Thailand/Phuket/Phi Phi/etc.

[Ruth]

Go Tony - go! And don't let the small children hold you back - nobody else on the flight I was on last spring did - they pretty much yodel in concert with each other
I am pretty sure that my flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong was about 13 hours (Cathay Pacific) and the return flight was about 11 hours. The flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok was another 5 hours and then on to Koh Samui for 4 days and then Koh Tao for 6 days then return to Hong Kong for 4 days. The most wonderful vacation I have ever been on and if you are looking at going to Thailand consider those 2 islands. Beautiful places - some of the (apparently) best diving in SE Asia. Transportation is no problem at all once you are there and neither is the language. Diving (including instruction and certification) is cheap and so is everything else. The Thai people are amazing. I went by myself and at no time did I feel uncomfortable or unsafe. And the thing about going by yourself is you really spend a lot of time just "people watching". In the just about 2 weeks that I was there I did not hear raised voices by any Thai people at all (the tourists were another matter - particularly those from Northern Europe).

[Snappy]

In the just about 2 weeks that I was there I did not hear raised voices by any Thai people at all (the tourists were another matter - particularly those from Northern Europe).

Yeah Europe would be a great place if it wasn't full of Europeans.

[trilinearmipmap]

OK Ruth here is a question about Koh Samui and Koh Tao because I have been thinking of going there or somewhere similar around November or December.

I am worried about a place being overrun by hordes of European tourists.

I want a place that is relaxing with good scenery and a good feel about the place. I would be interested in taking a dive course, doing some sightseeing, and spending time lazing around.

I don't want lots of commercialization, beer-drinking loud smelly European tourists, pollution etc.

So tell me if these places are suitable or not.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

OK Ruth here is a question about Koh Samui and Koh Tao because I have been thinking of going there or somewhere similar around November or December.

I am worried about a place being overrun by hoards of European tourists.

I want a place that is relaxing with good scenery and a good feel about the place. I would be interested in taking a dive course, doing some sightseeing, and spending time lazing around.

I don't want lots of commercialization, beer-drinking loud smelly European tourists, pollution etc.

So tell me if these places are suitable or not.

Without a doubt go to either of these places. Koh Samui is more touristy but still lots of things to see and do and from what I understand not nearly as many tourists as Koh Phi Phi or Phunket and I did not see any of the other "recreational" activities associated with Thailand there. Good scenery, diving, lazing around ........Koh Tao all the way. Very laid back, excellent diving schools - I stayed at the Coral Grande and they have an excellent reputation and IMO are the best on the Island. The people there still live a mostly traditional lifestyle so are not chasing the Tourist dollar nearly as much as other places.