Huoay Xai to Luang Prabang
There is the option here to take the slow boat to Luang Prabang along the Mekong which takes 2 days. It is a highly recommended trip, but we simply don't have time. More information on the slow boat can be found here.
As for getting a bus you can get one at Champa bus terminal in Huoay Xai. Buses for Luang Prabang leave at 10am and 4pm, and the journey takes 12 hours. 130,000kip.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Get a mini bus. You can book this through a travel agent or at the Bus station (45min walk). The journey takes anywhere from 5 to 7 hours, depending on conditions and costs 130,000kip. You could pay more for a VIP bus, which includes a meal and a toilet that works sometimes. It's a 30 minute walk from the bus station to Vang Vieng, or a tuk tuk ride for 10,000kip.
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
So, there a three options here, a local bus, a private company bus, or a songthaew. Details of all three are discussed below.
The local bus leaves from the Northern Bus Station, you can either catch the bus from there or by the side of the road next to the old air field. They leave at 5.30am, 6am, 6.30am, 7am, 12.30 pm and 2pm. It takes about 4 to 5 hours for the journey and costs 40, 000 kip. There are also Songthaews available from the bus station or the airfield which leave for Vientiane every 20 mins or so, the cost is 40, 000 kip.
The Thavonsouk Bus Company and Malany Bus Company leave at 10am and 1.30pm. They have a free pick up service from the guesthouse. The journey for both these companies takes about 3 and a half hours. Tickets can be booked through many of the guesthouses or tour operators in Vang Vieng and cost 60,000 kip.
Vientiane to Savannakhet
The buses are fairly frequent in the morning, though I can find actual times. You may need to catch a bus to Pakse that stops in Savannakhet. There are two bus options, the cheapest is the local bus which takes 9 hours and costs 75,000kip. Alternatively, for a more comfortable ride, catch a VIP bus. These are less frequent, but only take 8 hours and travel overnight. Travel in pairs or buy the soace next to you as you'll be sharing your bed. For a night bus with a bed its 120,000kip or for a seated bus it is 110,000kip.
Savannakhet to Thakek & Back
The local bus to Thakhek costs 30,000kip and takes 3 hours. Of course, you can catch a VIP bus for more if you wish. Same for the return journey.
Ko Pha-Ngan is Koh Tao's neighbouring island. And can be reached using the same route. Temperatures on Ko Pha-Ngan in February are in the high 20s, with low rainfall. The parties here are legendary and last all night and day. If you choose to get accommodation, it may seem easiest to get somewhere close to the party, but be warned as if you stay here, you might not get much sleep (depends on what your plan is I suppose). But you can stay a short 10 minutes away on the other side of the island if you'd like some peace and quiet. The average hostel room here is 1-200THB.
There is one reason we're coming here, the famous Full Moon Parties. We should hit Ko Pha-Ngan for Feb 23rd 2016, right on time for full moon. For a full list of party dates, see here. .
But it's not just parties on Ko Pha-Ngan, you can also trip your balls on shroom shakes! Though maybe not whilst at the party.
There are also activities like archery, diving and other watersports available, or for something different, learn to free-dive. Apnea Koh Phangan offers free-diving courses near the pier in Chaloklum Village.
But if you still want to party, in the days leading up to a full moon party, there is the Jungle Experience in Ban Tai. It's open all night and seems to be built for people on drugs, drum and bass/techno music plays from some world class djs, and the site has UV lights and a "magical flower garden" with a river. God knows what it is, but I'll give it a crack.
Chiang Mai is the hub of the North, and Thailands' 5th largest city. We will be spending the best part of two weeks here, to stay for Christmas and New Years. It will be a warm Christmas with temperatures around the high 20s in December. Until the 1920's it was very remote and could only be reached by a long river journey or elephant trek. In the remnants of Chiang Mai's City walls are over 30 temples of many styles and eras all of which are beatifully decorated. The most famous being Wat Phrathat Doi, located on a mountainside 13km away. The city's night life centres around Loi Kroh Road, near the Ping river where there also plenty of hostels. Hostel prices range from 125 to 340THB, most of the cheaper places can be found in the old city.On a Sunday night Ratchadamneon Road hosts a walking street market from Tha Phae Gate to Wat Phra Singh.
