Live, Laugh, Love Thailand and Bali

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Celebrate two vibrant cultures in an unforgettable journey through Thailand and Bali. Experience the many wonders of the bustling city of Bangkok, dive into the crystal clear waters of the tropical island of Ko Lanta, and fill your senses with the artistic traditions and natural wonders on the exotic Hindu island of Bali.

From Bangkok to Bali, this magical journey promises to relax, refresh, and rejuvenate!

Day 1

Fly from the US to Bangkok …transfer to your centrally–located Bangkok Hotel. Get a good night’s sleep and catch up with your jetlag in your quiet, air-conditioned room.

(Interior of your Bangkok Hotel room)

(Rooftop pool at your Bangkok hotel, with gym facitilies and free Wifi also available !)

Day 2

Enjoy a leisurely day in the bustling city of Bangkok with a walk or “tuk-tuk” ride around the area. Perhaps you might want to get a massage at one of the many spas in the area, do a bit of shopping on the infamous Khao San road, take a tai chi class in beautiful Lumpini Park or visit the world famous floating market on the outskirts of the city.

Another highly recommended option is to enjoy a riverboat trip down the Chao-Praya river, the main river of the city of Bangkok. Here, you will get a very quick sense for how amazingly diverse and exciting this international city is. Feel free to get off at the various number of river stops to enjoy the beautiful temples of Wat Po, Wat Arun (temple of the dawn) and get your camera ready to be within feet of the world's largest reclining golden Buddha .

Perhaps you might like to enjoy a massage at the world famous massage school of Wat Po, where for under 10 dollars, you can receive an hour massage from some of the best trained massage specialists in all of Thailand ! Or if enjoying a bit of history and luxury is your preference, head over to the world famous Oriental hotel where such authors as Somerset Maugham and Joseph Conrad stayed and did a great deal of their now world-famous writing.

Evening is free to explore and enjoy !

Day 3

One of the highlights of last year's tour was a 1/2 day bicycle trip around the historic parts of Bangkok. Here you will get a chance to get out of the hustle and bustle a bit and enjoy some of the more local life in the outskirts of the city. Lunch is provided as is an expert local thai guide who will ride with you the whole way and keep you informed (and laughing !) throughout your journey. Arrangements can be made through me for this trip. (this is an excursion for ALL level of bikers- approximately 6-7 miles of a ride on flat terrain.)

Evening free…

Day 4

Fly from Bangkok to Krabi (Included)

Arrive at Krabi airport in the south of Thailand where you will be transported by mini van to the beautiful southern Thai island of Ko Lanta .

Mid afternoon arrival on Ko Lanta where you will be staying in beachside bungalows, only steps away from the ocean…enjoy a dip in the balmy waters of the crystal clear Andaman Sea , do a bit of snorkeling, or just rest in the various hammocks located throughout the property. Seaside massages are always available right outside your bungalow if you so desire.

Yoga classes are also available every day on the property. (Optional)

Dinner Free

Day 5

Morning yoga class (optional)

If you are feeling somewhat adventurous today, rent a moped and let us take you on a wonderful tour to the south of the island ! Here you will see dozens of beautiful white sandy beaches, many of them spotted with only a handful of people. This trip is a must if you want to get a good sense of how truly beautiful this island is !

If you prefer to do some diving, this would be a good day for you to explore the depths of the world famous reefs and sea life of the Andaman Sea. Divers from all over the world come to Lanta to enjoy the many offshore reefs located around this island. We will set up this one-day dive trip for you (not included in your tour price).

Evening- Enjoy a sunset dinner at the various restaurants along the coast.

Meet at Ozone Bar after dinner for island-wide beachside party ! (optional)

Day 6

Boat trip to the island of Ko Ngai (Included)…Enjoy a half day trip of amazing snorkeling and swimming in some of the most beautiful waters in all of Thailand. We will be traveling on a traditional thai long-tail boat to and from the island.

Enjoy a free evening exploring the main port city of Saladan, do some shopping for local Thai handicrafts, and enjoy a fresh seafood meal at the various local eateries.

