Hi guys!
It’s time to look at travelling for next year: And this post is inspired by the new Expedia.com.sg site in today’s newspaper. Yes, there are dozens of offers to all destinations with Air Asia… including my favourite: Thailand!
Please log in to the site within the next five days (till 9th October) and get special packages with hotel and flight.
I’m looking at going to Chiang Mai in February 2012 for the Flower Festival (Feb 3 – 5) which will feature dazzling flower displays, parades and beauty contests: a great photo/video opportunity! Besides, there’s all the food, craft shopping, sightseeing, etc, etc.
On checking the website, the offers for a five night stay (Feb 3 – 8) can be as low as S$280 per person twin-sharing. This includes flight, hotel and breakfast at a good tourist-class hotel.
So, if any of you are keen please register your interest and I’ll come back with details and recommendations. This is not a guided tour package and I will only help co-ordinate the trip if there are enough SHC members wanting to go.
Hi-Kenneth
My wife and I are interested in the Chiang Mai trip.
awaiting your details.
regds
Peter
Hello Kenneth,
I am also interested. but does it coincide with CNY 2011? Hope not.
Please let me know more when you have latest info.
Thank you.
Geok Suan.
Hi Peter
That was a quick reply… but we only have a few days to do our booking on Expedia.com.sg.
This is how I plan to help you guys get to the Flower Festival in Chiang Mai:
1. Please register your participation on this forum.
2. Please book your own flight and hotel package on the Expedia site: Depart Feb 2 2130/2330 and return Feb 7 1650/2055 (5 nights).
3. Please select one of the following hotels:
a. Amora Tapae hotel S$253 per person twin sharing including breakfast.
b. Eurana Boutique hotel S$260 per person as above.
The Amora Tapae is a tourist-class modern hotel and the Eurana is a Thai Lanna-style hotel with garden setting.
I will be in Chiang Mai on the dates (Feb 2 – 7/8). Once you’ve confirmed your booking I will provide updates on events and travel tips over the coming weeks.
Hi Geok Suan
Just get someone to share the hotel and follow the above instructions to book your flight.
Chinese New Year 2012 is on 23 January 2012, the Year of the Dragon!
Hope to see you and many others on this trip!
Hi Geok Suan
Could u pls email me asap : jkohpk@yahoo.com.sg
Thks Kenneth for the gd lobang!
June Koh
sawadee krap khun kenneth,
be sure to eat “????“?
hokkien?”sa wa deu kar“
have a good trip?
Hi Kenneth,
Was thinking of organising an “off-the-track” type of trip to Laos for between 10 to 14 days in 2012.
Had being surfing the net for deals. But the high cost of air-tickets really put me off on the thot!
Have browsed thru Expedia.com.sg but still very EX, about $2100++ for a return ticket….sigh…sigh..sigh!
You have other lobangs for/to Laos?
Anybody here been to Laos recently? Care to share?
Sori, as an afternote to #7:
Still falling back to initial thot/plan on route as:
SIN-HCMC (by Budget Airlines) then cross over to Laos Southern Part will be the cheapest option…..
Hi Ivan,
If you are going top Laos, I think you better restrict yourself to the bigger towns, eg Vientiane, Luang Prababg, Luang Namtha. And these are all in the north.
You must go to Danang before you can reach the southern border with Lao. You can visit the Plain of Jars there. From HCMC, you can only cross over to Cambodia. The Lao towns you will see are really very ‘ulu’.
We were in Lao last year and this and I will recommend it as a destination, but only for those who are willing to experiment staying in a backward environment.
Nevertheless food is ok, similar to Thai, hotels are air-conned and it is easy to travel, English is spoken in the 3 towns I mentioned.
I met a Belgian who stayed in Lao for 3 months. He loved the peace, serenity and sincerity of the villagers he visited. He said he would definitely revisit Lao but after 3 months, he lost (happily) many kilos. You would to if you had to eat in the villages everyday. But we did not lose any weight in our 2 trips to Lao.
Many villages have no electricity, so many hotels have the a/c only for a few hours.
Vientiane is the capital city but the town is ugly and good for KOK bars etc. Both Luang Namtha and Luang Prabang are very nice. Very beautiful scenery, laidback, peaceful. Just imagine, no public transport, you either walk of take the pickups as public bus.
Take a budget flight to Chiang Mai and public bus to the border and another public bus to L Namtha or fly to Udon Thani, and take public bus to Nong Kai, and crossover to Vientiane. From there you can fly tp L Prabang or take a bus, going over a convoluted route, many hours to LP.
Good luck
Kenneth, I am keen and I wd like to spend my 5+6 birdday there but dont know how to book via internet or with the given website. Too lazy cum stoopid to learn.