On a clear day, from the city you can see a large gold plated Chedi. This is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, sitting at an elevation of 1073m. The site was selected by an elephant whom, once reaching the site, trumpeted, circled 3 times, knelt down and died. So it only seemed logical to the people in 1383 to put a temple here, naturally. It is a hard climb up the 300 stairs to the statue, but you can opt to take the tram for 20THB. Admission is 30THB. You can reach the stairs via local bus or songthaew for 50THB though you may have to wait to make it full. There are also pools and waterfalls at the foot of Doi Suthep on Huay Kaew Road.
Further along the road there is a hill tribe that is quite touristy but you can buy a few crafted items.We may also pay a visit to the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural centre, which tells you all about Thai culture and history. It is very modernised and tours are presented in English. Entry is 90THB. It is open from 8.30 to 17.00 but is closed on Mondays, and located in the centre of the old city on Prapokklao Road.
The Unversity of Chiang Mai also has an art museum on the corner of Suthep and Nimmanhaemin Road. The exhibitions are by undergraduate artists, but are to a very high standard. The artwork can be viewed for free from 9.00-17.00. (Closed Mondays).
If you're more into bugs though, visit the Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders on Srimankalajarn Road. It features Asias most unusual collection of butterflies Beatles and more and costs 200THB to enter. It is open every day 9.00-17.00.
Another item we'd like to tick off in Chiang Mai is seeing elephants. we have found two recommended ones that are supposedly truly caring towards the elephants. The cheapest of these is Baanchang Elephant Park on Rachadamnern Road. The other is Eddy Elephant Care Chiang Mai, located on Sripoom Road where the owner, Eddy, takes cares of his 7 orphaned elephants through the generations. They will also take you for rides in the jungle, but with a 2300THB price tag for the day including lunch and transportation.
There are many hilltribes surrounding Chiang Mai, and treks can be organised to visit them. Usually the harder the trek, the more authentic the tribe will be. There will be plenty of tourist guides available in the city to plan a 2 or 3 day hike.
The national sport of Thailand is Mai Thai Boxing, and there are three stadiums and Chaing Mai where you can watch a match;
Kalare Boxing Stadium - behind the night bazzaar, 4-600THB
Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium - on the Loi Kroh Road, flyers usually up around the city, 4-600THB
Tha Phae Boxing Stadium - Moon Muang Road, near Tha Phae Gate - here you can gamble on the fights.
Chiang also offers tonnes of fun outdoor activites at many places in town, There is;
Mountain Biking
Rafting
Zorbing
Ziplining
Minigolf
We are going to spending Christmas in Chiang Mai, so I've googled a bit about that. What I've found is they dont really celebrate Christmas, as expected, but there are Christmas decorations out. Also a lot of hotels charge for and evening meal whether you want to attend or not, and its pricey at 3000THB, so best stick with a hostel for Christmas. If you're really dying for a bit of western food, head to The Dukes on Loi Kroh Road.
We are also spending New Years here, where thousands of lanterns are sent off into the sky (pictured above).
Hoi An is well renowned as the place to get tailor made clothing, and I Weill get to that later, but while you're waiting for your suit, the city has plenty to offer.
The city has a tropical climate, and temperatures are around the mid 20s in January.
There aren't many hostels in Hoi An, though there are plenty hotels. One hostel is House Backpackers on Ba Trieu Street where a dorm room costs 145,000VD. Prices only go up from here.
A popular activity in Hoi An is to explore Old Town. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and is especially beautiful at night when all the walkways are lit with lanterns.
Another wee thing to check out are these swan boats that are on the river near the footbridge. Their eyes light up and they play Santa Claus is coming to town at double speed, so definitely checking that out.
Another highly recommended Hoi An activity is to get absolutely shit faced. Almost every blog recommends it, and we would hate to miss out on this past time.
For a calming afternoon visit the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quan Dong) on Tran Phu Street. Built in 1885, the hall has a hidden back garden with ornate statues.
Get in a bit of diving on Cham Island. The ferry leaves Hoi An pier at 7.30am for 100,000VD each way.
Or, for a relaxing evening, watch the sunset on an evening river cruise on Thu Bon River. Start at around 17.00 to watch the sunset, prices around 130,000VD.
And last but not least, cooking lessons. They're recommended in almost every city on the agenda. So we've painstakingly researched the best city to do a cooking lesson in South East Asia. Not, we just crammed it in here. Courses start at 350,000VD. Of course, you could always just watch some of the chefs in their restaurants and try to pick it up.
