Hi everyone,
I just came back from the ‘tea meeting’ at Han’s. I met Ron Koh who has this great idea of travelling from Phuket to Siem Reap in Cambodia. The trip will be by land, with a van and a Thai guide, crossing Kanchanburi with the Gulf of Thailand on the east (right). It will then reach Bangkok where we will travel up north to Korat (recent Asean Games) to cross the border to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Ron has a Thai friend who can be our driver and guide and accomodation will be about 2 or 3 * class. The idea is to travel like a local, eating from what is conveniently available, exploring what the area has to offer, beaches, mountains, temples, Ang Ko Wat etc. There is no fixed itinerary, save for what is agreed upon by the group. If the place is interesting, we will stay longer, if not we can move on and just along the way, eg staying for 1 or 2 nights.
Hi Charles
Good idea.
Would you like to pen out a itinerary with length of travel, likely programs and schedules from Thailand to Cambodia/Vietnam with estimate costs ?
Cheers,
Hi Terence,
I am not sure how the ‘posts’ work. I actually wrote a more complete post which ‘disappeared’ when I clicked the ‘post’ sign. So I wrote another halfway and stored it to the draft. That too disappeared and I gave up.
I am surprised this morning that the ‘draft’ appeared.
Nevertheless I shall continue from where I left off later today and use the ‘comment’ slot.
Meanwhile those who are interested, please register your interests, there is no charge and no obligation. This is simply the first step to get a like-minded group meeting to discuss where we agree and where we agree to disagree, hopefully leading to a more cohesive and enjoyable trip. Ladies are also invited and I am sure they will make better company than just us men. We will definitely be accomodating.
Hi Charles,
Trip sounds interesting. Please include me. As I am working full time, my problem is whether or not my leave application will be approved on the date which is eventually scheduled. I assume that applies to everyone in full time employment.
Cheers.
Hi Charles Chua,
The F n E tour sounds interesting.
Agreed with AndrewK at #1,
…Could you pls.pen out a itinerary with length of travel, likely programs and schedules from Thailand to Cambodia/Vietnam with estimate costs ?
At least,we get an idea where we are heading etc… Otherwise it would be moong char char.(translated groping in unchartered territories.
SC
Hi to everyone in this thread,
As the no. of interests increase, we will arrange a lunch or dinner get-together to share info and get some agreement. Please kep registering your interests here or if you like, just ‘watch this space’.
Meantime I shall share with you a trip I made last year and I await your comments as to whether they are your ‘cup of tea’ or simply plain ‘dullsville’.
Last year, after a trying time with the kids, I drove up alone to M’sia. I passed through Muar, where I had a very good ‘Sungai Rengit’ type dinner in Parit Jawa, bought some very good M’sian books, took in a movie, and had breakfast in Muar which is like Sgp some 30 years back. They still have tim-sum in the coffeeshops and hawkers on tricycles. I also passed Batu Pahat but did not stay in Hotel Katherine. Actually that hotel was very close and I did not stay there only because I wanted dinner in the restaurant opposite where I stayed (quite good).
I then drove up to Malacca, using the old coastal road (not recommended). Well Malacca is well known to many of us and I had dinner in a non-descript restaurant which had photos of Goh CT and Ong TC eating there. I am sure I ate the same food as them as their repertoire is limited, (but still satifactory). Next day I drove to Port Dickson and toured the lighthouse. Despite my many visits to PD, I still haven’t found a reason to visit there.
Then I proceeded north. Just south of KL Ihad a satay dinner in that ‘famous’ place, (starts with a K), also not recommended.
In KL since I do not know what places to visit, my stay there was uneventful. Food was quite good and I believe if you know KL well there is a lot of good food around, PJ Klang etc. I stayed in Bkt Bintang which is always convenient for everything, food travel proximity to LRTs etc.
I then drove up to Ipoh and missed my ‘white water rafting’ in Gopeng as I was alone. If we go in a group, they can accomodate us immediately.
I write as an example to show those interested that Msia has something to offer by way of a laid back holiday. How many of you are interested in or have not seen fireflies, the Pedas hotsprings, Awana, Lumut, Pangkor Island, the castle in Ipoh, Fraser’s Hill, Maxwell Hill, the leaning tower in Taiping, Tambun caves in Ipoh, had Peranakan food in Penang (not M’cca) or even taken a ferry to Langkawi from Penang. And this is only the West coast.
