Je cherche quelqu'un qui part en Thailande en Septembre et serait capable de me rendre un service contre une récompense.
En fait, j'ai acheté une bague à Chiang Mai et on s'est rendu compte de retour en France qu'on s'est fait avoir. Cela étant, la bijouterie est prête à nous rembourser (car bien connue des tours-opérateurs et apriori "respectable") si on leur rend la bague. Malheureusement, je ne peux pas l'envoyer par la poste et je ne compte pas y retourner rapidement.
Donc si jamais vous passez par Chiang Mai (en générale inclus dans tous les programmes des voyages organisés et êtes prets à m'aider, n'hésitez pas à me contacter, cela pourra toujours amortir une partie de votre voyage). Pour info, je suis dans la région parisienne.
je part en septembre, , , , , mais comme il n'y auras aucune chance de récupérer quoique ce soit, , sauf un mal de tête, , je le laisse a un plus téméraire que moi, , , , ,
je te souhaite bonne chance, ,
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
Je pars les deux premières semaines de septembre...
Mais on est 7 alors je veux pas de plan galère genre je trouve pas le bordel (bijouterie) et pas d'arnaque... en gros pas de problème pour un bijoux qui vaut rien !
Je te confirme sous peu si je passe par chang mai mais normalement oui !
bon il faut être un peut réaliste, , ses boutiques sont gérer par des chinois thai, , dont les propriétaires sont ou des politicien, ou de l'armée, ou de la police, , a même titre que des hôtels salons de massages, et certains restaurants, ,
ils sont les rois de l'embrouille, , poliment ils trouverons une excuse qui va vous clouer sur place, ,
que faire ?? prendre un avocat ?? ils ont les meilleurs, , en plus dans ce domaine le farang est toujours perdant ( sauf si on est copain de plus puissant, , ) il donne un coup de telephone est l'affaire est régler,
quant on achète en asie, , on acheté a la manière asiatique, , avec les avantages et les inconvenients . le tout est de le savoir, , , , , et pour cela VF est très efficaces, ,
je ne suis pas le seul a dire, , acheter des bijoux dans ces bijouteries, , c'est perdre de l'argent, ,
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
salut l'ami alors moi je part le 2 sept en thailande et je passe obligatoirement par chiang mai car j'ai des mai thai a aller voir si ca t'arrange je peux aller leur redresser les oreilles a ces bijoutiers vereux
salut l'ami alors moi je part le 2 sept en thailande et je passe obligatoirement par chiang mai car j'ai des mai thai a aller voir si ca t'arrange je peux aller leur redresser les oreilles a ces bijoutiers vereux
Tu vas terminer avec un joli "sourire kabyle" au fond d'un fossé;
Relis un des messages plus haut; les bijouteries appartiennent aux sino-thai depuis des lustres; ils ont la police ET l'armée dans leur poche.
(N'oublie pas que l'ex et peut-être futur premier ministre M Taksin est lui aussi un sino-thai).
Moi, j'aurais suivi le conseil qu'un membre d'un autre forum lui a donné:
ne pas aller dans une bijouterie française pour faire évaluer/expertiser le bijou et ainsi ne jamais savoir...
En Asie, on achète de l'or, que ce soit au Vietnam(1 chi d'or valait environ 50 $ il y a dix ans) ou en Thailande (des baht d'or qui pèsent environ 16 g et valent aussi environ 12.000 baht le baht d'or 24 carat);
seuls les connaisseurs achètent des pierres qu'ils rapportent en Europe pour les faire tailler et monter dans leurs propres entreprises.
De toutes façons, il n'est pas question de faire ce truc à la place de la personne qui pense s'être fait rouler dans la farine;
pas question de faire perdre la face à un thai et me retrouver au mieux en taule au pire à la morgue.
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
J'en profite pour demander quel date vous pârtez et sur quel compagnie biensur.
Pour discutailler avec l'un d'entre vous avec un grand plaisir pour rendre plus agreable ce long periple tout en sachant que je part a priori le 04 sept sur Air France.
Sinon dsl mais moi je ne vais pas en direction de ta bijouterie !!! 🙁
a vrai dire je me suis rendu dans une bijouterie a bangkok seulement pour que le chauffeur de tuk tuk ait son coupon mais c'est pasmon truc les bijoux mais la vous m'apprenez quelques choses c'est sympa
Je comprends ton envie de revoir ton argent, il faut savoir que la thailande c'est aussi le paradis de l'arnaque, des certifications faite en 4 eme vitesses dans le noir d'un entrepot et aussi des faux bijoux qui brillent plus que le vRAI OR.
OUVREZ LES YEUX!!!!!!!!!!!
Moi, on a aussi essayé de me pigeonner à la sauce Faux-con Royal, à coup de remise à GOGO et j'en passe, pour un peu je pouvais presque choisir un autre bijoux dans un partie du magasin.
Bon, voici sa carte à ce MARCHAND de VERRERIE🤪 (plus bas😏)
Bon beh merci les amis, j'espère que cela va servir aux autres:
ce n'était pas un plan yuk tuk, pas de remises non plus (le guide nous a prevenu que pas de négo possible dans cette bijouterie "d'état" qui est dans le cartier des usines de laque etc, ils ont également un atelier de certissage sur place qu'ils font visiter. Mon tour opérateur français a également été très étonné, en disant que justement ils amenaient les gens là pour éviter les plans pas clean...
