Article, Photos & Videos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media (see photo gallery & travel tips below)

I have to say I was very skeptical of taking an 11 day package tour trip to Thailand that was offered by Affordable World Travel for less than a thousand dollars US $900 with the 10 percent discount offered through Groupon. I rarely recommend anyone or anything as  recommendations can backfire but I have to say this vacation package to Thailand lived up to its billing and then some. I wanted to make sure there were no hidden costs and that it was all legit before recommending it to anyone. Note: The Groupon deal comes and goes throughout the year so keep checking if it is no longer available. Trips are available year round but avoid the rainy season May/June to October. For most of Thailand, the wettest months are usually August-October.

It was sold as 11 days, all airfares from L.A. to China to Bangkok then Phuket and back to L.A. Two five star hotels. One at in downtown Bangkok, the other at a Phuket beach resort. 4 nights 5 days at each. All ground transfers to and airports and 3 free tours along with Breakfast each day and some lunches. All for under a US $1000.

I’m not into group tours but this one sounded too good to pass up. Did a lot of research and decided to go for it. Turned out everyone on the tour,132 of us, bought the same package for about the same price.   I like doing my own thing on vacation and don’t care to be herded around in groups for everything. Turned out you could do whatever you wanted.

Breakfast buffet at the Bangkok Amari Watergate Hotel

You were not obligated to do anything you did not care to do other than to check out and be at the airport on time. Breakfast was from 6am to 11am with a buffet offering that catered to people from around the world including America. So you could eat whenever you pleased as long as you did not have an early morning tour to catch in which case the restaurant opened earlier to make sure you were fed before you went out on your adventure.

Most people kept to themselves although many friendships were developed. I met Dorothy from Florida who was traveling with a group of 6 ladies, all African American, with tee shirts that read “Girls Trip, Thailand, I’m Living My Best Life”. I asked her about the little travel group, where they were from and how they came to be. “We are from everywhere” she exclaimed. “We all met in Morocco about 5 years ago, there are 19 of us in total, we stay connected and every year we plan and take a trip somewhere on the planet. Those that can make it do and the others make it some other time. We have been to Africa, Europe, South America and now here,” she said with much excitement. I also had some other interesting encounters and impressions of Thailand. Read more and see other photos about my adventures HERE

We were all blown away by the quality of service and accommodations we received for such a low cost. Most, including me, had low expectations given the price. We were expecting continental style breakfasts, toast and coffee, old rickety Chinese planes, survivable rooms, lame tours. Many of us were planning just to get here and do our own thing.

But it has all turned out to be much more than we could have hoped for. China Eastern Airlines flies Boeing’s 777 jumbo jets. In-flight dinner with wine or beer, a nice breakfast, several movies TV channels and video games to choose from all included in economy class. Even comes with your own personal remote and ear phones. Business class is amazing with seats set in cubicles that convert into beds complete with slippers and down comforters. Worth the extra money considering the long 14 hour flight from L.A. to Shanghai, China plus it’s still four more hours from there to Thailand.

Our travel guide OH, she was amazing. Helpful, informative, caring and very funny.

The English speaking guides were amazing. We all felt safe, pampered and well taken care of every step of the way. The tours, both the ones that were included and the optional ones were off the hook with lunches that would normally cost the amount of the entire tour. Our guide ‘OH’ accompanied us on every tour and outing making sure we did not get lost while making valuable time saving recommendations for shopping, dining and sightseeing. She also took care of ground transportation to the airport from Bangkok to Phuket and also at the end of the trip even meeting us at the Phuket International Airport to make sure we got to the right gate for departure back to the U.S.

The 3 free included tours included visits to the Buddha Temples in Bangkok that were astounding (see photos) for a half day. You could purchase an additional temple tour or after lunch go back to the hotel and do whatever. I did whatever choosing to enjoy the 5 star Amari Watergate Hotel. Later that evening we took a Dinner Cruise that featured some spectacular sites along with good food and live music. $50 US each. Transfers from hotel included.

The hotel had a gym would make 24hour fitness envious with vapor pools, floating salt pools, steam/sauna & racquet ball courts. An outdoor pool with a happy hour 2 for 1 drinks $5 complete with snacks and refrigerated cool wet towels that waiters distribute with tongs to all their guests. You can stay at the Bangkok Watergate Amari forUS $105 per night,per room breakfast included, if you go on your own

The next day was a tour to the floating markets of Bangkok. I have been to the floating gardens in Xochimilco in Mexico City and expected somewhat the same. Decorative shops on floating rafts along a lake of some kind is what I expected. Not the case at all. Rather we boarded a long tail boat, kind of a long canoe with a 454 horsepower engine that turns the vessel into a speed boat powering through a system of scenic narrow canals. The ride last for about 30 minutes before arriving at an array of shops offering tons of items the constant flow of tourist may be interested in, clothing, souvenirs, food, drinks and so on. The third tour was a city tour of the island of Phuket. We passed on that one as we wanted to spend the day on the beach getting another massage and eating fresh caught fish.

Phuket is pronounced pooket and is Thailand’s largest island with 400,000 inhabitants. Our hotel was fabulous for the price we paid and came with a welcome drink. Then a complimentary bottle of wine delivered to the room, ocean view, then high tea each day at 3pm with pastries that made my eyes roll. A menu for 7 different kinds of pillows. Soft or firm, down or micro fiber. A nightly cocktail reception. Breakfast was again incredibly spectacular. All included.

We did purchase the optional ‘James Bond Island Tour’ for about 50 bucks each. The island just happens to be in the shape of Male genitalia. The movie ‘Man with a Golden Gun’ was filmed there so everybody felt they had to do the obligatory pose for their photos.

Part of the tour included a stop  to the Monkey Temple. Caves where Buddha statues have been carved or placed. The monkeys seem to like it. Then it was off to the red light district for the infamous Lady Boy Simon Cabaret Show

Again our guide “OH” worked tirelessly to insure everything went smoothly. She met us at the airport and accompanied us to the hotel. She made sure we got checked into our rooms, let us know of the upcoming itinerary and served as a concierge in case we wanted any recommendations for shopping, dining or anything else. She hooked us up with a one hour in-room massage our first evening for $15 each which included the tip.

We purchased an upgrade for the beach resort at Dusit Thani for a about $200 for the 4 nights and  wow. On top of the incredible free breakfast and many other perks we got afternoon High Tea that was more than enough for lunch, all the pre dinner cocktails, beer or wine we wanted and 50 percent off our dinners. I became skeptical and was concerned about possible hidden costs. After all we had taken advantage of most everything including numerous mojitos and margaritas. I checked with the front desk and was told that as of my last day I owed nothing and was offered late checkout.

The Holiday Inn Resort in Phuket. 5 days 4 nights come with the standard package. Not an upgrade unless you want a room with a pool.

I would probably skip the hotel upgrade next time as it is 45 minutes away from the 5 star Holiday Inn where most of the rest of the group stayed at.  The guides were located there, the tours originated there and it is where most of the action was at.  I toured that resort and was impressed with the layout, the pool and the rooms some of which had private pools. Besides you are not at the hotel for much of the time. I would have rather taken the Elephant Reserve Tour and the speed boat and snorkeling tour to the  Island of Ko Phi Phi. Most people I asked “What was their favorite part of the trip” said those two tours were the best part. Each day tour costs about $90 US per person and  include lunch, equipment and all transfers.

All in all it is a trip of a lifetime as there are so many other places on earth to explore. Dubai is next on the bucket list.

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Photos by Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media