Bali/Phuket

[Q.]

Well my trip is just about here, Heading of to Thailand in just over a weeks time. just after a few pointers on how people did things for example i am looking to go white water rafting, has anyone been and done this and recomend a good place to do it close to patong and if you have done it have you just booked it there or done it before you left, any recomendations of things to do whilst there will be greatly appreciated keeping in mind im more pubs/ fun things more so than views and relexation, Cheers

Chiang Mai should have killer Class 4 rapids at the moment. Well worth going up there for it.

A few lads I know went rafting near Phuket this time last year and weren't that impressed. More of a gentle float down stream.

[Madportsman]

When going to Thailand has anyone had injections? If so which ones?

Where you going? I've been to Thailand a few times, and the only thing I've taken is Malaria tablets as we headed into Laos.

They made me & the missus crook so we stopped 'em and just used a shit load of repellent.....

Thanks SJABC. We are heading to Patong Beach. Sounds like the only injections I will need is something to reduce the missus spending too much money and something to stop my curiousity to try one of those special massages I have heard about!! (Afterall It is our honeymoon)

[Dirko]

For those off to Bali, make sure your 14 year old kid behaves themselves.....

Don't buy drugs in Bali you dickheads

[Wedgie]

And make sure your name's not Laidely either.

The more I hear the more I don't think I'll ever go to Bali, I was never approached in Phuket for drugs or anything of the sort in the 20 days I've spent there.
My cousin (a chick) went to Bali when she was 18 and got a broken jaw after being mugged just crossing the road from a pub to where she was staying, she had to eat through a straw for 6 months.
I won't even mention the big kaboom.

I think I'll stick to anything North or South (or West or East) of Indonesia.

[mal]

12/10/2002
Another reason not to go to Bali

[woodublieve12]

i went to bali only a couple of months ago.. felt very safe there, the people are incredibly friendly, if not the freindliest ive come across on all my travels.... i would recommend everyone to go there...

[Jimmy_041]

Dean Laidley relied on your advice so you can expect a writ soon

[AFLflyer]

And make sure your name's not Laidely either.

The more I hear the more I don't think I'll ever go to Bali, I was never approached in Phuket for drugs or anything of the sort in the 20 days I've spent there.
My cousin (a chick) went to Bali when she was 18 and got a broken jaw after being mugged just crossing the road from a pub to where she was staying, she had to eat through a straw for 6 months.
I won't even mention the big kaboom.

I think I'll stick to anything North or South (or West or East) of Indonesia.

i've been to both (Thailand a number of times). Kuta has nothing on PAtong Beach IMO, but i don't like both. 1000's more Australians got to BALI rather than Thailand, Hence the coverage in the media.
Ever see the sereies 'trouble in thailand' or something like that (it aired recently on one of the digital channels) it was a UK show about UK tourists in Thailand, the stuff that happened on that was pretty full on. million UK tourists visit Thailand each year. Much the same parallel as Aussies who travel to BALi. With those numbers, of coarse there will be incidents

got to Bali with an open mind, escape the tourist masses and you will be surprised. That is the key to all travel!!! hard to do in Europe but!

[Q.]

I call it 'Top Shit Syndrome'. People go over there and think they're ******* awesome cause they've got wads of Baht or Rupiah and their massively inflated egos get them in trouble.

[Pag]

I call it 'Top Shit Syndrome'. People go over there and think they're ******* awesome cause they've got wads of Baht or Rupiah and their massively inflated egos get them in trouble.

Exactly right, saw a lot of this when I was in Bali at the beginning of the year. The majority of the people, especially those working in tourism/hospitality, are amazingly nice people. Australians can make a huge difference to these people by tipping, I know we did when we got good service (which was most of the time). It's a shame some just treat these workers like slaves.

[Freo HeaveHo]

Got offered drugs a million times while waliing the streets of Kuta at night and relolied with a simple NO. You know the consequences if caught up in that sort of activity over there and u only have yourself to blame.

[Freo HeaveHo]

Auto correct galore in that last post. But my point is if ya say no and keep walking ya not gonna get in much trouble over there

[Jim05]

Have never felt threatened anywhere in Asia and I frequently travel with my wife and son. The Balinese people are friendly and we have always felt safe there. I do get embarassed when i am there as i feel the Aussie travellers are some of the rudest ive come across. They tend treat people like slaves and the ammount of times ive seen arguments is unreal. Last holiday some Aussie guys were arguing with the bar staff because they were paying the equivalent of $3.50 for a double scotch and coke and they reckon they were being ripped off!! It got quite heated and i actually stepped in to support the staff and eventually calmed them down.

