First stop - The Great Wall of China China
We specifically picked the Air China flight from LAX to Singapore with a layover in Beijing so we could maximize our time traveling and see the Great Wall of China on the layover (10 hours). Beijing has a convenient 72 hour visa that can be obtained at the Airport (or with local guide). Local private tour companies have capitalized on this and are very useful. We had booked a private tour with Airport Layover Tour company with Tony.
We would highly recommend this tour. Tony did a great job of making sure our tour was booked and emailing specific directions of the airport terminal, where we would meet our guide and the 72 hour visa process. Tony emails an additional paper to just hand over to immigration. This truly was an easy way to get through immigration.
After meeting our guide at the Starbucks, we got in the van and started our drive to the Great Wall. Along the way our guide told us about local buildings, the city and the history. We opted to walk/hike/climb the steps to the top of the Great Wall (we have been sitting for several hours on the plan) the climb is not an easy one and does take time and gets your heart pumping. Once on the wall we had time to walk as far as we desired. It sure is a sight to see and feel.
We also opted to take the toboggan down. Remember this ticket must be bought at the bottom and in local currency only as they do not accept credit card or American cash. Our guide did buy our tickets and we were able to give her American cash. The toboggan is the way to come down, its fast but not too fast and just adds to the excitement of where you're at. We did enjoy the Mutianya part of the wall as there was no one else around, it was very clean and we only saw one tourist stand with souvenirs. We were here in February so the weather was cold, Beijing airport transportation does offer jackets to use for free. Since we were climbing the steps we opted not to take them as we figured we would be to hot.
After our tour was over we were dropped off at the airport with plenty of time before our flight. We didn't feel rushed at all. Before leaving us our guide made sure we knew where to go etc... If we are ever in Beijing again, we would do another tour with Beijing airport transportation as they do have several tours available. They made things so easy. We were worried about the language barrier, but we didn't have any problems as our guide was an English speaking guide.
Bangkok - Floating Markets, Elephants
We opted to do an elephant tour with Bangkok Day Tours. We found this company via trip advisor. We chose this company because the reviews were 5 stars, and the connivence to be able to see the floating markets & elephant ride in the same day. By doing it this way we didn't need to spend 2-3 days traveling up to Chiang Mai to ride elephants there. Bangkok Day Tours was great. Kent was our tour guide who spoke excellent English. Kent was great to offer to take our pictures at the Floating markets and while on the elephants. Another reason this tour is the best, the up close attention one with the elephants. Kent kept saying we would be swimming and wrestling with the elephants. That we did. We had fun playing, feeding and riding the elephants. The floating markets at Damnoen Saduak are in unbelievable collection of traders selling all varieties of fruit, fish, ice cream and souvenirs. The mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream were served to us while on our boat. Many traders on the banks are selling souvenirs at high prices, so make sure to barter with them so you don't overpay. Kent did let us in on a tip when bartering to offer half of what the merchant offered. The floating market is truly an amazing experience and not to be missed.
Thailand - Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Maya Bay
Phi Phi island ~ is a cute quant island with the feeling that you are on a tiny island in a great big ocean. The breathtaking views do help one to settle into vacation mode as soon as you step off the boat. We stayed at the Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort. We stayed here for 3 days and were able to go out on day tours which made Phi Phi a great location. We would wake up early to do a hike or watch the sunrise followed by eating a delicious buffet breakfast that was included in our stay. We did enjoy the small village near the back of the property for delicious tasting authentic Thai food. Lots of options for food, a small market, bars and offices to set up tours or boat transfers. My favorite was the Pad Thai, I ordered it for each of my meals at the different restaurants.
Maya Bay ~ We took a private boat which is a little more expensive, but worth the few extra dollars. We were able to tell the boat driver where we wanted to go and when we were ready to leave or if we wanted to stay longer somewhere. Do take notice that once you arrive on Maya Bay, there is a tax that has to be paid before one can even step foot off the boat onto the sand. We had read about this so we were prepared. However, our tour company didn't tell us about it so had we not come prepared with local currency we wouldn't have been able to get on the island.
