Kuching has a very good reputation with travellers. For me, this built up my expectations too much as every traveller I came across mentioned how nice Kuching was.

When I finally arrived in Kuching, I was a bit disappointed. It is a nice enough place though. I think what people find appealing about Kuching is the nice gardens and the developed water front. The water still isn't the cleanest, but at least you didn't have to cover your nose when you walk near it.

Make sure you pick up the free Kuching tourist booklet that has some nice maps, bus timetables etc. Very well done. The visitor information center is also a very helpful place and can help you book accommodation and of course fill you in on all the things you can go see.

Bako National Park has a nice variety of wildlife to see and is one of the better organised parks I went to in Eastern Malaysia. Some of the wooden planking feels like it might give up on you though.

The main reason people head to Bako is to catch a glimpse of the monkeys with the big nose, proboscis monkeys. The proboscis monkeys can get quite large and hang around mangroves when the tide is low. They move between the mangrove trees and each the choicest leaves they can find. You need to be quiet when walking around looking for them because most of the proboscis monkeys don't seem to keen on people coming close. Luckily for my group, we found a proboscis monkey that seemed non-plussed when we came up to about 10 metres away.

Did you forget that pesky 4 digit PIN number code? Drink too many beers, been brainwashed by aliens, it happens to the best of us... I mean I've even forgotten my ATM PIN? This is particularly annoying if you are travelling. Most banks will only mail you a PIN number and the PIN number cannot be retrieved over the phone.

Remember not to attempt your PIN more than 3 times, otherwise your ATM card may be eaten by the hungry ATM machine. This complicates matters even further and is even more of a pain to get back than finding out what your PIN number is.

If you are short on cash and have a credit card, you can go to an exchange bureau. Don't forget your passport though as it is needed for identification. With a passport, your credit card and a few signatures (and perhaps some strange looks by the person serving you) you should be able to get out some money to keep you going until you can arrange to retrieve the PIN number... or preferably it suddenly bubbles it's way back up to your usable brain.

Visa runs from Patong are provided by a few companies.

There was one company offering a big double decker bus, but that looked like too much hard work to figure out where the stops were. Also, my next visa run choice was nearly over the road from my accommodation.

I used the Yorkshire Inn visa run service from Soi Sansabai (Soi across the road from Bang La at the boxing stadium end). This cost me 1400 baht and was in a luxury minibus. The bus did turn out to be a nice new Toyota minibus, although I think it had sports suspension installed, or maybe no suspension? The 1400 baht includes your Myanmar visa fee, a boat ride from Ranong, Thailand to Kawthaung, Myanmar and a bottle of water with a meal when you get back to the van after being awarded your nice new Thailand visa immigration stamp. The bus leaves at 8am, but they ask you to arrive at 7:50am.

Hua Hin, Thailand - Wifi/Internet In Room For Hotel/Accommodation

A list of hotels/accomodation providing wifi/ADSL/internet in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Room rates are shown as the cheapest during low season for a single room on their website. Bargaining is left to you :)

Peony Hua Hin Hotel
Price - 1300 baht, Internet Landing ( extra charge : 100 Baht/day )
Location - 172/4 Naresdamri Rd,Hua Hin, Prachuabkhirikhan, 77100 Thailand
Description - Rooms look pretty nice on the website and it is pretty central. Read a positive review.