Christmas at the Beach

Dear Sonia,

Thank you for all the wonderful arrangements in Krabi and Phi Phi, we had a great time and loved the hotels.

The arrangements were perfect and am really happy with your services...we did not face problems anywhere due to your efficiency..



Archana
Traveled to Thailand in December 2009

Those that mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind!!

Beach Run

Hi Sonia,

I just wanted to thank you for helping my friend and I find a hotel in Phuket. The hotel was great and your help really relieved us of a lot stress. Thank you!

Monica
Traveled to Thailand in January 2010

Nepal Re-Visited - 30 Years Later

Hotels

The Nepalese-style hotel (Kantipur Temple House) in Kathmandu is wonderfully located. The staff are friendly, the rooms large (although without some amenities - like shampoo or a hair dryer), and the restaurant excellent. I had three excellent dinners on all three evenings. The beds are quite hard, but I much prefer that to soft mattresses!

The lakeside at Pokhara seems much more geared towards tourists. The hotel (Hotel Barahi) was more like a western-style hotel and was very good; the staff especially were most helpful.

Transfers

I was met at both airports, and again at the hotel in Kathmandu for the airport transfer en route to Pokhara. However, after being left on arrival at the Pohkara hotel, I was given no information about my departure, nor any contact person. The hotel even thought I was departing at noon on the 20th (my flight was at 09:10). No-one seemed to know what was happening! Eventually one of the receptionists told me not to worry (but without being specific). To be safe, I decided to pay for a car and driver for an hour’s trip to the valley and then be dropped at the airport.

Recommendation: a printed schedule with a summary of transfer activity and contact persons in each city would have been helpful.

Flights

Bangkok/Kathmandu/Bangkok

Both TG flights were excellent and I was very grateful to have a window seat allocated, even on an economy ticket. However, if it is possible actually to request a seat, the ideal seats to Kathmandu are ‘K’ and the ideal seats out of Kathmandu are ‘A’ (rather than ‘A’ and ‘K’). This is because the Himalaya range is on the right as you fly in and the left as you fly out!

Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu

Kathmandu’s domestic airport is a ghastly chaos – the worst I have ever experienced. Once through security, there are no TV monitors, no signs about departures, only intermittent PA announcements – only for Nepal Airlines. Departures of all other flights are shouted by individuals near the boarding gate. What surprised me most about the 3-hour delay was not knowing about it prior to my leaving the hotel. In front of me at the Buddha Air check-in was a group of young Japanese, also going to Pokhara. After I checked in, I followed them into the departure lounge. Chatting with one, he told me their flight had also been delayed, but their guide had held them at their hotel for 90 minutes. So they were able to get their flight quite quickly. Prashant told me he had checked about delays and had been told they were on time. With all respect, I do find this a little hard to believe as all Buddha Air flights that day were considerably delayed. But I fully accept that obtaining information about flights seems to be well night impossible!

Recommendation: since all domestic flights fly by visual flight rules and so are totally dependent on the weather, I suggest your clients be advised to fly out of Kathmandu in the morning (so as to avoid a flight being cancelled – as mine nearly was – if it might have to land after dark). Alternatively, do the relatively short trip to Pokhara by car. (I realise this is what your agent had suggested and that it was I who insisted on going by air!). And since my return flight was also delayed by 2 hours, I suggest clients are strongly advised not to do what I insisted and return on the day of a connecting international flight. Far better to return the previous morning and overnight in Kathmandu.

Sightseeing

Having been there before, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to see. For first time visitors, I suggest the Nepal agent should give them a printed list of possibilities, along with the price if his agency is used. I found his prices (e.g. for car hire) to be very reasonable compared to taxis. Kathmandu, especially, can be quite intimidating on a first visit.

Electricity

I also think it’s worth pointing out to potential visitors that Kathmandu has power cuts of around 3 hours every evening. Some hotels have generators; others do not. It also makes walking around at night rather difficult!

John Duffus
Traveled toNepal in November 2009

Thailand in a Nutshell

Overall our time in Thailand was very good, thanks to your working with us. The Tamarind in Chiang Mai was a wonderful oasis in the middle of a town we enjoyed. The staff could not have been more helpful or friendly; the room was excellent as was the restaurant. Our guide took us to many interesting places with more on his list that we did not have time for. The Temple was amazing to see as it was our first in Thailand. The one slight negative was that he took us to a hill tribe that was difficult to take – very dirty and the children were very aggressive selling their wares. I did not want to see more but he then took us to the government sponsored village where we could see how they make their crafts and enjoyed that. It was a pleasure to purchase some items as they were not aggressive.

Our guide also recommended a local Thai massage and it was so very good: 2 hours for $25 and a very thorough, deep massage. They even took us back to our hotel. We took a tuktuk to the night market and enjoyed that. Please recommend the Tamarind to all your clients.

Bangkok was different: big city with all the good and bad of a big city. Our guide Mickey set things up for us: we would recommend the long boat ride through the canals to see how people on the river live-excellent tour. We had to cancel the Rice Barge Dinner Cruise as I was having an unsettled stomach and eating on a boat would not have worked. I was disappointed as the city at night must be beautiful.

The City tour was a busy and full day and gave us the highlights of Bangkok. Both dinner shows, one in Chiang Mai, were excellent with delicious food and entertainment. Thank you for booking these. The Dusit Thai was a beautiful city hotel with very good service. I would recommend it to anyone.

