Introduction

I haven’t posted a trip report before. I figure better late (way late) than never. I really never had a reason to (more on that later). I would not consider my self an expert of SEA. Forgive me as I have a tendency to jump around a bit, so it may not flow very well. I have been to Thailand and PI 2 times previously. 2003 was a good year for me. I went to Asia two times in 3 months 1 time for 30 days and the next for 40 days. This trip however I was only going for 3 weeks. I figure that will combine the three. I will give my impressions from the first two trips, but mostly from the third.

With my first trip I packed everything I could think of and read some travel books and read some reports on here and another site. I did a lot of research about Manila and Bangkok (not just for the hobby). I also picked up some Thai language books and a tagalog book. I have a couple a Filipino buddies, so they told me some things too. I bought a Japanese book too, but I never used it.

I have always had a problem getting a cheap flight from TO to Asia. Maybe I don’t know how to shop around or I am not looking in the right place. I guess my issue is, the less hassle for me the better. The first trip I booked the all Asia pass for CAD $1800 for everything. My original itinerary included Hong Kong, PI, Thailand and Japan. I liked this, I know some people that don’t like the whole going back to Hong Kong on each leg of the trip. I figured get my feet wet in Asia then worry about how to get around. Well SARs hit at home and in Asia. Hong Kong…Out. So, I extended my trip in PI. While I was in AC. I checked my flights, my Japan leg had been cancelled and moved back a day…giving me like two days in Japan…out. My second trip I decided to go to a travel agent. I took Cathay again, this time I paid for it though. I had got my Asia miles card, so I used it and funny that’s paying for some of my trip this coming Sept. As for the report, I looked for a flight. I could find anything again. I went to another travel agent this time. I got a consolidated flight. My itinerary this time, Air Canada to Hong Kong, Cathay to BKK, flight to PI not booked yet and flight from PI to HK on Cathay, and back to TO from HK non stop. Just a side note, My flights this time to and from TO are non-stop. I would fly to the US and fly from there. I would have to pre clear Customs in TO and then pay US for my flights. Not exactly what I want to do.

I had my flights, like the previous other times, I booked my hotels on line before hand. First trip I stayed in PI , I stayed in Makati, on Burgeos St. Citadel inn. I booked it because it was cheap, I did not realize that it was right in the middle of the action. I booked this hotel on my second tip and this trip and well. I stayed and probably will always stay at the Orchid in Angeles. I like it there, and never had any problems. The first time in Thailand I stayed at the Omni tower. I really like that place. It is a bit of a hike from Sukhumvit, but I like the place. Very nice. This trip I stayed at the Dynasty Inn. Its OK, couldn’t beat the price 990 Baht. I decided this time to go to Pattaya for the first time and also stayed at Dynasty Inn on Soi 13

I packed, I was ready to go. Except, I couldn’t find the attachment for my DVD player. I spent all day looking for it. All of my flights have left at 11:30 pm local time, so I have the entire day to get all the things done that need to be done.

I have always found it hard to sleep on a plane. The first trip, I don’t think I slept all that much excitement of going on my first trip. The heat hit me like a ton of bricks. I was wiped out and I wasn’t even there for 2 hours. LOL. I have been fairly lucky with my flights. I usually get there in the morning, so I have all day. Not too bad.

This time through immigration was not as good as the last two times. All my flights were on time, but we got off the plane at the same time as another plane. There was a lot of people waiting.

This time I did not have any rides waiting for me at the airport. I am not a lucky enough to have girls to pick me at the airport. Although, I guess if I wanted I could have had the Thai GF pick me up, I was talking to Porker, and he said that he would be in Pattaya. So, it was done. I was going to Pattaya, to meet up with Porker. I booked a cab from the Airport. I did not look up the prices before I left, but I ended up paying 1900 Baht for the trip to Pattaya. (I know now that was too much, but at this point I did not know much that much)

Luckily, this being my third trip to Thailand, I have picked up some Thai. So I knew a little bit and told the taxi driver where I was going…soi sip sarm. He found the hotel, and I made it to my hotel room, checked in and went to have a shower. I opened my bag and it smelled good. I was not sure why, I then found out that my Shower gel opened up. It was all over the inside of my toiletry bag.

Well, I had a shower anyway, cleaned up the mess in the bag, and my room phone rang.

It was Porker ready to show me the town.

Ilaw, looking forward to reading your recount of events from past trips. It was always a blast hanging out with you, and this last trip had several memorable evenings.

I never really understood why you didn't jump on cheap fares from Detroit on Northwest and/or PAL flights from Vancouver, but I trust that you know what you're doing. I know that if I was booking an actual complete itinerary from Monterrey to Asia, I'd be stuck flying Continental the whole way and end up paying hundreds more than I have to instead of booking the trip to the U.S. separate from the trip from the U.S. to Asia. Yeah, I have to clear U.S. customs before getting onto the connecting flight, but it's not THAT big of a deal, and unless I want to fly from Mexico City to Japan, I'd have to go through the U.S. anyway.

Any chance you can move your next trip up to July again?

BTW, Ruby says 'hi'. She's gotten quite skinny. I thought she looked better before!

Porker,

I always thought about flying to Vancouver. then going from there. I always see deals in the paper from Vancouver. I do not like layovers at the airport. The less time I stay there the better. The only place I dont mind a layover is HKG, because the trip from the arrivals to the departure level is a walk. I can strech my legs. Maybe for my next trip I will look at some other alternatives. I could go to Detroit, or Buffalo (because its way closer)for that matter. Then I have to buy everything in USD. The exchange rate is good now. Back then it was crap.

As for a trip, I have to keep in in Sept. There are other people at the job that get priority over me. I am thinking about a trip in April next year to China (HK and Macau), with a possible stop in PI or Thailand. I will be going in Sept for 17 days. I will be in PI for 5 and the rest in thailand (Pattaya and Bangkok). I have accumulated some airmiles, so I am using them for this trip.

I am planning to take SEAir to AC when I get to PI. I really dont feel like taking a taxi or a bus. I leave here 9am local time...I should get there PI 7 pm PI time the next day. so its not that bad.

LOL, Ruby....hehehe..She sent me a picture. She is ALOT thinner than she was. I chat with her quite a bit on Yahoo. I will have to see how thinsg go there.

I plan to have a better trip in PI than I did last time, not that it was bad.