Thai Indochina Odyssey

Hi Pauline,
I am going on the same trip, so I was really pleased to see your message, especially as I am travelling on my own.
It would be good to try to meet up in the departure lounge if possible.

Look forward to meeting you
Jill

Hi Pauline,

So no Heathrow means I look forward to meeting you in Bangkok then.

Yes I am taking Malaria tablets as advised by my health clinic. Some parts of Northern Thailand are only medium risk according to most websites but all the rest of the trip is high risk. So I am taking Malarone throughout. Rather expensive but you only have to take them one day before arriving in affected area and continue for 7 days after leaving affected area.

I think it is impossible to keep luggage down to 10kilos. They advised that when I did a safari in SA. No-one skimped on luggage then. I haven't actually filled my bag yet but it weighs 3kilos whilst empty. I shall try to be careful because we are moving about such a lot but on the flip side we are going for 3 weeks.

It's a possibility that we share a room as the 10 of us coming from London I'm told are:
A couple in their early 70s, 2 lady friends in their late 60s, a couple in their early 60s, a couple in their mid 40s and a man in his mid 40s. I'm in my early 60s. There could of course be others coming from other parts of the world.

Hope that's helpful.
I'm not sure whether I'm excited or nervous. I'll feel so much better once I'm on the way.

Good Luck with the packing
Jill

Just a quick note. Thanks for your reply. I've just checked in online!
My bag is almost packed. So far 14kilos.
Hope you have a good journey.
See you at the start of our adventure!
Jill

Hi Jill
Good to hear from you - I am travelling to Bangkok independently as I live in Spain, so won´t be able to meet in Departure lounge. May meet on arrival at Bangkok or maybe at hotel. Looking forward to the trip, but am fnding it difficult to get my luggage down to 10 kilos as advised! Are you taking malaria pills? Can´t seem to get a definitive answer as to whether they are necessary or not.
Look forward to meeting you soon.
Pauline

Thanks for your message Jill, and the information. I am taking Malaria pills with me, but most of the websites I have looked at, say that all the cities are Malaria free, and a good deal of the other parts we´re going to also - but, probably better safe than sorry.
I have actually paid for a single supplement on the trip - so assume will get my own room - apart from staying in ´dormitory accomodation´ which should be fun - takes me back to boarding school days! If you are the only other single woman on the trip, you will probably get your own room free of charge - lucky you!
I went on a group trip to South America last year, with Journey Latin America - that was nearly 3 weeks also, and had a fabulous time - best holiday I´ve ever had. All the people in the group were great fun and easy to get on with, and although I was a little nervous it didn´t take long to get into the swing of things and that was in spite of my luggage arriving in Rio two days after I did!
I broke my wrist quite badly recently - had to have an operation - luckily they took the plaster off and the pins out a week ago, so I have had a little while to get it moving again, though it is still quite stiff and inflexible and not very strong - not sure I shall be able to manage the cycling!
I am 67 by the way - widowed seven years ago and I´ve lived in Spain for about 15 years, and love it here.
See you on Sunday!
Pauline