by now but with Sam being away we’ve decided to wait for her before we move on to Laos. We failed to get the kid’s visa extended for free even though they were dressed as smart as possible and had been told to smile and look adorable in order to extract sympathy from the authorities, and so we had to pay 1,900 Baht each, a severe dent to our budget. Fortunately, Chiang Mai in comparison to everywhere else we have been to in Asia is very cheap. Whereas before ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6802006.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_tY6kYjF5zqnzExpzWuK18QUY0tk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/tY6kYjF5zqnzExpzWuK18QUY0tk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_tY6kYjF5zqnzExpzWuK18QUY0tk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=tY6kYjF5zqnzExpzWuK18QUY0tk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchiang_mai-journals-j6802006.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6802006.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-03:6799188 2008-04-03T08:49:23Z 2008-04-03T08:49:23Z Hollie & Richard http://realtravel.com/member-m6515486-hollie__richard.html <p><em>"Rick abstained from being painted but was obliging when it came to painting a two-tone handlebar moustache on Richard!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Hollie &amp; Richard from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_phangan-thailand-reviews-hotels-d753619.html">Ko Phangan, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We caught the 19.30 night train down from Bangkok to Surat Thani to make our way to Koh Phangan. We arrived about an hour beforehand so we passed the time playing cards on the floor of the station. The guy who was sat next to us asked if we would mind his bags for a minute so we obliged. When he came back we got chatting and found out that he was going to not just the same island, but the same resort (Weangthai Resort) as us! We forgot to get his name though!</p><p>The train arrived around 7 o'clock in the morning and caught a bus to the coast, where we were reunited with our new friend ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_phangan-journals-j6799188.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_fH8nJpcJuJa.TQDH8zW2cFySElo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/fH8nJpcJuJa.TQDH8zW2cFySElo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_fH8nJpcJuJa.TQDH8zW2cFySElo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=fH8nJpcJuJa.TQDH8zW2cFySElo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fko_phangan-journals-j6799188.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ko_phangan-journals-j6799188.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-03:6797941 2008-04-03T04:58:38Z 2008-04-03T04:58:38Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-thailand-reviews-hotels-d4871626.html">Chiang Mai, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We flew to a city called Singapore and then three days later we got a coach to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Everywhere it is very hot, a lot hotter than it ever is in England. We have to drink lots of water so we don’t get dehydrated and we need to put on lots of sun cream and wear our hats.</p><p>At the Perhentian Islands we made 3 friends called Izzy, Abbie and Max and we went snorkelling with them and saw loads of fish. At a different beach we found a big rope swing. Our Dad lifted us up to it and pushed us so we nearly hit the tree the rope was hanging from.</p><p>In Thailand we spent a week ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6797941.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_CIgX3b.V2JcQKDxgI-bYfwRcwAU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/CIgX3b.V2JcQKDxgI-bYfwRcwAU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_CIgX3b.V2JcQKDxgI-bYfwRcwAU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=CIgX3b.V2JcQKDxgI-bYfwRcwAU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchiang_mai-journals-j6797941.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6797941.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6783407 2008-03-31T04:02:51Z 2008-03-31T04:02:51Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand.</a></p> <p>Today we took an early sky train to central pier from where we caught the Chao Phraya express river bus to Saphan Phut, the location of a great fruit &amp; veg and flower market. It was fun going up the river, which is the life blood of Bangkok. At the market Jont had the chance to use his new camera, whilst the boys and I took in all the sights and smells.</p><p>It was especially fun because we were the only ‘farangs’ (westerners) there, so the atmosphere was more relaxed than at other places we’ve been to recently. They knew we weren’t going to buy 10 kilos of lemongrass stalks or roses so ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6783407.