Testimonials
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In early December 2007 my mother and I spent a day with Tong outside Bangkok . While I’ve been to Bangkok many times, I’ve never used a guide. In addition, I’d always avoided going to the Floating Market, deeming it “too touristy”. However, for quite a while now, I’d been reading about Tong on the Fodor’s Asia message board and decided that since my mother really wanted to see the market, doing it with Tong was the way to go.
Tong and I emailed back and forth in the months preceding our visit, working out the details of what we wanted to see and do. I told her, for us, it was “all about the food”, no shopping. Good thing too, because not only is Tong disinterested in taking her clients shopping, the girl loves to eat and knows all the best places to do it!
She picked us up very early from our hotel and even made us instant coffee from a thermos of hot water in the back of her car. When she got in the driver’s seat and put on a battery powered headband with glowing devil’s horns, I knew we were in for a wild ride!
I won’t go into all the details of our tour which included making merit (giving alms to Monks) at a local Bangkok temple, a stop at a temple outside Bangkok with intricately carved wood panels where we spoke to the Abbott, a relaxing tour through the floating market where we ate incredible food and a trip to the Tiger temple. Suffice it to say, it was an unforgettable day. I fully intend to spend time with Tong again the next time I’m in Bangkok . We had such an amazing time I can’t imagine doing that day any other way. Touring with her was like spending time with a friend who lives there; she’s funny and genuine and wants to share her love of Thailand with everyone.
If you want to see the details of our day, including lots of photos, it’s all on my website:
Kristina Johnson
Los Angeles , CA USA
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Dear fellow travelers
Our family had the pleasure of using Tong’s services on our recent trip to Thailand, where she took us on a 3 day trip to the Kanchanaburi area. Our trip comprised visiting
• a Buddhist temple where we got our first taste of the Buddhist ways |
• the floating markets which brought a whole new definition to shopping and gave us a chance to meet some of Tong’s friends (both 2 and 4 legged) |
• a remote fishing village and feeding wild monkeys followed by a seafood smorgasbord on a fishing hut in the middle of the river |
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• The famous river Kwai and a fabulous fireworks display and a ride on a train on the Death Railway |
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• Monkey school where we handled monkeys learnt about their training to climb trees to collect coconuts |
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• The Tiger Temple where you get to be amongst tigers and meet Tong’s baby(Bam Bam) |
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• Bamboo rafting down the river Kwai |
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• Overnight stay in the Jungle rafts and feeding elephants, and |
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• Swimming in the Erawan waterfalls |
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Tong provided us great in site into this area, introduced us to some beautiful food and gave us many laughs along the way. We have many wonderful memories of our time in Thailand thanks to Tong and feel we gained a friend along the way.
She loves to talk, is very hands on, loves kids and animals and seems to know everyone wherever she goes.
Tong is very well organized, always on time and provided us with a great driver (Pete) and modern comfortable van. Our well being was always her main priority and she was always making sure we had plenty of great food and cold drinks and even provided cold washers for our comfort on a hot day.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Tong to anyone intending to visit Thailand and would hope that you come away from the trip with as many fond memories and experiences that we had.
The Bartholomew Family Australia
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Where do I begin to describe our wonderful day with Tong? From the moment she met us in our hotel lobby bright and bubbly, at 6.30am until she dropped us off early evening she was a joy to be with. She had actually been waiting in the lobby since 6.00am and was suffering from laryngitis! Myself, husband Malcolm, daughter Iona and her partner Oly (both 25) all bundled into the very luxurious VIP van-well worth the extra money and our day began. First stop at a small temple with no other visitors -so beautiful and we also got to meet a monk . Then off to the Floating Market-what fun we had. Tong was ordering ,food from all sides and we were all sitting there like a row of ducks passing it up and down between us. I can fully understand why Tong recommends getting there early because when we got back to the pier to alight from our boat it was complete chaos as all the tour buses had arrived. We all commented that it was a shame for all the tourists as they would see very little where as we has seen all the back klongs and really saw how people lived and shopped. Off we set again for a'happy stop'(Tong's phrase) at a wood carving factory -the work was equisite and there was absolutely No pressure to buy. Then it was off again to the Fishing Village to spend several wonderful hours with Reed the fisherman and his family. We fed the monkeys- a little scary but lots of fun. Looked at the oyster and mussel fisheries . Skimmed over the mud flats sending the herons flying-such fun. Then back to the amazing house on stilts in the middle of the ocean for a wonderful feast. I can't begin to describe the tranquility and sense of well being we all experienced -I think Reed thought we would never leave. Not being a lightweight I had fun getting up and down the bamboo ladder but it really wasn't as bad as I'd imagined it might be and caused great hilarity for everyone else! We travelled back to Bangkok tired but very very happy and Ttong played a film for the younger (fitter) members of the party whils Mum snoozed in the back!
Tong is a wonderful person and so dedicated. Apparently she doesn't get many British guests-she thought we were adventurous for Brits-we still laugh about that- all I can say is please don't let an opportutunity to spend a day with Tong go by-her enthusiasm is infectious. We can't wait to spend another day with her!!
MALCOLM STUDLEY
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December, 2006 and December2007/January 2008
We have made several visits to Thailand and have used Tong as a guide on more than one visit. She is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and entertaining. While we did do the "tourist route," we also were taken to some places not normally visited by farangs.
