View Full Version : Considering a trip to Southeast Asia...
Ultralight
9-21-17, 6:08pm
I am considering taking a trip to Southeast Asia later on this autumn, probably Vietnam and Thailand.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
I mostly like beaches and food, but I am also open to historical sites or nature activities.
As a daily meditation practitioner I'd probably stop into some temples for a sit too.
Teacher Terry
9-21-17, 6:23pm
I went to Thailand in 1998 and it was so beautiful. Some of the downsides were that the water and air were polluted. I loved seeing all the temples, Buddha's palaces, etc. WE went in Nov which is one of their coolest months and it was still in the 90's with high humidity. I have never been to Vietnam.
iris lilies
9-21-17, 6:49pm
Oh yes! Yes yes yes!
Ive been to Bangkok. I want to go back to Thailand and this time also Vietnam, but I would like a trip that avoids big giant cities. I want to see regional cities and villages which give a perfectly good flavor of the culture without the high expense of major cities.
currently that trip is pretty high on my list, which is
SE Asia
India and Nepal, so maybe divide north
India and Nepal and another trip to be Southern
Baltic countries
Morocco
Croatia and that region
Ultralight
9-21-17, 7:11pm
Oh yes! Yes yes yes!
Ive been to Bangkok. I want to go back to Thailand and this time also Vietnam, but I would like a trip that avoids big giant cities. I want to see regional cities and villages which give a perfectly good flavor of the culture without the high expense of major cities.
currently that trip is pretty high on my list, which is
SE Asia
India and Nepal, so maybe divide north
India and Nepal and another trip to be Southern
Baltic countries
Morocco
Croatia and that region
I am with you on this list!
I heard Bangkok is a foodie's dream!
Teacher Terry
9-21-17, 7:14pm
I want to go to Ireland, Prague, Poland (again), Hawaii and then some other European countries. WE just got back from a cruise to New England area and parts of Canada. So beautiful this time of year and perfect weather. I think we will do Hawaii next. Unfortunately, I can no longer tolerate really hot, humid weather so those countries are out for me. I get overheated fast and get sick. WE have been taking 2 vacations/year in the past 2 years and want to continue to do this. So many great places to see.
iris lilies
9-21-17, 7:46pm
My Super Power seems to be doing OK in hot humid weather. I can work outside in 95 degree F weather, and it really doesnt bother me. Sure I sweat but that is fine, sweating is mother nature's cooling system.
I have thought about the heat in SE Asia and am not excitied about it, but I see it as a necessary evil to experience the place. I cant quite picture how
I pack for two weeks in a place where clothing will be soaked with sweat every day.
In Bucharesti, at our high end hotel, I washed clothes and put them out on the balcony to dry but at least I kept them low so they couldn't be viewed from the street. I didnt think te management would want to see Ma and Pa Kettle's wash hanging out.
Iris, we went to Thailand with www.thaifoodandtravel.com. In fact, we liked the first trip so well, we went on another one with her. 100% inclusive except for alcohol and laundry.
Williamsmith
9-21-17, 9:05pm
Last night I watched Dan Rather interview Gregg Allman on "Big Interview". He was number one in the draft lottery for the Army so he shot himself in the foot with a .38 Special so he didn't have to go to Vietnam. Wierd how now everybody wants to pay to go there and all those other guys went for free...and some got to stay forever.
Ultralight
9-21-17, 9:22pm
Last night I watched Dan Rather interview Gregg Allman on "Big Interview". He was number one in the draft lottery for the Army so he shot himself in the foot with a .38 Special so he didn't have to go to Vietnam. Wierd how now everybody wants to pay to go there and all those other guys went for free...and some got to stay forever.
I would have just gone to Canada.
iris lilies
9-21-17, 9:33pm
Iris, we went to Thailand with www.thaifoodandtravel.com (http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com). In fact, we liked the first trip so well, we went on another one with her. 100% inclusive except for alcohol and laundry.
a trip I would love to take.