La bijouterie s'appèle Gem's Gallery et a des filiales à Bangkok, Phuket et Chiang Mai+site Internet Ils délivrent un certificat de garantie avec le service après vente "garanti à vie", prennent les cartes de crédit, l'une d'entre elles a même a été en contact avec ma conseillère bancaire (oups). Sur place, ils parlent toutes les langues possibles et ont l'air très pro, pas de pression etc.
Donc on ne peut faire confiance à personne dans ce pays, je suis un peu deg pour mon cheri à qui je ne le dirai jamais ( c'était ma bague de fiançailles) mais bon, on va dire que c'est la vie...
Je pense honnetement que si c'est une maison sérieuse, ils n'hesiteront pas à te rembourser de ton achat.
Il est sur qu'il faudra un certificat d'un bijoutier prouvant que le bijoux ne vaut pas grande chose (histoire d'avoir des arguments) et si nécessaire faire une expertise chez un bijouter en thailande pour voir ce qu'il peut dire sur la valeur réelle du bijoux.
Le mieux est effectivement d'une maniere polie, de confier à quelqu'un qui va a chiang mai ton bijoux et voir le résultat.
S'ils acceptent un remboursement, c'est donc une maison de confiance....s'ils n'acceptent pas de rembourser en pretextant que ce n'est pas la même personne qui est venue .....alors dans ce cas là..............
Mon avis est de tenter le coup, vu la somme en jeux
@+
Le problème n'est pas de savoir si la maison est "honnête et sérieuse" ou non;
le problème et le seul est que la personne qui se présentera à la bijouterie en question à très peu de chances d'en sortir comme elle y sera entrée, c'est à dire sur ses deux pieds.
Il n'y a pas longtemps que je vais en Thailande, par contre ça fait presque 20 ans que je parcours l'Asie du SE.
Faire perdre la face à un vietnamien (pas n'importe lequel) ne vous fera pas subir de gros désagréments;
avec un thai il en va tout autrement;
dernièrement à Pattaya, deux morts par armes à feu dans un "bistrot";
les journaux ont raconté que c'était une histoire foot qui avait dégénéré, en réalité, c'était tout autre chose, et le thai n'a pas hésité une seule seconde à sortir son flingue de sa poche et à dégommer les deux d'en face.
Je comprends que tu essaies de faire passer la pillule que je trouve moi même dûre à avaler; mais il faut en passer par là, avaler la pillule amère, dire mai pen rai et passer à la journée suivante.
Malheureusement cette histoire se répétera encore des centaines de fois, comme se répéteront les "accidents" d'auto qui n'en sont pas et qui ne sont que le prétexte à faire cracher au bassinet le farang trop crédule.
Mon avis est de ne pas tenter le coup, une vie vaut-elle 3.000 €?
Je pense honnetement que si c'est une maison sérieuse, ils n'hesiteront pas à te rembourser de ton achat.
Il est sur qu'il faudra un certificat d'un bijoutier prouvant que le bijoux ne vaut pas grande chose (histoire d'avoir des arguments) et si nécessaire faire une expertise chez un bijouter en thailande pour voir ce qu'il peut dire sur la valeur réelle du bijoux.
Le mieux est effectivement d'une maniere polie, de confier à quelqu'un qui va a chiang mai ton bijoux et voir le résultat.
S'ils acceptent un remboursement, c'est donc une maison de confiance....s'ils n'acceptent pas de rembourser en pretextant que ce n'est pas la même personne qui est venue .....alors dans ce cas là..............
Mon avis est de tenter le coup, vu la somme en jeux
@+
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
dire mai pen rai et passer à la journée suivante.
ça c'est une façon tres thai de voir la vie, , ( et j'adhère ) mais pas en France, La vie est trop courte pour s'embarrasser d'ondes négatives, ,
mais cette histoire m'intéresse, , j'espère que il y auras suite, , , , , ,
c'est plus intéressant que <>>
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
Donc on ne peut faire confiance à personne dans ce pays, je suis un peu deg pour mon cheri à qui je ne le dirai jamais ( c'était ma bague de fiançailles) mais bon, on va dire que c'est la vie... .....DE mk 290
Exactement ca, on ne peut faire confiance en personne dans ce pays !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🤪😕..Surtout quand il y a de l, argent en jeu, .....les arnaques sont permanentes ...Les mensonges sont suivi de sourire qui vous feraient croire que le ciel est vert a pois rouge ...
Tout est bien monte, les machines a arnaques sont bien rodees ..un veritable metier, une politique generalisee, meme pour les petits trucs de la vie quotidienne vous vous faites embarquer par ceux que vous connaissez le mieux que vous cotoyez quotidiennement et ... inversement ...
