fionamackay18
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Fantastic, from the que at heathrow to book in right to claiming baggage back at heathrow, there was Caroline (tour guide), with her lovely smiling face, great tour, jam packed, everything to see in Thailand we saw. Great company on the hol. Wonderfully helpful local guide marina who kept us fully informed and laughing all thru the tour. I was Ill for 24 hours and marina and Caroline made sure I had everything I needed. I couldn't recommend it more highly and look forward to visiting Tuscany

:thumbup:

RLJ
  • (Member)
(Member)
'fionamackay18' wrote:

Fantastic, from the que at heathrow to book in right to claiming baggage back at heathrow, there was Caroline (tour guide), with her lovely smiling face, great tour, jam packed, everything to see in Thailand we saw. Great company on the hol. Wonderfully helpful local guide marina who kept us fully informed and laughing all thru the tour. I was Ill for 24 hours and marina and Caroline made sure I had everything I needed. I couldn't recommend it more highly and look forward to visiting Tuscany

:thumbup:

Hello fionamackay18

I was thrilled to read your review of your holiday to Thailand. I have booked the Highlights of Thailand in March and I am so looking forward to it. It will be my first solo holiday ever - so a bit apprehensive too. I would be glad of any tips and hints you may have for an enjoyable holiday - you certainly had !!!!::thumbup:

LeeLee
  • (Member)
(Member)
I was on this holiday with Fiona and can only echo her comments. Between us we did all the optional excursions. The river kwai, floating market and elephant camp were real highlights for me.

The hotels were really fab, particularly in Chang Mai and at the beach. The included lunches (except drinks) really made it inexpensive once you have paid for the trip. The excursions are good value. All bar one of the hotels had tea and coffee making facilities in the room, a real bonus as there are a number of early starts!

Be warned though, the food on the plane is the worst I have ever had. Definitely bring something with you to nibble on!

All in all a really fab introduction to JY for me. Just waiting for the new brochure now before booking the next trip!

Happy to answer any questions anyone may have about the Thailand trip. If you are thinking about doing it, don't hesitate. Book it!

RLJ
  • (Member)
(Member)
'LeeLee' wrote:

I was on this holiday with Fiona and can only echo her comments. Between us we did all the optional excursions. The river kwai, floating market and elephant camp were real highlights for me.

The hotels were really fab, particularly in Chang Mai and at the beach. The included lunches (except drinks) really made it inexpensive once you have paid for the trip. The excursions are good value. All bar one of the hotels had tea and coffee making facilities in the room, a real bonus as there are a number of early starts!

Be warned though, the food on the plane is the worst I have ever had. Definitely bring something with you to nibble on!

All in all a really fab introduction to JY for me. Just waiting for the new brochure now before booking the next trip!

Happy to answer any questions anyone may have about the Thailand trip. If you are thinking about doing it, don't hesitate. Book it!

So glad that you really enjoyed all aspects of your holiday I will certainly heed your advice and take something to nibble on the very long journey we have on the flight. Did you need a lot of spending money ? I have already booked and paid for the excursions .:thumbup:

LeeLee
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi RLJ

Spending money really does depend on what you want to buy. If its just a few souvenirs and drinks then £300 is more than ample. However, clothes and jewellery are really cheap so you may feel like a splurge! I spent an extra £200 at the tailors having a winter coat and a dress for a wedding made to measure. The gem factory was also a little extra of mine, so all in all with massages at the beach I spent about £600!

You get a much better exchange rate in Thailand, so its worth bringing sterling and changing at the airport!

I'm jealous that you have all this to look forward to!

L x

RLJ
  • (Member)
(Member)
'LeeLee' wrote:

Hi RLJ

Spending money really does depend on what you want to buy. If its just a few souvenirs and drinks then £300 is more than ample. However, clothes and jewellery are really cheap so you may feel like a splurge! I spent an extra £200 at the tailors having a winter coat and a dress for a wedding made to measure. The gem factory was also a little extra of mine, so all in all with massages at the beach I spent about £600!

You get a much better exchange rate in Thailand, so its worth bringing sterling and changing at the airport!

I'm jealous that you have all this to look forward to!

L x

Hello LeeLee

Thank you for the information about the spending money. You sound just like me- I like clothing and jewels too !!! Could you pay with a credit card ? Did you change from sterling to Thailand currency at the airport in Thailand ? So many questions !!!!