[The Ash Man]

Im leaving for Bangkok/Phuket in 2 weeks

I just called my agent to find out if we can skip Bangkok due to the floods and hit up Koh Samui instead

Its going to cost an extra $4000 (the whole 15 day trip only cost $5000!) and at this stage travel insurance will not cover it

That was until I mentioned the missus is pregnant and we booked before we knew, they are now "considering" it

Fingers crossed as I dont really want her around lying stagnant water

[Dirko]

Wads of Rupiah

Or if you're a bogan like the one's I see through work, it's "Bali Money".

I say OK how much Indonesian Rupiah would you like. Usual reply is "huh, umm I'm after Bali Money"

[Psyber]

Have never felt threatened anywhere in Asia and I frequently travel with my wife and son. The Balinese people are friendly and we have always felt safe there. I do get embarassed when i am there as i feel the Aussie travellers are some of the rudest ive come across. They tend treat people like slaves and the ammount of times ive seen arguments is unreal. Last holiday some Aussie guys were arguing with the bar staff because they were paying the equivalent of $3.50 for a double scotch and coke and they reckon they were being ripped off!! It got quite heated and i actually stepped in to support the staff and eventually calmed them down.

You do need to be careful.
I was approached in KL by a Chinese guy who first asked where I was from, then about travel in Australia, and then moved on to my recommendation for credit cards to carry.
By then I'd spotted his Rolex and his mate lurking in the background looking on, and waited to see what his next move was.
When he pitched the idea his sister was travelling to Oz next year and his mother was worried and would I go with him to reassure her, I said "Sorry mate, I've got to meet my group now!" and headed back towards the hotel.

[OnSong]

Have never felt threatened anywhere in Asia and I frequently travel with my wife and son. The Balinese people are friendly and we have always felt safe there. I do get embarassed when i am there as i feel the Aussie travellers are some of the rudest ive come across. They tend treat people like slaves and the ammount of times ive seen arguments is unreal. Last holiday some Aussie guys were arguing with the bar staff because they were paying the equivalent of $3.50 for a double scotch and coke and they reckon they were being ripped off!! It got quite heated and i actually stepped in to support the staff and eventually calmed them down.

You do need to be careful.
I was approached in KL by a Chinese guy who first asked where I was from, then about travel in Australia, and then moved on to my recommendation for credit cards to carry.
By then I'd spotted his Rolex and his mate lurking in the background looking on, and waited to see what his next move was.
When he pitched the idea his sister was travelling to Oz next year and his mother was worried and would I go with him to reassure her, I said "Sorry mate, I've got to meet my group now!" and headed back towards the hotel.

The same guy approached me. I went with him and ended up boning both his sister and the mum. Nice guy.

[Q.]

Im leaving for Bangkok/Phuket in 2 weeks

I just called my agent to find out if we can skip Bangkok due to the floods and hit up Koh Samui instead

Its going to cost an extra $4000 (the whole 15 day trip only cost $5000!) and at this stage travel insurance will not cover it

That was until I mentioned the missus is pregnant and we booked before we knew, they are now "considering" it

Fingers crossed as I dont really want her around lying stagnant water

Inner Bangkok seems to be okay at the moment, and Khao San is unaffected as yet.

Could always fly into Bangkok and then fly straight to Koh Samui with Air Asia.

[Pag]

Im leaving for Bangkok/Phuket in 2 weeks

I just called my agent to find out if we can skip Bangkok due to the floods and hit up Koh Samui instead

Its going to cost an extra $4000 (the whole 15 day trip only cost $5000!) and at this stage travel insurance will not cover it

That was until I mentioned the missus is pregnant and we booked before we knew, they are now "considering" it

Fingers crossed as I dont really want her around lying stagnant water

Inner Bangkok seems to be okay at the moment, and Khao San is unaffected as yet.

Could always fly into Bangkok and then fly straight to Koh Samui with Air Asia.

Have you flown Korean Air or Japan Air before Quichey?

[Q.]

Have you flown Korean Air or Japan Air before Quichey?

Nope. You find some cheap flights with them?