Ne rien acheter de valeur en Thailande c, est la regle !!!! tout n, est que copie, contrefacon, meme les voitures, les copies existent chez les grandes marques ...TOUT TOUT ET TOUT GAFFE ET REGAFFE !!!1.
sur l, arbre qui donne des pommes il n, y a pas de citrons
Comment expliquer qu'on puisse trouver de flambants 4X4 tout neufs à partir de 300.000 baht (6.000 €) alors que chez nous le moins cher est au moins 3 fois plus cher (même sans nos taxes rébarbatives, on n'arrive pas à des tarifs pareils!
La Thailande est une "petite Chine", pays où on ne se gène pas de fabriquer dans les mêmes usines les vrai CD et DVD de musique et de films et les autres, ceux qui seront vendus dans la rue à 3 CD ou 1 DVD pour 1 € ; dans la rue et même dans les boutiques, pourquoi se gêner?
Pas grave dans ce cas là, mais ça l'est beaucoup plus quand il s'agit d'une pièce de sécurité sur une bagnole.
D'ailleurs, c'est vrai, le ciel est vert; mais pas à pois rouges, à pois chiches!
Notingtong parle d'or, je dirai comme lui, encore moins faire confiance à un farang, surtout s'il est super sapé et vous raconte la lune.Tous les farang ne sont pas comme ça, ceux qui n'arnaquent pas ne viennent pas vous accoster dans la rue pour vous vendre l'affaire du siècle.Le problème est qu'un voyage en Thailande revient quand même relativement cher; c'est toujours le cas quand on va dans un pays où le niveau de vie est bien inférieur au notre; on se lache, on ne fait pas attention et à l'arrivée, arnaques ou pas arnaques, y a un gros trou sur le compte en banque.
J'espère que votre chéri ( mk 290) ne lit pas ce que vous écrivez sur tous les forums où vous racontez vos mésaventures)
Donc on ne peut faire confiance à personne dans ce pays, je suis un peu deg pour mon cheri à qui je ne le dirai jamais ( c'était ma bague de fiançailles) mais bon, on va dire que c'est la vie... .....DE mk 290
Exactement ca, on ne peut faire confiance en personne dans ce pays !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🤪😕..Surtout quand il y a de l, argent en jeu, .....les arnaques sont permanentes ...Les mensonges sont suivi de sourire qui vous feraient croire que le ciel est vert a pois rouge ...
Tout est bien monte, les machines a arnaques sont bien rodees ..un veritable metier, une politique generalisee, meme pour les petits trucs de la vie quotidienne vous vous faites embarquer par ceux que vous connaissez le mieux que vous cotoyez quotidiennement et ... inversement ...
Ne rien acheter de valeur en Thailande c, est la regle !!!! tout n, est que copie, contrefacon, meme les voitures, les copies existent chez les grandes marques ...TOUT TOUT ET TOUT GAFFE ET REGAFFE !!!1.
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
on ne peut faire confiance à personne dans ce pays,
je dirais OUI on peut faire confiance, , mais il faut savoir les regles du jeux, ,
Tout est bien monte, les machines a arnaques sont bien rodees ..un veritable metier, une politique generalisee
je suis d'accord, mais, , cela s'applique pour tout le monde , , les thai en premier sont également les victimes
la seule solution, , ( faire comme les thais ) savoir ou on, met les pieds avant de faire quoi que se soi, ,
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
Je veux bien, mais faire comme les thai implique qu'on sache parler et lire le thai; pas à la portée du touriste lambda qui débarque pour la première fois.
Bien sûr qu'on peut faire confiance quand on achète une bouteille d'eau ou un sandwich dans un 7/11; le prix est indiqué sur l'objet...
On peut aussi faire confiance quand on achète sa puce de téléphone et qu'on demande au vendeur de vous l'initialiser...
Des petits trucs comme ça, pas de problèmes;
mais acheter des baht d'or dans une bijouterie...et à fortiori des pierres.... déjà qu'en France on a un paquet d'arnaques sur les diamants (et on parle et comprend la langue!!).........
on ne peut faire confiance à personne dans ce pays,
je dirais OUI on peut faire confiance, , mais il faut savoir les regles du jeux, ,
Tout est bien monte, les machines a arnaques sont bien rodees ..un veritable metier, une politique generalisee
je suis d'accord, mais, , cela s'applique pour tout le monde , , les thai en premier sont également les victimes
la seule solution, , ( faire comme les thais ) savoir ou on, met les pieds avant de faire quoi que se soi, ,
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
Pas d, accord, beaucoup de problemes avec des cartes a puces 1 2 call.....on vous refile des occases et vous n, y voyez que du feu, si vous avez quitte 10 secondes des yeux la venseuse qui vous sourit et qui vous refile sa propre carte a condition que vous choisissez votre number, et encore, il y a des astuces ..De meme pour les recharges qui souvent ne sont pas creditees ou pas du montant indique ..LE sourire des arnaques ...Attention c, est souvent proportionnel ....
Les ordi -portables sont aussi des copies surtout a l, interieur alors que la garantie ne marche pas pour les Farangs..JAMAIS si le prix de base est important ...JAMAIS vous n, arriverez a vos fin et meme madame Thai (la votre ) qui aura un gros mal a la tete et qui va se faire souvent ambrouiller par ses compatriotes 🤪..
La solution ..PArler Thai ???? c, est pire a moins de le parler mieux qu, eux...difficile 😇 mais j, en connais ...
