Jess & Jude's Adventures in Thailand 2004

Decided in early May that it was time to take Jess overseas as I had been promising her a trip for too long. I checked out the airfares on the web and found some cheap flights in June. Booked the flights with BestFlights.com and paid $1209AUD for return flight on Thai Airlines and 5 nights accommodation in Bangkok. Also got best price on travel insurance with this company.

I then set about working out an itinerary. I wanted to give her a taste of Bangkok, islands and mountains so decided on the following:

Itinerary

• 3 June - Bangkok on arrival (Booked Royal River Hotel)

• 4 June - Fly to Phuket on Air Asia (Booked Surin Beach Resort)

• 5-6 June - Bus to Phang Nga find local accommodation and book boat trip to Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island.

• 7 June - Fly Phuket to Bangkok on Air Asia, bus to Kanchanaburi.

• 8 June - Explore Kanchanaburi area

• 9 June - Bus to Bangkok, fly to Chiangmai on Air Asia (Booked Suriwongse Hotel for 3 nights)

• 10-16 June - Explore Chiangmai book further accommodation while there. Possibly stay overnight Pai, Mae Hong Song area.

• 17 June - Fly Chiangmai to Bangkok on Air Asia (Booked Indra Regent for 5 nights which was included in original travel package)

• 18-21 June - Explore Bangkok, Ayuthaya, Chatuchak markets, shop til we drop!

• 22 June - Return home to Australia

This itinerary is not set in stone and I have only booked some accommodation so we can be quite flexible if the whim takes us. I will endeavour to update this journal as we travel through out Thailand.

Packing the bags:

• Passports, air tickets and hotel vouchers (+photocopies)

• ATM cards (visa and cashcard) + money belt

• LP Guide book & Thai Phrase book

• Journal book + pen (email addresses, websites, phone no's)

• Digital Camera (new Canon A300)

• Battery Charger + 4 batteries (for camera)

• Small Torch

• First AidParacetamol, bandaids, insect repellant, antiseptic, ear plugs, antacid, suncream, eye drops)

• Wash KitDeodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush & paste, comb, make-up)

• Clothes:2 Short & 1 long Pants,2 T-shirts, Underwear, Swimmers, socks, sandals & joggers,lightweight waterproof jacket

• Misc: Pegs & hanging cord, ziplock bags, toilet paper

All the above items will fit into a small backpack which we can carry on to the plane thus avoiding luggage queues. We will purchase a cheap suitcase in Bangkok to bring back our shopping bargains.