Lets take the night train to Bangkok - it will be a fun experence!

Lets take the night train to Bangkok - sounds like a song title doesn't it, sounds like it could be fun, bar car, restaurant car, yes,  lets do this, it will be a fun experience - OMG!

We had the option of taking a bus that would arrive in Bangkok by 9pm,   or take the night train.      For a reason that I'm not entirely sure of anymore, the majority of us decided on the night train,  maybe to save on the cost of a hotel for the night.   That in itself is crazy as hotels are very cheap in Bangkok.    I think it may have been the idea of a bar car and a restaurant car - visions of the Orient Express came to mind,  the countryside rushing by as we enjoy some food and a a drink with our friends,  our last meal together as a group. 

So off we went to the station arriving in plenty of time for the 10 pm train.    While we waited for our train,  another train came by, we could see the dining car,  the bunks looked nice, yes we thought,   this looks lovely - good decision.

But when our train arrived it wasn't quite a nice as the one before,  in fact it looked decidedly dodgy.    We piled on to find skinny corridors, with green curtains pulled across for the passengers already sleeping on the train.    We all got a little giggly at the situation as we assessed our bunks and where we were going to put the backpacks and cases.  During the process, someone put a pack on the Guards hat which must have been sitting on one of the luggage wracks,    so he immediately took a dislike to us.  Who could blame him,  the noise we made must have woken everyone. 

Another thing I'm not quite sure of is why I chose the upper bunk.   The cost difference was 720 for the lower bunk or 660 Thai Bhat for the upper bunk.   It sounds a lot,  but in reality it was only a couple of bucks, a very silly choice as it was hell getting up there and I hit my head on the roof each time in the cramped little area.

After we got over the initial shock of the bunks we set off to find the dining/bar car.     We went one way and came to a dead end,  so we turned around and went the other way.   Deadend!    Turns out there was no dining/bar car on this train at all.   It was so dissapointing,  there was nothing to do but to try and sleep behind the little green curtain with the lights on all night. 

Meanwhile our friends had been served a refreshing drink as then entered their bus to Bangkok,  and by 9 pm were checking in to their lovely hotel room to enjoy a night in a comfy bed.

Wrong decision,  but it was definitely an experience I won't forget!

Elephant pants to Fur Coats

There couldn't be more of a contrast between my last trip to SE Asia and the one I am about to take Russia.

In Thailand we slept on the floor in a large dorm type room with 7 wonderful women, a long way from the outside bathroom,  with no AC,  only cold water and the temperature around 35 (95) degrees, with mulitple roosters that would start crowing at around midnight and go all night.   An amazing experience becuase we were living in a Thai village with our own elephant, so 'normal Western comforts'  were something we could do without - albeit with a few complaints here and there as we struggled to get our aching backs upright in the morning.     

This time I am staying at the Four Season Hotel in St. Peterburg - a 19th century Russian Royal palace, taking the high speed Train in stark contrast to the overnight train to Bangkok (another story all together),  to the Four Seasons Hotel in the heart of Moscow - close to Red Square and the Kremlin.   It will be very cold,  I will have a beautiful room, a comfry bed with an ensuite bathroom all to myself.   What a contrast!

I'm leaving all my many pairs of elephant pants behind that I bought in the markets of Bangkok and switiching to 'business casual' plus a little black dress to attend the Russian Ballet.   

This trip is to discover more about Russia and what it has to offer the foreign tourist. 

I'm so excited. 

Kate
The Little Travel Consultant

Pics from the S.E.Asia trip


(yes,  of course that's fake fur!!)  

The secret world of Airport Lounges

During my last trip to SE Asia I had a 6 hour layover in Hong Kong and thought I would explore the world of Aiport Lounges.  

I was given a Priorty Pass a few years back with my credit card and had always planned to use it but had never got around to it...until last week.  Wow ... it's a whole other secret world behind the counter as you enter the comfort of  Leather captains charis,  fresh coffee in a proper mug and a very relaxing atmosphere away from the hussle and bustle of people wandering around with too much hand luggage.  

I really had no idea about what to expect,  I just thought it was a lounge like any  departure lounge in the airport,  but I was so wrong.  

These lounges are avaiable to everyone even the budget traveller.  No more wandering around crouded airport terminals looking for somewhere to sit and kill some time.   

Check out your credit card options and see if it includes airport lounge access.     
If not, a day pass for one of these lounges vary in price between $45 - 85,  but includes unlimited food and drink usually, so with the prices in the airport restaurants more expensive than outside it may be worth paying for access for a little luxury.  You can pre-order your pass on some of the travel website. 