A+ NTT😉
sur l, arbre qui donne des pommes il n, y a pas de citrons
le guide nous a prevenu que pas de négo possible dans cette bijouterie "d'état" qui est dans le cartier des usines de laque etc
Là déjà tu aurais du te méfier car tout est négociable en asie. Le guide c'était un local ou un Français? Il y a de forte chance que le guide est dans la combine et qu'il touche sa commission pour chacun de ses clients qu'il envoit à la bijouterie. Malheureusement comme il a été dit il y a vraiment très peu de chance que tu récupère un jour ton argent. Même si tu te rends sur place pour faire un scandal il y a de forte chance que tu passes un petits moment au poste de police car en général lorsque des commerces de ce style arnaquent ils se couvrent en arrosant le commisariat local.
Je m'aperçois que j'ai encore beaucoup à apprendre et donc toujours beaucoup à me méfier.
Quoique je n'achète pas grand chose; ma prochaine puce de téléphone, et bien...je demanderai à notingtong de me l'installer, n'est-ce pas? 😉 Merci de nous prévenir; je ne la connaissais pas celle-là!
"On a toujours quelqu'un au dessus de soi; par-delà Dieu même s'élève le Néant" Cioran
le coup de la puce 1 2 call, j, ai eu ma dose de baise et un copain aussi a BKK la semaine derniere ..a MBK et sukhumvit tres courant..on enfile bien profond et avec le sourire ...tres tres fort😛😛😛
Maintenant on m, y reprendra plus sauf que hier encore en achetant 3 cartes 12 call a 100 baths parcequ, il n, y en avait plus a 300 ils m, ont refile 2 cartes a 100 baths et une a 50 baths 😛......Et en I-ssan en plus ...mais toujours les meme sino Thais...partout faut faire gaffe !!!!😠
A+NTT😉😉
sur l, arbre qui donne des pommes il n, y a pas de citrons
le coup de la puce 1 2 call, j'ai eu ma dose également, , (( c'est de ma faute je suis un allergique au telephone mobile, , j'ai fait confiance a pkutet, , en 3 jours il était vide, ,
le coup boutique d'état ça c'est très thai comme trouvaille, , quelle état ?? comme si l'état était dans la bijouterie, ,
« Le voyage apprend la tolérance. »
Benjamin Disraeli
-
ah bon !!!!! on ose vendre des cartes téléphones à moitiés vides, quelle honte, dans quel pays somme nous!!!!!!!
franchement, je peux comprendre ces combines à 2 euros et cinquante cents mais le coup des bijoux, c'est tout bonnement de l'escroquerie.
c'est une honte !!!!!!!!!😠😠😠😠
Je vois à peu pres le mode d'action, on parait sérieux pour endormir le client, lorsqu'il croit que tout est Ok, on lui vend une merde, le client, lui croyant avoir fait une bonne affaire ne se doute pas que c'est lui le pigeon.
LA plupart des gens ne font pas d'expertise car la maison de bijoux ou de pierres semble PLUS QUE sérieuse par leurs attitudes (contact de la banque/pas de remises/personnels multi langues....etc.....)
donc GROSSE déception après l'expertise.
peut être qu'en se plaignant directement au voyagiste..........un espoir demeure.........
En resume, dans ce pays et ceux qui le connaissent bien confirmerons.....TOUT EST DANS L, APPARENCE😎😎😎 ..c, est culturel ... c, est une education forte et ca deviens meme une philosophie ... certains nomment cela le culte du paradoxe....
Le culte de l, apparence !!! Ben c, est ici..😉!!!! En Thailande 😏😏
Mais ne soyons pas hors sujet comme le dit souvent tres bien un vforumiste experimente ..😉
A+NTT
sur l, arbre qui donne des pommes il n, y a pas de citrons
je prends le sujet avec un peu de retard, alors je groupe
😉
mk290
En fait, j'ai acheté une bague à Chiang Mai et on s'est rendu compte de retour en France qu'on s'est fait avoir. Cela étant, la bijouterie est prête à nous rembourser--
t a eu confirmation par fax ?
tu crois encore aux contes pour enfants ?
plus serieusement c est une chaine de bijouterie qui jouit d une bonne réputation,
mais là, c est ta bonne foi contre la leur, helas
😏
muaythai
salut l'ami alors moi je part le 2 sept en thailande et je passe obligatoirement par chiang mai car j'ai des mai thai a aller voir si ca t'arrange je peux aller leur redresser les oreilles a ces bijoutiers vereux--
savait pas qu il y avait un vol direct France-Chiang Mai,
salut Zorro, toi c est pas les oreilles qu ils vont te redressées! tu va voir des non-thais ou des amis thais ?
et puis tu parle a une dame on dit : salut l amiE
😉
hoangnam49
Tu vas terminer avec un joli "sourire kabyle"--
Salut OH! angnam, tu te trompe de continent !
😉
thuan
c'est plus intéressant que <>>--
je vois pas de quoi tu veux parler ( lol )
😏
notingtong
De meme pour les recharges qui souvent ne sont pas creditees ou pas du montant indique ..--
Achetée cette semaine au 7/11 recharge 1-2 : 300 bhts promo + 50 bhts gratuit, : ting, ting
Acheter jeu de pile chez sino Thais : 2 photos : mortes !