Day 7

FREE DAY ! Enjoy your time to rest and relax, take a cooking class, do more yoga, go ride an elephant, or just sleep in a hammock all day ! This is your time to just “be” and enjoy …

Last night dinner in Thailand (optional but highly recommended..)

Please join us for a wonderful night out at one of the islands most special beachfront thai restaurants. Here will can watch the sunset, enjoy amazing food and drink, and meet many of the wonderful locals who congregate here nightly to play music and dance.

Day 8

Mid-Afternoon departure for Bali-(via overnight stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Enjoy the diversity of this amazing Malaysian city ! Take a stroll through Chinatown, have a sumptious Indian meal, or take a walk to see the world's tallest building, the Petronas Tower.

Free evening to explore and rest up for your morning flight to Bali !

Day 9 WELCOME TO BALI

You will be arriving early afternoon in the beautiful lush and tropical town of Ubud, home to dozens of artists, yogis and musicians from all over the world. Enjoy a stroll to the downtown area and take in all the sights and sounds of the local marketplaces. It is time to "shop till you drop" !

We recommend you enjoy the main marketplace in the center of town to get some of the best bargains in all of Bali !

Dinner- on your own

SALSA NIGHT ! (optional) - after dinner, feel free to come join us for a few hours of live salsa music and dance. This is just a few minutes walk from our property and would be a great chance for you to begin to meet other locals and tourists alike.

Day 10

Wake up at your own leisure to the sounds of tropical birds and the Champuan River gurgling outside your traditional Balinese bungalow. Enjoy your homemade breakfast while you take in the amazing views of the lush verdant mountains and valleys that surround you. Yoga classes on the property will also be available if you would like to do a bit of morning stretching.. (optional)

For Lunch- Meet group at hotel for a wonderful hike through the Ubud Rice fields to the now famous “Organic Restaurant”. Here we will enjoy some of the most sumptuous, healthy food in all of Ubud. Your hosts will also be providing you a brief orientation of the surrounding area. (Lunch included)

Day 11

Midmorning-we will take a day trip to the scenic lake district of Bedegul (Included)

...and then onward to the famous Batik center of Jati Luwih where local artisans will share with you the process of producing this world- reknowned form of art.

We will continue onto Batubulan to see authentic stone carvings and sculptures made by the skillful local Balinese.

Our trip will include stops along the way to visit beautiful temples and will culminate with a traditional Balinese lunch.

FREE EVENING

Day 12

FREE MORNING

Enjoy a morning of leisure around the pool, take a quiet stroll through the Champuan Valley, or explore the surrounding villages by foot or bike. If spoiling yourself is on your agenda, why not treat yourself to a massage or spa treatment at one of the many spas throughout Ubud. There are dozens of wonderful spas throughout Ubud including several across the street from our hotel property.

Midday- Indonesian Cooking Class (optional)- Come learn the art of traditional Balinese cooking taught by renowned chef and artist Janet de Neefe , author of the best-selling memoir, "Fragrant Rice" and owner of the very popular "Casa Luna" restaurant. She is reputed to be the leader of the best cooking school in all of Bali. And yes, a big added bonus is that you get to eat the meal you prepared !

DINNER FREE

JAZZ NIGHT at Jazz Cafe (optional) – come join us after dinner for live jazz, rock, and blues music at the very popular Jazz Café, walking distance from the center of Ubud town. A good time is always had by all !

Day 13

We will be leaving Ubud and transferring to the trendy beach resort of Seminyak. We will be checking into a beautiful beachside Balinese Villa where you will be able to indulge in your private pool and chef if you so desire ! You will also be walking distance to the famous nearby beaches, shops and restaurants. This will be a good time for you to do your last minute shopping and bargaining with the local shopkeepers before you begin to pack your bags for your journey home!

Evening-optional

It is recommended you take a quick cab drive to the famous Jimbaran Bay for an ocean-side meal of the freshest seafood in Bali. Here you can enjoy sunset drinks on the largest stretch of Balinesian beach (Kuta and Legian) and then enjoy a seafood dinner under the moon and stars to experience what the romance of dining in Bali is truly all about.

Day 14

FREE DAY !

Enjoy your last day in Bali to do whatever you heart and mind desire ! Take a dip in the ocean, get a massage, do some more shopping, explore the local cafes and eateries or just rest all day in a hammock with your favorite book !

