Borneo...or Thailand?

[OllyBJolly]

The travel agent has offered us alternatives to Sri Lanka for a holiday in August. We don't take many overseas holidays; this is to be a special once in a life time type holiday for DH's 50th.

TA has come back with an itinerary for Borneo. Start with three days in Kuala Lumpur and three nights in Koto Kinabalu and four nights in Gaya Island.

Any thoughts? Doesn't excite me as much as Sri Lanka did. And we can wait to see of travel restrictions are limited.

I've been to Elephant Hills and it was the highlight of our trip. You do have to go on boats and there are canoe trips but they give you life jackets so as long as you're not scared of the water you'll be fine.

We did swim in the lake as well as canoeing out on our own and had no problems whatsoever.
You won't regret going!

@Ollybjolly when do you need to decide by?

China downgraded its advisories on Saturday, Switzerland and India today.
I'm still booked for Sri Lanka and had decided Monday coming as my deadline for cancelling......I'm not overly hopefully but have fingers crossed all the same.

HappyHolidays I'm not sure. I'm tempted to hold out but don't know what the options will be if I have to make a change last minute. We don't normally do these kinds of holidays, we're more Highland cottages and French gites holidays, so it's not as if we would just go another time.

And as I said upthread, they have my money, I don't feel they are as interested in getting a great holiday for us now. TA is hinting that we wouldn't get business class flights if we change location (and I'm not paying any more than I already have!).

Interesting about the other countries relaxing restrictions - maybe worth waiting a few more days.

Latest itinerary - for Thailand

3 nights Banyan Tree Serenity Club room Breakfast
3 nights Shangri La Hotel central Chaing Mai Deluxe Room Breakfast
6 nights Cape Fahn Hotel Tropical Pool Villa Breakfast (Koh Samui)

Any thoughts? Checked out hotels on Tripadvisor and they look fab . 6 nights in a beach resort might be a bit much - although hotel looks amazing.

I absolutely loved Borneo, it was truly amazing, especially Turtle Island and Sepilok orangutan sanctuary. I haven't been to Thailand though so can't compare.

Is it the Banyan Tree in Bangkok? They have a fantastic 360 degree roof top bar (Vertigo) we loved it. Cocktails come in quirky glasses!

That looks like a nice itinerary, the Koh Samui hotel looks amazing, I'd happily spend 6 nights there. We haven't been there but you should be able to do some nice boat/snorkelling trips eg Koh Tao. Check out 'things to do' on Trip Advisor, you might find some activities you like the look of.

I’m really invested in seeing what you decide!

I think the Bangkok and Koh Samui hotels look gorgeous but personally wouldn’t choose the Shangri La in Chiang Mai...have gone for a boutique hotel in the old town.

I would look to confirm some trips for that itinerary e.g. elephant nature park in Chiang Mai and marine park, other islands in Koh Samui.

Our flight home from our similar trip is a morning BA flight. We’re staying in Bangkok again at the end of our trip due to my fear of missing a flight. Maybe something to think about?

I’m really invested in seeing what you decide!

Me too! Because I love hearing about people's holidays. Just a shame it's at the expense of Olly's original trip.

Have an amazing trip mysteryfairy, you'll be on countdown mode 😀.

So it's decision time. Another two proposals and I'm asking myself whether Elephant Hills is worth the extra travelling or just go with itinerary upthread. Advice welcomed!

2 nights Banyan Tree Bed&Breakfast
Bangkok to Chiang Mai 1200/1320
3 nights Shangri La Bed& breakfast
Chiang mai to Phuket 0935/1140
10 August 2019 Private Transfer
1 night The Sarojin Bed & Breakfast
Hotel Transfer to elephant Hills
2 nights Elephant Hills, Beach and Rainforest ( 3 day Jungle Lake Safari Dinner Breakfast and Lunch )
Group Transfer
4 nights Cape Fahn Hotel Tropical Pool villa Bed& Breakfast
Then Koh Samui - Phuket - home

OR

Dubai- Bangkok-Chiang Mai (might be too long a journey in one go?)
3 nights Shangri La Chiang Mai Bed & Breakfast
Chiang mai to Bangkok 1040/1150
Private Transfer
3 nights Bangkok Banyan Tree Bed&Breakfast
Bangkok to Phuket 0740/0905
2 nights Elephant Hills, Beach and Rainforest ( 3 Day Jungle Lake Safari Dinner Breakfast and Lunch )
5 nights Cape Fahn Hotel Tropical Pool Villa Bed & Breakfast
Home via Phuket

I've been to Borneo and Sri Lanka both practically killed me as we did nothing but sightsee and go round all of the amazing places you can visit apart from maybe one or 2 hotel/beach days.

Agree with someone up thread if you're going to Borneo go to the Orangutang orphanage go to the treetop walks in the jungle and a River Lodge stay. We went with Kuoni and had a packed itinerary but that was 15 years ago.

Hope you find something you're happy with

One of your trips is a day longer than the other?

I had my heart set on elephants but when I asked about elephant hills on here I got loads of recommendations for elephant nature park too so you could just book that in Chiang Mai.

Personally I’d always go for more variety but I’m fairly restless and don’t like sedentary holidays.

mystery Think they're all 12 days? Fly out on 4th August arriving home on 18th.

The Elephant Hills trip does sound memorable but I'm not convinced it's worth the disruption of the additional travel time. I do a lot of travel with work (nowhere exotic - think Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff- also get to go to some very unexotic US locations!) and the thought to losing an additional day travelling isn't appealing.

I'll look into the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.

The middle trip that starts in Chiang Mai is 3 + 3 + 2 + 5 = 13? I only asked because it’s possible different scheduled flights might give you more time and I’d say go for the one with an extra night!

Didn't notice that! It's a mistake - 10th August been counted twice. I think it should be just two nights in Bangkok.

Have you changed yet?

Fco advice downgraded this morning - sri Lanka can be back on.

I'm so excited - fly late July.