La prochaine fois je retourne au 7/11 promis !
😉--
nomorality
je pourrais très bien m'occuper tranquillement de ton problème seulement je pense que c'est du bidon ton post--
tu me l a levé du clavier !
😄
Vous avez acheté une bague 3, 000 €... quel est la pierre ? En quoi vous êtes vous fait avoir ?
Est-ce une fausse pierre ? Les caractéristiques de la pierre ne correspondent pas à ce qui est mentionné sur le certificat ? A-t-elle des défauts cachés ?
Selon les réponses il sera plus ou moins difficile de négocier un remboursement.
A savoir, les certificats délivrés par les bijouteries ne valent pas plus que la parole du restaurateur qui vous assure que son poisson est frais.
Pauvre Farang!!! . Inutile de faire quoi que ce soit pour récupérer votre argent. C'est peine perdue. Les balles sont à très bas prix là-bas. Tchok di qd même!!!
Quelques mots prononcés ont parfois un effet dynamique, mais, à d'autres instants, c'est le silence qui laisse une empreinte plein de sens.
(Dalai Lama)
bonsoir, dans un vieux GR de 97 (honni par le forum) il me semble avoir lu que tout ce qui touchait aux pierres précieuses etc devait être abordé avec une grande prudence; d'autant plus que certaines de ces pierres synthétiques provenait d'une usine de Grenoble!!!!!!! c'est moins loin que C-M mais je doute que tu puisses espérer qquechose. Cela ne devra rester qu'un triste souvenir.
ps; si le chéri fait expertiser la bague, largue le sur le champ!😏
- J'ai des envies de voyage."L'Océanie, Bora-Bora, les Vahinés, tu connais?"
- "Pourquoi, tu veux m'emmener?"
- "On n'emmène pas des saucisses quand on va à Francfort.."
- t'aurais pu dire;"une rose quand on va sur la Loire, question de terme.."
Reponse bien tardive, mais il me semble que si la visite de la bijouterie faisait partie du circuit dans ce cas il faut se retourner vers le tours-opérateurs.
Car celui-ci est garant de toutes les visites ou activitees incluses dans son sejour.
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En france serait il permis de voir son grand-pere dans le caniveau mendier a meme le sol pour se nourrir? pourtant je vous ai vu, tout occupé a marchander une…
Je rencontre de gros problèmes pour obtenir un RDV afin de demander un visa. Je le suis inscrite sur leur site www.thaievisa.go.th et cd site est à ce point…
Ma question n'est pas vraiment centré voyage, mais je pense que sur ce forum quelqu'un pourra m'aider. Un de mes amis qui se trouve en Thaïlande à des très…
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
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I’m planning a trip to Vietnam in February, specifically Da Nang and Hoi An.
Does anyone know a French-speaking guide in the area?
Thanks for your help
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Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
Hi,
From Malacca to get to Jerantut, is it better to go back to KL and take a bus from there, or take a bus to Tampin and then a train? Any feedback on the "Jungle Train"? (duration, price, comfort, etc.). Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Flores and then Bali at the end of September.
We’ve already visited both but this time, once we’re in Labuan Bajo, we’d like to take a boat to the Komodo Islands to see the famous Komodo dragons.
I don’t want to sleep on the boat—just a day trip would be perfect.
Does anyone know a reliable and friendly provider to recommend?
Thanks in advance, and have a great summer!
Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali.
And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people!
So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...
Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops):
- 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud
2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa)
1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...)
- 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces)
- 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai
- 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed)
- 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island)
- 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan)
- 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).
Accommodations in homestays or hotels.
Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?)
Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?)
Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)
Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...
After reading and researching, we're planning the following stops in Cambodia in January 2027:
- Phnom Penh
- Kampong Cham
- Kratie
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Kampot (round trip)
I'm wondering about the direction of these stops, which could also influence our international flights.
Either a round trip from Phnom Penh in the order above.
Or landing in Siem Reap with the following order:
This second option would save us the Battambang - PP - Kampot trip but means doing a round trip to Battambang from Siem Reap and placing the "highlight of the trip" (Angkor) at the beginning of our stay.
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
However, I’m not quite sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still some walks and/or things to see in Kampong Thom?
Hi there,
We’re planning to travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang next November.
We’d like to take a slow boat from Chiang Khong—or rather from Huay Xai in Laos—with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.
Could you let us know if the boat still leaves Huay Xai in the late morning? If so, what time roughly, and what’s the price for the trip?
Thanks for your help!
Alod
We (3 adults: 68, 65, and 25 years old) are just back from a short trip to the Philippines, and I’d like to share a little summary of our journey. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum about this destination and answers the questions of those who aren’t familiar with it. I should also mention that my comments are personal and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions. Since I don’t have any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the sights, hotels, and restaurants.
Preparations:
We chose this destination in December and quickly booked our flight tickets (540 € with Turkish Airlines) for a departure on February 16 and return on March 5, 2019. We then contacted two French-speaking tour operators based in Manila, asking them to put together an itinerary based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and our budget. We wanted to see the rice terraces in northern Luzon, the hanging coffins in Sagada, before flying to the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, etc.), and the Taal Volcano, while limiting our nights in Manila as much as possible. In the end, we opted for Alize, whose itinerary and quote matched our request almost perfectly. Our exchanges helped us refine our circuit.
