Ko Tao Diving

On your next trip to Koh Samui, take a ferry to Ko Tao and stay at this great find:

Paradise Zone at Ko Tao Resort:
*kotaoresort.com

Great views and food:
Rim Lai


Everyone loves diving in Ko Tao: (best diving in April/May - less tourists, September/November)
*There are lots of day trips from Koh Samui
*Also on the island: Coral Grand Divers

Getting there:
*The best way to get to Ko Tao is via Koh Samui! You can jump on one of the many ferries and fast boats heading to the island.

Hidden Thailand Beaches

TRANG
*Ko Lao Liang
**www.laolingisland.com
*Ko Rok
**camping

KRABI
*Ko Jum
**www.kohjum.com/joy for bungalows
*www.tingrai.com

SATUN
*Ko Adang
**camping available, bungalows

PHANG NGA:
*Ko Yao Noi
**www.sabaicornerbungalows.com
**www.kayao.com
*Ko Yao Yai
**www.elixirresort.com
*Ko Phra Thong
**www.goldenbuddaresort.com
*Ko Kho Khao
**www.kkkresort.com

RANONG:
*Ko Chang
***www.kohchangandaman.com

BANGKOK GETAWAY (2.5 hours away)
*Ko Samet
***www.leblancsamed.com

Koh Samui Restaurants

Full Moon
Alfresco Dining/Italian
A: Anantara Koh Samui Resort
P: 66-77/428-300
Cost: dinner for 2 – 65 USD

Banana Fan Sea
Cockails on the beach
A: Chaweng Beach
P: 66-77/413-483

Zazen
Fusion/Great atmosphere
A: Zazen Boutique Restaurant & Spa
P: 66-77/425-085
Cost: dinner for 2 – 80 USD

Pla Pla
Book ahead/seafood
A: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
P: 66-77, 243-000
Cost: dinner for 2 – 100 USD

Dining on the Rocks
Asian influenced/alfresco on 9 wooden terraces
A: Siz Senses Hideaway Samui, 9/10 Moo 5, Baan Plai Laem, Bophut Samui
Cost: dinner 155 USD

Indochina Trekking Company

This looks like an interesting company - provides trekking and off the beaten track adventures in Asia: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand

Indochina Trekking Company
http://www.indotrek.com/

Shopping in Bangkok - Soi 23

Sukhumvit Soi 23

*Start: L'Arcadia - 12 Sukhumvit Soi 23 (Thai/Burmese Furniture)
*Le Dalat Indochine - 14 (Vietnamese Food)
*Almeta - 20/3 (silks)
*Buono (ice cream)
*Rasi Sayam -32 (handicrafts)
*Shinawatra - 94 (silks)
Nandakwang - 108/3 (candles, cusions, linens)

Chiang Mai Boutique

Check out....

1. At Niman Conceptual Home
8-room urban retreat

www.at-niman-chiangmai.th66.com

Doubles from 125-200 USD

2. Villa Water Orchid
Intimate B&B Style
www.waterorchid.com

Doubles from 110-170 USD

Hotel deal in Bangkok

SEVEN
Design hotel in Bangkok
www.sleepatseven.com

Green room - private garden
Pink/Purple rooms - King size beds

TAXIS in BANGKOK

FYI:

When in Bangkok, you can take a public taxi to the city for around 250-350 Baht. The service charge is 50 Baht and highway is a tiny bit more expensive, but it is worth it!

ALWAYS: Ask for a metered taxi! Once you get in the taxi, make sure you tell them and re-confirm that you must have it metered

UPDATE: SPAS in Bangkok

Divana Spa
7 Sukhumvit 25, North Klongtoey
Wattana, Bangkok

Reservations:
+66-2661-6784-5
www.divanaspa.com

Oasis Spa
Caro and I visited this spa last week and it is now my favourite in Bangers!

