Even though cruising the Greek Isles briefly crossed my mind as my major vacation for later this year, it would still be much more expensive than going to Southeast Asia. Thus, my plans are to return to Thailand (but NOT over-touristy Phuket) and, yes, to Bali. I’m willing to give Thailand another try – in Koh Samui and Bangkok. As for Bali, as much as I’ve tried to stay away, I miss it. So I thought it would be great to go to Thailand first, throw a week in Bali in the middle of the trip, then return to Thailand before flying back to the U.S. Who knew that planning this would cause me such a headache?! Getting 3 round-trip flights to sync wasn’t easy! I wanted to fly straight to Koh Samui for 6 days, then go to Bali for a week and finally return to Bangkok for at least 3 days the last part of October. My flight from the U.S. is direct to Bangkok. However, since my flight to Koh Samui is on a different airline (and I assume that I’ll have to get my luggage from the first airline and recheck it to the second airline), I have to allow myself enough time. To be safe, I’m giving myself about 3 hours between the connections, just in case the process in Bangkok moves along rather slowly. If not, then I’ll have time to relax a bit and check out the airport before jumping on that flight. There appear to be only 2 airlines that fly directly from Bangkok to Koh Samui, one of which is more expensive than the other. After 6 relaxing, sun-filled beach days in Koh Samui (hopefully), I’d wanted to fly directly to Bali on the same day. There’s no way that will happen. There’s only one affordable flight per day from Bangkok to Denpasar. Not only does it fly out of the smaller Bangkok airport, but it departs at 6:15 a.m. The earliest flight out of Koh Samui is at 6:00 a.m. That causes me to have to spend a night in Bangkok before the early morning flight to Denpasar. My other option was to fly another, more expensive airline. Though it departs out of the main Bangkok airport and I could make the connection, I would have to go through Kuala Lumpur and arrive in Bali at 2:30 a.m. Why don’t they make these connections easier? These are all popular places!
There’s already been a first for this trip. I used AirBnB to book my accommodation in Koh Samui. The process was so simple. I picked out a few places, sent messages to the owners confirming availability, then made the payment. Apparently, the payment is held until the day after I arrive at the destination, at which time it is then given to the owner. Choosing which beach in Koh Samui was another major decision. Chaweng is the main party beach; Lamai seems to be the second. Instead I chose Bophut, which is much quieter, seems to have quite an expat population (mainly French), has something called Fishermans Village and a Friday night market. The apartment I found to rent is perfect – beautifully decorated, on the 3rd floor overlooking the pool, on a hill overlooking the beach, has a rooftop gym, free WiFi, flat screen TV, cable, air conditioning, elevator and a full kitchen. The walk down the hill to the beach is 800 meters. The walk back up should provide me some daily exercise were I loathe to use the gym! The price? Less than $60 per night. Well, maybe after the AirBnB fee is added, it might be a little over $60, but still completely worth it. The best part? The owner can pick me up at the airport!
My hotel for my final 3 nights in Bangkok is about to be booked on AirBnB as well. The owner has already pre-approved my reservation; just waiting for me to make the payment. The studio in Bangkok is located in the Sathorn area, is close to the subway, has cable TV, internet, elevator, full kitchen, washer, doorman, game room, gym and a gorgeous rooftop pool. The price for THIS place? Less than $50 a night, even including the AirBnB fee.
I have a hotel in Ubud booked for 3 nights; one that I’ve stayed at many times before. My usual villino in Seminyak prefers that I book 5 nights if booking in advance; otherwise, waiting until 2 weeks before arrival to check availability. I hate leaving things until the last minute, so have looked on AirBnB for a place in Seminyak as well. One woman has already pre-approved me, but I’m waiting to hear from a certain man, as his studio has a plunge pool. Both places are well situated, but a plunge pool really comes in handy when you’re in a hot, humid climate! Apparently, I can simply put my credit card info in for the studio with the plunge pool. If he accepts the payment, then there’s nothing further I need to do. If he doesn’t accept the payment, for whatever reason, then it looks like the other one!
My final dilemma is what to do about the one night in Bangkok en route to Bali. I could probably stay at the same studio that I’ll be staying at for the final 3 days or find another one. Either way, I’ll end up paying for 1 night, plus 2 taxi fares. If I wanted to be crazy, hang out at the main airport the entire day, then take a cab in the middle of the night to the smaller airport, it would only cost me 1 taxi fare. Even if I rent a studio/apartment, I won’t get much sleep. For an international flight that leaves at 6:15 a.m., I’d need to be there at 4:15 a.m. Depending on traffic in Bangkok, which they say is madness, I might have to leave for the airport around 2:00 a.m. What to do?
My plans for Koh Samui? Other than laying by the pool and/or on the beach daily, eating inexpensive and spicy Thai food and taking pictures? Nothing really. I could ride an elephant for the 3rd time, although I read somewhere that I could bathe baby elephants, which would be incredible! Of course, watching more Muay Thai matches is high on my list!
In Bangkok, I MUST see the Grand Palace. I’d also like to see the Temple of Dawn, the Reclining Buddha and the Emerald Buddha. Plus, I’d love to have a drink at that rooftop bar/restaurant that was featured in “The Hangover 2.” I hope 3 days is enough to see all of those things and get around easily in Bangkok.
Bali will be my usual – daily massages and facials, hanging out at the high end open-air bars/restaurants and shopping for silk dresses and silver jewelry.
If I spent 17 days in Greece, I’m sure it would cost me twice as much (probably even more) than my trip to Thailand and Bali. We all know I’m about getting the biggest bang for my buck!
Here are some previous pictures of Thailand (Phuket) and Bali:
Food Vendor