Final Night Dinner

We will be having a private dinner/party in a luxurious Balinese property where we will enjoy a privately catered meal prepared by local chefs. This will be a time to share pictures,stories, addresses, etc, and to of course say our goodbyes with each other ! A not-to-be missed experience !

Day 15

Transfer to Denpasar airport for your flights home….

“until we meet again…”

YOUR TOUR HOST :

MELINA LILLIOS has been conducting tours throughout the world since 1985. She conducted educational bus tours throughout England and Southern Europe as well as worked as a tour director for Contiki Tours which took her all over the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Australia, and New Zealand. She first came to Hawaii to open up a worldwide office for Contiki and then later went on to become operations manager for the travel companies Globus Gateway and Cosmos Tours.

Melina has been traveling to Thailand and Bali for over 10 years and now lives on her beloved island of Ko Lanta for 4 months of the year. While on Ko Lanta, Melina teaches her university courses online, volunteers at various schools and orphanages and makes a point of exploring new countries in SE Asia with every visit. While living the rest of the year in Hawaii, Melina teaches intercultural communications at Hawaii Pacific University, teaches private voice and piano lessons, and is a musical-director of locally-produced theater in Honolulu.

TOUR DETAILS

TOUR PRICE :$2075 (double occupancy) $2495.00 USD (single occupancy)

This will include the following : ALL flights within Southeast Asia ( Bangkok to Krabi, Krabi to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur to Bali,) , 14 nights accommodations in wonderful locations including private Balinese villa , all breakfasts, a final night dinner, 2 day-excursions, most ground transfers, and, of course, the expertise of your host who will be with you all along the way !

*The tour price may slightly fluctuate as sudden rises in airline fuel surcharges and costs sometime occur.

International flights can be arranged from any city in the world ! Just let us know your departure point preference and we will do all we can to get you the best price available ! We encourage you to book as soon as possible for the best guaranteed price. Average prices right now from Honolulu and US West coast is around 1100.00. You are also encouraged to use any airline frequent flier miles you have saved up as all major airlines fly in and out of Bangkok !

PAYMENT- We have set up a PayPal account so you can pay directly via a check or credit card. We will send you an email with a link to pay once you confirmed you are traveling with us. A 30% deposit is required to hold your seat. The remaining 70% will be due January 15th, 2011. This tour is booked on a "first pay, first serve" basis. Maximum seats available for this tour is 15 so book early to insure your place !

Some testimonials from past Live Laugh Love customers :

“I could not be happier with my decision to Live, Laugh and Love with Melina’s tour. From the moment I cut my check, I didn’t worry about a thing as the communication was clear and thorough and every detail – from accommodations to activities to food to everything else – was well thought through and perfectly balanced, enabling us participants to sit back and just drink it all in. We all returned extraordinarily relaxed and enriched as a result. Melina is tops and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone wanting a seamless, truly restful vacation.” Diane B., San Francisco

" I feel like I've just had a big dose of that beautiful 'One' energy. Thank you for that, Melina- you created the space for us, (strangers but now brothers and sisters) to do just that. It was an unforgettable tour. The Epic Thailand/Bali Adventure leaves me changed... and charmed. I am still lost in Ubud, and have never been more in love with life." Sandra B., New Zealand

"Melina is the tour organizer and guide you want to set things up for you! She knows and LOVES the places she visits, has lots of insider experience and information, knows how to pace a trip. We covered a tremendous amount of world in a relatively short time, yet I never felt rushed. And There were plenty of activities to include myself in—or not. I loved the ‘of you choose’ aspect of the trip. Plenty to do and plenty of not-doing time and space as well. I would recommend this trip—or any LLL tour—to my friends and colleagues based on this one, extremely memorable, enjoyable journey! Thank you for everything Melina! We WILL travel together again!"
Rea Fox,Honolulu

"Melina took such good care of me and my daughter on our recent trip to Greece. She made wonderful reservations at some amazing hotels and basically planned the trip for us including suggestions for independent tours. We loved Greece especially enjoyed the Athens Gate Hotel which is absolutely charming and centrally located. The other favorite is the island of Santorini and our hotel stay there. Overall the trip was such a pleasant experience. Thanks Melina!" Frances H., Honolulu