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_H1FglGdI5wL85bD4gGIa7nTRFxk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/H1FglGdI5wL85bD4gGIa7nTRFxk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_H1FglGdI5wL85bD4gGIa7nTRFxk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=H1FglGdI5wL85bD4gGIa7nTRFxk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-journals-j6783407.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6783407.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-31:6783278 2008-03-31T03:46:43Z 2008-03-31T03:46:43Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand.</a></p> <p>After 7 months on the road now we have become quite travel-savvy. We use the internet and word of mouth to plan journeys, destinations, accommodations, how to fill our bellies and are now becoming quite the experts. But even we are finding it hard to control our annoyance at the attempts to rip us off in Bangkok. We are seen by every taxi and tuk tuk driver as easy prey and navigating the city has become a real bind. Fares on tuk tuks must be agreed before you get in and must never be above 200 baht but we are regularly quoted up to 400 for the shortest of journeys. Both parties know what the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6783278.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_4tQ.npdVas-ZU8AUbG0UG3mmMfs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/4tQ.npdVas-ZU8AUbG0UG3mmMfs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_4tQ.npdVas-ZU8AUbG0UG3mmMfs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=4tQ.npdVas-ZU8AUbG0UG3mmMfs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-journals-j6783278.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6783278.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-24:6748055 2008-03-24T17:30:30Z 2008-03-24T17:33:07Z Jes & Al's Travels http://realtravel.com/member-m5453182-jes__als_travels.html <p>a entry by Jes &amp; Al's Travels from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand.</a></p> <p>Al:</p><p>So, we arrived rather late into Bankok. We'd chosen to stay near the Koa San road area in Soi Ram Buttri. Well, I guess we'd passed the initiation test of being propper travellers, so the area for travellers was for us.</p><p>We decided to head for a place recommended to us by a fellow traveller, the rambuttri village inn. It wasn't anything spectacular, the staff were rude and couldn't be bothered with being there. But, it had a saving grace, 2 swimming pools! Every morning, at this hotel you must go through the rigmarol of queuing to pay for your room in the same queue as people ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6748055.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_VT5WAmgpUECxdWkyMWVvuWnIs2k_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/VT5WAmgpUECxdWkyMWVvuWnIs2k_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_VT5WAmgpUECxdWkyMWVvuWnIs2k_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=VT5WAmgpUECxdWkyMWVvuWnIs2k_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-journals-j6748055.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6748055.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-24:6745179 2008-03-24T12:53:11Z 2008-03-24T13:15:13Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/krabi_town-thailand-reviews-hotels-d5868530.html">krabi town, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We set off for the mainland on the early boat, and caught the ferry from the teeming pier. Krabi is a jumping off point for visitors to the islands, so it’s busy and tourist orientated but not so westernised that it has lost its Thai character. We checked into the K Guesthouse, which is a nice wooden Thai house with large very clean, cool rooms and lots of plants. Krabi is not huge, so we took a turn around it in the afternoon, checking out the markets and shops.</p><p>The food market was luscious - we saw women making tiny pastry pancakes filled with sweet things (hundreds and thousands, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/krabi_town-journals-j6745179.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Qa4a1D6sIfM1NMvLe-Tc0gPF5bY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Qa4a1D6sIfM1NMvLe-Tc0gPF5bY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Qa4a1D6sIfM1NMvLe-Tc0gPF5bY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Qa4a1D6sIfM1NMvLe-Tc0gPF5bY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkrabi_town-journals-j6745179.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/krabi_town-journals-j6745179.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-24:6745389 2008-03-24T13:01:24Z 2008-03-24T13:01:24Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/krabi_town-thailand-reviews-hotels-d5868530.html">krabi town, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We spent our last full day in Krabi visiting Wat Thum Sua which was a cheap local bus ride out of town. It is a beautiful spot where a buddhist shrine has been built on top of one of the rocky tombstones which dot the landscape in Krabi and the surrounding areas. There are 1237 steps up to the top and in the 31 degree heat that is no small feat. After about thirty steps we were all a ball of sweat, gasping for breath and pulling ourselves up by the handrails. After five hundred our skin had lost it’s elasticity and our faces had been pulled tight against our skulls, eyes bulging and veins ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/krabi_town-journals-j6745389.