So if you or anyone out there can help me do everything short of staying in Changmai and enjoying the holiday for me, I will reimburse this person with some goodies thrown in e.g. a nite’s stay with me at a RWS sentosa hotel OR S$300 RWS voucher which may be increased to $400 if I have more in my pocket.
Ang jua kong?
Hi-Kenneth and all interested members
should we appoint an EO (logically should be Kenneth)
and list those who are keen and ready to book.
regds
Peter
Charles-C #9,
Wow! THANK YOU veri muc for your quick tips and sharing..
Look like the Golden Triangle Trip (coming January 2012) will be a good “entre” for the LAOS trip later on….
Thanks again…
Hi Kenneth and all,
Can we all book into same hotel (suggestion only) and go about together? I have never been to Chiang Mai, dont know the language etc.
What’s everyone’s opinion re above suggestion.?
June, I can share room with you if you’d like. Want to know where everyone else is staying huh?
Geok Suan,
Hi guys!
There seems to be only a few who can make the trip to Chiang Mai in Febuary 2012… but not to worry: I will make a firm commitment to be there to assist all SHC members who decide to go.
Chiang Mai is a very small city despite being the second largest in Thailand. You can get around easily without being hassled by touts and taxis. I will most likely be on the same flight as those leasving on 2 February. You can also get taxis easily at the airport to the city for around B150 or S$6.
The hotels I suggested will put you near the Flower Festival events including the flower parade. As Geok Suan suggested, we can all stay at the Amora Tapae but you may want a more Thai-style hotel like the Eurana Boutique which is near the Amora too.
Tim, I am afraid that I cannot help with your booking and trust that another SHC member can help.
As stated, I will not be like a tour guide… more a “facilitator” to help you guys get around, sort out common needs, advise on places to tour, go to a few good restaurants, shopping, markets, etc.
So, don’t worry, just book your flight and hotel and I’ll wee all of you in February!
Hi Chiang Mai trippers!
I’ve just booked my flight and hotel for Feb 2 to 8 at the Amora Tapae Hotel. So those who are going can also book the same or return on an earlier date if necessary.
Please don’t be overwhelmed by the booking process; there is also a S$32 fee for booking by credit card.
Tim, I should explain my reluctance to make bookings on behalf of others: I, too, am not adept at using the internet and always dread making errors.
So, the total cost is S$574.48 including fees for a five night stay, a super bargain by any standard!
Sorry, sorry to post again!
It’s a six night stay for two persons!
Also the last line of #14 should read “SEE all of you in February!”
And, Feztus, three “tee kah” exceeds my daily cholesterol intake!
Also, to all would be travellers: Please take this golden opportunity to book your holidays on Expedia by 9 October when these offers end!
Kenneth, ny confirmation for now is an aiyayayayah. As a last resort, I will take my laptop to Sim Lim Towers for a refund.
Hi kenneth,
That’s great news.
I am interested in joining you all .
Any guy interested in twin sharing with me at the Amora Tapae ?
Pls. comment here . thanks. Steven Chan
Now busily browsing the website for more details.
Thanks facilitator Kenneth Tan for writing this post.
Hi Kenneth @ 15,
Pls. list your down your email address. Thanks
…..(………I’ve just booked my flight and hotel for Feb 2 to 8 at the Amora Tapae Hotel. )
As you are CONFIRM for this trip can you pls. write down the budget flight no details :-
i) depart Spore to Chiangmai on 2 Feb time?? and flight no ??
ii) depart Chiangmai to Spore on 8 Feb 2012 time ?? and flight no ??
Even on the same day, there are several flight times, it will be v. helpful to us if you could include your exact time and flight nos in the event we would like to book on line.
As suggested by Geok Suan , we ALL can book and fly off and stay in the same hotel together. I am NEW to Chiangmai too.
Hope I am not asking too much. So anyone interested in twin sharing pls. let me know ASAP and we can liase.
This special discounted price is meant only for 2 to fly . *** Nothing is mention of pricing for single pax as seen from the website.
Hi Steven and all other trippers!
My apologies for not giving more details:
Flight Details:
Depart Singapore AirAsia FD3452 ETD2130 ETA2330
Return Chiang Mai FD3451 ETD1650 ETA2055
Hotel: Amora Tapae
I tend to take things for granted and may leave out some details, but there is only one direct flight per day by AirAsia. And yes, this is for two-to-go.
You have until Feb 9 to take advantage of the offer.
