#208: The Oriental (Page 499; Listed as "A Trio of Bangkok Hotels" in the 2nd Ed pg 499, 500)

Feb. 25, 2018

The Oriental is the "total package."  It's beautifully situated along the Chao Phraya river, it's exquisitely decorated, the service is second to none and it has so. much. history.  It was built in the 1800's, when Thailand was Siam.  It is currently celebrating it's 140th anniversary.  

And it has a "kiddie pool" that looks like this - an infinity pool leading out to Chao Phraya river.  Spectacular.  

The main pool

The bedroom, with a view of the Chao Phraya river

Verdict:  No.  Even though it is the "total package" of charm/history/decor and service as I mentioned before, for me, the price precludes it from being a "must do."  The Sukhothai, also mentioned in "the book", is just as nice (actually, the rooms are nicer and the grounds more serene) and is a fraction of the price.  While you can find deals for ~$400/night, the average room typically runs 20,000-30,000 baht (~$650-$970/night).  There are approximately 10 different types of rooms and if you want the cream of the crop, the Oriental Suite, it's ~175,000 baht (~$5,645/night).  So, while it's a beautiful hotel, full of history and exquisite decor, it's not a "must do." 

#207: The Sukhothai (Page 500)

Feb 25, 2018

This hotel is named after the 13th -century kingdom of Sukhotai.

There are 6 acres of flower gardens and lily ponds.

There are 210 rooms and about 10 different types of rooms.  Here I am in one of the Garden-view suites, all of which have a balcony that look out over the gardens and lily ponds.

The bathroom

The bedroom and sitting area.

And the pool.  Oh, the pool!

Cost:  The price varies depending on the room you get, but most range from $200-$500/night.  That may not sound like much, but in Thailand, where you can get a meal for $2 and a full body hour long massage for $7, it's a chunk of change.

Verdict:  No, you don't need to see/experience the Sukhothai before you die.  But I will say that I liked it better than the Oriental (which is my next review) and you can't get anything like this for $200/night in the States!  So, if you find yourself in Bangkok, there's no nicer place to stay or bang for your buck than here!

#206: Koh Phi Phi (Page 502; 2nd Ed pg 627)

Feb. 2018

Just so you have an idea about where the Phi Phi Islands are, here is a map.  As you can see, there is basically an upside down "U" on the southern end of Thailand where the Andaman Sea is surrounded by Krabi on the East and Phuket on the West and within that area, is dotted with the Phi Phi Islands.

The most famous of those islands is Koh Phi Phi because this is where The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed. 

And you can see why.  The water is as blue-green, clear and perfect as it comes.  The temperature equally warm and perfect.  And there are limestone cliffs jutting out on every side making it one of the most unique and scenic places in the world.

However, as is evidence by all those long tails behind us, because that movie "got the word out", it is also super crowded.  There are several Phi Phi islands and lots of "Phi Phi island excursions" you can book.  Our friend who lives in Thailand told us that each time you book, you have a slightly different itinerary.  They stop at different islands.  And one time they may let you get out and explore and snorkel at a particular island, while the next time you go, they just show that area to you without getting off the boat and then take you to another place to swim or snorkel or explore.  HOWEVER, this is the one and only place that is a guaranteed "stop and stay" on any of the tours and as a result, it's packed!

Cost:  We paid 1200 baht (the excursion was 900 baht, but then there is a 300 baht National Park fee/person.  Some excursions include this and others don't, so pay attention to that when booking).  You can book this from many hotels in Krabi and Phuket and can also book through the kiosk travel desks that are dotted up and down the "main street" along Ao Nang Beach.  1200 baht at the current exchange rate of 31 baht/$1 = ~$38/person.

Verdict:  If you would have asked me to rate this after visiting just Koh Phi Phi ("The Beach" island), I would have said No because it was just too crowded to really enjoy and experience the serenity of how I'm sure this island is supposed to be experienced.  However, after visiting several of the other surrounding Phi Phi islands that were less crowded and going snorkeling and swimming and feeling the powdery white perfect sand, I'm going to say Yes.  If you can somehow dodge the crowds. Maybe get a private boat to take you to the less touristy areas, there's nothing else like it in the world. 

#205: Phangnga Bay (Page 503; 2nd Ed pg 629)

 Feb. 2018

It is accessible only by boat. 

The book says it best:  "...this spectacular profusion of sheer limestone mountain peaks rising from the Andaman Seas' pistachio-green waters is one of the world's most beautiful natural phenomena."

Phangnga was made famous when it was used as the setting for James Bond's The Man with the Golden Gun. In fact, it is now known as "James Bond Island."  We booked a boat trip through our hotel to "James Bond Island" and all per town, the little kiosks that are set up to book excursions all list this excursion as "James Bond Island."  

Cost:  We paid 2200 baht (~$70/person) for this excursion.

Verdict:  No.  It's beautiful.  It's spectacular.  And we loved swimming out to the island, touching it and swimming all around it.  And the water felt great.  BUT, it's hard to get to (It was a 4 hour R/T drive from Ao Nang (close to Krabi)) in a hot, packed shuttle until we got to the dock and then a long boat ride to get there.  And then, they only let you stay for 30 minutes and the island itself is super crowded, which takes away from the experience.  It was awesome.  I'm glad we saw it.  But I wouldn't necessarily recommend it or do it again.  

#204: Angkor Wat (Page 475, 2nd Ed pg 592)

Feb 21, 2018

If you're going to travel to the opposite side of the world to see Angkor Wat and you know it may be the only time in your life you get to see it, you wake up at 4:30am and camp out in front of her and watch the sunrise and see Angkor Wat welcome in the new day in all her glory.

And then you go inside and spend hours exploring all her nooks and crannies.

And you wait in line to climb to the very top (that's us peeking out of the window).

And when a Buddhist Monk offers to bless you in the upper chambers, you take him up on it.  

This is actually taken in front of Bayon, just up the road from Angkor Wat.  But it's part of the Angkor Complex and too good of a picture not to include!

Angkor is a huge area of ancient temples spread out over about 40 miles. It was the capital of the Khmer Empire about 1000 years ago. The Khmer kingdom was conquered in 1431 and this area was abandoned.  Angkor Wat is the largest of all the temples and is truly a sight to behold.  This area remained unknown to the outside world until 1860 when a Frenchman, Henry Mahout stumbled upon it, at the time deep in the jungle.  Can you imagine??!

Cost: 1-day: $37, 3-day: $62, 7-day, $72.  Those are just admission prices. If you want to hire a driver and/or a tour guide, that is extra.  

Verdict:  Yes.  Angkor Wat has been on my radar for 14 years, ever since the first time I went to Southeast Asia, but never made it over to Cambodia.  It's hot. It's crowded.  And it's surprisingly expensive for such a poor part of the world.  But it's absolutely worth seeing.