Getting a suit in Hoi An
The blogs on this are all absolute hell, and it seems as soon as a good place is found and recommended, it gets ruined because the vendor knows they have good reviews and can rip people off. The going price is $50 for a mediocre suit, up to $100 for a better one. The best advice I can give you is to feel the materials, haggle the prices, and find the shop by yourself - not by someone who tipped you off, or you can end up paying commission fees.
Despite saying that, I will test my theory and see if these two reccommended shops have been ruined;
Thanh Na Cloth shop - Ba Trieu Street
Aobaba - Tran Phu Street
Ipoh is probably nothing like Hollywood, but they've got the sign, They've also got a tropical rainforest climate all year round, with temperatures generally in the high 20s and plentiful rainfall.
For somewhere to stay we will check out a place called a Bed & Bike, where we can use the hostels bikes to get around Ipoh. Rooms are 33RM, and it located at 2A-1 Jalan Sultan Yussuf, 30000 Ipoh. If we don't like it though. there are plenty hostels around at similar prices.
The Lost world of Tambun is a large waterpark and theme park with several sections including a petting zoo, hot springs and tiger valley. It costs 50RM for entry to all sections, or around 6-7RM per site if you only want to visit a few select sections. It is open from 11am to 11pm every day (some sections may close earlier though, around 6pm. It seems the best way to get there is to take 20-30 minute taxi from Ipoh to the Lost World, which should cost around 30RM. I can't find a price for the bus, but it takes about an hour and a half.
Take a wander around Old Town and look at the street art and architecture. Also in Ipoh there are escape games, something we want to do back home but it costs about £50 per person, whereas here it is only 36RM, or £5.50. Escape games can be booked here.
There are a few "limestone wonders" dotted around the city, the largest of which is Gua Tempurung at 3km long. It is 24km south of the city, in Gopeng. Part of it has been developed with lighting and walkways, and there are a few tours available (around 36RM) with ranging difficulties. One of the caves features a river.
If you're feeling a bit morbid, take a look round Han Chin Pet Soo Museum. The name makes
it almost sound cute, but its actually museum describing in detail the pitfalls of opium,
gambling, prostitution and the triads. Entry is free to this attraction.
Da Lat is a city in the mountains further inland than most other destinations in Vietnam. Being built by the French colonists, it has a very French vibe to it, a feeling concreted by a large radio mast resembling the Eiffel Tower. Temperatures are in the low 20s in January. Hostel rooms range from 100,000 to 170,000VD.
There is plenty to do outdoors in the beautiful countryside. Some normal activities like mountain biking and rafting, and some less normal, like riding an ostrich. Something I will definitely be doing.
In the centre of town is the pituresque Ho Xuan Huonh Lake, where you wander along the banks one relaxing afternoon. 5km South of town on highway 20 is Tuyen Lam Lake, a huge lake with beautifully clear green waters.
If you fancy something a little more challenging, take a 3 hour hike up the steep paved path of Lang Biang Mountain and experience breathtaking views... Or hire a jeep to take you for 50,000VD.
There also some amazing waterfalls nearby. Hire a motorbike and visit;
- Prenn Falls at the foot of Prenn Pass about 10km out of town. 30,000VD entry fee.
- Pongour Falls is an impressive waterfall 30km South of town along highway 20, Ho Xuan Huonh Lake could be visited en route.
- Last but by no means least, are the Elephant Falls, 30km west of town on the way to DakLak. 10,000VD entry fee. Detour North of town along Hung Vurong road and stop at Lak Lake for excellent views.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam. Its population is 9m and rising. Prices here may be a little higher than the rest of Vietnam, but the night life is excellent.
Because history buff is still with us, we will be visiting the War Remnants Museum (open 7.30-12, 13.30-17.00). The museum holds many artefacts from the war including tanks, jets, helicopters and howitzers, and tells (sometimes graphically) of the gruesome cruelties committed here. Enrty is 15,000VD. The museum is a short walk from Reunification Palace, and there is a map in the museum pamphlet.
Why not check out a pagoda or two? There is the Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the sea goddess who left two giant turtles to keep an eye on things in her absence, Solid life choices. And there is the Quan Am pagoda, the oldest pagoda in town home to incense and a cheerful puppy? worth a wee look I suppose, and with both being free to enter, we cant argue really.
Top of the list for things to do here is visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense underground networks, connected to a network that covers most of the country, these were used constantly during the Vietnam war as hiding spots, supply routes, storage, living quarters etc. Also get the standard photo of yourself coming out of the mini tunnels in the ground.. I hope I fit
There is also a shooting range near here where you can fire some machine guns for a laugh.
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