A load of signs were put in place in Chiang Mai yesterday along the river areas where people traditionally congregate saying that there would be no alcohol allowed, no launching of Kom Loy lanterns and no krathongs the floats typically made from banana stalk.
Banning that lot doesn't leave a lot but knowing this country as I do I would expect Loy Krathong to proceed as it always does.
Sconney, I am curious to hear what you ended up doing, how your trip went, and what you discovered about bike tours in Laos. I was never much of a tour-joiner either (except for an excellent bike tour in Cuba that I took with ibike.org), but now find myself now wanting some aspects of a guided bike tour. I would like to have the navigation, back-up support, and knowledge of the area that a good cycling guide could bring, but I want basic and inexpensive accommodations, not fancy lodging! I have searched online a bit for cycling tours in Laos and find the prices to be exorbitant. At the risk of being criticized for asking (as I see has already happened), I am wondering if anyone knows of good bike tour guides/agencies based in Luang Prabang or nearby that offer affordable bike tours with basic lodging.
We're having 4 flights in 4 weeks, don't think that's intens, we just don't prefere the long bus rides and take the flights instead :-) We have been to Chiang Mai last year, so that's why we're not staying longer there this year.
I can't seem to find a train to Pai?
Unfortunately we are limited to just those 4 weeks of holiday (15 March - 17 April), that makes Asia one of the better destinations....
On the Nom Ou seven dams planned and “During the first phase, dams 2, 5 and 6 will be built and are intended to be operational by 2018.” I believe it is dams, but Laos and China are not releasing much if any information about their project and river levels. Basic CYA procedure.
I was in Luang Prabang two weeks back. The river was not moving. Let me state that again. The Mekong River had no current or flow. More like a string of pounds. That was scary.This in mid November when you should still have a big flow.
Yes, there was a semi drought in the first part of 2019 rainy season. However when they finally rolled in, it rained consistently mid July – October. Ominously when the rains finally did taper off, it took all of one week for reports to come in about low levels in the Mekong. That has everything to do with dams.
I am a big fan of those really old style natural history museums,with all the stuffed specimens behind glass.
Even more so the 'home' versions,the results of someone's lifetime of work.If you are lucky you can get a guided tour by the actual curator or a member of their family! There is a great one in Leon (Nicaragua) for example,and the rather better known one in Chiang Mai...focussing on insects.
Interesting, thanks for your input. You've basically gone against the grain of everything I've read by warning against Luang Prabang and Hoi An - they seem to be most peoples favourites. Is it just the touristy aspect that you didn't enjoy about Hoi An? I've heard it's very beautiful and the best place for Vietnamese cuisine. Taking a bike ride round the rice paddies, going to the beach. We are not big shoppers, mainly there for the food :) We wanted this as the beach / relaxing part of the holiday; another option was Phú Quốc instead.
With Luang Prabang - I'm fascinated with the Buddhism there and the waterfalls and wildlife. I've just heard it's very relaxing, but people seem to either love or hate it.
We're concerned about Phnom Penh as we're two lesbian women travelling alone and I've read that a lot of people felt pretty unsafe there (which I haven't really heard about any of the other places).
Is there anywhere that I have listed in this region that you feel is worth going to?
We are planning a trip to Bangkok/Chiang Mai end October/beginning November, we have 3 children (7,5,4 at that time). It seems that October is a rainy season whilst November much less already. I imagine though this will be a high season for Dengue in both places and I am reading that this years dengue is declared epidemic in Thailand, which makes me reconsider the trip alltogether. At the same time I am not finding much info on Dengue on this forum, people just plan their holidays. Am I obsessed with Dengue and in reality millions of people go to Thailand for holidays and they come back home just fine, or is it a real problem? Would there be any other part of Thailand more recommendable end October/beg Nov for this rain/Dengue reason? I understand one can use repellant, cover etc Many thanks in advance!
Looks like an intense itinerary with so many flights and doing 3 countries in only 4 weeks. Why not take a private driver to chiang mai (you can take breaks then whenever you want anf enjoy the scenery on the way), or take the train? I would skip one and stay longer in one place. Mind you, it will be very hot in march!
Hello all,
Early July wedding in Singapore with a bunch of overseas guests coming to SEA for the first (and likely only) time. Want to take a trip with the bridal party (10-15 ppl) somewhere for a week afterward to make it worth their while. I polled everybody and identified our top priorities:
1. Beautiful landscapes / hiking (9)
2. Tropical beaches / chilling (8)
3. Cultural experience / history (6)
4. Cheap (5)
May split the trip, with 4 days chillaxin and 4 days seeing sights in either one or two locations. Have been recommended Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Chiang Mai, Angkor Wat, Nah Trang, and Bali. Have been impressed so far with various aspects of each place, but also open to other suggestions. Help?