Thank you:thumbup:

AngeS
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Lee thanks for you post, I am on this holiday Jan 31, do you have any other tips that you think might be helpful. As regards changing money at the airport, did you really have the time to queue up, or was it fraught. I am also thinking of booking all the excusions, were there any that you thought were not really worth while or worth the money

Ange S

LeeLee
  • (Member)
(Member)
Ange, you will have a great trip! With regards to currency, the tour leaders allow time to change money, so you will have no problem with that. I booked all bar one excursion (the insect market at phistanalock) and I'm sad I didn't do it! Its an exhausting trip at the start but if you can stand the pace, do it. You have time to relax on the beach and you will hate missing out.

RLJ - you can pay on credit card or debit card, so no problem there!

RLJ
  • (Member)
(Member)
'AngeS' wrote:

Hi Lee thanks for you post, I am on this holiday Jan 31, do you have any other tips that you think might be helpful. As regards changing money at the airport, did you really have the time to queue up, or was it fraught. I am also thinking of booking all the excusions, were there any that you thought were not really worth while or worth the money

Ange S

Hi Ange S

I will be going on the Thailand trip in March so I'd be very glad of reviews from you - and all the tips that you may have for clothing, packing etc,etc. Have a good trip:thumbup:

Chloesonic :)
(Member)
Hi Everyone :D

Im going to Thailand on 25th April 2013 and so looking forward to it not long now lol, This is my 2nd holiday with JY after Kenya last year and It looks amazing, Ive booked all the extra excursions apart from 2 like the death railway and the fashion show but can book them when Im there at the hotel.

all your info if very helpful and will take into acoount exchanging money and drinks ect

Many thanks

Chloe xx

Ariya
  • (Member)
(Member)
Glad to hear people saying Thailand is a good choice. I'd like to go there some time in the future, maybe not this year since it would be my first time away on my own and so would prefer somewhere a bit less of a culture shock but definitely one day. I love elephants so the elephant ride really stands out to me.

Just one question if anyone could help. Whats the food like there? I'm a really fussy eater and hate anything to do with fish or seafood, or anything too spicey. Thai fish sauce keeps coming to mind. Its one thing that would possibly put me off going there.

Thanks

Hayley

Jean from Scotland
(Member)
Hi Hayley

I was on the tour 31st January, my first time with JY and on my own and it won't be the last. The tour was fantastic and I highly recommend it. It was like being with an extended family after the first day. With regard to the food there are a lot of prawns and fish but also chicken and pork, there was plenty of choices although chips are few and far between, rice and noodles were available at every meal.

We had Richard as the tour manager and Jeed our tour guide on the trip and I must say they were fantastic throughout the trip and nothing was too much trouble for them.

My advice is to take the bull by the horns and go for it.

Jean

RLJ
  • (Member)
(Member)
'Jean wrote:

Hi Hayley

I was on the tour 31st January, my first time with JY and on my own and it won't be the last. The tour was fantastic and I highly recommend it. It was like being with an extended family after the first day. With regard to the food there are a lot of prawns and fish but also chicken and pork, there was plenty of choices although chips are few and far between, rice and noodles were available at every meal.

We had Richard as the tour manager and Jeed our tour guide on the trip and I must say they were fantastic throughout the trip and nothing was too much trouble for them.

My advice is to take the bull by the horns and go for it.

Jean

Hello Jean

So glad you enjoyed your Thailand trip. I will be going on the 14 March trip and this will be my first solo holiday too.Just a few questions....

Was it very hot and what do I need to pack ?

Do I need many evening outfits ?

Did you exchange money in the UK or in Thailand ?

Thank you

RLJ:thumbup:

AngeS
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi all, I was on this trip with Jean and echo everything she has said. I will just give a few more hints and tips, not in any particular order

The weather is very hot and humid in Bangkok, but less humid further up north and there is never any need for cover ups in the evening as the temperature remains extremely warm, as regards dress, its the usual just smart casual for the evening, and very light clothes during the day.

Pack as lightly as you can as there are so many bits and bobs to be bought at very cheap prices, and we all began stressing about wieght allowance, although they were not to strick on our return journey. but you never know.

Money...I changed my money at the post office, you can change it at the airport for a slighlty better rate but it is so slight that I don't hink its worth worrying over, and if its done here its one thing less to stress about, in our party there were 34 of us and I don't know anybody who left it until we landed, although obviously there were people who needed to top up once they were out there. One of the most expensive things were the drinks in the hotels, we were paying about a fiver for a small glass of wine, but everying else was cheap, but even so you will need £300 - £400 spends and this is without paying for any optional excusions.

