Thailand

[Flashheart]

I've never actually been diving (what a waste)

I've done plenty of snorkeling though, that is breathtaking in itself. Snorkeling of Phi-Phi in particular was mesmerising.

And yeah, Bangkok is an amazing city. Is see things out here that still surprise and fascinate me now.

[nochee]

I've never actually been diving (what a waste)

I've done plenty of snorkeling though, that is breathtaking in itself. Snorkeling of Phi-Phi in particular was mesmerising.

And yeah, Bangkok is an amazing city. Is see things out here that still surprise and fascinate me now.

Scuba diving is fantastic if it's what you have chosen to do and not been forced into by a friend. I used to be an instructor and saw this happen many times. There are people who are fully confident, to,  scared but curious. Once/If you get past the training in the pool you will love being in the ocean.

Tips for Bob regarding diving (if you fancy it)

Koh Tao is a very good and very cheap place to learn to dive. You can often get room deals chucked in with every dive course. The standard of accommodation is pretty good too. Ardiles got a little bit excited when he said that Koh Tao is second to none for diving. It's definitely not a bad place to dive, far from it. It can throw up some pretty interesting things on the right day and the conditions are usually spot on.

The sardine run in South Africa is probably the best dive experience, in my opinion. Yet, I have not been to the Galapagos islands, these are supposed to be pretty special.

[mystical_goat]

Galapagos was incredible diving; loads of giant turtles, rays, sharks, and lots of small to large fish that I can't remember. The Great Barrier reef was superb for coral environments but there was much less scope to go exploring compared to the Galapgos. I've only ever done snorkelling in those places, not full tank-on diving.

Egypt is supposed to be one of the best countries in the world for diving.

When I went in Thailand (Phangnan) it was cloudy as fuck and you couldn't see more than 3 feet in front of your face.

[Bob's Orange]

Quick one probably for Flashheart.

We are going to be based in Bangkok for another couple of nights before our flight home and it co-incides with my gf's birthday. So I am looking for a really nice hotel to book for the last couple of days in Thailand.

Any suggestions?

[Flashheart]

Have a look at this place: http://www.woraburi.com/woraburisukhumvit/ I know a couple of people that have stayed there and were happy with it. The prices are very reasonable too for the location.

There's a lot of nightlife and shopping to be had nearby and it's close to a sky-train which makes getting about the city easy.

[Bob's Orange]

Have a look at this place: http://www.woraburi.com/woraburisukhumvit/ I know a couple of people that have stayed there and were happy with it. The prices are very reasonable too for the location.

There's a lot of nightlife and shopping to be had nearby and it's close to a sky-train which makes getting about the city easy.

Thanks Flash.

Thankfully my missus hates shopping but we enjoy the nightlife!!

Any more you can recommend. Looking for somewhere with a bit of a view/romantic stylee if possible.

Not too fussed about cost (as long as its not extortionate) as it will be for a birthday treat.

[Flashheart]

Ironically I'm not really the person to ask as I have no need for hotels out here.

You could try this place which is well known and in a great location: http://www.imperialhotels.com/imperialqueenspark/accommodation-en.html

Sheraton on Sukhumvit might be another good call.
Maybe you could try this place: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?language=en_US&propertyID=3409 never stayed there myself but there's a good bar downstairs that I drink in at times, plus a cool rooftop bar.

Asides from that there's gzillions to choose from. Sukhumvit or Silom roads is where it's all at.

[Saxondale]

For what its worth I stayed at this place

Metropolitan Bangkok     
27 South Sathorn Road   
Tungmahamek    Sathorn

Very nice, probably very expensive, didnt seem too far from loads of nice tourist places.   

[Bob's Orange]

Thanks a lot for the feedback Saxondale and Flash.

Think we are staying at the Lebua which appears to be in Silom when we arrive, whats that area like?

[Flashheart]

I don't know the area near the hotel at all. You are just a couple of stops away from Patpong though which is one of Bangkok's more notorious night spots.

[Bob's Orange]

Ok, looks like we have a vague plan for travel in Thailand. As the weather apparently isn't the best on the Andeman region, we are sticking to the east side. So it looks like Ko Samui, Ko Chang and Ko Samet are looking the best bet for island visits and possibly somewhere on the around the Chompung region as apparently down here is a good place to get away from Tourists for a bit.

We are trying to get a Chang Mai visit in as well but it takes so long to get to on the train - 12 hours that I am not sure if its worth the effort. Would anyone recommend we take the time to visit the north of Thailand? Ideally we'd probably need a month to make the most of it, but in 2 weeks I guess we are going to have to miss out a bit.

To say I am excited about this holiday is an understatement!!

[Anteater]

Don't think you can go wrong anywhere really, such a beutiful place and people so friendly. All places mentioned so far are great but as you say you'll need a month to get around all of them. Kanchanaburi isn't too far from Bangkok and a beautiful area to visit (or stay overnight), plenty of history although particularly sad regarding World War 2 stuff and the death railway interesting museum and fantastically well kept cemetary for allied troops). Very interesting nevertheless and you can do a train trip along the railway itself to the Myanmar border and back within half a day, very scenic trip.
Bangkok itself a vey exciting and interesting place to see (try the Chinese quarter).
Plus don't be scared to sample the street food, usually deicious, cheap and ok on the stomach.

[nochee]

Bangkok-chiang mai with air Asia or possibly even thai airways can be cheap as chips. Sleeper trains are also great fun, clean and comfy.

[Bob's Orange]

Don't think you can go wrong anywhere really, such a beutiful place and people so friendly. All places mentioned so far are great but as you say you'll need a month to get around all of them. Kanchanaburi isn't too far from Bangkok and a beautiful area to visit (or stay overnight), plenty of history although particularly sad regarding World War 2 stuff and the death railway interesting museum and fantastically well kept cemetary for allied troops). Very interesting nevertheless and you can do a train trip along the railway itself to the Myanmar border and back within half a day, very scenic trip.
Bangkok itself a vey exciting and interesting place to see (try the Chinese quarter).
Plus don't be scared to sample the street food, usually deicious, cheap and ok on the stomach.

Kanchanaburi is where the bridge over the River Kwai is isn't it? Thats on the list to visit as well anteater.

I can't wait to sample the street food either, I love Thai food but can only imagine how nice the real deal is!

[Bob's Orange]

Bangkok-chiang mai with air Asia or possibly even thai airways can be cheap as chips. Sleeper trains are also great fun, clean and comfy.

There is a really useful website called seat 61 which has a load of advice on train travel and the sleeper trains look pretty good.