The Trip: Singapore and Thailand

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This was published 6 years ago

The Trip: Singapore and Thailand

By Michael Doherty

Name Michael, Kathleen and Ryan Doherty, Ashfield, NSW

THE TRIP A three-week family holiday to Singapore and Thailand

THE ITINERARY An airfare with a low cost carrier to Singapore allowed for a stopover to entertain the theme park obsessed eight-year-old at Universal Studios and Adventure Cove Waterpark. A brief stay in Bangkok followed and allowed us to meet our organised cycle tour and begin our five-day trip through provincial western Thailand. The ubiquitous Buddhist temple was never too far away but the historical links to Australia's role in WWII an unexpected opportunity to learn of the war that occurred on our country's doorstep. A night "glamping" Thai style in a safari resort and another in a cabin on a river at an eco resort allowed the son endless trips floating in a life jacket under current down stream. An additional day taking care of old, rehabilitating elephants at a not for profit sanctuary gave us a better understanding of the less glamorous side of tourism. A week relaxing and recovering on Koh Samui's Chaweng Beach rounded off the trip.

BEST BITS Eating in Singapore, staying near the hustle and bustle of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and the cycle trip through Thailand's Kanchanaburi province. The historical perspective of war in the region and opportunities to reflect on the role of Australia's POW diggers and the reverence in which they were held was most tangible in the war museum atop Hellfire Pass. Below it masses of stone were removed by hand and basic instruments to create a 1000-metre-passage at the behest of the Japanese. A ride on the Death Railway further brought home there are no winners in war.

WORST BITS The recent Thailand floods seem to have taken a toll on Koh Samui's many seaside restaurant operators.

BEST TIP When next in Bangkok hop on a cycling tour to take in the war history in Kanchanaburi as it also allows you to mix it with local business operators and people whose enduring friendliness is unforgettable.

WHERE TO NEXT A two-week visit to Hawaii.

Send 350-word submissions for The Trip to travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au with THE TRIP in the subject line. Use the same format as above and attach a high-resolution headshot. Published entries win a Lonely Planet guidebook.

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