thoughts on Tong's itinery

hey everyone...i have got this itinery from Tong just wondering on what everyone thought and whether there is anything we are missing and should do instead of something else. Were two young females with a shopping problem but want to dedicate one of our four days in bangkok on some sightseeing/traditional/tourist stuff!

- Local Temples.

- Floating Market - take a paddle boat to visit the normal route and non touristy route.

- Royal Thai Handicraft.

- Lunch at the Bridge over the River Kwae.

- River Cruise to visit monkey school. - you can also go there by car if you dont wanna go by boat. (optional) or Sing Ancient City.

- Tiger Temple.

- Feeding wild monkeys.

- Krasae Cave.

- Back to Bangkok.

I emailed back Tong to confirm booking a few weeks ago and havent heard back but i read she is very busy so hoping to hear from her soon as we leave in two weeks and will be unreachable after then (i.e. no computer).

Also can anyone recommend any places (especially in terms of markets/shopping) that would be worth visiting on our other days...just dont want to miss out on anything as we wont have a lot of time to spare there!

thanks!

thoughts on Tong's itinery

I think that is the pretty standard tong itinerary. It%26#39;s pretty much the same as the itinerary I am booked on with Tong%26#39;s teammember Charlie in March.

If you haven%26#39;t already, you could try e-mailing her at tourwithtong@yahoo.com. That%26#39;s another e-mail of hers and she seems to respond to that one more often.

thoughts on Tong's itinery

Hey,

What date are you using Tong? I have her for the 3rd Dec. I am still undecided what to do. She suggested something similar to your itinerary but I am not interested in it. I am probably using her for the Grand Palace, Wat Po, a Klong tour and maybe some shopping or just exploring the city.

I have heard that the Floating markets is too touristy and alot of it didnt really appeal to me... among other suggestions! Just make sure you do your research on what you want to do. Not what everyone else seems to do. I have seen heaps of %26#39;disappointed%26#39; reviews on the floating markets so have decided against it.

I chose to have Tong for the Grand Palace etc as she is a qualified guide with a broad knowledge of the history. I thought I could make the most of my time with her using her for the Grand Palace.

Emjay xx

I think Tong plans the floating markets for the very start of your day so that you arrive before the tourist crowds. She picks you up at 6:30am from your hotel and you head straight to the market, beating all of the mass tour groups that wouldn%26#39;t leave Bangkok until 7:30am / 8:00am.

This is just my understanding from reviews of Tong%26#39;s trips so perhaps someone can confirm?

Yeah that is what I heard too but we arrive late the night before so the last thing I want to do is get up at 6.30am!!!

There is a little part of me that is interested but there is another part that just isnt THAT interested to spend the travel time going out therre!!!

Maybe its the rebel in me that just wants to do something different from the rest of the %26#39;tours with Tong%26#39; although I am yet to decide exactly what that is!!!! :-)

the best part of the floating market was the food (Tong can always find great food) and then getting out of the market area and into the residential areas, seeing the local life. It helped give sojme interesting perspective to what would have otherwise been a pretty touristy experience. The stops along the way from the market were also exceptional. There is lots to do in Kanchanaburi without necessarily going to the floating market if you%26#39;re not into it.

In adddition, I had good experiences making merit with tong. She took me to buy coffins for unclaimed bodies, bought the lives of fish from the market and released them into the river, fed monks, went to the orphanages for an afternoon etc. If Buddhism or ';voluntourism'; interests you at all, you might ask about incorporating some of that into your day. It really gets you in touch with the thai vibe and Tong is so great about explaining everything.

Emjay are you touring specifically with tong or one of her other guides?

Ellen,

Some great suggestions thanks!! I am specifically booked with Tong (booked her months ago!!).. Only 18 more sleeps for me!!

Emjay

Maybe ask her about taking you to the Fisherman Village.

Where is the fisherman village? I havent heard of it?

EmJay

She%26#39;s trying to keep it on the down-low...you may want to talk to her privately about it. I%26#39;ve probably said too much already!

Hi ashOZ

We just did this trip end of Oct we booked too late for Tong but got Tom and he was brilliant.

This trip was one of the highlights of our trip the Tiger Temple is out of this world.