64 Sukhumvit 31 (Soi Sawasdee)

+66-2262-2122
www.bangkokoasis.com

OASIS SPA

Golfing in Phuket

Mission Hills Golf Resort
Highway 4027 Muang Mai-Para
195 Moo 4, Pla Khlok, Amphur Talang
Phuket

T: +66-76-310888
W: www.missionhillsphuket.com
E: reservations@missionhillsphuket.com

Shopping in Bangkok

Chatuchuk - SECTION 2
**up and coming Thai brands

Candles: Karma Kadet
No. 185-187, Section 2, Soi 3
candles from 296 Bt

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

AZAYA VILLAS
www.azayavillas.com

Chiang Mai's luxury villas

The KFC of Bangkok, Thailand

One of Dre's favourite experiences!

Polo Fried Chicken
Soi Sanamkhli (Soi Polo) off Wireless Road

**fried Isan chicken with garlic

This is a true local experience...

BTS in Bangkok, Thailand

SUKHUMVIT LINE

Mo Chit:
1. Chatuchak Weekend Market
*Exit 1
*8 AM - 6 PM

Siam:
1. Siam Paragon and Siam Center - fun shopping
*Exit 5 to paragon, Exit 1 to Siam Center

Chit Lom:
1. Department stores
2. Erawan Tea Room (Exit 2)

Nana: entertainment area
1. Bed Supperclub (Exit 3)
2. Soi 11 - good for mani/pedi

Throng Lo:
1. Outdoor Thai food (exit 4)
2. Face Bar

SILOM LINE

Surasak:
1. The Blue Elephant (exit 2)

National Stadium:
1. Jim Thomson House (exit 1)

Restaurants & Bars in Bangkok

Restuarants:
1. Mahanaga
W: www.mahanaga.com
T: 66(0)-2662-3060
A: 2 Sukhumvit 29, Bangkok, Thailand

2. FACE BAR
W: www.facebars.com
A: 29 Sukhumvit Soi 38

3. Arun Residence
*Great views!!

4. Long Table

5. Baan Kanitha - thai

Bars:

1. Q Bar
2. Tapas Bar
3. Bed Supperclub
4. Vertigo at Banyan Tree (rooftop)
5. MET Bar

Spa in Bangkok, Thailand

I highly recommend the below spa in Bangkok:

SPA 1930
W: www.spa1930.com
T: 02-254-8606
A: 42 Soi Tonson
BTS Chit Lom

Spa 1930 is housed in an old Thai house and is very intimate and relaxing.

Railay Beach, Thailand

We visited Krabi/Railay Beach, Thailand to celebrate Thanksgiving in 2006! We had an incredible time...

Best time to visit?
If you want a remote trip? May - October
High season - Nov - Apr

How to get there?
Best to fly to Krabi Island

*From Ao Nang Beach in Krabi, it's a quick longtail boat ride to Railay Beach. Boats run all day, and the beautiful boat ride from Ao Nang takes about 15 minutes. It's 60 Baht per person at the moment, randomly more after it gets dark. This is the place to get a boat during high season.

During low season when the weather is rough, you need to get a boat from Ao Na Mao or Krabi. These days there are more boats going from Ao Na Mao, and it's only 15 minutes from there to Railey Beach. From Krabi it takes about 45 minutes. Boats are caught from the pier in Krabi.

Where to stay?
We rented a house and we highly recommend it! Contact Railay Beach Club and they will arrange everything for your crew.

http://www.railay.com/railay/accommodation/bahn_rim.shtml

Other places to stay?

Sand Sea Resort (www.krabisandsea.com)
Rayavadee (www.rayavadee.com) - luxury

Where to eat?
* Krua Phranang - nice dinner at Rayavadee
* Grotto Restaurant - sunset cocktails
* If you are staying in a house, arrange for a cook to come to your place and cook a feast!

Bars?
There are some great rasta bars on the east side
Bar directly in front of the Railay Beach villas