International flights:
The round-trip flights went smoothly. Turkish Airlines, while not at the level of Asian or Gulf airlines, does the job just fine.
Day 1:
We landed on time (6:15 PM) on Monday, February 16, at Terminal 3. We exchanged our euros (near the car rental counters), and I can confirm the exchange rate was very good. On the way to the St. Giles Hotel (decent and affordable for a transit night), we got our first glimpse of Manila’s dense traffic. The Makati district, where our hotel was located, offers a wide choice of restaurants, so we grabbed a quick bite to recover from the trip.
Day 2:
This day was dedicated to transferring to Banaue. Fortunately, we had a comfortable van and an excellent driver for this journey, which took all day (8 to 9 hours with stops). We got a taste of driving in the Philippines—and it’s terrifying. You wouldn’t want to drive on these roads. The first thing that struck us was the relatively good condition of the roads and the cleanliness (a change from other Southeast Asian countries). This impression lasted throughout our trip. Around 6 PM, we checked into our room at the Banaue Hotel (large, charm-free, but with a beautiful view of the rice terraces).
Day 3:
With the help of a local guide, we took a jeepney to Batad. And then—wow! The rice terraces form an amphitheater overlooking the small village. Under the sun, it’s simply spectacular and breathtaking! Even though we’re familiar with rice terraces (Sapa, Bali, Thailand, etc.), we were dazzled by so much beauty. We spent the day walking along the terrace walls. This place is timeless and fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, we returned to the hotel exhausted (due to our ages and lack of exercise). We had dinner with our driver at the Las Vegas restaurant in the center of Banaue. The meal was decent, cheap, and the Filipino owner played the guitar to accompany our dinner.
Day 4:
Today, our driver took us to Sagada. The mountain road offered spectacular landscapes (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Along the way, we stopped in Bontoc to visit the small but interesting anthropological museum. It features old photos and various objects from the Ifugao tribes, as well as a reconstruction of primitive dwellings.
We then went on a short hike in Sagada with a very friendly local guide who explained the region’s funeral rites. The walk started at the communal cemetery before reaching “Echo Valley,” where we saw the first coffins hanging on the cliff. We continued to the “Underground River” and a small waterfall, ending our journey in the “Lumiang Cave” burial cave. All in all, this day was very interesting. On the way back, we made a few photo stops.
In the evening, on our driver’s recommendation, we ate at the “Bistro,” a French enclave in the center of Banaue (good pizza, roasted quail, homemade fries).
Day 5:
Today was a transfer day. To limit fatigue and nights in Manila, our tour operator arranged a flight from Clark to Tagbilaran (Bohol), saving us 2 to 3 hours of driving. But to catch our flight, we had to leave very early: 5:30 AM. Our kind driver dropped us off on time at the airport. To use it, we had to pay a 150 PHP tax per person. The Philippine Airlines flight (15 minutes) left early and was far from full. Upon arrival, we were taken to the Loboc River Hotel, on the banks of the river of the same name. A very charming lodge lost in a tropical garden. We stayed in a stilt cottage overlooking the river. We relaxed a bit in the lovely pool. This place is really great—the staff is charming, and the food is excellent for a reasonable price.
Day 6:
This day was dedicated to exploring Bohol. The program was classic, starting with the tarsier sanctuary. We saw a few specimens in a small garden, each pointed out by a staff member. It was both good and disappointing because the animals were in pseudo-freedom in a small enclosure. Then we went to the “Chocolate Hills” and climbed 240 steps to admire the panoramic view of the hills—but by 10 AM, it was crowded. On the way back, we stopped at the butterfly garden, which was uninteresting: tiny, with few butterflies. We consoled ourselves by photographing beautiful flowers. To please our teen, we stopped at the Loboc Eco Tourism Adventure Park and crossed the river lying down, suspended from a steel cable (300 PHP). Finally, we had the traditional lunch-cruise on the Loboc River. It was a factory-like experience, and the meal was unremarkable. The only good thing was the singer on each boat and the lush vegetation. Afterward, we visited colonial churches and the cathedral, remnants of the Spanish presence, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved dip in the pool. Note that for those interested, there’s an arena near the hotel where cockfights are held every Sunday—something Filipinos are passionate (if not obsessed) about.
Day 8:
Very early departure for the port. We boarded a *banca* in search of dolphins. After about an hour of sailing, we were lucky enough to spot around a hundred dolphins. Our boat then headed to the small and charming island of Pamilacan. After a walk through the little village, we came across locals traditionally building a boat. They told us it takes about a month to finish their outrigger boat. Then we had to choose our snorkeling spot between the coral garden, the fish park, and the turtle enclosure. Note that a fee is charged for each spot: 150 PHP per place and per person. It felt a bit like we were being ripped off, especially since the spots weren’t amazing—we’d see much better on Apo for much less. We had lunch on the island at one of the many small eateries (350 PHP per person).
