Weekend run this July suggestions ?

**Lostandfound** · 10-05-2012, 02:29 PM

Remember if you arrive at a land crossing into thailand you'll only get 15 days stamp.

I occasionally take a car to Poi Pet, walk over the border (do the visa on line beforehand) and haggle a 30$ cab to Siem Reap. Then just fly one way with Bangkok Air back to BKK. There's bnot much to choose from ex pattaya in terms of journey time. Personally I think the car is less hassle if you already have your cambo visa.

Kathmandu is very third world. Last time I went they do a visa on arrival. Interesting enough for a couple of days, but still a longish flight for a weekend. If you're splurging the Dwarikas Hotel is a nice retreat away from the dust, dirt and smells. Otherwise find a nice guesthouse in Thamel. Thais get visa on arrival too. Personally I'd save Nepal for when you have a few weeks - easy to sort a tea house trek in the Annapurna or himalaya when you there. Just take some good walking boots and water steri tabs.

Unless Air Asia are bloody cheap into KL you might do better on Lufthansa or Thai into KLIA. Just a thought. Lots of good 4/5 star hotels with OK pools to crash next to for 3000 baht a night. If first time I'd head to Bukit Bintang, KLCC is a bit sterile, and there's plenty of nice bars and restaurants nearby.

I'm going to do visa trip to Penang next week. Never much liked the Butlins type resorts there so plan to stay in Georgetown for first time - looks like there's some nice enough heritage type guesthouses for 60-80 us a night. There's also (I hear) a 50m outdoor pool nearby that only costs 3-4 ringitt so some laps in the sun should sort me out ready for a few beers in the evening.

Look forward to hearing where you decide, with long TD thread including at least 6 pics of the inflight meal etc.

**Marmite the Dog** · 11-05-2012, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

The train journey is pretty mellow and the scenery is good (it's a day ride and costs about 150bt per person.

I'm sure it was 36baht the time I used it.

**can123** · 11-05-2012, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I'm sure it was 36baht the time I used it.

The ticket clerk was made aware of the fact that you had posted well over 35,000 posts to Teakdoor and he allowed you to travel on the concessionary fare. He probably had a few candles lit for you as well.

**can123** · 11-05-2012, 12:55 AM

Duplicate post. Teakdoor server seems to go a bit wonky at this time of day and sometimes have difficulty logging in at about this time.

**jizzybloke** · 11-05-2012, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by can123

Duplicate post. Teakdoor server seems to go a bit wonky at this time of day and sometimes have difficulty logging in at about this time

or you could just be a twat

**Albert Shagnastier** · 11-05-2012, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Albert Shagnastier

The train journey is pretty mellow and the scenery is good (it's a day ride and costs about 150bt per person.

I'm sure it was 36baht the time I used it.

Your right mate - my apologies. I have a bad habit of always adding the price of a few beers onto everything.

**Phuketrichard** · 11-05-2012, 09:24 AM

Nepal is well worth going but 2 days would be a waste considering the airfare is up over 20,000 baht on thai or Royal nepal.
You need min a week to take in Kathmandu an than Pokhara.
more if u want to head out on a trek which is the only way to truly see the country
I spent lot of time up there in the '80-90's

**Lostandfound** · 12-05-2012, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Phuketrichard

You need min a week to take in Kathmandu an than Pokhara. more if u want to head out on a trek which is the only way to truly see the country

Agree 100%. I did the Annapurna Circuit in 1992 when I was a lot younger and fitter. It's a solid 20-25 day trek into a lost world. Otherwise Annapurna base camp or Everest base camp (except the SCARY AS FCUK flight into Lukla) are worth a stab at if you've only got a week or so.

A highlight of the Annapurna Circuit was watching three Israeli super hero types, full of bravado about their hard as nails fitness from army training - being stretchered down from Thorung Pass (about 5500 metres and the hardest part of the trek by far).

I met a really cool rickshaw driver in KTM, only 14 years old but sharp as a blade. He sorted some amazing ganje for me. The sort of stuff where you can walk on the ceiling and still feel good. The next evening I saw him, his arm had been really badly sliced to the bone with a machete. I took him to the hospital, got him patched up and sent him home. The next day he had gift wrapped six beautifully made joints for me to take on my trek and refused to take a cent for his trouble. I don't remember much about my Annapurna base camp trek.

**Lostandfound** · 12-05-2012, 12:33 AM

Landing at Lukla airport.

**Phuketrichard** · 12-05-2012, 09:27 AM

did the circuit in '82 and also up to base camp./ Did a double day heading to base camp an was the ONLY person spending the night when it snowed!! amazing place.
28 days. Reason it took longer as we tried to head up into Mustang but were caught less than 1 day from Lo Mustang

Everest base camp by mtn bike in '85. Did the circuit again in '86 on Mtn Bike 14 days. but 50% carrying.

MY last trek was to Gossunkund lakes in '97 an my knees gave out coming down and was forced to walk real slow and at time backwards so my trekking days are over ;-(

Love Nepal a Photographers/artist dream country

**Lostandfound** · 12-05-2012, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by Phuketrichard

Everest base camp by mtn bike in '85

Bloody hell! I gave up near those lakes somewhere. The idea of another bloody day trudging through snow to sit in a campsite full of idiots trying to climb a mountain was too much for L and F, so pulled out the Irridium phone and called my PA with instructions to get me a flight to Bangkok and a room at the Sukhothai in 5 days time. It made the "turning back" decision tolerable.

Practically ran to Lukla consumed by thoughts of sitting next to a pool with a very large drink after a 90 minute massage.

**stevefarang** · 14-05-2012, 07:56 AM

Thanks all for the suggestions !! Definite food for thought provided. And we have plenty of time to kick it around.

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