On this subject if you only want to do only one trishaw ride the one in Bangkok is by far the most enjoyable, it became hilarious and was so worth the money, we were escorted in convoy, by the very important local police man, on a motor bike with flashing lights and a whistle!!

The River Kwai and the elephant ride and the raft ride are also musts. I hate any animal cruelty and so was very wary, but I think these animals are very well looked after and not forced to do circus tricks.

As regards viewing the Budas of which there are many, you must take off your shoes to view them, I did not find it all that pleasant with the huge mass of hot shoeless humanity, fortunatley I carried wipes and was able to clean my feet after every visit, and believe me they were filthy, so I regard this as a top tip.

Also toilets known as happy rooms, mostly holes in the ground and wet floors, so if you have sandals with a bit of a sole on them, this should lift you out of the wet, there are women mopping, by they never seem to mop very well, and also paper hankies as there is a lack of loo paper, although we were offered hankies on leaving the coach when visitng the happy rooms.

I can't think of anything else but if I do I will post, and any questions, please ask.

It was a brilliant holiday

Ange S

RLJ
  • (Member)
(Member)
'AngeS' wrote:

Hi all, I was on this trip with Jean and echo everything she has said. I will just give a few more hints and tips, not in any particular order

The weather is very hot and humid in Bangkok, but less humid further up north and there is never any need for cover ups in the evening as the temperature remains extremely warm, as regards dress, its the usual just smart casual for the evening, and very light clothes during the day.

Pack as lightly as you can as there are so many bits and bobs to be bought at very cheap prices, and we all began stressing about wieght allowance, although they were not to strick on our return journey. but you never know.

Money...I changed my money at the post office, you can change it at the airport for a slighlty better rate but it is so slight that I don't hink its worth worrying over, and if its done here its one thing less to stress about, in our party there were 34 of us and I don't know anybody who left it until we landed, although obviously there were people who needed to top up once they were out there. One of the most expensive things were the drinks in the hotels, we were paying about a fiver for a small glass of wine, but everying else was cheap, but even so you will need £300 - £400 spends and this is without paying for any optional excusions.

On this subject if you only want to do only one trishaw ride the one in Bangkok is by far the most enjoyable, it became hilarious and was so worth the money, we were escorted in convoy, by the very important local police man, on a motor bike with flashing lights and a whistle!!

The River Kwai and the elephant ride and the raft ride are also musts. I hate any animal cruelty and so was very wary, but I think these animals are very well looked after and not forced to do circus tricks.

As regards viewing the Budas of which there are many, you must take off your shoes to view them, I did not find it all that pleasant with the huge mass of hot shoeless humanity, fortunatley I carried wipes and was able to clean my feet after every visit, and believe me they were filthy, so I regard this as a top tip.

Also toilets known as happy rooms, mostly holes in the ground and wet floors, so if you have sandals with a bit of a sole on them, this should lift you out of the wet, there are women mopping, by they never seem to mop very well, and also paper hankies as there is a lack of loo paper, although we were offered hankies on leaving the coach when visitng the happy rooms.

I can't think of anything else but if I do I will post, and any questions, please ask.

It was a brilliant holiday

Ange S

Hello Ange and welcome back from your Thailand holiday.

Thank you for all your valuable information - it has really got me quite excited now. !!! The " happy rooms " remind me very much of a holiday to China. It's wonderfulhow we can manage our body clock when the need arises !!!! Will post a review when I come back.:thumbup: RLJ

Debs1961
(Member)
'AngeS' wrote:

Hi all, I was on this trip with Jean and echo everything she has said. I will just give a few more hints and tips, not in any particular order

The weather is very hot and humid in Bangkok, but less humid further up north and there is never any need for cover ups in the evening as the temperature remains extremely warm, as regards dress, its the usual just smart casual for the evening, and very light clothes during the day.

Pack as lightly as you can as there are so many bits and bobs to be bought at very cheap prices, and we all began stressing about wieght allowance, although they were not to strick on our return journey. but you never know.

Money...I changed my money at the post office, you can change it at the airport for a slighlty better rate but it is so slight that I don't hink its worth worrying over, and if its done here its one thing less to stress about, in our party there were 34 of us and I don't know anybody who left it until we landed, although obviously there were people who needed to top up once they were out there. One of the most expensive things were the drinks in the hotels, we were paying about a fiver for a small glass of wine, but everying else was cheap, but even so you will need £300 - £400 spends and this is without paying for any optional excusions.