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_X1qJqNk1Zj52YlLE9MqrOsRcj2k_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/X1qJqNk1Zj52YlLE9MqrOsRcj2k_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_X1qJqNk1Zj52YlLE9MqrOsRcj2k_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=X1qJqNk1Zj52YlLE9MqrOsRcj2k_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkrabi_town-journals-j6745389.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/krabi_town-journals-j6745389.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-24:6745048 2008-03-24T12:36:03Z 2008-03-24T12:36:03Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p><em>"pimped up land-mines"</em></p> <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_phi_phi_don-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20520.html">Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand.</a></p> <p>After some debating about whether to stay at Fisherman’s Cottages for longer we finally decided to move on. We loved it there (so chilled and friendly) but eventually thought that we should be proper travellers and check out a new place, Ko Phi Phi. We’d heard that since the tsunami the rebuilding had been big and brash, dominated by expensive hotels, but that the snorkelling and diving was still outstanding.</p><p>Our first impression getting off the ferry from Ko Lanta was of chaos and noise - the pier was full of touts trying to get the newly arrived to go to their hotel and long-boat water ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_phi_phi_don-journals-j6745048.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_D1hKoOnjzRivOeK6tVoLvGUiGqQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/D1hKoOnjzRivOeK6tVoLvGUiGqQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_D1hKoOnjzRivOeK6tVoLvGUiGqQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=D1hKoOnjzRivOeK6tVoLvGUiGqQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fko_phi_phi_don-journals-j6745048.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ko_phi_phi_don-journals-j6745048.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-24:6742875 2008-03-24T06:33:57Z 2008-03-24T06:33:57Z Bates' big trip http://realtravel.com/member-m4475351-bates_big_trip.html <p>a entry by Bates' big trip from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_lanta-thailand-reviews-hotels-d741466.html">Ko Lanta, Thailand.</a></p> <p>The cheapest way we could find to get to Ko Lanta was by mini bus and although we got the price down to £30 for the four of us, given the cheap train yesterday we still felt ripped off. Still, after 4 hours (Sam and I listening to downloads from Radio 4 and 2 on one ipod and the boys listening to thrash metal and gangsta rap on the other) we got to the ferry terminal unscathed. We had to wait for two hours and high tide in punishing heat for the ferries to sail but by 4.30pm we were dropped off at Fisherman’s Cottages on Ko Lanta where we would spend at least the next week.</p><p>Fisherman’s ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_lanta-journals-j6742875.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Jxv.60JLx2GQQ1f2MUAlefINdEM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Jxv.60JLx2GQQ1f2MUAlefINdEM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Jxv.60JLx2GQQ1f2MUAlefINdEM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Jxv.60JLx2GQQ1f2MUAlefINdEM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fko_lanta-journals-j6742875.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ko_lanta-journals-j6742875.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-21:6729438 2008-03-21T02:09:01Z 2008-03-21T02:09:01Z Tonya http://realtravel.com/member-m1058295-tonya.html <p><em>"my 30th Birthday"</em></p> <p>a entry by Tonya from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/kanchanaburi-thailand-reviews-hotels-d5088923.html">Kanchanaburi, Thailand.</a></p> <p>The next day was my 30th Birthday and I was heading out of Bangkok on a day trip to Kanchanaburi. Our first stops were at the War Cemetery, the Jeath War Museum and the Bridge over the River Kwai. After a few hours looking around we were off to lunch on a river boat and a small waterfall. We then went to the Death Bridge and took a short ride over the bridge on the Death Railway. I was beginning to wonder if I had picked the wrong day to go on a trip centered on death. Was this how I was going to start my 30’s? We were soon off to the Tiger Temple, where they have a bunch of rescued animals ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kanchanaburi-journals-j6729438.