Bali/Phuket

[The Ash Man]

just doing some research, i am going to Thailand in october next year for a friends Wedding, i have never been overseas before so have no idea what i should be looking for along with that i have no idea about Thailan whats good and bad and were things are located, from what i have heard im getting the impression i dont want to be staying any were less than 4 stars, had a quick read through this thread and it seems no one rates patong but my dilema is thats were the wedding is (or so i have been told) im pretty keen on staying close to there as it will be convenient but looking for something clean really would like a swim up bar
any one got any help for me

At Patong, Baumanburi Hotel has a huge pool area with a 'swim up bar' (stayed there for footy trip, real nice place). Close to all the action, especially the market area, and a cheap tuk-tuk (if you can't arsed walking) to Soi Bangla which is a road full of bars, buckets, drugs, hookers, lady-boys and all-round debauchery.

In Bangkok, stay on or near Th. Khao San, heaps of pubs and clubs partying late into every night. Way, way, way less hassle from touts, vendors and tuk-tuk drivers compared to Patong. The booze and food is cheaper than Patong, and the t-shirts, clothes and souvenirs are of better quality than Patong. If you're really after a ping-pong show or something of such variety, then a tuk-tuk will take you to the Patpong Night Market for about 150 Baht, while there you can also get fake designer watches, designer bags and really good quality soccer tops. Plenty of places to stay that have rooftop pools.

Totally agree Quichey
Khao San Rd is the place to be.
Not as full on as other spots in BKK and good bars, food, etc.
Make sure you drop into Gecko's bar and meet the local drunk!
Its the only place I drank where you just help yourself to the bar and they make you guess how many you have had.
I counted one night and they were 3 short but I'm sure they got me back!

[Q.]

The other difference between the two is that Phuket doesn't really see heaps of backpackers, mostly package and getaway tourists, whereas Bangkok is THE transit hub for backpackers heading into mainland SE Asia. So, for a single bloke, Bangkok (and Khao San in particular) is a heaven of outgoing, hot European birds looking for a good time!

Have I swayed you yet Piccachu? I would recommend flying into Phuket, spending a few days there, getting a cheap Air Asia flight to Bangkok, spending a few days there and flying home from Bangkok.

[The Ash Man]

When I did the trek I got a cheap flight into Bangkok, stayed for a week. Then Bused it all the way through Laos and into China. Then flew back to Bangkok for another week then Phuket for a week

Bangkok is the place

[Q.]

Eek, those bus rides through northern Laos are painfully slow and long

[piccachu]

The other difference between the two is that Phuket doesn't really see heaps of backpackers, mostly package and getaway tourists, whereas Bangkok is THE transit hub for backpackers heading into mainland SE Asia. So, for a single bloke, Bangkok (and Khao San in particular) is a heaven of outgoing, hot European birds looking for a good time!

Have I swayed you yet Piccachu? I would recommend flying into Phuket, spending a few days there, getting a cheap Air Asia flight to Bangkok, spending a few days there and flying home from Bangkok.

sounds so so tempting but i have a misses and she is also coming along on the journey so i would say thats out of the picture hahah

[Wedgie]

I would rather spend a holiday at Smithfield than Bangkok.
Mind you I hated Hong Kong too and a lot of people love it.
If I just want to drink myself silly I'd save on the expense and go to Hindley St.
It always amazes me how people are prepared to spend hundreds if not thousands to save on a few bucks for beer.
Still different folks......

[piccachu]

I would rather spend a holiday at Smithfield than Bangkok.
Mind you I hated Hong Kong too and a lot of people love it.
If I just want to drink myself silly I'd save on the expense and go to Hindley St.
It always amazes me how people are prepared to spend hundreds if not thousands to save on a few bucks for beer.Still different folks......

my old lady keeps saying that to me, my reply was when a hotel on hindley street can produce the same weather and has a pool with a bar in it i will go there

[Wedgie]

I would rather spend a holiday at Smithfield than Bangkok.
Mind you I hated Hong Kong too and a lot of people love it.
If I just want to drink myself silly I'd save on the expense and go to Hindley St.
It always amazes me how people are prepared to spend hundreds if not thousands to save on a few bucks for beer.Still different folks......

my old lady keeps saying that to me, my reply was when a hotel on hindley street can produce the same weather and has a pool with a bar in it i will go there

Put an esky next to your bath dude!