So for those who are similarly inclined, we could gather 1,2 or 3 cars and drive up for 3/4 days and see where we land up in M’sia. This would be a good pathfinder trip before we engage in a longer one , which ever it may be.
Cheers
But I stress this is not a trip for those
Wow! This is very interesting.
Charles, I am gamed. Your last para trails off …”But I stress this is not a trip for those…” damsels in distress??
Hi Charles at #5
Can have more concise on your adventure schedule with appropriate sections and sub sections.
Am keen to explore this as a travel trip.
Cheers,
Andrew
Hi Andrew K, Rons’ K and W, SC, Alice S and Gingko,
Thanks for your expression of interests. Can you let me know if you are interested in the Phuket trip or a Msian trip, and for how long, as we can adjust. Maybe when we have some more interests we can have our first meeting.
The intinerary is not yet fixed and the Msian trip was written just to show what type of a trip it will be. Terence has told me to be more autocratic and to decide the ‘menu’ for all to see. I prefer to be more democratic. Perhaps I am wrong. Let’s see.
Meanwhile I would appreciate if others can contribute their memorable experience on any food, activity, place in Msia or Thai here so we can get more ideas. Otherwise we may be getting the wrong idea completely with disastrous results.
Cheers for now
Dear Charles
You can plan the schedule and recommendation. The customers will give input for your variation and necessary changes to meet customers’ intent.
Marketing and business relationship do not have autocratic behaviours in today’s fluidity and knowledge economy.
You suggest and with input, you should able to make the necessary arrangements that will meet travel plans and intent.
Hi
I just join and still trying to learn to post my profile.
Your trip is a good reason for me to join SHC.
I’ll find time to come along. Suggest you organize Phuket to Siem Reap and do other trips and suggestions later. Allot can be learnt from the first trip.
I have driven from Bangkok to Phuket and Bangkok to Cambodian border on separate trips. I would like to do it again.
If you plan too much details it becomes a conducted tour. Just the route and hotels and the rest, just enjoy. Make sure we don’t have any calculative participants to spoil our fun. So don’t give too much details, they will take it as your responsibility to deliver happiness for them.
Hi
I just join and still trying to learn to post my profile.
Your trip is a good reason for me to join SHC.
I’ll find time to come along. Suggest you organize Phuket to Siem Reap and do other trips and suggestions later. Allot can be learnt from the first trip.
I have driven from Bangkok to Phuket and Bangkok to Cambodian border on separate trips. I would like to do it again.
If you plan too much details it becomes a conducted tour. Just the route and hotels and the rest, just enjoy. Make sure we don’t have any calculative participants to spoil our fun. So don’t give too much details, they will take it as your responsibility to deliver happiness for them.
Well said, Tian Soo.
Don’t have too calculative, “petty/trivial” or domineering person(s) in the group. He/she will spoil all the peace, joy and happiness.
So, Charles, you have another input, plan the key facts will do.
So long the costs and plans are reasonable, they would be OK.
Hi Tian Soo,
Welcome to the club. You should be able to add to this club. When you have the time, can you pen some of your experience here of some of the interesting places you passed along from your trips to Bkk and Siem Reap.
As the monsoon in Phuket starts in the june period, perhaps we should plan on the trip around Aug or Sept. What are your thoughts on the drive? When would be a good month to avoid the rain and the heat? Much obliged.
To Ron Koh, can you ask your friend to arrange a trip as he sees fit and we will all blindly go along? I am quite game.
Much obliged too.
Charles Chua
I’m interesting, please keep me in the loop. Thanks
Hi CharlesC,
You have done well with getting into Posts and Comments. Right track, so I wont elaborate.
Glad to find someone like yourself, and with an interest in touring Thailand. I love your travel to all parts of Thailand by car. So, I shall remember you and when I have more time during my retirement, I would travel Thailand with you. Keep this activity ongoing, and even for short, less than a week trip, I may join you. And, do consider the Nov Chiangmai-MaeHongSon camping trip too.
Terence Seah
Hahaha!!