Days 9 and 10:
On our return, we were taken to the Bohol Sea Resort on Panglao Island, where we stayed for 2 nights. It’s a small, recent establishment in a quiet corner of the island. It’s relaxing—maybe a bit too much. It has a nice pool and access to Danao Beach, but the view is blocked by a flotilla of boats. We didn’t try their diving school. The meals were good. If we had to do it again, we’d skip this stop to spend more time in Negros.
Days 11 and 12:
We took a fast ferry (Ocean Jet) from Tagbilaran port to Dumaguete and were taken to the Thalatta Resort, about 20 km away near Zamboanguita. We stayed there for 2 nights. Let’s just say it was our favorite. It’s a small place facing Apo Island. The rooms are simple, and the pool, nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, is fantastic. The staff is friendly, and the meals are very good. The hotel has its own diving center (snorkeling gear provided) and its own boats. We booked the Apo Island excursion: 1,350 PHP per person, including lunch. It was incredible: magnificent corals, colorful fish, and turtles of all sizes. The crew was endlessly kind and didn’t hesitate to dive to guide us to the best spots. In short, a perfect day. This site is ranked among the top 5 diving spots in the Philippines.
Since we were lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday morning, we explored the surprising Malapay Market, a 10-minute walk from our hotel. You’ll find numerous stalls selling vegetables, fruits, live or dried fish, and handicrafts. Enclosures are set up for selling livestock (calves, zebu, pigs). There are also restaurants. We were lucky to see two pigs roasted traditionally on a spit. There are few Europeans, and the people are warm. A great moment.
We left this beautiful place with regret because we didn’t have time to visit the island or go swimming with whale sharks.
Days 12 to 15:
From Dumaguete port, we took a short crossing (1 hour with Ocean Jet) to Siquijor Island to reach the Coco Grove Beach Resort. A beautiful hotel nestled in a spacious tropical garden. Several restaurants and bars, 4 pools. Despite the size of the place, it remains intimate. You can snorkel (corals and fish) right in front of the beautiful beach. We stayed in a very pleasant duplex suite. For those interested, there’s a spa and a diving center. You can also take the Apo Island excursion (offered at 1,950 PHP).
We spent our days relaxing between the pool and the beach. In the evening, the sunsets over Negros and Apo were stunning.
We booked an island tour with a comfortable tricycle from the hotel (1,500 PHP). The circuit was classic and allowed us to go around the island. We discovered beaches, the famous 400-year-old ficus tree with its enormous roots, and its equally famous foot bath with its cleaning fish. Then we visited the St. Isidore Convent before heading to the Cambugahay waterfalls and their four pools. The setting is idyllic, and the water is surprisingly good—we had a lot of fun swimming. We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the island, where you can see Apo, Cebu, and Negros. In the end, Siquijor turned out to be a real little tropical paradise.
Since the hotel restaurants were expensive, we dined at nearby establishments: Fuego (clean, good—excellent raw fish—and quiet), Chekesch (louder), and the very pleasant Baha Bar, which brews its own beer and offers more refined cuisine.
Days 15 to 16:
We left at dawn to return to Dumaguete and its airport by ferry. We had breakfast at the Coco Grande Hotel, an annex of the previous one. The Philippine Airlines flight went smoothly. A driver took us to the town of Taal. We stayed at Paradores Del Castillo, right in the heart of the old town. It’s a charming old house with only 6 rooms. The various rooms are decorated with antiques—a real little museum. The garden is pleasant and opens onto the town.
It’s an old early 19th-century house converted into a hotel, beautifully arranged with 6 rooms in the heart of the city. The restaurant in the garden is very pleasant and offers a panoramic view.
We visited an old Spanish house before heading to the beautiful Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Philippines. A mass was in progress, allowing us to gauge the Filipinos’ fervor before we could visit. When we left, it was dark, and we could admire the illuminated building. We ended our evening by exploring the night market with its many fruit and skewer stalls. A nice surprise.
In the morning, we were taken to the shores of Taal Lake, an ancient caldera where a second volcano has formed in the middle of the lake, which in turn contains another lake. We boarded a *banca* to reach the island in the middle of the lake. This was followed by an uphill walk, made difficult by the high temperature (36°C) and the dust on the path. The dust was worsened by the many horses carrying (or bringing back) the less courageous. To illustrate the difficulty of the climb, the trail is marked by the Stations of the Cross and its 14 stations. We were panting while our guide trotted far ahead. Our effort was rewarded when we reached the summit and its viewpoints over the inner lake and the surroundings. The wisps of smoke seen here and there confirmed we were on an active volcano. Inside the lake, there are supposedly 45 small volcanoes, one of which emerged during its last eruption in 1911.
On the way back, we had lunch by the lake before returning to Manila and the Bayleaf Hotel, whose main merit is its location in the Intramuros district. In the late afternoon, we walked along the walls of the old city.
We had dinner on the hotel’s panoramic terrace overlooking the city and the bay.
Day 17:
Last day! Our tour operator joined us for a tour of the Intramuros district. He enriched the visit with comments on the history, geopolitics, and economy of the Philippines. We visited the Manila Cathedral, destroyed 7 times in the past (6 earthquakes and the 1945 bombing). It’s beautiful, and its stained glass is magnificent. We couldn’t enter the San Agustin Church, the oldest Catholic building in Manila. We passed by the memorial to the Battle of Manila, which claimed over 100,000 lives. We visited the area around Casa Manila, which was closed on Monday, and had a drink at Barbara’s cabaret, located in a historic house. A very enriching morning.