[piccachu]

Put an esky next to your bath dude!

Sadly i have actually done that before

[Wedgie]

Put an esky next to your bath dude!

Sadly i have actually done that before

[The Ash Man]

Eek, those bus rides through northern Laos are painfully slow and long

Yep, with no air-con and vinyl seats. Killer combination.

[Q.]

The cops in Phuket have recently shut down a lot of the market stalls specialising in counterfeit goods, meaning no knock-off clothes, watches, bags, sunnies etc. Not sure how long the crackdown will last.

[Q.]

The other difference between the two is that Phuket doesn't really see heaps of backpackers, mostly package and getaway tourists, whereas Bangkok is THE transit hub for backpackers heading into mainland SE Asia. So, for a single bloke, Bangkok (and Khao San in particular) is a heaven of outgoing, hot European birds looking for a good time!

Have I swayed you yet Piccachu? I would recommend flying into Phuket, spending a few days there, getting a cheap Air Asia flight to Bangkok, spending a few days there and flying home from Bangkok.

sounds so so tempting but i have a misses and she is also coming along on the journey so i would say thats out of the picture hahah

Not to worry mate, Bangkok is still a brilliant big city and easily trumps Phuket as a shopping destination, which I'm sure is right up your missus' alley. If you've got the time, spend a few days in the capital, party on Khao San, catch a couple of the spectacular temples, and jump on the Skytrain to the Siam Shopping complex for the genuine designer labels.

[Pag]

Just a quick question guys, I'm heading to Bali for nine days in the second week of January and haven't changed any money yet. Is it best to change it here before we jump on the plane or do it over there? I've heard mixed stories about doing it in Bali, and the travel agency has recommended we do it through them at TTP, but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated.

[Wedgie]

Just a quick question guys, I'm heading to Bali for nine days in the second week of January and haven't changed any money yet. Is it best to change it here before we jump on the plane or do it over there? I've heard mixed stories about doing it in Bali, and the travel agency has recommended we do it through them at TTP, but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated.

If it's anything like Phuket then I found out it's best to do it there.
Mind you in Hong Kong it wasn't.
Not sure why.

[Psyber]

Just a quick question guys, I'm heading to Bali for nine days in the second week of January and haven't changed any money yet. Is it best to change it here before we jump on the plane or do it over there? I've heard mixed stories about doing it in Bali, and the travel agency has recommended we do it through them at TTP, but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated.

If it's anything like Phuket then I found out it's best to do it there.
Mind you in Hong Kong it wasn't.
Not sure why.

I suspect you get a poorer deal in bigger cities with stronger economies and a better deal where the locals are keen to acquire foreign currency.
I got good deals from street traders in KL some years ago, and did better in Jo'berg last year than I'd have done here.
[Although overall I got the best rate last year on my BankSA VISA card, but that may be because the exchange rate had improved by the time the transactions came through.]

[The Ash Man]

Just a quick question guys, I'm heading to Bali for nine days in the second week of January and haven't changed any money yet. Is it best to change it here before we jump on the plane or do it over there? I've heard mixed stories about doing it in Bali, and the travel agency has recommended we do it through them at TTP, but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated.

Pag, I got back not long ago and just changed it all over there or used ATMs.

Beware of the little street money changers usually in the back of a stall. They give you a better rate (maybe only R100 more/$) but they often only have R20,000 notes. If you change A$100 that makes for a lot of notes to carry around! (I was getting around R10,000/A$1)

The reason they have these small notes is to attempt to trick you by counting really fast and there will always be 2 of them, the 2nd to distract you even more

[Wedgie]

This time next week I'll be on the plane. Can't wait!

[Freo HeaveHo]

im booked for late feb .... be interested to hear some feedback from ya Wedgie .... places to see / avoid . Good places to eat . We are staying in Legian and the accomodation looks great. Got great value considering we only booked 7-8 weeks from when we leave

[Wedgie]

I'm leaving on a jet plane.......................

Cyas!