Khun Kenneth, anyway, the good “pig trotters” are in Bangkok and not chiangmai… Paulaner also have good ox knucklnes!
so you will avoid all the rich food in bangkok.
btw, my staff told me the one next month is much bigger fest than Feb 2012
anyway, check out the website:
http://www.royalflora2011.com/2011_en/
they also have package accommodation etc.,
it also includes horticultural exhibits etc., very big scale.
Hello Peter and Jennifer ( hope I got your name correct),
Are you coming to Chiand Mai? Hope that you are not stopping at Seremban trip after the nice Hainanese Beef Noodles. Hahaha…
It’s the season of the flowers in chiang mai at that time of year, I hope, and you are into flora and fauna too. It would be wonderful for both of you to be there.
Cheerio.
Geok Suan.
Hi Kenneth
I hv already booked the tour (2/2 – 8/2/12)for Geok Suan & myself @ Amora Tapae Hotel.
June Koh
Hi Kenneth Tan,
Event Co ordinator ,
Hi Peter Lim, thanks for your email. I understand you too enjoy doing gardening as a hobby. It will be nice if you could join all of us to the Royal Flora Ratchapruek show in Chiangmai and book early as prices will be increasing as Air Asia fills up its seats. Are you a new member ?
I hv already booked the tour (2/2 – 8/2/12)for my nephew & myself @ Amora Tapae Hotel.
The total price is still $ 574.48.
Hi others,
Not true that it caters only to twin sharing. For those who prefers single room for 1 adult see below :- Of course there is a price difference.
You can also book for a single room package instead of a twin room package by clicking the small lettering “change travellers” just below the “change your search” at the expedia.com.sg website
Thanks so much for being our co ordinator and I look forward to this Royal Flora Ratchapruek from 9th Nov 2011 to 15 Feb 2012 . Still not too late to see the show. And also other itineraries or places of interest which you could recommend to us and safety ptecautions to take in a foreign land.
Hi guys!
No, I’m not the EO, more like EF (Facilitator). I am not the tour guide and will not earn any commissions. But you can depend on me for travel tips, recommendations for tours, food, shopping and massage!
Yes, you can book a single but you will have to pay a single supplement. I am not too savvy on this Expedia site as I find too many variables and options.
And do not book any transport to hotel on the website; also do not book any tours, etc. which may be expensive and restrictive.
The Royal Flora show was first organised in 2006 and I was there twice that year. Now the exhibition site, which includes a grand temple building, is used for an annual flower show. Yes, all flower lovers can look forward to a grand time at the Rachapruek and the Flower Festival.
The big event in November is possibly Loy Krathong. This is also combined with a three-day parade which to Singaporeans may be a little local event, but a magical romantic event for Chiang Mai residents.
One thing about Chiang Mai is the friendliness of the people and their honesty. Normal precautions include not wandering into dark alleys and watching your pockets/purses in crowded places.
I look forward to more SHC members coming on board this trip!
Hi Kenneth Tan @ 25,
…..( .I look forward to more SHC members coming on board this trip! )
As a suggestion, I truly feel that It will be useful to edit your main post and include a name list of those who are CONFIRM coming to Chiangmai from 2 to 8 Feb 2012. As SHCians are mostly busy working people and may not have time to browse through all the comments in this particular post.
However, by having a name list, they may be interested because he/she knows that this Ah Lian , Ah Soh , Ai Moi or Ah Beng is coming and they feel v. good traveling with them. And they could make up their mind quickly and do on line booking and apply their leave in advance.
Calling also the ” gila gila ” gang , join us if you can to inject more FUN and LAUGHTER during our tour.
The accomodation per night in Amorae Tapae,
3 1/2 star tourist NON smoking hotel guest rooms class is $53 from the website. 53 x 6 nights = $318 . That means the air flight fare to Chiangmai for return for 2 pax is = 574 – 318 = $256
ie $128 per pax.
My Firefly fly return flight to KL costs around $180 or sometimes more.
However, This INCREDIBLE promotion price may not last long. And so we hope MORE of you SHCians can join us to make this another memorable tour.
*** Also as this is an event with NO EO in charge but a facilitator , you may also bring along your non SHC friends or relatives as mentioned by Dolly our Manageress in her earlier comments.
Hi Steven
Thanks for your suggestions including making a namelist; I will try to do this soon. But the promotion ends on the 9 Feb and I may not want to continue this post further.
I think opening up this trip to non-SHC members will not be ideal as we cannot control who we want to participate. This trip is not a guided tour as I have stressed, but I certainly don’t want to have young children or parents with babies in tow.
I will be taking the post offline after the 9th and use email to keep in touch with all participants.
Hi Kenneth Tan,
….This trip is not a guided tour as I have stressed, but I certainly don’t want to have young children or parents with babies in tow.
I understand your view and will respect it.
