Overseas Holidays

rodderz · 05-08-2006, 07:23 PM

Been having a few dramas of late, trying to come to a decision for a honeymoon destination for myself and the missus next year.

So far, Thailand is out in front, pretty cheap, warm and sunny. Thought of going to the north then going down to Koh Samui and Phuket. We were told by some that fiji is nice but not as much to do and is pretty pricey.

We also thought of one of the islands off QLD, good weather but more expensive than Thailand

Then we thought of New Zealand, I thought I'de like to do a drive holiday type deal, travel around. Only drama with this is my mind considers a honeymoon to be of warm weather, and considering it will be in June, It'll be bloody freezing

What are people experiences with either these locations, or maybe some others keeping in mind that the budget wont want to be blown out

Cheers
Rod

Scott · 05-08-2006, 07:29 PM

I did Fiji for my honeymoon, my best man did Koh Samui. Fiji wasn't really that expensive, make sure you stay at the best resort as that is where you'll want to hang around. There's just not a whole lot to do in Fiji if you're not into lazing around.

Koh Samui was apparently pretty good and everything was dirt cheap (all the good stuff like massages by the beach etc $200 in Fiji, $3 in Thailand).

I won't be going back to Fiji, the resort was magnificent however the rest of the place is just a dump IMO.

fat289 · 05-08-2006, 08:56 PM

Some ppl's experience with Phuket is they were "BLOW UP"
Why the hell you would want to go to such a backward a$$ place is beyond me

CAMS290 · 05-08-2006, 09:00 PM

Whitsunday's Rodderz....pretty good weather all year round, and your not likely to get blown up either !

Scott · 05-08-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAMS290

Whitsunday's Rodderz....pretty good weather all year round, and your not likely to get blown up either !

Good tip, I had 2 weeks up there at the end of June. Leaving Canberra, it may aswell of been heaven! Was pricey though.

conordec · 05-08-2006, 10:58 PM

Koh Phi Phi is awesome.
Cheap accomodation in Phuket, but do day trips outa there... bit of a sh ithole during the day, beaches are ok, but do the day trips and you'll be laughing.
Cheap food, cheap drinks, cheap day trips.
Leave australia till you're 50+ when you buy a caravan lol.
I've been half a dozen times, Krabi is also pretty good, less tourists/wunkers etc, and great beaches/day trips aswell.... also cheap.

rodderz · 06-08-2006, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAMS290

Whitsunday's Rodderz....pretty good weather all year round, and your not likely to get blown up either !

That could be a cheaper option, we are getting married in QLD so it would only be a plane flight to Proserpine instead of going to an international airport 1st. I'm only wondering about O/S as it's good to do these things now before things settle down, I've been overseas before but the missus hasnt yet (not even to tassie lol)

There is a lot of scenic things to see in Thailand, Phuket would only be used as a base to see other areas. Sure things arent as clean as what they are here but that's part of what it's like there and thats why it's cheaper.

Scott · 06-08-2006, 01:05 AM

rodderz, do some homework on the cost of restaurants etc in the Whitsunday's before you firm up your choice. Expect to pay an average of $40 a main meal & $10 a beer. Worth considering when most of what you'll do is eat and drink (if you drink that is!).

rodderz · 06-08-2006, 01:07 AM

Yup, resorts in Australia charge like a wounded bull, one of the good things about overseas getting everything cheap. But, honeymoons only comes once (twice if lucky lol)

SpoolMan · 06-08-2006, 02:06 AM

Go Tassie get in a nice little cabin in the woods, and do for Australia and collect $4000 from litte Johnny..

:

rodderz · 06-08-2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Go Tassie get in a nice little cabin in the woods, and do for Australia and collect $4000 from litte Johnny..

:

Thats one way to keep warm if we go somewhere where there is a chill in the air :1syellow1

XA-Coupe · 06-08-2006, 10:47 AM

I've been to Koh Samui twice and love it, I have been to Hamilton Island and it sucked. It depends on what you want out of your travels, if you want to learn something about the world and experience a different culture.. go to Thailand. If you want a nice comfortable short journey where nothing is really different.. stay with Aus.

lush · 06-08-2006, 10:57 AM

Fiji islands are gorgeous, but mainland is nothing, a nice resort here and there but thats it. The islands are gorgeous though.

I would stay in Australia myself, there are some lovely places up north QLD and top end of Darwin. May be cheaper in Thailand but these days I dont think I would risk it.

Mexico also looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

rodderz · 06-08-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XA-Coupe

I've been to Koh Samui twice and love it, I have been to Hamilton Island and it sucked. It depends on what you want out of your travels, if you want to learn something about the world and experience a different culture.. go to Thailand. If you want a nice comfortable short journey where nothing is really different.. stay with Aus.

I was in Bali about 5 years back and while some of it is dirty at times, the change of scenery and culture is quite good and makes the experience. These days it has been tarnished, I believe all the problems there are caused not by locals but by those from the rest of the country taking advtange of the place. I've heard it's similar though not as bad in some parts of Thailand.

Would love to go to Europe of US but I think to do that properly you need a fair while to see everything properly

**Falcon Coupe** · 06-08-2006, 08:57 PM

Had my honey moon at the Novatel in Phuket, as a honeymooner you get an upgraded room with a top view, simply stunning, i also considered New Zealand and Vietnam, Thailand was awesome, highly recommended.

flappist · 06-08-2006, 09:04 PM

So you are going to tie the knot up here in sunny QLD, why don't you do the territory by road. Lots to see, no speed limit, heaps of fun, no speed limit, cheap accom, no speed limit, friendly people, no speed limit and ........ahh.... did I mention you can go as fast as you want (within reason)

conordec · 06-08-2006, 09:05 PM

my honeymoons in december....... and i'm going to........... MILDURA!!!

hahahhaaa
gotta go see the relo's that can't come to hong kong for the wedding.

do thailand mate, bali's overated, fiji's boring.

