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Travel Blog 2006 Planning page
HotelzAsia operates on a philosophy of getting out and about in Asia and bringing you all the latest pics and reviews of attractions, hotels and fun things to do.
Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are the most popular destinations amongst HotelzAsia visitors and in November 2006 to January 2007 that's where we are heading on tour.
The following posts were written prior to our 2006 trip
Getting organised !
Updated 26 October 2006
The itinerary for our 2006/07 trip is now as follows. Links are provided in orange to the hotels we are staying at, if you want more information or are considering staying there yourself !
Fly Perth to Singapore with Singapore Airlines - staying 5 nights at the Peninsular Excelsior Hotel close to the Singapore River.
Peninsular Excelsior Hotel Singapore
Fly Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand with Singapore airlines - staying 4 nights at the 88 storey Baiyoke Sky Hotel.
Then on to Rayong and Ko Samet for some beach time staying at small bungalows.
Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok
Driving from Rayong via Khorat and Phimai we arrive in Khon Kaen to spend 5 nights at the most luxurious hotel in north-east Thailand, the Sofitel Raja Orchid Hotel.
Sofitel Raja Orchid Hotel Khon Kaen
Then its a day long train journey back to Bangkok for another 3 nights at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Yes - the views from this place are so good its hard to stay away !
From Bangkok we take a flight with Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for 5 nights at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel. After exploring KL and the surrounding areas for this time its back to Bangkok with Air Asia.
Berjaya Times Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur
From Bangkok we are heading back to north eastern Thailand using Khon Kaen as a base to explore the north eastern border provinces and Laos. With luck this will include two visits to Laos - once to the capital Vientiane via Nong Khai. Possibly a second venture via Mukdahan on the Mekong River to explore Laos' second city, Savannakhet.
Whilst in the north east we will be spending 10 nights at Khon Kaen's Charoen Thani Princess Hotel, just to see how it stacks up against the Sofitel !
Charoen Thani Princess Hotel Khon Kaen
The final 3 nights prior to returning to Australia via Singapore will be spent in the Grand China Princess Hotel in Bangkok, situated in the Chinatown district. The hotel offers some great views over the Chao Phraya River and offers luxury away from the tourist crowds.
Grand China Princess Hotel Bangkok
A few updates
9 July 2006
The Malaysian part of the trip is coming together, Air Asia flights have been booked Bangkok-KL-Bangkok on the airline website. The price worked out to A$110 each way which is around half of Malaysia Airlines's prices.
We will be in KL for 5 nights and have arranged to stay at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel. This spacious and quite new hotel sits atop a massive shopping mall and entertainment area and offers some great views across KL from its spacious rooms.
What's planned for Singapore
20 May 2006
We have some great sights and attractions lined up and will be bringing Hotelzasia customers a variety of new articles and photo shoots. What's planned so far includes:
- A day trip traveling by cable car to Sentosa Island
- Great views of Singapore from the 131 m tall Carlsberg Sky Tower
- An evening photo shoot at Sentosa's $2.5 million laser & light show
- Time out with the Pink Dolphins at Dolphin Lagoon
- A trip back to 1945 at the Fort Siloso surrender chambers
- Exploring the 37 metre high Merlion on Sentosa Island
- A journey down the Singapore River by boat
- Photo shoots (day and night) along Singapore's esplanades
- On the shopping trail at Suntec City & another great laser-light show
- A photo shoot with cocktails 70 floors high overlooking Marina Bay
- Tiffin lunch and a Gin Sling at the fabulous Raffles Hotel
- Walking tours of Singapore's colonial buildings and Padang
- Visit's to the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street
- A trip to Bugis Street to see the queen
- On the waterfront - exploring Clarke, Robertson & Boat Quays
- A walk on the wild side at Singapore's Night Safari & the Singapore Zoo
Check back for updates soon.
What's planned so far
9 April 2006
The journey will cover 6 weeks and so far we have flight tickets and a rough outline as follows:
First up we are flying from Australia to Singapore for 6 days of luxury at the Peninsular Excelsior Hotel near the Singapore River.
Next stop is Bangkok for a few days - planned highlights will be the annual trooping of the colors at Royal Plaza attended by the King of Thailand, and the annual King's birthday fireworks display alongside the Grand Palace.
From Bangkok a drive down through Chonburi and Pattaya to Rayong is planned, for a few days on the beach. Hopefully a day trip by boat over to Ko Samet to see how this popular island is coping with the tourist invasion of recent years.
After Rayong we are thinking to drive up to North East Thailand for perhaps a week. Then head back down to Bangkok by train and catch the bargain priced AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Nothing much is planned in KL so far although we have arranged to stay at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel and will be visiting the Genting Highlands resort for a day of gambling, shopping and looking around.
After 6 days in KL we will fly back to Bangkok then head for North and North Eastern Thailand. MAYBE via Penang (as the flights cost the same as flying directly to Bangkok) but that is still just an idea.
What's not planned at all:
What to do in Singapore, how to get out to see the famous fireflies outside KL, where to go in Northern Thailand and where to stay in Bangkok ! Whether to nip up to Vientiane for a few nights ?
We are looking for suggestions, tips and ideas for our journey and welcome any input from you. Please send any suggestions to us here. The best tip received over the course of 2006 will win 3 night's hotel accommodation in Asia !
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