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_lmwc5CtuslMW.3VcIYvXTA1xUds_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/lmwc5CtuslMW.3VcIYvXTA1xUds_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_lmwc5CtuslMW.3VcIYvXTA1xUds_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=lmwc5CtuslMW.3VcIYvXTA1xUds_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkanchanaburi-journals-j6729438.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kanchanaburi-journals-j6729438.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-20:6726603 2008-03-20T10:13:14Z 2008-03-20T10:13:14Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_rai-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20480.html">Chiang Rai, Thailand.</a></p> <p>By Christina</p><p>We blew into Chiang Rai after a three hour bus ride from Chiang Mai. We had decided to break up the journey to Laos by stopping in Chiang Rai for a night and settled into a little guest house that was clean and quaint, with a lovely garden setting. Plus, at about $9 per room, per night, the price was right. Since Chiang Rai has no “must see” tourist sites, we focused on pleasure instead.</p><p>First stop was Da Vinci’s, an Italian restaurant in the center of town that we stumbled upon while searching for food. With a wood burning oven and San Pellegrino on the menu, this ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_rai-journals-j6726603.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_adRFKryH-4YIj3CW-lA.2aZtuJI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/adRFKryH-4YIj3CW-lA.2aZtuJI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_adRFKryH-4YIj3CW-lA.2aZtuJI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=adRFKryH-4YIj3CW-lA.2aZtuJI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchiang_rai-journals-j6726603.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chiang_rai-journals-j6726603.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-18:6720105 2008-03-18T09:45:33Z 2008-03-20T07:33:49Z Leigh+Mal http://realtravel.com/member-m4788744-leighmal.html <p><em>"monitor lizards running wild"</em></p> <p>a entry by Leigh+Mal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We got the overnight train to Bangkok from Surat Thani from which we had got a bus from the port where we had got a boat from Koh Phangan, honestly it's not easy this travelling lark lol. The train was an experience, it wasn't exactly luxury, the bottom seats folded out into a bed and another came down from the ceiling. Mal got soaked with a spilt coffee but we did manage to get a bit of sleep.</p><p>Arriving at 5am wasn't the best.We arrived at our B+B and waited around till 7 to put our bags in storage and couldn't check in until 1 in the afternoon so we went to explore the city. We arranged ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6720105.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_WqvOM5jy6bvx9EcXHqv0NjI2M1Y_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/WqvOM5jy6bvx9EcXHqv0NjI2M1Y_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_WqvOM5jy6bvx9EcXHqv0NjI2M1Y_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=WqvOM5jy6bvx9EcXHqv0NjI2M1Y_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-journals-j6720105.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6720105.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-16:6703946 2008-03-16T04:48:46Z 2008-03-20T07:17:44Z Leigh+Mal http://realtravel.com/member-m4788744-leighmal.html <p><em>"Loads of seedy bars and bright lights"</em></p> <p>a entry by Leigh+Mal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_samui-surat_thani_province-reviews-hotels-d1393249.html">Ko Samui, Surat Thani Province.</a></p> <p>Big Buddha Beach</p><p>After a day of travelling we arrived at our resort and was pleasantly surprised. It was right on the beach and had a pool. The trip must have really taken it out of us, as all we did that day was laze round the pool. The next day fully refreshed we set off............ to the pool and had a bit of a swim lol. That afternoon we dragged ourselves off to see the statue of the big buddha and its not just a clever name the statue is huge!! That night we got changed and headed off to find somewhere to eat. In the process Janet jumped in wet concrete not noticing that it was ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/ko_samui-journals-j6703946.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_dkDjQssJTYyGR7xbu-xA.QocIaw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/dkDjQssJTYyGR7xbu-xA.QocIaw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_dkDjQssJTYyGR7xbu-xA.QocIaw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=dkDjQssJTYyGR7xbu-xA.QocIaw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fko_samui-journals-j6703946.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/ko_samui-journals-j6703946.