Phuket ~ This is a busy city and there is something to do around every corner. We chose to rent moped scooters for a day. Now a day is 24 hours. We went back to the scooter place later in the afternoon and they informed us we had the scooters for 24 hours. Now, mind you, we paid 300 Baht for 24 hours which comes out to be just under $9 in American currency plus gas which was minimal. We enjoyed seeing the city from a scooters view. Just a warning though, we were out at Patong Beach, as we were making our way back to our hotel, there was a one way road (all the cars and scooters were on ) there was a traffic stop ahead where local police were doing a drivers license check. Luckily, my husband did have his license with him. Our friends that were with us, the husband was driving and he didn't have his license but his wife did have hers and they did just show the police her license and they were good with that. So FYI have your license. We did see other tourist that we're stopped on the side not sure what the outcome was, we didn't stick around to find out.
Cambodia - Angkor Wat
This was a one day stop. It was plenty of time for us. We hired a tuk tuk driver from the airport, he agreed to take us to Angkor Wat and be our guide for the day for $20 American for all 4 of us. Now, you will read some websites saying don't pay more than $10-$15max. Please do remember that Cambodia is very 3rd world and at the end of the day what is $5 or $10 dollars to us when to this person, it makes a difference if they eat or not. Our guide had a wealth of knowledge about his home country and Angkor Wat. He had a lot of passion and was excited to share this with us. We grabbed a quick lunch at Hard Rock hotel which was delicious. When leaving the airport we were told we couldn't leave because we hadn't stayed long enough in the country. The immigration officer pulled our group to the side and said if we helped him, he would help us and started to rub his fingers together hinting that he wanted a "tip" some money. We gave him a $20 our friends did as well. The immigration officer quickly picked it up and covered it and was happy to sign all of our immigration papers and get us through immigration. Here is a form we found on trip advisor after we had gotten through immigration if you want more information click here.
Singapore
We loved being here. We stayed at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This hotel was one of a kind for sure and is just as impressive on the inside as the outside highlighting the surrounding sky line. The hotel does have a sky park at the top which is accessible ONLY to guests as well as the pool and the staff is there checking room keys. Beware the pool is freezing, but bearable for the photos. Staff are on top of it walking around the pool taking food and drink orders. We did enjoy dinner at the roof top restaurant Spago by Wolfgang Puck and appetizers pool side. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is attached to a mall which has many other options for food, shopping and the Gardens by the Bay. All the staff were more than happy to help us with anything that we needed.
Business Class Air China flight from LAX ~ Singapore round trip lay over in Beijing, China review
Remember our post about buying our tickets on Air China? Also, remember how we were having trouble with the website and ended up booking through the travel website of our Chase sapphire card? Remember how we were a little skeptical about our flight? Well, those fears where quickly put to rest. We drove down to LAX and parked at Wally park express (our favorite place to park because of the closeness to the airport and they have shuttles running every 5-10 minutes). After being dropped off at the Tom Bradley international terminal we found it to be crowed. It was about 9:30pm. We found the Air China counter and found the special line for business class where we found no line and walked right up to begin our check in process. We didn't check in online before hand. Honestly it really didn't cross my mind. I figured since it was an international flight I knew we would be there early enough I just planned on checking in there at the airport. It's a good thing we did. Our friends tried checking in online and something happened with Air China's website where their seats got switched around and they weren't sitting together. After getting to the airport the Air China representative was able to get their seats together but they were different seats than they had picked 4 months ago. After dropping our 1 checked bag off we headed up to the lounge. The lounge at LAX was nice. We grabbed some food and went outside to relax near the fire pits. Boarding time ~ we went to the gate and went to the side of business class and were able to board right away. We were greeted and treated exceptionally well. Our seats were comfortable and laid all the way flat. We were provided with a thick blanket and fluffy pillow. We had welcome bathroom kits and slippers. Noise canceling headphones were provided (they were collected before we landed). We had drinks waiting for us with a wet cloth to wash our hands. The flight crew took our food orders and then it was wheels up. In the air from LAX to Beijing the flight was about 13 hours. Since this was a red eye it made it easier to fall asleep since we were already tired. This flight we didn't care for the food too much. They did have a lot of seafood options. We aren't seafood eaters so we were limited with choices. They did have a snack bar with American chocolates and cup of noodles. We enjoyed those.