Then we went to the Mall of Asia, the world’s largest shopping mall, to buy some souvenirs (Kultura store) before being taken to the airport. We exchanged our last pesos at the buying rate right after check-in.
The return flight went smoothly. We regretted not being able to use the facilities of Istanbul’s new airport, as its opening was delayed by another month.
Finances:
In the end, we spent 1,640 € for the international flights, 4,200 € for the stay (hotels, visits, various transports) with the agency (whose professionalism we can only praise), and about 700 € for meals, tips, and souvenirs.
Summary:
Luckily, we had beautiful weather throughout our stay, with temperatures between 26 and 35°C. Discovering the Philippines was a wonderful experience. The diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Filipinos, the cleanliness, and the truly delicious fruits (especially pineapples and mangoes). We were never harassed, unlike in many touristy countries. On the other hand, the food, though generally cheap, wasn’t exceptional.
Since this country is so vast, we might return in the near future.
Though I’m not a specialist on this destination, I’m happy to answer your questions based on my experience.
So, my flight tickets have just been booked for a trip to Cambodia from November 4th to 27th, 2025.
I’ll be traveling solo and want to explore this amazing country while getting a bit off the beaten path.
I’m arriving in Phnom Penh and also departing from Phnom Penh.
My goal is to travel as much as possible by bus and scooter.
What itinerary would you recommend?
What are the must-do things?
I’m open to all tips and info.
Thanks in advance for your help and responses.
We got back enchanted from a 6-week trip to Cambodia!
Our itinerary: Kampot - Kampong Chhnang - Battambang - Siem Reap - Kampong Cham - Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri) - Banlung (Ratanakiri) - Kratie - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh.
We traveled by bus, minivan, boat (between Battambang and Siem Reap), overnight bus, scooter, tuk-tuk, and rickshaw for shorter distances. We stayed in guesthouses, homestays, and even in the jungle during a trek.
While the Angkor temples are fabulous, it’s the people you should visit Cambodia for—the "Land of Smiles" truly lives up to its nickname! Tourists gather in Angkor but are quite rare elsewhere, even though the country is easy to travel around.
I won’t describe our trip in detail but instead highlight a few favorite moments.
From Kampot, don’t hesitate to head out around 6 AM to see the fishermen return and their wives selling their catch (just 10 minutes away by the coast). Guaranteed picturesque!
In Battambang, known for its food scene, we discovered a cooking class with Smokin’ Pot (authentic Khmer cooking class). They pick you up from your guesthouse to shop for ingredients (we made fish amok and beef lok lak) at their village market, then cook and eat together. A private class—just the two of us! They also send the recipes via WhatsApp as a PDF. +855 12 821 400
In Siem Reap, I can recommend a francophone tuk-tuk driver who was very attentive to our wishes. We visited tourist spots but also more remote villages and local grilled-pork restaurants with him. He’s a wealth of information about local life, and chatting with him was a real pleasure—we left with regret! You can reach him on WhatsApp: Vung Hem, +855 96 614 0146.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Mondulkiri. Don’t expect a super dense jungle—it looks more like a forest similar to ours. But Nara, our Bunong ethnic guide, made the experience adventurous and ultimately very immersive! WhatsApp +855 86 630 489
Bee Bee’s Chalets homestay: If you pass through Banlung in Ratanakiri, we *loved* this family and their budget-friendly bungalows. Playing Uno, enjoying Nita’s cooking (ask for her fish amok—amazing!), it was a true homestay experience! Contact Nita on WhatsApp: +855 88 818 5525.
In Kratie, rent a scooter and follow the Mekong north for 40 km at your own pace. Being so close to the locals was a treat! Same goes for heading south if you have time.
Kampong Thom: Head 25 km out to visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. Around a hundred monuments spread across three sites… and hardly anyone there!
A few practical tips:
Though prices are often listed in dollars, you can always pay in riels (1 USD = 4000 riels), which is what we preferred.
PassApp: An app to book tuk-tuks or rickshaws (and most importantly, know the price upfront).
Virak Buntham: A bus company connecting several cities, bookable online.
Feel free to ask me questions about places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our 5- and 7-year-olds.
On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
This time, I’m thinking of spending 7 days on the islands. I was considering Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. We’d like some scenery, snorkeling right from the beach, and a bit of atmosphere—but not too much (just enough to grab dinner in the evening).
For the other part of the trip, we’re torn between Chiang Mai and Khao Sok. One or the other… or both? We don’t want to rush, but we’re really nature-focused, so we won’t be hitting too many temples…
Hi there, I’ll be on vacation in Malaysia in November and plan to spend 5 days in Penang. After that, I’d like to visit some temples and places in Butterworth or nearby, and also explore the city. Since I usually get around on foot, which neighborhood would be best for me—meaning within a 30-minute walk of attractions, street food stalls, bus lines, etc.? Thanks in advance for your help!
Françoise
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
