So once we have had a change of plans... I have actually been diagnosed with a stress fracture in my left foot (was actually a result of my half marathon - it's just taken me this long to get around to having it diagnosed), so a trekking holiday is out of the question. DH and I briefly considered following much the same itinerary, but thought it would be a waste to go to such beautiful places and perhaps not be able to take in all the scenery on a long walk.
Two alternatives came to mind. We had actually been eyeing off George Town, Penang to be part of our original plans, but it was going to be too hard to fit into the itinerary. I also remembered back when I was researching for our last trip to Thailand, coming across some information on the Death Railway and thinking it sounded like an interesting place to visit (and right up DH's alley with all the war history). So, in a nutshell, here is our new itinerary...
Sunday - Jetstar flight Melbourne - George Town via Singapore. Arrive late-ish in the evening and stay at a pretty basic hotel.
Monday - Spend the morning getting a feel for George Town, then head over to Butterworth on the ferry and take the overnight train to Thailand (first class sleepers are currently undergoing maintenance, so looks like we'll be slumming it in 2nd class!).
Tuesday - Arrive in Nakhon Pathom (slightly south west of Bangkok) at around 9am. Find something to do there until about 3pm when we can connect to the train to Kanchanaburi. Arrive in Kanchanaburi about dinner time. I've found a lovely looking hotel I'd like to stay at, but our budget may call for a slightly lower quality option.
Wednesday - This part will probably depend on how my foot is by this time. What I'd like to do is start with an early trip to Erawan Falls, then come back via Hellfire Pass, check out the museum there and possibly take a short hike, and take the Death Railway back to Kanchanaburi.
Thursday - We can have a leisurely day in Kanchanaburi, taking in the Bridge over the River Kwai, and a couple of cemeteries and museum type places. We can probably fit a massage in there somewhere.
Friday - Leave bright and early for Bangkok, where we will start the return journey home. We will be flying business class with Cathay/Qantas on the way home (on points of course), starting with a flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong. Our fare rules only allow a layover in HK of less than 24 hours. DH managed to get us 23 hours and 50 minutes there, but it means we'll arrive in HK pretty late that night, and will probably just get a taxi to Disney's Hollywood Hotel.
Saturday - Full day at HKDL. Would prefer not to be a Saturday, but we'll cope the best we can. I really just want to ride Mystic Manor, see Festival of the Lion King, and pick up some 10th anniversary merch! We fly out for Perth late Saturday night.
Sunday - Arrive in Perth first thing in the morning, spend the day catching up with family we won't get to see at Christmas. Fly out at about 6pm, arrive back in Melbourne pretty late. I am considering booking a hotel in the city for this night so I don't have to waste time going all the way home, then going all the way back into the city again for work the next day.
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I also have some news on our Vietnam trip in November. We have booked our flights there - and managed to get all 6 of us business class seats as far as Singapore. DH and his parents will fly out at about lunch time, and I will follow with SIL and her DH late afternoon. After a night in Singapore, we'll all then catch the same Dragon Air flight to Danang via Siem Reap (no layover here, just a quick touch down to let people on and off). There were only 2 business class seats on this flight, so MIL and FIL will get those.
I've been working on a basic itinerary. I'd like to start with a few nights in Hoi An (I think it's a great acclimatisation city). Then I'm thinking we can catch the overnight train to Ninh Binh, which is known locally as Halong Bay on land, and looks spectacular. I've found accommodation I think MIL and FIL would love. After a few nights there, we can head up to Hanoi on the train (only a few hours). DH and I will maybe have one night before flying out (unfortunately we will only get a week there). We're undecided as to whether we want to send MIL and FIL on to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise, or just give them a few days in Hanoi. SIL and her DH can either stay with us the whole time, or perhaps head to a beach destination for a few days while we're in Ninh Binh.
Anyway, early days yet, but locking in flights is always exciting!
We were originally trying to keep this simple and low-key (as in, just go somewhere and stay put for 5 nights), but that never seems to work out for us!