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-16:6703740 2008-03-16T04:08:06Z 2008-03-20T07:16:12Z Leigh+Mal http://realtravel.com/member-m4788744-leighmal.html <p><em>"about 500 fish come hurtling towards your mask."</em></p> <p>a entry by Leigh+Mal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/krabi-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20540.html">Krabi, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We did a speed boat trip called the 5 islands tour from Ao Nang. It took us to some gorgeous beaches. Two of the best Were Phi Phi and "the beach" from the film, and both for totally different reasons.</p><p>Phi Phi island looks absolutely stunning and what you'd expect of a Thai island. With long stretches of white sand and resorts smack on the beach. It isn't secluded by no means but is a really cool island to visit and probably even better to stay although we couldn't as it was fully booked. Phi Phi was totally wiped out by the tsunami but has quickly rebuilt and due to its popularity has ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/krabi-journals-j6703740.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_-8pKHF0XM0RjQPTj.pPaezvpS4k_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/-8pKHF0XM0RjQPTj.pPaezvpS4k_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_-8pKHF0XM0RjQPTj.pPaezvpS4k_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=-8pKHF0XM0RjQPTj.pPaezvpS4k_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkrabi-journals-j6703740.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/krabi-journals-j6703740.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-18:6719816 2008-03-18T08:47:40Z 2008-03-18T08:49:20Z Shivgo http://realtravel.com/member-m6532192-shivgo.html <p>a entry by Shivgo from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-thailand-reviews-hotels-d4871626.html">Chiang Mai, Thailand.</a></p> <p>12 hours later we arrived in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, a town famous for it's temples and laid back vibe. The name of our guesthouse was Five Stars - and it was no more 5 star but perfect for us! It was really clean and we got a big double fan room, with ensuite and mini balcony for 3 euro a night. Sweet. It was really central too and had it's own little restaurant. After chatting to another Irish couple who were staying there, we decided to both do a thai cookery course at "Pad Thai Cookery School" which was brilliant craic! The thai people can be pretty funny, I've never heard so many ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6719816.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_q0.qzvn1xDSu18TSL3Hvq4B1E.s_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/q0.qzvn1xDSu18TSL3Hvq4B1E.s_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_q0.qzvn1xDSu18TSL3Hvq4B1E.s_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=q0.qzvn1xDSu18TSL3Hvq4B1E.s_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchiang_mai-journals-j6719816.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6719816.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-18:6719760 2008-03-18T07:44:32Z 2008-03-18T08:13:27Z Shivgo http://realtravel.com/member-m6532192-shivgo.html <p>a entry by Shivgo from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We arrived in Bangkok on the morning of Neil's 32nd birthday. Our first impressions as we exited the airport were: WOW it's so clean! After weeks of dirt, dust, filth and grime, this was a total surprise. There was proper air conditioning throughout the whole terminal, and the place seemed really quiet after the constant hustle and bustle of India. We went to get a bus into the city (without being bombarded by taxi drivers and rickshaws) and met a lovely English couple - Dan &amp; Vicky, who'd just landed after 2 weeks in Vietnam. They'd had also spent a month in China previous to that so we had ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6719760.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_4IZ-3wxZ4kaeKKnU9UhPfJvhOG4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/4IZ-3wxZ4kaeKKnU9UhPfJvhOG4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_4IZ-3wxZ4kaeKKnU9UhPfJvhOG4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=4IZ-3wxZ4kaeKKnU9UhPfJvhOG4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-journals-j6719760.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6719760.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-17:6716169 2008-03-17T08:40:49Z 2008-03-17T08:40:49Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/mae_waen-chiang_mai_province-reviews-hotels-d6716149.html">Mae Waen, Chiang Mai Province.</a></p> <p>By Dan</p><p>There’s nothing like going to sleep in a bamboo hut thatched with teak tree leaves, in the middle of rice paddies in the mountains west of Chiang Mai, having eaten a big dinner cooked on a campfire in the bamboo hut featuring rice grown in those very paddies, to get you humming a little Vanilla Ice song. But I’m getting ahead of myself.