Just went in expedia to try to book but the price
is now $756 or $378/px
I decide to give it a miss
Anyway Geok Suan and Steven enjoy yourselves and hope to hear from you
after your trip
regds
Hi Peter
It’s disappointing that you decided not to make the trip… and you were the first to respond. Yes, the price seems to have changed since yesterday for the hotels. The period we are going is really high-season and hotels are quite fully booked for the Flower Festival, etc.
If you’re determined to go, you can still book your flight on AirAsia for S$270 return on the dates.
You then book a hotel/guest house thru another website; which is what we did during the last Chiang Mai/Mae Hong Son trip in 2008. I suggest you try Chiang Mai Thai House, Mandala House or some other guest house around the city area to see if rooms are available before you make your flight booking. The standard rooms in these guest houses are around S$35 per night or sometimes cheaper by the week.
If there’s a will, there’s a way!
Hi Peter Lim,
….Just went in expedia to try to book but the price
is now $756 or $378/px.
Ok. I too got the same amount $756 when I booked at first. I was taken aback when the promotion price was $574. can’t be such a sudden jump.
Then when I browse back and I changed from 1 kingsize bed now( i know is meant for Superior room ) to 2 single bed meant for twin sharing room , I got back $574 and I got the confirmation thru email after payment.
It is obvious that the price of a Superior room costs much more than a Twin sharing room. ( And I think that explains the difference from $756 to $574.
Pls. Try again. U may still be in luck and can join us .
Hi-Steven
Tried again just and even call the customer support.
Unfortunately twin-sharing is filled up. So no discounted price.
Hi-Kenneth
thks for your encouragement. I don’t think I want to book
another hotel as I am not a seasoned traveller and not comfortable.
Anyway there is always another time to meet.
Peter
Hello to all,
Got excited about this package and just did our booking with Expedia for 2 to 8 Feb 2012 at S$574.48. But we didn’t include the airport transfer. Please advice on this.
Thank you and looking forward to traveling together with more members.
Cheers,
Patrick / Veronica
Hi-Dear all
thks to Patrick I managed to just book for 2 to 8 feb 2012 for $574.48 (6 nights)
It is very funny to know that when I book from 2 to 7feb I need to pay $756 cannot understand why but the computer says so. (5 nights)
Another thing I found that when entering my name the confirmation shows my first and last name. I had to call Airasia to get them to amend it to my full name.
Pls check your confirmation note and if any difference
call Airasia at 63077688 and give them your confirm number.
Hi-Kenneth
awaiting your email so that we can keep in contact
regds
Peter and Jennifer
Hi Peter Lim / others,
We are very happy to hear that you finally is able to join us.
…..thks to Patrick I managed to just book for 2 to 8 feb 2012 for $574.48 (6 nights) It is very funny to know that when I book from 2 to 7feb I need to pay $756 cannot understand why but the computer says so. (5 nights)…
I think 6 nights by default is the Promotion package of $574.48 for twin sharing . Any thing that deviates from the 6 nights or a change from twin to superior room will be charged as per normal.
No wonder the kingsize bed meant for Superior room is charged $756 for 6 nights instead of $574.48
Hi all Chiang Mai trippers!
I am glad that most of us are able to make this trip… and look forward to plan an interesting time for you guys in Chiang Mai.
It’s time to take it offline and use email to keep in touch so as to overload the site with our chatter.
Peter, I’m so glad you’re able to join us with your wife.
So, now there’s:
Peter and Jennifer
Patick and Veronica
Geok Suan and June
Steven and nephew
myself and wife, Helen
A nice number at ten persons, all staying at the Amora Tapae. And I’ll be able to arrange a minibus/van to pick us at the airport to the hotel noting that we arrive close to midnight.
So please send me your email addresses and I’ll be communicating with you guys on our travel plans over the nest few months and you can also ask me any question you want.
My email: dalken@starhub.net.sg
Sawadee khap!
Hi Kenneth and all,
My email: unclelock@gmail.com
Veronica’s email: veron_pat@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you.
Hi Kenneth / all ,
My private email is sfc0007@yahoo.com.sg and thanks again for arranging transport to pick all of us up from the airport.
Geok Suan’s email add:
geoksuanlim@yahoo.com
Hope not late cos this thread is supposedly closed.
Hi All
My E-ticket purchase has been confirmed by the airline. No tickets will be mailed.
Spoken to Expedia, need to print out 2 copies on Expedia Travel Confirmation . One copy for flight and another for hotel check in. Only one copy needed for 2 roommates.
As for the name not in full, it is ok as they will retrieve by booking ref. and the name will be shown correctly.
June
hi everybody,
Kenneth has closed this post, numbers reached.
terence seah