Check out  LoungeBuddy and you’ll see your airport lounge options. It even gives you info on amenities, reviews and photos allowing you to find the perfect lounge for you. 

Awake in a dream at midnight, alseep in a stream of sunlight (10cc)

Jet Lag!

I don't usually suffer,  but a 12 hour time change is particuarly hard to deal with.  The flights it's self,  the 15 hours was good,  3 movies and 7 hours of sleep,  but trying to get my body used to being awake in the day, and sleep at night had been a bit of a challenge. 

When we travel across multiple time zones we expose our internal biological clock to a different light/dark cycle.    This causes a mismatch in your sleep/wake cycle and makes you feel tired, nauseous, hungry at the wrong time,  awake at the wrong time and throughly messes you up. 

There are multiple thoughts on how to combat jet lag,  take melatonin supplements,  go on a mini fast,  adjust to the new time as soon as you land and don't think about 'what time it was yesterday', get lots of day light,   lay on the ground etc etc.    But I'm not finding anything works this time. 

Recovering apparently depends on the number of time zones crossed, one to two times zones per day.    I crossed 12 time zones,   and it's only day 3,  I guess I have 3 more to go - wow!

Going to live with the elephants for 2 weeks :)

Going to live with the elephants for 2 weeks!!

SO EXCITED!!!!

Starting with a weekend in the country's buzzing capital, Bangkok, we'll then take you to the north-eastern province of Surin where locals and elephants have lived together for hundreds of years.

During the project you'll be getting up close and personal with the friendly giants themselves and living amongst the beautiful people that call this place home; gaining a true insight into the rural Thai culture and lifestyle. Helping out with micro development projects which benefit not only the welfare of the elephants but also the local communities that protect them, you'll leave with an unforgettable experience and new-found friends for life!

https://www.wearebamboo.com/volunteer/thailand/elephants.php

I love joining a group tour as you meet such awesome people with the same love of travel and adventure.  Last year in India and Nepal and met friends,  I have since met up with some in Canada and planning to climb Mt Kilimanjaro next Feb with a friend from Norway and then go on safari. 

Please feel free to join us as I have a group departure booked for Feb 2, 2019

http://www.littletravel.co/kili.html 

http://www.littletravel.co/serengeti-safari.html

9 days, Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok

I flew from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) to join a G Adventures tour which takes us through Cambodia and ends up in Bangkok over the course of 9 days.

I love joining a group tour as you meet such awesome people with the same love of travel and adventure.  Last year in India and Nepal and met friends,  I have since met up with some in Canada and planning to climb Mt Kilimanjaro next Feb with a friend from Norway and then go on safari. 
Please feel free to join us as I have a group departure booked for Feb 2, 2019

http://www.littletravel.co/kili.html 

http://www.littletravel.co/serengeti-safari.html

Travel is awesome!!

https://www.gadventures.com/trips/cambodia-experience/AVCW/

Stand in awe of the architectural achievement of Angkor Wat and contemplate the horrors of the Killing Fields at Phnom Penh. This nine-day trip is ideal for the traveller who is short on time but wants to soak up the colours, culture, and history of this incredible region. Its natural beauty coupled with tumultuous history make Cambodia a truly fascinating destination. With your accommodation, transportation, and entrance to Angkor arranged by our CEOs, you can concentrate on making this the time of your life.

Ha Long Bay - descending dragon bay.

The reason I went to Hanoi was to visit Ha Long bay which is about 3 hours from the city, only 150 km to the border with China.   Ha Long Bay has been designated as one of the new seven natural wonders of the world.

I took a two day one night cruise, there are longer options but I think it was long enough for me.

Arriving at the harbour was a little overwhelming, lots of boats, people, construction and more people.    I am sure that it will become even busier in the future, it is quite a developing area.

The boats are all quite old, or maybe they should be referred to as 'authentic', but once on board it was lovely.  I had a nice cabin with an ensuite and a view that would be hard to top - best shower view ever.   Once away from the harbour, maybe 20 minutes, the legendary beauty of the area became apparent.  Pictures do not do it justice.  

The area consists of  over 1500 square km with over 1600 monolithic limestone islands which create the recognizable features we see on Instagram and travel shows.

We were taken to the 'surprising caves ' a series of 3 large caves.   Then to one of the islands where you can hit the beach or climb to the top of  the island, 425 steps, for a spectacular view.     After  a night in one of the bay's we went for an early morning kayak.   After a short cooking class and a good brunch we headed back to the harbour.

A wonderful experience to see this natural wonder up close and in person.