I like that: Calculative participants!!
“How many of us are there, hah? Let me count again…. we started with 27, now… 23, 24…? Aiyah! Are they still in toilet or shopping?”
“Let’s see now… there are nine of us… and the bill is Baht1,095… divide by seven is… OK,… 121.666666. Anyone got any more one baht coins?!”
Hi Charles C
The last trips I made was more to test a friends brand new car.We visited unknown places with no names, meet people going about their regular life, eat anything that looks appetizing, no itinery, start to search for a place to sleep before sunset each day.
The weather in South Thailand is not really very extreme. So anytime is good time. Rain and heat will always be there. Just stay away from flooded area. The trunk roads are usually accesssable all year.
Korat in Kau Yai( not sure of spelling) is cool in the nature reserve and good beef steak. There are good golf courses. Excellent for golfing because of the cool weather.
On my trips I relied on my friend to drive wherever he wants, so I don’t know the names of places and didn’t care either.
Adventure is when you venture into the unknown.
I think if you plan 4-6 hours drive a day and leave the rest of the time to exploring it will be quite a relax trip. You may want to pre book hotels if the group is too large otherwise we will have long debates to select hotels each day.
We need Ron Koh’s friend. Apart from his vehicle, we need someone to order food and read road signs.
Make sure everyone know this is not a conducted tour. It is not an endurance test either. At our age, we do not have to prove anything, just go see and experience life as is. Take what you are given and give what you can.
We have to meet with a good map to work out the route.
Hi Terence,
I have actually asked to be on the MHS-Chiang Mai trip despite knowing that the list is overfull. Will be happy to stay on the reserved list.
Hi Tian Soo,
Lucky you to have a friend with a new car. looks like you can contribute to the group in the forthcoming trip to Thailand. I agree with all your comments in #17. Ron K is now in Pulau Sibu and will be back after the weekend and I will try to contact him then. Hope he is reading this.
I would avoid ‘cheap’ wines if I were you as they contain a lot of sulphites as a preservative. They also give me a headache and I feel dehydrated despite taking an equivalent amount of water.
Have you heard of ‘sian-cha’ tea to reduce cholesterol? Not sure if it works but not much harm done if anyone is interested.
Hi Charles
Thanks for the advise on cheap wine, I’ll spend more next time.
I have been given many boxes of tea to drink but keep going back to coffee…very bad habit. I’ll check my stock to see if there are ‘sian-cha’ Maybe you can describe the contaner for me. I cannot read chinese…very shameful.
Hi Charles
Your writeup on your Malaysian trip is interesting. Hope to join in May if you are organising one at that time. I’ll be in S’pore then and have about a week.
If it’s a durian/food trip trip to just Johore and Malacca, it will certainly interest me.
Regards
Joan (Perth)
Hi Charles
Your writeup on your Malaysian trip is interesting. Hope to join in May if you are organising one at that time. I’ll be in S’pore then and have about a week.
If it’s a durian/food trip to just Johore and Malacca, it will certainly interest me.
Regards
Joan (Perth)
Hi Joan,
An early welcome to you here in Singapore.
Please watch this space as if there are enough interested persons we can easily do a trip.
Hi Tian Soo,
Heard this from a friend. He had a friend who was scheduled to go for a bypass opn. As he was reluctant he pushed it to a far-off date. Meantime he drank this hawthorn(sian cha) tea daily for some months. Then he went back and lo and behold his cholesterol was gone. I personally do not know him directly but I tried the tea and found it ‘ok’. After some months I got tiered of it and stopped. But since I am not on medication nor under observation, I have no basis for the conclusion. My attitude is that the drink was acceptable so I took it as any other drink. Simply go to any Chinese medicine shop and ask for the hawthorn, it’s packed like some chrysanthemum tea, boil and add sugar or honey or brown molasses to taste and voila, say your prayers. It would be interesting if your cholesterol count declines sharply during your intake. You can then market it as a wonder tea. Actually it is not a tea. Avoid the ‘hawthorn tea’ sachets, too much sugar.
Good luck and don’t blame me if your hair or fingernails grow longer.
Cheers
Charles Chua,
Is this hawthorn (sian cha) the same as the ones sold as tidbits? The ones that come in thin red slices? and sometimes in round, red balls?
