Bangkok city circle tours

Catching taxis in Bangkok can be a very effective means of getting around town. To catch a taxi in bangkok, includes a number of challenges that are sometimes difficult to overcome, but problems can be avoided if you take some steps.

In the end you might spend an hour getting somewhere, but it's only cost you four Aussie dollars.

Tips for catching taxis in bangkok.
- Know your destination specifically
- Try to have it written down in thai script
- Have a city map in both languages with  the location marked so you can show them.
- Try and get them to understand you needs and confirm the destination
- Be prepared to get out of the taxi on the other side of the road or highway to save on time. (there are lots of orchestrated u turns to deal with this need, but never where you need them)
- Monitor where they are going on your own map and be prepared to send them left or right.
- Carry a gps or iPhone with nab app to monitor your progress.

Its seems sometimes that they have no idea and lost, but in most cases it's clear that it's a ploy to run up the meter. Thinking about the psychology of it. These guys only get paid by the metre, so they got to keep moving. They will avoid traffic and go a long WAY to avoid it and at the same time run up the meter. It's not so much the two extra bucks that it's going to cost you but the extra time taken from your day going the long way!!

The worst experience was heading from a city hotel to the main train station. The driver seemed to have little choice but head off down a one way street, but as we followed his progress using motion x gps on my iPhone, this guy headed for the ring road and headed off to the east then south. It did look like he had a plan as we made our way around the ring road, but then he got off the ring road and began to double back toward in a north east direction that started to look like a upside down love heart.

When challenged for the fourth time he pulled up behind another cab and offered us to the other cab who took us directly. We were not charged us a fare and seemed ok, but using up time we thought precious for a train departure!!
In the end it turned out ok for us, but beware the extra ks you might end consuming in pursuit of your destination. :)

6 weeks to go

With just 6 weeks to go, the District 9550 organising is in full swing. The plans for the weekend well advanced and numbers for delegates attending is starting to grow at a rapid rate. With the expectation of A380 Airbus type attendance, there is quite a bit to do.

Pictured is the conference organising committee hard at work, attending the PCYC venue to check over its facilities.

Delegates are reminded that there are a great selection of activities that have been organised by Rotarian Suzie Bernie for partners, while others might like to take advantage of free and in-expensive things to do include:
- Bowls: The local bowls club is 3 minutes walk from the conference venue
- Saturday morning markets: Airlie Beach Lions conduct the markets on the Airlie Beach foreshore
- Bridge: Join a few friendly locals for some hands of bridge. The Airlie Beach Social Bridge Club consists of female & male players of all skills from beginner to moderately expert. Depending on numbers play can be arranged at one of our members homes, or if sufficient numbers,  the Airlie Beach Bowls Club. No bridge partner needed, as our club does not have “set” partners. Partners with an afternoon (or morning ?) to spare should contact Eric Bottle 4946 6224 or his partner Dale on 0416 273 598.
- Walk: The bicentennial walkway connects Airlie Beach to Cannonvale. In fact, it is possible to walk from the PCYC conference venue to town, past the new Port of Airlie marina, along the foreshore past Airlie Beach itself, through the landscaped area and across Airlie Creek to the Lagoon. Continue North through the grounds of the Coral Sea Resort and through to Able Point Marina. Stop for a relaxing beverage overlooking the marina and Coral Sea, or continue on past the marina to Shingley Beach and further on via timbered boardwalk to Cannonvale and Cannonvale Beach.
- Shop: The main street of Airlie Beach includes a range of shopping exercise, have an ice cream, or something from Brumbies and then poodle down to Beachworx to purchase the extra accessory to complete your outfit for the DG's dinner.

As delegates you should look forward to a wonderful weekend of Rotary fellowship in surrounds of paradise.