We went to the Tiger Cave Temple twice -- in 2006 and 2007 -- and were impressed both times. The first time we had our pictures made with the tigers, but the next year we spent playing with the cubs and enjoyed it immensely. We also made "up front and personal" friends with two water buffaloes and a goat. In 2007, two of our adult children were with us and they, too, enjoyed playing with the cubs and feeding them milk tablets. The new facility for the tigers is great and they are so lucky to have this and the monks who care for them. Before we left in 2007, Tong arranged for us to have our picture made with the Abbot of this Temple. What an experience!
In addition to the other sites mentioned by previous reviewers -- we did them all -- we were privileged to be taken by Tong to some other "less visited" places. In Kanchanaburi province we went to the Monkey School, where the monkeys are taught to harvest coconuts, thereby aiding coconut production. This is where our adult daughter lost her prescription sunglasses when she got too close to one monkey's cage. He thought they were wonderful, and the loss was a small price to pay for the experience.
In January, 2008, Tong took my husband and me --at our request -- to a Temple where we were able to purchase coffins for Buddhists whose families might not be able to afford them. This was particularly inspiring as we were able to send the spirits of our deceased family members along to escort the future deceased to an eternal life.
Tong also took us on a short walk through a Thai neighborhood to the Royal Barge Museum. These floating museums were awesome and something not to be missed if possible. Tong told us the history of the barges, and at the time we were there they were preparing a barge to be used in the cremation ceremony for Princess Galyani Vadhana, who passed away while we were there. From Tong and others we learned a lot about the cremation and burial services of the Buddhists.
Tong introduced us to a very special Thai restaurant -- the Coconut Palm. So special that we asked to be taken back and it was equally good each time. Their speciality seemed to be coconut ice cream -- what a treat. It is worth a trip there just for the ice cream, and since it is near the Wat Pho, it is on everyone's route. And yes, all the food we had there was very good.
Can we recommend Tong? ABSOLUTELY!!!!! Any visit to Thailand will be enriched by knowing and visiting such a lovely young woman. She does everything in her power -- and she has a lot -- to make a memorable visit even more so. A day or two or three with Tong is worth more than the small price she charges -- each is definitely a day of memories.
The Melvilles
Texas, USA
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I just wanted to let everyone know what a wonderful tour guide Tong is. My husband and I and another couple booked tours with Tong before our October 07 vacation. She was very professional and good at what she does. More that that one can see she is a great person inside and out. I would highly recommend her services to anyone.
Most sincerely Christine Storz
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Charlie was a wonderful tour guide! He was extremely informed on the history of Bangkok and we learned a lot from him. From temples to great places to eat, we saw all the city highlights in our half day tour.
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Tong is absolutley the most fun human on the planet. She speaks perfect English, has a great sense of humor, and most importantly knows Thailand and how to experience it to the fullest. Our day included a stop for the best roadside coconut treats, wild monkeys, a seafood feast the likes of which you have never seen and a trip to the Grand Palace complete with history lessons by Tong that were wonderful. She is a gem, but book early, everyone loves Tong.
Clair Beckmann - clairann2000@yahoo.com
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My family joined Tong's organised tour to the Floating Market on 17May 2008. I was telling my family that I chose to book with Tong after reading the raving reviews on Tong and her team and I must say my family agreed with me and was very happy with the professional service accorded to us. We thoroughly enjoy the service of 'Q' our guide and he really ensured that all was well with us and kept us well fed on the boat with Banana Fritters which was different from the kind we get in Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia. The Mango with Sticky Rice was yummyl and so were the other savouries and solid local ice-coffee. the vehicle was good and spacious with cooler box stocked with drinks.
I can confirm that our next trip to Bangkok we will definitely book one of Tong's tours again.
Syed, Monica, Ayu & Chaqa
Singapore
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My husband and I went to Thailand with another couple at the end of February. We knew there was a lot to do and see in Bangkok, so we wanted to make sure we got the proper tour. After reading several wonderful reviews of Tong’s tour company on www.tripadvisor.com, I decided to book her for the Floating Market and tour of Bangkok city. It was the best decision I could have made! On our way out to the floating market, I mentioned Tiger Temple and Tong gave us her thoughts on whether we should go there with her or do the tour of the city. We really appreciated how she explained what would we get out of each place and whether it was necessary to have a tour guide or not. We subsequently decided to go to Tiger Temple and my husband and I toured the city by ourselves the next day while our friends went on a guided tour of the city with one of Tong’s other licensed guides the same day. We all had a great time on our respective tours!
I loved the way Tong was familiar with the staff of each place we visited and talked to them and they made us feel extra special. At the floating market, she knew which vendors from which we’d most likely want to buy food and goods and we even got an extended tour in our canoe to see life on the waters. She had plenty of snacks for us all day and made sure we were comfortable and never hungry. This was quite a change from the typical tour guide who is silent during the drive and doesn’t bother explaining much to us. I really felt like Tong was a long-time family friend who was looking out for us and made sure we enjoyed ourselves while learning about and experiencing true Thai culture. I would definitely recommend her tours to any visitors of Bangkok – whether it’s your first time or tenth time! Tong is the way to go!”
Here is LaTonya’s review of Pop. Larry and I did not go on the tour of Bangkok with them:
Pop was very nice, however he was not as detailed with the explanations as you were. We enjoyed our day with him, but he could have been a little more interactive. For instance, he would not enter the temples with us to provide explanations of what we were seeing. He was not high energy, particularly after spending the day before with you.
Ta Tanisha
Maryland, U.S.A.
Tata_21@hotmail.com
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