Phuket Thailand - Yet another Australian newbie but with questions.

mjwx · #1 22-02-2008, 21:47

Hi Everybody,

I've been reading this forum since about a month before my first trip to Phuket in Oct 07. I'm planning another 2 week trip in May so I'd like to introduce myself and ask a few questions.

Weather in May, what can I expect. It rained for all but one day of 1 of my 14 days last time and I spent that one day bed ridden with a bad hangover.

Hotel in BKK, I will more than likely be stopping over in BKK on the way there and way back, is there a good hotel that people can recommend fairly close to Suvarnabumi?

Summer breeze or C&N? both of these hotels seem to be highly recommended by other BM's is there a preference and will they be booked out for May (flights with Thai Air seem to be disappearing fast).

And finally, not really asking for answers, just opinions. Is it a good idea to take my guitar? I'm learning electric guitar but I have an acoustic that I started on, in other words two weeks on holiday gives me plenty of time for practice, would the other guests object to my attempts to play Pearl Jam and Metallica on acoustic?

briofoz · #2 23-02-2008, 06:32

G'day mjwx, WTTB, I have been in May, and the weather was good, a few showers, but not enough to make you troppo.

The Thai flight from Brissie/Sydney arrives about 10pm. On our trip we overnighted at Nana Hotel, and took in Nana Plaza.....Nana Hotel Disco and carpark is worth the experience. As for a hotel close to Airport....well, "One Night in Bangkok", i'd be in town enjoying it.

I have stayed at Summer Breeze, and it's certainly close to the action (as is C & N). SB is in Soi San Sabai, and lots of BGs use this Soi to get to and from work...makes it a great place to watch the world go by. SB also has free use of a Swimming Pool about 100m away.

I travel light, and IMO, I'd leave the guitar at home, and try and borrow/buy one when you get there. I find it a pain just carrying a lappy.

shez21 · #3 23-02-2008, 12:17

Welcome to the board.
I stayed in May 2006 and it only rained a few times.....nothing to spoil the holiday.
I agree with BRIOFOZ......have a look around BKK.....more than 1 night would be better.
I would stay in the Sukhumvit area as it is close to a lot of the action such as Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy and Beer Garden.
The Sky Train is also handy for getting around.
I have stayed at Majestic Suites and Swiss Park Hotel. Both were good hotels but I found Swiss Park to be better value when it came to size of room and breakfast.
Enjoy!

Devman · #4 23-02-2008, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjwx

Hi Everybody,

And finally, not really asking for answers, just opinions. Is it a good idea to take my guitar? I'm learning electric guitar but I have an acoustic that I started on, in other words two weeks on holiday gives me plenty of time for practice, would the other guests object to my attempts to play Pearl Jam and Metallica on acoustic?

I certainly wouldn't want to hear you playing a guitar at any hotel I was staying in. But you can't really be serious!

floppy · #5 23-02-2008, 20:40

wttb..I think someone playing a guitar in the room next to me would be met with the same greeting as a farang busking on bangla!

MassMoose · #6 23-02-2008, 20:47

wttb!
I would stay near Nana area also as I do already

If someone was learning he guitar in the room next to mine, I might be inclined to play the wall drums.

ChoakMyDee · #7 23-02-2008, 23:19

I don't know about the other stuff but regarding the guitar, I have been travelling with a Taylor acoustic travel(miniature guitar with full 22 fret fingerboard) guitar for years. They are great...it fits in the overhead luggage so you don't have to check it in the baggage. If you really like to play guitar there is no reason why you cant bring one and bring a little common sense...such as I never bang away at it late at night where noise could be a problem(from 10PM to 10AM say). Then again I usually don't stay in hotels where you could hear someone playing guitar next door...you guys stay in hotels with paper thin walls? I usually just fingerpick or play scales quietly anyway so I have never had a problem. If you really want to play it hard, there is another option...you could get an electric practice travel guitar...they have the full 22 frets but a reduced body size so it's easy to travel with...you use headphones when you play so nobody is disturbed.
I've had trips where I brought the guitar and never played it once. I've had trips where I played it every day. I've had trips where I didn't bring it and cursed myself because I got the urge to play and couldn't. I think if you are serious about the guitar then there is no question...YES take it everywhere you go! People who don't play guitar will never understand...don't listen to them.

Have fun on your next tour.

Maverick351 · #8 24-02-2008, 04:44

wttb mjwx, and enjoy the trip without the guitar.
You'll be playing a different instrument which has some black strings attached.

Evilbaz · #9 24-02-2008, 05:30

WTTB Aussie - bring a shirt so you don't upset some BMs!
BTW my signature doesn't refer to guitar strings - although they can be electric and acoustic.
Enjoy your trip.

ChoakMyDee · #10 24-02-2008, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilbaz

WTTB Aussie - bring a shirt so you don't upset some BMs!
BTW my signature doesn't refer to guitar strings - although they can be electric and acoustic.
Enjoy your trip.

What signature would you be referring to? I don't see one.

Evilbaz · #11 24-02-2008, 14:44

Thanks CMD for alerting me to the Signature malfunction.
Hopefully it appears here.
If not - I'd rather be mentally challenged than dentally challenged.
EvilBaz

georgelondon · #12 24-02-2008, 14:58

hi welcome to the board. your dilemma of which hotel to choose, there can only be one "summer breeze"

enjoy your trip!

Evilbaz · #13 24-02-2008, 15:11

Hi CMD
My first post to this Forum alerted BMs to me being technologically challenged.
Now I'm just effing confused.
I have ticked all the boxes for my signature, previewed it, posted it and it worked for a while but now has disappeared - which makes that post more meaningless than most of mine.

HERE is what should appear "below the line".

There's many a good tune played on an old fiddle - depends on how you pluck the strings.

P.S. when I preview this post the signature shows - when I post it - not shown.
WTF!! Mods please explain.

mjwx · #14 24-02-2008, 15:25

Thanks for the replies everyone,

Flights are booked and I've made a reservation at the Summer Breeze. I would have liked to stay in BKK for more than one night but if I did that I would have missed out on the cheap flight. The only problem I have now is that I have to wait for May.

I already have a hard travel case for my acoustic and have travelled domestically and internationally with it, thus far have not had a problem. As a general rule, I only practice between mid afternoon and early evening.

EvilBaz, don't worry I have a T-shirt. Would this one be suitable. BTW your signature still isn't showing up.

faultytowers · #15 24-02-2008, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilbaz

P.S. when I preview this post the signature shows - when I post it - not shown.
WTF!! Mods please explain.

Don't know if this still applies but as stated in the "Frequently Asked Questions" sticky in the "Newbies Area:

Quote:

Why doesn't my signature show?

A signature will show after 300posts. This is the number set by the forum administrator Nicke

Evilbaz · #16 24-02-2008, 15:33

Thanks FT - another case of RSI coming up!

ThaiLearner · #17 24-02-2008, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilbaz

Hi CMD
My first post to this Forum alerted BMs to me being technologically challenged.
Now I'm just effing confused.
I have ticked all the boxes for my signature, previewed it, posted it and it worked for a while but now has disappeared - which makes that post more meaningless than most of mine.

HERE is what should appear "below the line".

There's many a good tune played on an old fiddle - depends on how you pluck the strings.

P.S. when I preview this post the signature shows - when I post it - not shown.
WTF!! Mods please explain.

You need to haver a certain amount of posts before it appears.