Tips for Honeymooning in Thailand:
- Have a new travel guide for the areas you want to visit so you have updated information on places to stay, eat and things to do. Also, the maps will come in handy every day!
- When shopping, remember to bargain. The first price quoted is never the price you should pay and you will save much by bargaining down prices. You do not bargain at restaurants or fancy shops or resorts, though backpacker bungalow places will often bargain and you should bargain on all street shopping.
- Don’t ever let a taxi driver or other person talk you into staying or eating somewhere other than what you had planned. It is moist likey a scam – they have deals that pay them to bring you to the other establishment they suggest. They may say the place you want to go to is closed but tell them to take you there anyway and see for yourself.
- In some hotel rooms your key fob has to be in a slot inside the door in order for the power to work in your room. This is a safety feature but is easy to forget so if your power doesn’t work first look to see if you need to insert your key fob.
- Pack light! You will be happy to have a light bag so travel is easy and you can get anything you need there cheap so if you need another skirt or shirt just buy one. They sell great bathing suits, beachwear, bags/purses, sarongs, flip flops, really anything you need for a beach vacation. They also have English pharmacies (in BKK, cities and tourist towns), such as Boots with anything you would need as far as supplies and cosmetics. And, if you buy too many gifts to bring home, buy a bag there to pack for home in.
- Bring ear plugs to make flights and hotel rooms quiet.
- When possible book car service/transfers in advance for travel outside of Bangkok. It costs a bit more but is worth the hassle you will have trying to get to your destination on numerous crowded public buses. Take domestic flights (best choice) or trains (second choice) for long haul trips and avoid the long distance/overnight tourist buses. These are loud and bright; you don’t sleep and are uncomfortable the entire night. [This note is for those going to Thailand on a short honeymoon trip. On a long trip, getting there is part of the adventure. You will see amazing things and meet kind people along the way if you travel the slow Thai way. Just prepare yourself that it will be crowded and slow and you will enjoy the ride.]
- Only drink bottled water but don’t be worried about things like fruit or dishes that have a little water left on them from washing. I don’t know anyone who has gotten sick from water in Thailand because they are very good about using clean water for everything. They only use purified water for ice so it is safe too.
- The Orient Express is luxurious but Thai trains are not. We often prefer to travel by train and thought the night train there would be romantic. Even in first class they served inedible food (bring your own), the linens were clean but simple, and it was freezing, uncomfortable and loud. It can be your best option sometimes to get across the country at night while saving the accommodation cost and it is very clean and as comfortable as any train – just plan ahead to have food, ear plugs and something else to put on if you are cold.
- Customer service will generally not be what we expect in the US. We are used to service with a smile which is definitely not a world-wide practice. Thai people are friendly, warm and happy but service jobs do not require warmth and smiles like in the US. I have met some wonderful people working in hotels and cafes in Thailand but it is best not to expect that and be pleased when you find kindred spirits along the way.
- It will rain at some point. Thailand is tropical so it will periodically rain for a while in the afternoon. No need to pack umbrellas, just sit at a café and watch the world for a bit. In the city it can make things more humid but generally it is nice because it cools the day down. [Of course, if you go during the monsoon season it could rain a great deal, so plan your honeymoon dates accordingly.]
- Your hotel will do inexpensive laundry service for you so you can bring fewer clothes and have them washed.
- Electricity or internet service may cut out periodically – even in Bangkok. Many countries in the world do not have the systems set up that we do to make everything run perfectly but the service is quite good in most places.
- Many budget beach bungalows will only have electricity from 6pm to midnight or so. If you stay in a bungalow on the beach you do not need electricity during the day because the sun is your light and the ocean breezes keep you cool. I always recommend staying on the beach.
- You may want to bring a big towel or buy sarongs in Bangkok (which are light in your bag and can serve as a towel once they have been washed - the color will bleed at first). Some places won’t give enough towels (very low budget places none at all) and many won’t have big beach towels.
- You can definitely buy bug spray and sunscreen there but if you are particular about your brand bring some with you.
- If you are there for Christmas or New Years, you will be charged a higher rate for your room on those nights and hotels will charge a gala fee for the party and buffet they put on. They are generally fun festivities with delicious food but are not cheap.
- Don’t try to travel on public holidays, such as Dec 31 or Jan 1 – everything will be shut and transportation down.
- Spend a lot of time just relaxing – play cards, meet other travelers, go on day trips, hike, read, lay on the beach or in a hammock – it is Thailand, so unplug and enjoy the beauty.
Please email any questions and have fun planning! joey@sendusoff.com |
