Testimonials
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was our first trip to Bangkok, so we took the advise of very close friends and contacted Tong to arrange a full day tour. Unfortunately Tong was fully booked that day, but fortunately for us we met Hugo. Hugo was new to the tour group, but we thought he was fantastic. Hugo picked us up (my husband, father and mother) about 6:30am and we arrived back to our hotel about 8pm. What an amazing start to our holiday.
Throughout our day, we went to the Floating Markets, we bathed with the Elephants, we went to the Bridge over River Kwai, we saw gorgeous temples, the Royal Thai Handicraft and an amazing lunch. We experienced so much in one day, it was fantastic. We felt so fortunate. One thing we did notice throughout the day, is every where we went, people knew we were with Tong Tours and were looked after in every way possible.
We felt very safe with Hugo and he made our day so enjoyable. We could not believe how full of knowledge Hugo was. He knew so much about everything, it was amazing. He was so interesting to listen to and learn from. We walked away from that day with a lot of knowledge, understanding and appreciation.
If we are ever fortunate enough to travel to Bangkok again, we would love to be able to spend another day with Hugo to experience more of this amazing place.
Thank you again Hugo, for your professionalism, friendliness, knowledge and so much more.
We wish you and your family all the best.
Clayton & Kylie McErlane
Larry & Linda Marks
May 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Janet, Paul, Chris & I (Sue) spent 3 days in Bangkok on our way from UK to Australia. I'd seen the sights of Bangkok before but the other 3 were all 'newbies'! After reading rave reviews on TripAdviser I knew that I had to book with Tong to make sure that we all got the best out of our stopover. I was disappointed when Tong herself was not available, but was happy to be booked in with Nui one of Tongs assistants.
And we were absolutely delighted with our choice. Nui couldn't have looked after us better, and she made getting around Bangkok effortless (quite an achievement) and we had a magical day out to the Floating Markets and Fishermans Village.
Day One - we managed to see the Grand Palace and Temple, Wat Pho, Marble Temple, Wat Arun and China Town and we had a lovely (and very cheap) meal at a typical Thai Restaurant the Nui found for us. With all the traffic and the heat I don't think that we would have survived half the sights without the help of Nui and her Driver! The gold was spectacular - and left us in awe.
Day Two - what a perfect day - and the highlight of our trip to Bangkok without a doubt. We set off at 7 am and arrived at the Railway market just in time to see the 8:30 train arriving - all the stalls had to be moved out of the way for the train to come through - amazing! Then to the floating market - Nui had arranged an extra long trip away from all the tourist boats - and she purchased noodles from her favourite stall for us to try. She then helped with the bartering for sunglasses and shirts etc! Then onto the magnificent woodcarving factory for a quick stop before the highlight of our trip. Nui had been purchasing bags and bags of bananas along the way, which were all loaded onto a boat at the fishing village, then off we set into the jungle on a fishing boat. After a while the fisherman called out and monkeys started appearing out of the trees - hundreds then appeared all scrambling for the bananas which we had to throw to them! Then onto the fishing grounds to see the various catches made by the locals. Then onto a fishermans hut on stilts in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand/Siam - which we climbed upto with various degrees of accuracy - I had to be hauled the last few steps and landed unceremoniously in a heap at the feet of the fishermans wife! Here we found a delicious fish feast of catfish, prawns, crab etc and rice and we were then able to relax on loungers and watch the wildlife, including sea eagles fly by - we had truly found paradise! It was then time to leave after a magical trip, and we arrived back at our hotel at about 5pm.
Nui was such a good guide, we were truly sorry to say goodbye and Chris will now be known as the 'Happy Buddah' - as he was named by Nui. We hope to return someday and will definitely be wanting to travel with Tong Tours again.
Sue, Chris, Janet & Paul
Yorkshire, UK.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My wife and I along with two friends from Hong Kong recently spent two days with Tong. They were two very special days thanks to Tong and her driver!
Out of the four of us, I was the only one who had never been to Bangkok, so for some reason, I was given the job of planning the itinerary for our three days in Bangkok. I went to Tripadvisor and read numerous forums over a few months and Tong's name kept coming up as a highly recommended tour guide. So, I sent her an email last summer and was pleasantly surprised to get a response within hours!
We were able to have two days with Tong in February. The first day was spent going to the Deadly Market (as she called it), the Floating Market and on to the Fishing Village. Just an amazing day. The second day was spent in Bangkok touring the Grand Palace, the temples, the canals, the market.
So what? you might say. Well, this trip to Bangkok and surrounding areas was so much more special thanks to Tong. She has an amazing amount of knowledge, energy, passion and caring. Not to mention a great sense of humour and a great joy of life.
One of the highlights (there were so many) was her tour of the Grand Palace. While other groups swept past us with their guides, Tong took the time to explain in great detail and with great passion, the history of her beloved King's family. It was a truly moving experience.
