Lisa's trip to Thailand and Singapore
Khao Lak, Elephant Hills and Krabi
After first going back to Vietnam for a few nights, this time to the busy bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to see our son, we then flew to Phuket and enjoyed a relaxing few days on the beach in Khao Lak. Staying at the lovely beachfront property of Ramada Resort by Wyndham. Bed & breakfast is fine to do here as there are so many lovely restaurants within walking distance to try a different one every night. The food in Thailand is amazing and there is something for everybody, even the fussiest of eaters.
From here there is the opportunity to do a boat trip across to the Similan Islands, an established National Park with impressive limestone scenery both above and below the water.
From Khao Lak, we were then picked up by minibus and transported a couple of hours to Khao Sok National Park, where we were staying at The Elephant Camp at Elephant Hills. Staying in tented accommodation (but with flushing toilets and showers!) we had the chance to get up close, stroke and feed the elephants at the camp that have been rescued from various places throughout Thailand. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this was an amazing experience.
Our second night at Elephant Hills was 3 hours journey away from the Elephant Camp, by road and boat. Staying at The Lake Camp
on Cheow Larn Lake, once again in tented accommodation but over the water. Here we had a couple of relaxing days spent kayaking, swimming, wildlife and bird spotting and paddle boarding amongst more amazing scenery.
After Elephant Hills we then had a private transfer down to Krabi where we spent a few nights on the bustling Ao Nang Beach. This resort is very different to the quieter Khao Lak with lots of tourist shops, bars, hotels, hostels etc. It was a great place to experience the tourist side of Thailand. There are many boat excursions from here across to the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay (where ‘The Beach’ was filmed), Hong Lagoon etc where more limestone pinnacles and islands can be seen.
New Paragraph
The final couple of nights were spent in Singapore. Very different to both Vietnam and Thailand (and a lot more expensive!). Singapore is a very modern, clean city with 8 lane roads, skyscrapers and shopping malls. We enjoyed visiting the iconic ‘Raffles Hotel’ where we, of course, each had a famous ‘Singapore Sling’ cocktail. We went up to the viewing deck at Marina Bay Sands with fantastic views across the city (or 2 of us did!) and we experienced one of the nightly concerts at
Supertree Grove in
Gardens By the Bay.
All in all Asia is such a diverse continent and we have only just scratched the surface.’
If you would like to have a chat about any future trips to Asia give Lisa a call at Chic Boutique Travel on 01706 250006.
In a world where holidays can be booked at the click of a button, many travellers are rediscovering the value of booking with a trusted, local independent travel agent. At Chic Boutique Travel, based in Helmshore , and now with our pop-up branch in Bacup , we’ve spent more than 33 years creating unforgettable holidays for our clients across Rossendale and beyond. And today, having knowledgeable, caring professionals on your side has never been more important. As a fully independent travel agency, we’re not tied to any single tour operator, airline, or booking platform. That means our loyalty lies entirely with you. We search the whole market to find holidays , cruises , tours, and tailor-made itineraries that genuinely fit your needs and your budget. We’re proud to be fully bonded members of ABTA , offering our clients financial protection, reassurance, and complete peace of mind when booking their holidays. We are also members of the Advantage Travel Partnership , the UK’s leading consortium for independent travel agents. This gives us access to exclusive offers, enhanced supplier relationships, special rates, and added-value extras that you simply won’t find online—meaning more choice and often better value for you. Our team at Chic Boutique Travel lives and breathes travel. Over the decades, we’ve explored destinations first-hand, stayed in the hotels we recommend, sailed on leading cruise lines , and built trusted relationships with respected independent tour operators. This insider knowledge allows us to confidently match you with the perfect holiday, avoiding the guesswork and uncertainty that comes with online research. What truly sets us apart is our personal service. We’ve cultivated long-lasting relationships with clients across Helmshore, Bacup, and the wider Rossendale area. We take time to understand what matters to you. Many of our clients have been bookiing with us for years, and we’re proud to plan holidays for multiple generations of the same families. We know your preferences, your favourite destinations, your mobility needs, and those special touches that make travel memorable. Perhaps the most reassuring benefit of booking with us is peace of mind. Travel doesn’t always go smoothly—flights change, hotels overbook, the unexpected happens. When you book with Chic Boutique Trave l, you have a real person who genuinely cares and will resolve any issues quickly and professionally. During times of travel uncertainty, we’ve supported our clients every step of the way, handling the stress, so they didn’t have to. For help and advice booking your next holiday, get in touch today - contact us
Day 1 We arrived in Lisbon after a short flight from Manchester to Lisbon with Ryanair. After just a 30 minute private transfer we arrived at the lovely hotel – Browns Boutique Hotel in the Baixa area in the heart of Lisbon. Breakfast was included but this was taken at its sister hotel – Browns Central Hotel over the road. There was a great selection at breakfast and all the staff were very pleasant. They gave us a map of the city and lots of tips on getting a Lisbon Travel card to use on all public transports- bus/trams etc. Our first stop was at the Time out Market. Selling all different types of food and drinks to suit everyone’s taste, it had a great bustling atmosphere. En-route we strolled down Pink Street, which is a vibrant street and famous for its colourful hanging umbrellas. It is a trendy spot with lots of bars and restaurants and the odd local busker.
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