Thread: Need some travel ideas

mate of mine used to go to the Andaman Islands, bit off the beaten track but said they were lovely

Originally Posted by MeMock

Well I have finally got my A into G and made a decision and booked a few tickets.

Once I sort out my few jobs in Bangkok I am going to catch a train to Prachuab Khiri Khan to check out some real estate down there and also catch up with a mate who has just opened the best new cafe and bakery in the area.


Then back to Bangkok and hop a flight to Penang where I will have two nights but only one full day before a flight to Singapore, Darwin and then onto home.

Few questions. I want to stay in Georgetown. Any hotel suggestions around the 2 - 3,000 baht range? The day I am there I plan to lace up the walking shoes and hit the road for at least half of the day. I don't mind covering up to 10kms. I like old buildings and history. Any places I really should't miss?

Also, Can I walk into hua lamphong railway station on the Sunday of a long weekend to book a train ticket for the following day? I have tried to book online but because of the long weekend the few companies I tried said they are closed

I have booked a ticket at hualamphong on the 1pm train at 12.50pm same day but I ended up with a sleeper berth. No problem just cost a bit more. There is only one ac car on this train.Only got a seat in there once. This train usually gets to PKK about 90 minutes late. Do you need hotel info?.

How many nights are you going to stay in Georgetown memock? Batu ferringhi is worth a night or 2 I reckon , just remembered the gaff we stayed at in Georgetown was called Sunway pretty central to everything, Batu ferringhi can easily be reached by bus or taxi in about 30 minutes if you need a beach, there we stayed at the hydro hotel but if I went again I would stay at the hard rock (if it's not peak season) right on the beach and plenty to do if you've got kids, we just went for a beer and to check it out,

Only 2 BLD. Only there for 40 hours which is why I am keen to only stay in Georgetown and really only have 1 day to see the sights which is why I figured that if I hit the streets and walked as much of the sites as possible would be my best option. I prefer this way - just a map and a good pair of shoes. I normally end up covering about 15kms in a day. Finish by mind afternoon and then after a shower head out for lots of great food and a few brews. I will check out sunway, thanks.

You could hire a scooter for 450 baht a day and get around the whole island in 2 hours, although there's not much to see down the South and East of the island, bar a crumby war museum, snake temple and fishing village.

Originally Posted by MeMock

I normally end up covering about 15kms in a day. Finish by mind afternoon and then after a shower head out for lots of great food and a few brews

15km's in 32 degrees heat ? You'll be sweating like a rapist. if I were you, I'd jump in a samlor and let one of those Indians do the work and give you a history and geography lesson of Georgetown.

If you really want to walk, Penang Hill is a 3 hour 5km bastard or take a scooter to the National Park n the North West of the island and do a trek to Monkey or Turtle Beach,they're only about 3.5kms to 5km's under cover and you can get a boat back, thyere's a tropical fruit farm up near the dam for refreshment, where they will make you a fruit juice out of whatever you like, then you can stop off at Batu Ferringhi on your return and take in the sunset. The Rasa Sayang would be a good spot, has a nice buffet too.

A couple of other sites on your way back to Georgetown would be Straits Quay marina toi look at the yachts while sitting outside the Irish bar and Gurney drive for your street food or the 2 big malls, plus a few restaurants and bars.

If you want cheap beer on the island, get your samlor driver to take you to Lorong Stewart, tell him the Chinese alcohol shop, you can get cans of Skol for 30 baht (that are smuggled from Langkawi) to enjoy your sight seeing.
Euro deli, next to Guirney Plaza is 420 baht for 3 pints before 9pm, oh and there's a nice bar just opened on Upper Penang street, it's the first bar on the right, 4 carlsbergs for 440 baht during happy hour, not sure they were pint glasses though. They do great samosas.
Barring those places, you're better off drinking Belgium beer as its not much more expensive than the Carlsberg.

So if you do take a scooter, you will get one on Chulia street, (near where the samlors are) you could get a lot done in a day, probably even take in Kek lok Si temple and Penang Hill before heading up to the National park.

I should imagine you'd sleep well after all that

Originally Posted by MeMock

Some great information there Mike - ta.

The train that goes from buttersworth does not stop in PKK I was told by the booking agent. That was my original plan but now have bought a ticket from BKK to PEN.

Also, my question about buying tickets in Bkk for the train was about it being a long weekend. I wanted to book through an agent but they told me that their offices are not open all weekend so no can do. My plan is to buy it on a Sunday afternoon for a Public Holiday Monday afternoon departure.

I have already booked into the sun beach guest house but thanks for your offer of help.