We look forward to seeing her again in 2009.
Rene Roy and Patti Mills-Roy
Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I travelled to Thailand with my friend Dani in August 2007. Neither of us had been to Thailand before. We had found Tong's name on the Trip Advisor web page. We did not read a bad comment or experience about Tong and her staff.
We booked Tong before heading over to Bangkok. She kept us updated on everything before we had even left Australia.
We had organised Tong for tours on two separate days. Both days she met us at our motel early and made sure we were ready to go. She had a great personality and made us feel comfortable and excited we were about to have a great tour of the city and its history. On the first day we did a tour of the temples around the Bangkok. Tong knew everything we asked her and was excited when telling us the storey behind each of the temples and Buddha's. We were exhausted, but Tong was still full of energy.
On the second day we were tossing up whether or not to do the floating markets before the Tiger Temple. Tong suggested we do visit the floating markets. We were so glad we did. It was such a unique experience. We ate food from boats as we watched them cook in front of us. We got to experience so much having Tong as our tour guide opposed to being in a group and missing out of different things.
Before going to the Tiger Temple Tong explained the situation of the area and how the Tigers came to be in the present of the Monks. I will never forget this day. It was amazing. There are no other words to describe the experience we were able to have. I think we would have missed so much if we were not with Tong. We would not have understood or appreciated what the Monks were trying to achieve with the Tigers if Tong had not taken the time to tell us. We got to pat the cubs and hold a couple of them, and even feed one some milk tablets.
You could see how much the Monks and workers respect and like Tong. They helped her help us get the best photos and the best experiences. Right to the point where we were able to meet Bam Bam a Sun Bear. I have never been so close let alone feed a bear before.
We got to see and experience so much with Tong. She thought of the little things tour companies would never think of. Being Aussies we are use to nice toilets not holes in the ground. She even made sure we stopped at places that had clean and fully functioning toilets!!! (Happy Places).
I have told so many people thinking of heading to Bangkok to contact Tong to do all their tours. Tong is not just a tour guide. She loves her country and city and that comes out in her tours. She enjoys sharing stories of her country and its history, and I think it is this part of her that makes the tours so fantastic.
I would not hesitate to use Tong or any of her tour guides when I return to Bangkok in the near future to find new places to visit and learn about. Dani is returning there soon with her family and I know she is contacting Tong to have her show her family around. I know I would not have left Bangkok with so many fantastic memories if it wasn't for Tong.
Tracey and Dani
Brisbane,
Australia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can say without a doubt that the very best time we had in Thailand was when we booked through Tong Tours…….We took the trip listed as FN3 to the Floating Market…..our guide for the day was Jerry……he was picking us up at 6:30am and so we decided to have an early breakfast at 5:30AM and guess who was already in the lobby….Jerry! He was making sure that because of the traffic he would be on time…..no problem….still had time for breakfast and an early start to a really amazing example of Thai craftsmanship in the temple we visited along the way to the floating market…..inside it has truly extraordinary wood inlay and carvings….something very special that we would not have gotten to see on any other tour…..after that on to the Floating market…..local school children were there and they interviewed us to practice their English….great fun and the canals and sites while shopping made this a really fun, colorful experience. Afterwards we headed to a Thai wood craft shops……a nice stop, truly awesome detailed work and there is absolutely no pressure to buy, in case anyone is worried about that…..then the large Phra Pathom Chedi where we made an offering and got to write our wish on a cloth that will be wrapped around the temple……then a wonderful local lunch in a place I know that I would not have ventured to try, but because of our guide, Jerry, we were able to experience and appreciate.
Another day out was a customized tour for my WWII buff (my husband) to Hellfire Pass, the Krasae Cave, JEATH War Museum, War Cemetery, and Death Railway Museum and, of course, the Bridge Over The River Kwai. In between we managed an Elephant Ride and a visit to the Tiger Temple. Our guide for this adventure was Nui…..what a gem she is! Always, she was attentive to our needs and seemed to want to insure that we got the most out of each stop. Often, without encouragement, she would offer to take our picture together. There was always a cool bottle of water available, some snacks, and refreshing towels after our dustiest encounters. At the tiger temple, she made sure we had our time walking with tigers and got the handlers to take our cameras for some extra amazing close-up photos of the tigers. We also got to visit the famous Asian Black Bear…Bambam….and Nui had snacks and milk ready for us to feed to her….it was an awesome day and make our trip to Thailand so much more memorable.
I know that some of you may be hesitant to book a Tong Tour unless you get Tong herself (and let’s face it she has become the standard the world is starting to measure other Thai tours by), but I can assure you that she has kept a very high standard with her staff. Please consider yourself honored to have the very high energy, always laughing, Jerry or the very bright, smiling, attentive and knowledgeable Nui as your guide for your Thai adventure. Happy Travels……
Carol
Happy Traveller - eurobrats@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