I remember you talking about that trip.
ps just looked at the price
for Trip B about $2900 pr person for 17 days. Yikes, that is reasonable, and it focuses on food! Yum!
I do love Thai food.
What is the mode of teansportation, how many people in a group?
Williamsmith
9-21-17, 9:39pm
UL, the thought crossed my mind and then Richard Nixon decided to fight the anti war movement by ending the draft. If that war would have continued.....I believe my dad would have been okay with it because my cousin got to visit forever.
SteveinMN
9-21-17, 10:16pm
Wierd how now everybody wants to pay to go there and all those other guys went for free...and some got to stay forever.
I think the Terms & Conditions of the trip changed...
I love Japan and hope to go back there again some day before I no longer can (Trip #3). Not sure that fits into "SE Asia" but... Hong Kong would be enjoyable to visit (and also a foodie's paradise). My luggage got there once. I didn't. I have a niece-in-law who's been to Thailand twice; one of the draws is that you can go top-line on accommodations for relatively little money.
Actually, I'd probably be fine visiting anyplace in SE Asia. Even North Korea would be fascinating except that I'd be "minded" more closely than I'd like. I definitely would not want to rush such a trip, though. Probably 3-5 days per country, depending on their size.
iris lilies
9-21-17, 10:56pm
I think the Terms & Conditions of the trip changed...
I love Japan and hope to go back there again some day before I no longer can (Trip #3). Not sure that fits into "SE Asia" but... Hong Kong would be enjoyable to visit (and also a foodie's paradise). My luggage got there once. I didn't. I have a niece-in-law who's been to Thailand twice; one of the draws is that you can go top-line on accommodations for relatively little money.
Actually, I'd probably be fine visiting anyplace in SE Asia. Even North Korea would be fascinating except that I'd be "minded" more closely than I'd like. I definitely would not want to rush such a trip, though. Probably 3-5 days per country, depending on their size.
Hong Kong was the least enjoyable big city I have visited. It was just too modern, too big, too--not interesting.
Iris, she owns her own Lexus type vans, has her own long time driver, and no more than 12 in a group. The two times we went there were 4 of us plus her and her driver. It would have been even better with more members. All meals, except for some breakfasts, are family style, and she tries to never duplicate a dish. All the restaurants are vetted and they all know her. She has done this for over 20 years. She is retiring soon so don't wait. She only does 3 trips a year. We stayed in very nice Thai properties of all kinds.
In the end, it felt like a big family traveling together and not a group of tourists. Her trips are in the best weather time in Thailand. Even in Dec. southern Thailand is hot and so is the food.
Funny story: in Egypt we did underwear laundry one night and put it out on the balcony to dry. Wind came up and we had to go run around and collect it downstairs in the morning. In Thailand, we took our laundry to the lady at the end of the driveway. When we were coming back, it was all carefully laid out on the lawn drying.
iris lilies
12-11-17, 5:30pm
Iris, we went to Thailand with www.thaifoodandtravel.com (http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com). In fact, we liked the first trip so well, we went on another one with her. 100% inclusive except for alcohol and laundry.
I will send you PM about this, but in case you dont see it my question is this: did you get tired of the place On an 18 day trip? That is pretty long. I am not sure I would enjoy being ferried around for longer than ten days. But the price is fabulous!
dado potato
12-11-17, 8:15pm
If I were planning a trip to Thailand, I would want to spend some time in the city of Ayutthaya, a few km east of the ruins of the ancient capital.
sweetana3
12-11-17, 10:37pm
Iris, we were too busy to get tired of Thailand. So much to see and experience. On the second trip, I did get tired of weaving villages. It was a much less touristy area and most people were just living their lives. We both loved Chiang Mai on the first trip and would have been happy to stay there for a week or two. Bangkok was a heaving mass of traffic and people. Would have liked to ride the overhead train around town.
For Thailand, don't forget to stop by Krabi and head to Koh Phi Phi. Other islands that I love are Koh Samui and Koh Lanta
For Vietnam, don't waste your time in Saigon, go to Da Nang and Hoi An for nice beaches and good food
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.