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