"I can’t wait to do another tour with Live, Laugh, Love. The experiences I had while on the Thailand-Bali tour are truly highlights of my life that I will be talking about and cherishing for years to come!" Justin K., Seattle

"You gave such a meaningful gift to us all. You worked your magic and it all happened. Powerful wonderful sister you is."
Tony L., San Francisco

WHAT TO BRING

Positive attitude

- Bring an open mind and a good sense of humor ! ☺

Remember you are traveling in 3rd world countries where customs, standards, and norms are different from our own in the western world. Being mindful of these differences and appreciating all that these cultures can offer you will guarantee you the experience of a lifetime.

Paperwork

- A Valid US Passport is necessary to travel to Thailand and Bali- no special visas are required for either Thailand and Bali as you will be there for less than 30 days. If you feel that you might be extending your trip more than 2 weeks, you will need to get a Thai and/or Indonesian visa from your local consulate.

- For Bali, you will need to pay an entry fee of $25.00 (cash) upon arrival at the Denpasar (Bali) airport.

- Bring your driver’s license and a copy of your birth certificate if possible (in case loss of passport occurs.)

- Make copies of all your credit cards and store these copies in a separate place in your luggage.

Medical Shots

Not necessary but left to your own discretion. We will not be going into any remote jungle areas …and there is bottled water everywhere to be purchased.

Clothing-

We will be in warm, tropical climates (average temperatures- mid 80’s ). Bring a couple pairs of shorts, a swimsuit or two, a few tank tops/cotton shirts, a pair of jeans, and a cover-up/light jacket for the cooler evenings in Bali. Some casual evening dress for dinners out is also fine. A good pair of walking/hiking shoes is recommended. No fancy footwear required ☺

Calculator -Bringing a calculator can be helpful when shopping and bargaining with the foreign currency at hand.

Flashlight -A small flashlight also comes in very handy when walking back to your bungalow after the sun goes down.

Money-There is no need to bring too much cash with you. There are ATM's everywhere we go. Your bank will charge you a minimal amount for every time you use your card at an ATM (usually around $5 USD per transaction; check with your bank to see what their rates are). Exchange rates are very similar between ATM’s and exchanging money at a bank. Debit cards are the way to go. Make sure you make a copy of your card in case it gets lost while you are traveling.

Luggage allowance (for travel within Thailand and to Bali)

-Try to limit your luggage to carry-on only, if possible. The allowance is 15kg or less (approximately 33 lbs) with the airline we are traveling with between Thailand and Bali. If we all travel light, our getting out of airports will be a lot smoother and quicker and give you/us all more time to enjoy where we are !

Just an FYI:
You will be charged a minimal amount by the airline we are using in SE Asia for extra weight ; anything over 15 kg (33 lbs) is considered “over weight”. If your bag does go over this weight, you will pay cash for this difference directly at check-in. Also remember the same rule in the US applies here for traveling with liquids overseas for carry-on luggage; All 3 oz containers must fit in a one-quart zip-lock bag.

Medicine

-I always travel with a small bottle of grapeseed extract . (You can find this at any of your local health food stores). Grapeseed extract is an amazing natural remedy if you ever have an adverse reaction to food, water, etc. Probiotics and charcoal are also very useful to have if stomach upset occurs.

Also know that there are plenty of medical facilities /pharmacies available everywhere we are traveling. Medicine is sold at an amazingly cheap cost as well. (I suggest you buy what you need here at great prices before you head back to the US ! )

Internet access

Leave your laptops at home, if possible! There are internet cafes everywhere we go and the cost per hour is amazingly cheap (2-5 dollars per hour). If you must bring your computers with you, Wifi is available everywhere we travel.

Phones

If you don’t have a phone or Blackberry that works overseas, buying a cheap mobile phone in Bangkok is recommended and will cost you around 35-40 USD…this is the way to go when you are traveling here! This will also be a good way for all of us to keep in touch ☺

Live Love Laugh tours is not responsible for any loss, theft, damage, illness, medical costs, airline cancellations,delays, or "acts of God" that may occur on this trip.