Hi Mary C,
Yes. That’s exactly it. It’s those things that kids like to eat, except that the candy is full of sugar and probably some preservatives. I bought some ‘hawthorn roll-ups’, similar to the A’lian fruit roll-ups, except that this is from PRC and are only 100% hawthorn. As far as I know, you can’t get them here. I still have some left in the fridge if you want to try. They should be better and healthier than the candy, natural sugar, fresh fruit ‘roll-ups’
Hi, all:
Just got back from Hotboys Kelong with a painful (ouch) sun brun and some ‘serious’ sleep deprivation. :o)
I’m afraid Charles, in his enthusiasm, jumped the gun before I could get sufficient details to be able to organise this trip properly.
Actually, this trip was supposed to be personal. The Thai friend I have has been in the tourism business for more than 20 years, and specializes in what he calls ‘safari tours’ mainly for caucasians.
There is a small party of 4 or 5 of me and my other friends who want to make a trip to Siem Reap mainly to photograph the ruins in Angkor Wat. This Thai friend suggested the safari tour beginning from Phuket,where he is based, and ending up in Siem Reap.
He owns two 12-seater mini tour buses, but we originally planned to make the trip on just one. I mentioned the trip in passing to Charles and Andrew Koh, as we still have a few seats in the 12-seater that we could fill.
I’m not sure when this trip can take place, as much depends on the availability of this Thai friend. He has his business and other clients to attend to, and is also contracted to some hotels to provide ‘on demand’ service to fetch or send other tourist to and from the Phuket airport and other places of interest, so he has to leave the second 12-seater for his wife or employees to attend to his contractual obligations.
Also, one of my friends who is part of the trip (for photography) is a self-admitted foul-mouthed, cantankerous, opinionated individual that has a habit of being insufferable. (I have known him for more than three decades, and am somehow able to tolerate his odd-ball ways).
The other problem is that this Thai friend does not want to provide ANY details pertaining to itinery and cost, as he deems this to be an exploratory adventure among friends. (In other words, he deems himself as part of the tour group, and not a tour guide)
I thought of making the trip when this Thai fried is available and able, with enough people (including Mr Disagreeable) to fill the 12-seater who are willing to tolerate anything and travel with a blank cheque. This will give me the opportunity to work on a realistic estimate on the cost and itinery for future trips, should there be enough people willing to make the trip in future.
I should also mention that this is not the trip for picky people who are afraid of the sun, a little grime and dirt and feeding on what most Thais think nothing of eating routinely. And in view of the very limited seats, we really can’t afford a 50+% attrition rate like what was experienced for the Hotboys Kelong trip.
I suggest we put this trip on the back burner until we are in a better position to organize it.
Ron
(ZZZzzzzzzz …….)
Hi Charles,
I have always wanted to make such a trip to M’sia and Thailand. Can I tag along if time permits? Will make an effort to come back just for this. Don’t worry, I’m not calculative:)
ivy
Hi Ivy and a warm welcome here from Singapore.
Of course you can. For the Thai trip we are all awaiting the most important person, ie the Thai guide. I am trying to see if I can arrange the Msian trip and also deciding on the destination and itinerary. I have listed those who have expressed their interests here. Keep in touch here in the SHC website.
Hi Charles,
Am Sue Chan and doubt I’ve met you before. Been reading your thread and the experiences you’ve encountered whilst driving in W. Malaysia.
Referring to your #5, I do agree with you that the satay served at KAJANG, is pretty tasty and its price is reasonable.
I do enjoy driving in to W.Malaysia, to as far as Butterworth, Penang; and should you have any interesting tips to offer, do pen it here, as I will keep tab of this thread.
Cheers!
Sue
Hi Sue C,
Yes, that’s right. The town is Kajang. My memory is terrible now. They are famous for their ‘longer’ satay. A lot of things in Msia are reasonable, fortunately or unfortunately and will stay that way relative to us here.
Most certainly I will keep all interested in this forum.
I am thinking of May (bit soon) or July, after the school holidays. Does anyone have an opinion?
Cheers
Hi Charles,
Count me in, i am a free and easy person.
Just start a small travel company with SHCian as your initial customer base.