Can't the agent buy the ticket now and send it to wherever you are staying in BKK. If not, get another agent.

If all else fails, you can buy an unreserved ticket,no seat. Can always sit in the restaurant car on express or rapid train.

There are also trains from Thonburi and a 12.45PM train that leaves from Bang Sue Junction. This is an ordinary 3rd class train that gives way to every other train. I don't think it appears on any timetable.

The Butterworth train stops at Bang Saphan Yai just south of Prachuap City. You may be down that way looking at land.

The August holiday has a super full moon. That will be worth a look rising up in Prachuap bay. There is a market along the beachfront on Friday and Saturday nights. They may extend it for a long weekend.

seat61.com has some options for booking online. Can't post a link for some reason.

Hi Dillinger,

What a great response! Thanks so much. Perhaps a motorbike to get to certain places followed by shorter walks might be the way to go. I assume that it's a 5 minute walk in and out job to hire a motorbike?
Looks like BLD's suggestion of the Sunway is close to Chulia st so that should work out ok.
Walk the down town area but use the motorbike to see a bit of the rest of the island including monkey and turtle beach.
Thanks for the map!

Hi Mikem,
They offered to do that but at that stage I was Planning on landing at the airport at 12 noon and catching the 3pm train south. No hotel. Now I am staying overnight in Bangkok they won't deliver it because of the long weekend. Not sure the hotel will accept it three days before I arrive so did not bother. (I had no hotel booked then either but do now.)
Thanks for the tip about the train station a little south of PKK city station. Will keep that in mind for next time.
Thanks also for the tips on the motorbikes and guiness, I have been rigging bikes off and on in Thailand for the last 10 years so hopefully should be okay.

Originally Posted by MeMock

I assume that it's a 5 minute walk in and out job to hire a motorbike?

It is yes, I don't even have the bike part on my driving license
Everyone wears helmets, the roads are pretty good too and don't listen to Nige, they don't drive 5 times faster than in Thailand, maybe 3

This hotel's within your price range Memock and has a nice 360 degree rotating restaurant above it, that you could have the free breakfast in. Not a far walk to Chulia street too, or Little India.

Bayview Hotel Georgetown, George Town, Malaysia - 466 Guest reviews. Book your hotel now! - Booking.com

Your link is for 'Bayview' but BLD mentioned 'Sunway'

Looks like the same price though - around 2,400 baht. Bayview looks like a better location but the review rating is not as good as subway.

^ they''ve probably banned topless guys from the pool there now

Does look nice that Sunway

Yeah I reckon Sunway is the go. But your right, if they have banned Aussies with Manboobs since BLD last visited I might be crap out of luck!

Nah, bollocks, I've set the precedent in the Sunway now, infact anyone showing up with manboobs is automatically entitled to an upgrade to suite room , free massage, unlimited minibar, etc etc, couldn't do any evil as far as they were concerned. Teak doors manboob ambassador, tell em BLD sent you. Sorted

Originally Posted by MeMock

Your link is for 'Bayview' but BLD mentioned 'Sunway'

Looks like the same price though - around 2,400 baht. Bayview looks like a better location but the review rating is not as good as subway.

Stayed there once, nice enough place, but pretty soulless.
Wife and I moved, think the place was call the Oriental Princess, smaller, more homely, never liked big hotels, but that's me. Jim

But did you possess a decent set of manboobs jim?

Sunway Hotel is getting a bit away from the heritage area. If you do stay there check out nearby Jalan Nagore. Best at night.

Enjoy mate

Great topic, I now feel like travelling there. That map rocks.

I agree that Penang is great, but if enough time also try Malaca as I think it is a neat place.

Not enough time unfortunately. I am just gonna use Dillingers cool map and rent a motorbike.

The night I fly in however The Wallabies are playing the All blacks. If my plane lands on time I can check into my hotel and make the 2nd half if somewhere in Georgetown is showing it.

Any ideas who might show the game?

It will definitely be on in Healy Mac's, the Oirish pub in Straits Quay, with a great atmosphere. You wont make it there in time though, if you're flying with who I think you're flying. Kick off in Penang is 6pm.

Soho Bar on Jalan Penang, a little walk from the top of Chulia Street, have loads of Sports upstairs and some ugly freelancers downstairs I doubt you'd see much of the game though.

If you wanna see most of the second half, if not all, you'd be better off telling your taxi to drop you around Queensbay Mall, which isn't too far from the airport. There are German and Irish Bars down there, a TGI Fridays and Morganfields , that are likely to show it. I will try and find out where