Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam

[Calvin Becker]

Hi all

I am heading off to Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam on Sunday (22 Nov) for a backpacking trip. The main focus is not a to be a botanical exploration but I would like to get as many plant related experiences as possible in during my time over there.

Have any members been there? All the people I have spoken to that have been are not botanically inclined and so, although I know where the apparent best beaches, cheapest beers and biggest parties ( are I don't know where I should head to to see all the exotic plants.

Have any members been to the area?

Thanks
Calvin

[mark smyth]

Watch out in Thailand for getting spiked at the full moon parties. Make sure any ladies you hook up with are real ladies and not lady boys 

[Calvin Becker]

Advice duly noted. Thanks!

[Eric Locke]

Calvin

The National Parks in Northern Thailand would be well worth looking into. You should be able to see Pleione Maculata flowering here in December. This is a wonderfull area to visit anyway with many tribal areas.
It can get very cold here in winter evenings so pack some warm clothes.
Certainly no problem from "lady boys" in this area. and most ladies are rather shy.

Eric

[David Nicholson]

Make sure any ladies you hook up with are real ladies and not lady boys 

Why Mark, did you get it wrong?

[Maggi Young]

Gentlemen! Please! Decorum.... if you please!  ( And I don't mean the lovely rhododendron...... )

[David Nicholson]

 

[mark smyth]

A friend of my mother has been to all three during one trip and enjoyed them all and Rick Stein, well known fish chef, visited also. The food looked fantastic

[Calvin Becker]

Gentlemen! Please! Decorum.... if you please!  ( And I don't mean the lovely rhododendron...... )

Ha ha Maggi to the rescue!

I came across an interesing article on the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in The Garden, December 2008. Looks very interesting. http://www.nongnoochtropicalgarden.com/en/index.php

[Calvin Becker]

Calvin

The National Parks in Northern Thailand would be well worth looking into. You should be able to see Pleione Maculata flowering here in December. This is a wonderfull area to visit anyway with many tribal areas.
It can get very cold here in winter evenings so pack some warm clothes.
Certainly no problem from "lady boys" in this area. and most ladies are rather shy.

Eric

Thanks for that info Eric.

[Eric Locke]

Calvin

Just a small Thailand taster for you.

Eric

[Eric Locke]

Calvin

National Park where you can find pleione growing is in the Doi Inthanon.

Eric

[Ewelina Wajgert]

Calvin,
I don't show you photos, because I haven't mines but I have seen these countries on the photos of my brother. Your trip is certainly very interesting. Beautiful place to visit are mountains in Sapa. There are a lot of nooks with waterfalls. On hiking trails you can see how live the people in this region.

I hope, after homecoming you share with us photos and your impressions from this region

[Calvin Becker]

Eric, thanks for that locality info. I will have to be making a plan to head over there and find them!

Ewelina, I will definitely be posting a whole stack of photos when I return.

[Mick McLoughlin]

Does anybody know if Calvin is back yet? We would be interested in the Vietnam leg of his trip as we are going to Vietnam in 2 weeks.
Ewalina. We will be in Sapa for 3 days whilst there, some pics will surely follow. Any other information about Vietnam will be appreciated.
Cheers
Mick & Mandy