</p><p>For twenty plus years, no trip to Chiang Mai and the north of Thailand has been complete without a trek out into the mountains. On my first trip here, with my dad and brother in 1986, the whole tourism thing was new enough that we actually ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/mae_waen-journals-j6716169.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_sZUOjEQ1L6Fs5YrVkA1cE072BQU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/sZUOjEQ1L6Fs5YrVkA1cE072BQU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_sZUOjEQ1L6Fs5YrVkA1cE072BQU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=sZUOjEQ1L6Fs5YrVkA1cE072BQU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmae_waen-journals-j6716169.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/mae_waen-journals-j6716169.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-17:6715203 2008-03-17T01:05:47Z 2008-03-17T01:05:47Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-thailand-reviews-hotels-d4871626.html">Chiang Mai, Thailand.</a></p> <p>By Christina</p><p>After our experience on the overnight trains in India, I was really looking forward to the overnight train ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. I figured it really couldn’t get any worse than the dirty, cramped quarters of an Indian train. Well, I was partially wrong and partially right. The train itself was pretty darn clean, with pristine bedding and fresh smelling toilets, and the bogey (coach) was less crowded than any Indian train I have ever been on, with large chairs and lots of room to move around. The food (of course) was great. So it was with a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6715203.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ewCOt0EoecRrG6fcuZ3mlGcVVxc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ewCOt0EoecRrG6fcuZ3mlGcVVxc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ewCOt0EoecRrG6fcuZ3mlGcVVxc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ewCOt0EoecRrG6fcuZ3mlGcVVxc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fchiang_mai-journals-j6715203.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/chiang_mai-journals-j6715203.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-16:6707198 2008-03-16T12:20:59Z 2008-03-16T12:20:59Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-thailand-reviews-hotels-d20461.html">Bangkok, Thailand.</a></p> <p>By Christina</p><p>A curious title, you might say, but you would be surprised at the number of “lady-boys” (the phrase used in Thailand) walking around Bangkok, especially at night. On the whole, the Thai men are quite small and pretty, so the fact that some choose to pass as women is not all that surprising. Most Thais take a benevolent approach to these fellas, and seem to be amused by them. We have had to explain the concept of “transgender” to the kids, and used the opportunity to once again raise the subject of tolerance. (Dan and I love sneaking in a lesson when the kids aren’t looking). ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6707198.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_11TEIxwYqaoBlPf9tW4GCwhmERc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/11TEIxwYqaoBlPf9tW4GCwhmERc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_11TEIxwYqaoBlPf9tW4GCwhmERc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=11TEIxwYqaoBlPf9tW4GCwhmERc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbangkok-journals-j6707198.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bangkok-journals-j6707198.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-15:6549488 2008-02-15T13:20:25Z 2008-02-25T15:13:53Z ashleyp http://realtravel.com/member-m6549256-ashleyp.html <p>a entry by ashleyp from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/southern_thailand-thailand-reviews-hotels-d2403459.html">Southern Thailand, Thailand.</a></p> <p>We flew from Singapore to Bangkok on Jan 16th, and like I said earlier, the first thing I did was buy some gum :) We spent the next few days shopping around Bangkok, checking out what there was to buy, for how much, and eavesdropping on other people bartering to gain some confidence in it. We hung around Bangkok, waiting for a friend of mine to meet up with us on a last minute trip to Thailand. Once April got here, the next two weeks were a whirlwind. We picked her up from the airport that Monday morning, took her bag back to our guesthouse, then made our way over to MBK mall for her to shop. ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/southern_thailand-journals-j6549488.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_g576eD1IB2NDLqI7lc.y3az1cTQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/g576eD1IB2NDLqI7lc.y3az1cTQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_g576eD1IB2NDLqI7lc.y3az1cTQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=g576eD1IB2NDLqI7lc.y3az1cTQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsouthern_thailand-journals-j6549488.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/southern_thailand-journals-j6549488.html