Mick

**Charliewool** · 07-08-2006, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lush

Fiji islands are gorgeous, but mainland is nothing, a nice resort here and there but thats it. The islands are gorgeous though.

I would stay in Australia myself, there are some lovely places up north QLD and top end of Darwin. May be cheaper in Thailand but these days I dont think I would risk it.

Mexico also looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

Totally agree!... The Islands are another world compared to mainland. I was on Plantation for the 1st Fiji coup,(around 1987) then took the kids back in 2000 and walked into the 2nd coup!... Both times there was "marshall law" & curfews on the mainland, yet once on islands no hint of anything!
The beaches are out of this world, the Fiji people are one continual smile, the climate (even in June) is fantastic, and all is pretty reasonably priced.
For a honeymoon, I'd strongly recommend, either Castaway or Treasure Island, Plantation is a bit more family orientated. Also, a good saving can be made by incorporating full meal package in the booking. Only real extras are then your drinks and any motorised or scuba activities.

AC/DC · 07-08-2006, 07:32 AM

How about New Zealand ? cheap as chups bro !

Or come up to sunny Townsville, , as long as it not between Oct and Feb, , or a Victorian will most likely DIE from the heat...

AC/DC

Miss_XR6 · 07-08-2006, 10:40 AM

i work in the travel industry and even though thialand is cheap at the moment it is very hard to find accomdation that isnt booked out. other good places are fiji you get value for money there or even go to the whitsunday islands there pretty nice.. but it depends if u want to relax or u want things to do

**ebxr8240** · 07-08-2006, 11:17 AM

Though cold that time of the year.. The South Island in New Zealand is nice...Take warm cloths if you have something organised each day you'll be fine... Queenstown is tops for skiing...

XA Coupsta · 07-08-2006, 11:18 AM

I've been to Fiji (outer islands) and loved it. Mind you I wanted just a very relaxed do nothing type holiday.

Whitsundays is beautiful - similar to a Fiji experience though.

I'd go Thailand or something. Offers a good mix of relaxing/resort style holiday, plus some cultural experience for your new wife (that Whitsundays doesnt offer) plus if you feel like it for a few days you can do the travel and sightseeing thing through the region.

conordec · 07-08-2006, 12:41 PM

[QUOTE=Miss_XR6]i work in the travel industry and even though thialand is cheap at the moment it is very hard to find accomdation that isnt booked out.

meh....

http://www.lastminute.com.hk/cgi-bin...tion=LoadIndex

if you do your sums, $120 for a room per night at the 5 star hilton breakfast inclusive in phuket next week for 9 nights.

thailand is normally booked out over xmas... you'll always find something anyother time.

I normally rock up in phuket and check the tour desks for best deals, no middle men, free ride there, etc, my mrs haggles them to death... i just need a bed and a bar... we're not fussed on facilities.

if you do book direct through hotel, best to show a photo of the room you're expecting, most hotels are "partially" renovated, and you'll only see renovated rooms online, then get thrown in a cruddy one after they swipe your card.

find the cheapest deal for the hotel you want to stay in, check availability and then deal direct with the hotel showing what you found online, they'll normally match it or discount it.

happy travels.

BA_Turbs · 18-08-2006, 12:35 PM

I booked & paid for nine nights in Thailand (Phuket, specifically Patong Beach) yesterday, we leave Tuesday night. Only $1,300 each, could have been as cheap as $1,000 each but we went for better accomodation. We were going to drive to WA and tour around for a fortnight, but why would you when you can go OS so cheaply?

Also went to Vietnam last November for $1,300 for 10 nights, staying in a four star resort for seven of the nights. 'Nam was awesome.

Holidays to Asia are SO cheap at the moment.

[EDIT:] I should have added the joint we're staying at has a swim up bar... Hello pruned skin!

Miss_XR6 · 18-08-2006, 02:28 PM

what hotel in patong are u staying at

TheSneakiness · 18-08-2006, 02:54 PM

Our secretary is headed to Thailand for her honeymoon, and she's getting two weeks for two people for some ridiculously cheap price. Most meals, accommodation and flights.

She just had to get used to the jokes about Bangkok on her honeymoon...

BA_Turbs · 18-08-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss_XR6

what hotel in patong are u staying at

Sunset?

Don't have the booking receipt here to check it, but it is on the main road that runs along the beach and it was 'Sun' something.

Miss_XR6 · 18-08-2006, 04:28 PM

yeh sunset beach resort most likely very good and popular property
Located overlooking the sea at the quieter end of Patong.
it only opened in 2002n it also has a free shuttle into patong town on a daily basis website is on http://www.phuket.com/sunsetbeach/

BA_Turbs · 18-08-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss_XR6

yeh sunset beach resort most likely very good and popular property
Located overlooking the sea at the quieter end of Patong.
it only opened in 2002n it also has a free shuttle into patong town on a daily basis website is on http://www.phuket.com/sunsetbeach/

Yep, that's the one!

Did I mention there's a swim up bar?

Miss_XR6 · 18-08-2006, 04:57 PM

yep i sell it at my work they always have good rates