On this subject if you only want to do only one trishaw ride the one in Bangkok is by far the most enjoyable, it became hilarious and was so worth the money, we were escorted in convoy, by the very important local police man, on a motor bike with flashing lights and a whistle!!

The River Kwai and the elephant ride and the raft ride are also musts. I hate any animal cruelty and so was very wary, but I think these animals are very well looked after and not forced to do circus tricks.

As regards viewing the Budas of which there are many, you must take off your shoes to view them, I did not find it all that pleasant with the huge mass of hot shoeless humanity, fortunatley I carried wipes and was able to clean my feet after every visit, and believe me they were filthy, so I regard this as a top tip.

Also toilets known as happy rooms, mostly holes in the ground and wet floors, so if you have sandals with a bit of a sole on them, this should lift you out of the wet, there are women mopping, by they never seem to mop very well, and also paper hankies as there is a lack of loo paper, although we were offered hankies on leaving the coach when visitng the happy rooms.

I can't think of anything else but if I do I will post, and any questions, please ask.

It was a brilliant holiday

Ange S

Hi Ange,

Many thanks for all these tips and it sounds as though you had some wonderful and strange times lol. With regards to currency apart from the Airport when would we next have access to a bank? The rates are a lot lower here now than before you went so I think a lot of people going in March are thinking of exchanging money over there. I wouldn't want to be stuck without currency if we can't get to a bank. Also did everybody tend to go on the extra excursions or were there many who decided not to? Hopefully the tickets will arrive this week so I may book some excursions when i've seen the itinerary.

Did you bother to take a travel iron? I didn't when I went to Kenya but somebody else did which I must say proved very popular!!!! Also did everybody get sat together on the plane or do you choose any seat anywhere when checking in?

Sorry for the all the questions but all the advice & tips are much appreciated!!! Very excited now and almost counting the hours lol. :-)

Regards

Debs

AngeS
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Debs... as regards the banks, I am not all sure about the banks as I didn't need to use them, but if you are not taking bahts with you I would definatly change money at Bangkok airport, as the next morning we were up and out, I think we were on the coach by 8 am but it could have been 7 am, as it was on quite a few occasions, so no chance to sort out your money then. We were up early as we covered long distrances, but the coach was very comfortable with lots of leg room, and there is a supply of chilled bottled water on board at less than 50p per bottle, and a loo for anybody who gets desperate, although there were plenty of happy room stops

Plane seats, by the time we met in the lounge we obvioulsy had all checked in, we were in the same part of the plane but not always sitting with somebody who was in our group, but as its a night flight most of us tried to get some sleep so it didn't really matter, as you meet up soon enough at Bangkok

Travel irons...I think life is to short to stuff a mushroom and iron clothes on holiday, as far as I am concerned as long as my clothes were pressed before they went into my case then that will do, so my answer would be a resounding NO there is to much to do to be bogged down ironing clothes and who cares anyway, I just like good company and lots of laughs, both of which were in abundance

You really will enjoy, but please ask if you have any more questions

Ange S

nixon
  • (Member)
(Member)
Debs

I have my 9th JY tour booked and I always Travel with a travel iron, ha ha ha I know I need to get a life. I would say I can be a popular lady on tour as people ask to borrow it at some time. I also take my own hair dryer as well. Other people might take more shoes and handbags etc but for me it's the iron and hair dryer..

Cindy

Debs1961
(Member)
Hi Ange, Hi Cindy,

Well many thanks to you both for views on 'the iron' lol. I always take my travel hairdryer and as someone elses iron was useful in Kenya it may find its way into my case (but for limited use only!!!)

With regards to currency I did wonder if it would be a couple of days before getting to a bank due to the itinerary so I will get more at the airport. I am getting so excited now as everyone who has been says its a fabulous holiday. All your tips Ange are very helpful just to paint a bigger picture!! Love the fact they call the toilets 'happy rooms' lol. Had a text today to say tickets have been sent out :-)

Regards

Debs

Joy8532
(Member)
Hi Chloe

I too am going on the Thailand trip 25 April, and my ex sister in law is going as well. We're both really looking forward to it. This will be my 2nd trip with JY, Looking forward to meeting up with everyone at the airport.

'Chloesonic wrote:

Hi Everyone :D

Im going to Thailand on 25th April 2013 and so looking forward to it not long now lol, This is my 2nd holiday with JY after Kenya last year and It looks amazing, Ive booked all the extra excursions apart from 2 like the death railway and the fashion show but can book them when Im there at the hotel.

all your info if very helpful and will take into acoount exchanging money and drinks ect

Many thanks

Chloe xx

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