Start this thailand by land trip ASAP.
Cheers,
kc
Hi KC,
Good to know of your interest in Thai. I have your name on the list.
I hope Ron K is reading this. I know I jumped the gun but as you can see there’s quite a lot of interests in this type of trip.
Cheers
Hope u can decide on the date and give some detail of the tour soon. it sound very interesting.
Hi Karen, Glad to know you are interested. Is it the Thai trip or the Msian trip.
The Thai trip depends very much on Ron K’s friend.
We can easily organise our Msian trip among ourselves. Some of us have cars and I think if we have 2 as a minimum we can take 6 to 10 people.
As a start I would like those interested to state their preferences,like length of stay, say, 3/4 to 7 days. That will determine how far up north we can drive? What destination, East coast or West coast or anything is acceptable?
Would anyone start?
Thanks
Hi Charles & all,
Agree with Charles…May is a bit too soon as we prefer to avoid the school holidays. Since this is our first F & E trip, perhaps we could target a shorter stay of 4/5 days…extendable if we still have the stamina. I’m easy with the destination although I have yet to explore the East coast. I’ll leave this to Charles and those who drive. Fyi, I cannot drive but can read maps and keep driver awake…hahaha. Charles, why don’t you draw out something base on a 4/5 days trip. Just my 5 cents worth…
Hi Charles & All,
Am keen to join for the M’sian or Thai trip – maybe can start by having short trip eg. 3D2N to M’sia & then plan a longer one such as 5D4N to Thailand – just a thot, for consideration. Agreed – for working pple, cant take very long leave.
Regards
Hi CharlesC,
Please keep me posted on your short trip.
TQ
Rene
Hi Charles and All
I am very interested in the Thai trip, depending on the month of travel. Please keep me informed.
I am quite familiar with where to visit and what to eat in M’sia, especially Ipoh (Perak) and Penang. May not remember the road names as they change frequently from one language to another within days but can remember the iconics must-see.
Hi Charles & all
i am keen to join for the trip,please keep
me informrd
thank you
HI Pearlyn, Rene, Audrey and Joyce,
Will keep all of you informed. Will use this medium of communication.
BTW Audrey, can you share with us some of the places that you know to generate some interests here. Thanks and Cheers
Hi Charles
I am keen in both Malaysia & Tailand trip, please include me. Thanks.
Hi guys!!
From Phuket to Bangkok to Siem Reap is a huge distance!!
Can you give a suggested time (no. of days) for this trip?
And also the costs involved?
Is a visa required for Cambodia? How much?
i’ve just done a coach trip to Hat Yai and Songkhla… not a touring trip, but find the ride very strenuous.
In July, my friend intends to drive to Phuket from Singapore, and then on to Bangkok. So I can let know how it is then.
Please note that August and September are rainy months in Thailand, esp Bangkok and Phuket.
Kenneth @ #42:
Bangkok was never in the original plans. Don’t know how that came into the picture.
Ron Koh
hi SCHians!
to lim tian soo, you are so right about calculative ppl. they wud spoil the easy-going fun that is vital in a trip like this.
during the 80’s, I did make a trip with 2 of my friends, driving up from singapore to the border of thailand, friendship bridge. the trip was originally slotted for 3-4 weeks but ended a 3-mth trip. it was an experience of my life.
I hope & looking forward to such trips. but I’m juz not sure of the timing. I may or may not start a project from june 1st, so not sure. so, I juz wanted to say I’m very keen subject to the timing. I simply luv these free & easy trip and lots of opportunities for shutterbugs like myself.
let’s see …. crossing my fingers …
good initiative!
cheers
jeremy
Hi Susan C,
Glad we met tonight.
If you going to Png, I can suggest 4 places for food. Go to Pulau Tikus for durians. I don’t eat durians but they have ‘red prawns’ “Ling Fong Cher” (Jackie Chan’s wife?) and a variety of other durians, quite creamy too. Have your lunch in a Peranakan restaurant in the mall opposite the E & O hotel. The mall used to be an old garage, but now refurbished. And have Png ‘char kuay teow in Leboh Kimberley. These are my best bets as I still remember them after eating them years ago (durians excepted)
Happy and safe travelling.
