Sunday, 17 January 2010

VIETNAM

THAI TAN TIEN - Beach bunglalow on Phu Quoc island
Next to the Beach Club, near the end of the long beach (West side of the island)
Really nice people, reasonable prices (USD 17 over xmas) and new modern bungalows - Fan and cold water however, as with most of the island.

XUAN HOA - Small family guesthouse in Nha Trang
16A Biet Thu - Nha Trang (down small side alley)
Small place, family run. Really nice family, much cheaper and nicer than other more expensive places in the area. Right in the middle of things and around USD 8 per night, a bargain. AC, hot water etc.

RAINBOW DIVERS - Nha Trang dive shop
Professional place, loads of experience and provide good lunch during dives. English run and give you honest advise on current conditions. Max 4 people for a dive group, modern kit. Will do deals on multi dives, so do not get put off by initial price (USD 65 per day, inc. 2 dives and lunch)

SECRET GARDEN - Resto in Hoi An
The alley 60 Le Loi Street, Hoi An
Amazing local food in posh surroundings. Really good value set menu, around USD 6 for a 4 course meal. Loads of well dressed Vietnamese there when we went.

THAILAND

NEW SIAM 3 - Guest house in Bangkok
7 Soi Rambutri
Very nice rooms, clean and quiet, just off the main Kohsan Rd.

TONY'S BIG BIKES - Bike rental place Chiang Mai
17 Ratchamanka Rd. East Gate
Rents out big bikes at cheap prices. Honda, Suzuki etc. Good touring bikes

CHEESE SHOP - Chiang Mai
Loikroh Rd. East gate
Selection of imported and local cheeses. Taste of Europe

RED ORCHID - Cookery school in Pai, north of Chiang Mai
Run by a local lady, Dao, she lets you choose the dishes you want to cook and includes a trip to the local market to buy the ingredients.

Wednesday, 9 December 2009

NEPAL

YABADU NEPAL - Travel agency in Pokhara
Prem P. Ghimire
Contact: 00977-61-463177
ghimireprem@yahoo.com
Arrange trekking and other trips around the Pokhara area of Nepal. Prem is very professional, efficient and a great guy.

VILLAGE INN - Accommodation in Pokhara
Contact Laxman
00977-9846176472
gshyam4@hotmail.com
Clean and tidy rooms, good value and very friendly staff.

PARK VIEW RESTAURANT - Food place in Sauraha by the Chitwan national park
Contact Chitra
00984-5092041
Fantastic breakfast dishes, local food, freshly made. Breath of fresh air in 'Daal Bhat' Nepal.

INDIA

GREEN VALLEY COTTAGE - Accommodation in Rishikesh
Contact Madhu Shahi
0091-135-2436833
shahi.pankaj@gmail.com
Very nice quite place away from the chaos of the town centre. In the Laxman Jhula area, ask for directions for the Swiss cottage and this place is next door.

RED CHILLI ADVENTURE - Travel agent and activity booking place
Contact Arvind Bhardwaj
0091-135-2434021
info@redchilliadventure.com
Best place in Rishikesh for rafting and kayaking tours and expeditions. There are loads of companies in Rishikesh to choose from, but most are cowboys. These guys are a little bit more expensive but worth the little extra. Very professional and have the most experienced guides and instructors in the area.