The hotel for our last day was a perfect choice: we walked to a local restaurant, went back to the room for a rest and shower to leave for the airport at 11 PM. Mickey was on top of things as the military was moving men and tanks into Bangkok that day and she told us to get to the airport as soon as possible as the roads may be closed later. She sent a car in 30 minutes and we were at the airport before 7 PM. We appreciated her help.

Yes, I would recommend Connecting Asia to anyone touring Thailand. You were patient with my requests and it was a good trip. If I go to Asia again I will contact you.


Nadine Larson

Traveled to Thailand in April 2009

Songkran in Bhutan

Bhutan is the most beautiful country I have visited! The towering mountains, traditional Bhutanese architecture and dress, crisp mountain air, and simplicity of life are awe-inspiring and unforgettable.

Here are pictures from our trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/farisbkhader/Bhutan

Overall, we were very pleased with Connecting Asia's professionalism, the local tour guide, and the activities that were arranged for us.

There are two recommendations that we would make for future reference. The first is to advise travellers that a) it will be difficult to withdraw money in Bhutan and b) the Thai Baht - Bhutan Ngultrum exchange rate in Bhutan is one to one, which is not very favorable. For these reasons, it is better to exchange some money before travelling or to carry a strong currency such as US dollars or Euros. Second, the Namsay Hotel in Paro was disappointing - the rooms were dark, the carpeting was old and dusty, and the food was not very good. We would suggest selecting an alternate hotel in Paro.

Overall, it was a very well organized and highly enjoyable and memorable vacation!

Faris Khader & Pawarin Chanaphokin
Traveled to Bhutan in April 2009

Coronation Time in Bhutan

My wife along with 5 friends contacted Connecting Asia to arrange our trip to Bhutan during the Coronation of the new King. The travel arrangements made by Connecting Asia were superb by all standards.

I would like now to share some of our highlights of this trip to the Land of the Thunder Dragon-DRUK.

Day One-We flew into the Paro airport, the only airport in the country. A hair raising approach as there are hills very close to both ends of the runway. Need excellent Pilot skills for this -for sure. Great Landing. Spectacular views. Upon arrival were greeted by Connecting Asia partners -taken to our bus which was big and comfortable. Each of us was then given a personal gift from Connecting Asia-Lovely Gifts too I might add-I was given the traditional Bhutanese dress .Then off we were to Thimpu the capital-Checked into a very nice cozy hotel -had lunch and off we were too see if we could get a glimpse of the new King. Our guide insisted we wait and be patient and through her good advise the patience paid off and not only did we get to see the King but we all got to shake his hand and in turn he gave us all a commemorative coin--How lucky can you get!!!

Day Two-Sightseeing Thimpu- see the market place Ladies with their prayer wheels and beads-went to the zoo to see the rare Taken -animal that looks like a mixture of a goat and a cow-you have to see one to believe me.

Then off we were to Wangdue and up to Punakha. The roads are winding all the way up but once you get to the mountain pass between Thimpu and Wangdue you will be in for a grand surprise -you almost get the entire view of the Himalayan Range and if you happen to be there during sunset like we were even more spectacular. Before heading off again a nice cup of hot tea did wonders as the weather was getting cold now. Finally arrived at our hotel -all tired -had a good dinner and off to sleep waiting to see what lay in store the next day.

Day Three-Went to the Punaka Dzong before heading on to Paro. All the towns in Bhutan have a dzong, or fort, that was built around the 16th century for defense against Tibet. Now they are used half for government offices and half for monasteries. The Punaka Dzong was grand and in fact the coronation of the King was held here. After lunch we were off to Paro -the same winding road -the drive about 3 hrs and we were back in Paro for a wonderful dinner.

Day Four-An early breakfast for an early start to the Tigers Nest-Along climb about 3 hrs plus -3 of us made it up to the view point about halfway while 3 others went all the way -I made it to the view point -was just too lazy and tired to go all the way-next time perhaps?

After coming down had lunch-got to eat Yak Meat-Tasted quite good I must say. Finally back in town-did some shopping and back to the hotel for a heart dinner.

Day Five -Back to Bangkok.

Finally these are some of the memories I would also like to share:- Every local meal in this country involves a lot of chilies! The national sport is archery. They shoot at that tiny target for the distance of a football field. They dance around between shots when their team members hit the target and when the other team's members miss.

Local women who can't get pregnant come to the Chimi Lhakhang Monastery for a blessing. There are penises all over the place in the monastery and even painted on the outside of houses in this town. For a Buddhist country it is very progressive. They like to drink and party, they can choose who they marry and even divorce.and even women can have 2 husbands. It was clean without all the crazy traffic or people begging that I am so used to here in Asia. The houses were different, more like swiss chalets. The locals have a unique dress, somewhat formal.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST -WITHOUT CONNECTING ASIA ALL THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE FOR ME AND MY FRIENDS SO TO ALL YOU FOLKS OUT THERE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO TRAVEL WITH A DIFFERENCE-THEN CONNECTING ASIA IS THE ONE YOU NEED TO GET CONNECTED TO.

Ashok
Traveled to Bhutan in November 2008

From Wales to Bhutan

I would like to thank Connecting Asia for providing me with a unique experience during my holiday in Bhutan. All travel arrangements and accommodation was comfortable. The guide was able to show us aspects of the unique nature and philosophy of life in Bhutan. We were made to feel an integral part of the cultural activities and the daily life of the people. Everyone greeted us with a good heart

To visit Bhutan during the coronation and being able to meet the king was an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I must thank Connecting Asia for arranging the itinerary around this event.

I would highly recommend and travel with Connecting Asia in the future especially to Bhutan.
Stephen Pratt
Wales
U.K

Traveled to Bhutan in November 2008