A quick wrap of our 2017 holiday, writing this while it is fresh in my mind as we sit waiting for our flight home.
Holiday was booked in June 2016, at a time when my work life was very uncertain. We made the decision, that after a 4 year hiatus, an overseas break was in order. It had been 3 years since our last trip, and would be 4 by the time this one rolled around. Consequently I was a little conservative with parts of our hotel choices. Flights were a no-brainer & booked on frequent flyer points. Between booking holiday & going, I had relocated to Melbourne, Mrs C still in Adelaide. This would be my 4th trip to Thailand.
We rendezvoused in Sydney. I arrived a few hours before Mrs C, so snuck in a few jars – at $10 a go I was pleased it was only 1 night in Sydney. Stayed at the Stamford Sydney airport – nice room. Off early the next morning, to Sydney international. Smooth check in, quick look through duty free, nothing purchased. Onto Qantas club for breakfast. Called to board on time, although we sat on tarmac for 45 minutes waiting for some dude on a connecting flight. Pre-ordered lunch – went the Barramundi, very tasty. Nice with the Chardonnay. Mrs C grabbed a duty free watch on board. Plane was about 90 minutes late into Bangkok, bad weather en-route apparently. This meant a bit of a mad dash to the domestic terminal, to make our connecting flight out to Koh Samui.
Checked into Chaba Cabana Koh Samui. This is at the northern end of Chewang Beach. Clean comfortable affordable resort, everything you need, nothing you don’t. We enjoyed a very relaxing week here. The plan all along was to just chill out the first week. Eat, drink, swim, sleep – rinse & repeat. Perfect. Both of got a bit too much sun on the first day, Mrs C tans & goes brown. I burn, peel & go back to white! Enjoyed a few evenings at the Islander Bar – this is in the heart of town. Highly recommended for a good feed, cold beer, footy on the big screen, and 69baht Mojito’s. That’s about $2.20! Enjoyed watching the Hawks beat the Pies here.
Moved onto Hua Hin for the second week. We stayed at the Chom View Hotel, well south of the town in Khao Takiab. This part of Hua Hin is still being developed, and there is a lot of building activity in the area. We soon worked out the best transport method into town. Local Songtaews charge 10baht (about 40 cents) per person anywhere along the route. I played 2 rounds of golf here. Once at Sea Pines, which was very nice, and the other at Banyan, this was an unreal (see review in golf section) golfing experience. Shout out to Sam who runs the Take 5 bar in Khao Takiab, he invited me as his guest to Banyan. All it took was a few drinks at his bar (tough work) and a meal, gotta eat somewhere. Mrs C did a bit of shopping in Hua Hin, but we were holding off for the “main event/s” that were still to come. Witnessed the Hawks draw with the Giants here.
As things turned out, we bailed a day early out of Hua Hin, and headed up to Bangkok. We had previously stayed at the IResidence hotel in Silom, and chose this once again. It’s very close to the BTS line in Bangkok, which is the best way to get around the big Mango. First arvo – we went to MBK which is a huge shopping complex. We went a little silly buying stuff here 4 years ago. By memory we didn’t buy anything this time around. Not really sure why but nothing really grabbed us. The following morning we went to the Emporium on Sukhumvit – this was my stuff up, as I thought we went well here last time. After consulting a map, and a little google searching realized we really wanted the Platinum Fashion Mall. Mrs C had a day out! Took the opportunity to meet with one of my Bangkok based work colleagues for dinner one night, this was followed by more shopping. Bangkok is one big bloody shopping Mall!
Moved onto Hong Kong after 4 days in Bangkok. Our first time here, stayed at the Eaton Kowloon – solid place. A little disappointed by the shopping. To be fair, after Thailand prices, anything looks expensive by comparison. Settled on some touristy sight-seeing instead. Harbour Cruise, Day trip to Hong Kong Island & the laser light show on the harbor at night among the highlights. Saw the Hawks not beat the Cats here!
I don’t think anyone can go through a 3 week holiday without a few “Carey-esque” ****. Mine included assuming my international baggage allowance on Qantas, would be the same (42kg) with Cathay Pacific – it wasn’t. Assuming I could access the Qantas lounge in Bangkok – enroute to Hong Kong – I couldn’t it does not open until 2 pm. Often getting onto either the Bangkok BTS, or the Hong Kong MTS and getting onto the wrong platform/train. I did manage to find the Irish Pub in Bangkok – Molly Malone’s first pop – priorities!
Other observations –
1. Koh Samui has become more commercial in the last 4 years, several new shopping complexs had popped up.
2. Hua Hin golf not as good as in Pattaya. Although the 2 courses played were very good, it’s just harder & more expensive to play here.
3. Bangkok as busy and manic as ever.
4. Hong Kong have the most aggressive Indian tailors encountered to date – ****.
5. Thai people are gentle, considerate and dignified. Chinese are ****.
6. 75% of Chinese men smoke, 100% of Chinese people with an umbrella will poke you in the eye with the ******* thing. 120% of Chinese people walking on the footpath will stop in front of you for no apparent reason. 200% of Chinese people will shout across a room rather than get up and go and talk quietly to their mates!
At this point we are looking towards Hawaii for our next holiday. Love Thailand, and will definitely return here, and we enjoyed Hong Kong, and can tick this off the list.
All the best,
Corona.
PS – Hope the Bin bloke did his job!
1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015.... And don't you forget it!
) but the Mrs and I are pretty keen to experience it for ourselves. We've heard great stories about both Koh Samui and Langkawi so we may even go to both and just extend the honeymoon by an extra 2 or 3 nights.