Hi Charles
I have been to Maxwell hill. It’s also known as Bt Larut, further up Taiping. The place is not well known but very nice with fresh air & very quite. It’s not commercialise. It will be good if you can include this place in your itinery.
Pls include me & let me know the dates soonest as I need to book my leave in advance.
Thanks & regards
Linda
Hi Linda,
You are right. I actually quite like Maxwell Hill. Did you climb up or did you take the landrover up? I counted 19 hairpin turns on the way up. Maybe I was dizzy and overcounted. Will recount the next time. You can also boat in the lake next to it. It’s only nice in the morning. Did you visit the ‘leaning pagoda’? Taiping is off the NS highway and is quite a detour and because it is a DAP stronghold, the roads are still the same 20 years ago. With this new state govt, hopefully they will get a fair deal. I will support you if the group votes for Taiping, especialy Maxwell Hill.
Jeremy@44
Oh, the envy of your trip… a 3-4 week trip stretching to 3 months!!
I think many SHCs cannot cnosider anything more than 3 weeks, even those who are fully retired.
And if it’s free-and-easy… free-wheeling and no time limitations… oooohhhhh…
I wish, I wish!
Hi Charles
You have very intimate knowledge of Pininsular Malaysia. I have not driven above KL for over 15 years. Things must have changed allot. Do you want to make a trip with me?
I bring my car, we take turns to drive. Go up east coast and come back west coast or vice versa, 1-2 weeks trip. I can take 2 more people in my car. Maybe Jeremy Tan would like to join?
I’ll be golfing in China from 16th-20 May. then I stay at home and be good for 2 weeks and we can go.
Hi Tian Soo
If it is one week after 10 May, can join you folks. Then count me in.
Cheers,
Hi Tian Soo @49,
Firstly I don’t have intimate knowledge about Msia. I only share my previous experience that I know and some that I heard. I hope not to disappoint you or others.
I am still trying to make a trip for all the SHC members, so why don’t we combine the 2. You are suggesting 2 weeks after May 20th, about June 4th. That would bring us to the upcoming school holidays. Some may prefer to travel during the school holidays, some prefer to drive up after. I am in a dilemma as to which.
If you are agreeable I will e-mail you my tel # and we can work out a week and I will post it here. That will confirm the trip for all who are interested. BTW I will be having lunch with afew SHC members next Wed at Waterloo Str at the Singapore Council of Women Orgns at 1 pm. would you be interested?
Hi Charles @50
Nice talking to you. Sorry for ‘jumping the gun’ in your thread. I was just looking for travel kakis. Please continue to organize your trip. I’ll join you if I can.
For those who are interested to travel with me to Malaysia they can email me direct.
Hope to see you for lunch.
Hi Lim TS @ 52,
Just remember, my middle nme is ‘kaki’, so I can commit for a week after the school holidays. I leave the itinerary up to you and will say only what I know you can expect from the point destination you plan. Cheers.
Kaki Charles
Hi Charles @ #45,
Yes, we finally met at the Flea Mart, at least we are aware of whom we are communicating with eh!
Thanks for your recommendations as regards to good local Penang food, apart from Gurney Drive, where I usually patronise. You are indeed another food gourmet, and it would be great to get such good tips from you for anyone driving in to W.Malaysia.
Perhaps someday I would co-ordinate such a drive up to W.Malaysia, and you assist me in planning an itinerary with sightseeing, coupled with good food etc.
Meanwhile, just keep tab of this forum…
Cheers!
In fact
Apology for typo error on #54….~~
In fact should be DELETED!
Hi charles
I went up to Maxwell Hill abt 5 years ago by landrover. My heart was skipping each time the driver made a sharp turn. I was praying very hard all the way up. However, I still find it very worthwhile to go again.
Lake Taiping is another interesting place besides its old town having cheap & good food. I did not visit the ‘leaning tower’.
Members, pls come forward & vote for Taiping.
Count me in this Msia/Thailand adventures too.
Taiping Garden with its lake, a zoo next to it and nearby Maxwell Hill Resort are beautiful places to see. A regular jeep service provides an exhililarating ride up a single lane road with several sharp turns. If you can stomach it, the scenery and cool air at the top is worth the spin. Just note the drivers are very experienced and have good track records.