Travel Plans/August 2023: Difference between revisions

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== Diving trip planning ==
== Tokyo Planning ==
 
* Fireworks festival at Meiji Jingu https://jinguhanabi.com; requires tickets that go on sale on July 15th; paid seats, which is weird, but the cheapest seats are ¥6000 and are in the rugby stadium; mika can buy
* Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri 11-15th in Tokyo [https://fukagawa-web.com/wpfuka02/2023/06/29/2023fukagawa-hachiman_matsuri272-1-2/#:~:text=%E5%AF%8C%E5%B2%A1%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E5%AE%AE%E4%BE%8B%E5%A4%A7%E7%A5%AD%E8%A1%8C%E4%BA%8B%E6%97%A5%E7%A8%8B,-2023%E6%B7%B1%E5%B7%9D%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1&text=%EF%BC%96%E5%B9%B4%E3%81%B6%E3%82%8A%E3%81%AE%E6%B7%B1%E5%B7%9D]; the main thing is at about 13:30-15:30pm on August 13th. We should be there!
** Schedule and maps are online here: http://www.tomiokahachimangu.or.jp/shahoNew/pdf/tomigaoka109_reisai.pdf#page=1
* August 15th evening fireworks in Ota (7:30pm): [https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/ota-fireworks-festival-by-tama-river/46095] [https://www.city.ota.tokyo.jp/event/event_kankou/hanabi.html]
 
Other things:
 
* garlic restaurants
 
=== Fujisan Climb ===
 
Plan is to start in Fujinomiya in a hotel near the station.
 
;Both Options: 635am get bus Fujinomiya Station → Fujinomiya 5th Station [https://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji_season.html] (Mika should verify this information on the bus website)
;Both Options: 755am: arrive at Fujinomiya 5th Station and start climb to the top (should take "up to 5 hours" to make the climb)[ https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/climbing-mount-fuji]
;Option 1: Descend back down the Fujinomiya train (which could take Up to 2 hours and 45 minutes [https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/climbing-mount-fuji]) for a total of 7h45m to make the last bus back at 7pm [https://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji_season.html]; one concern is that this route might be congested; we then proceed back in more-or-less the same way (we'd have 11h from arriving to make this)
;Option 2: Descend down the Yoshida Trail (the most popular route with a separate descent route) 8to Fuji Subaru 5th Station (should take "up to 3.5h" for a total of 8.5h to get the last bus at 6:40 [[https://www.japan-guide.com/bus/fuji_season.html]] to Kawaguchiko (we'd have 10h45m from arrival to make this)
;Option 3: Descent down the Subashiri trail although we'd need to make the last bus at 17:45 (because the 18:45 only runs on Sat/Sun, holidays and 8/14-16); that path down should take "up to 3 hours" though and we'd have 9h50m from when we leave; if we've made good time up to the time we should consider this because it should be the least crowded route down, by far; should be much more in the woods
 
 
==== Resources ====
 
* Japanese Bus schedule: https://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/rosen/fujitozan
* PDF for Fujinomiya schedule: https://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/fujitozan/fujinomiyatozan_fare_eng.pdf
* PDF for the Subaru (Yoshida Trail) schedule: https://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/fujitozan/subari_line_202307.pdf
* Very nice pamphlet from 2018 with lots of maps and stuff in English. That said, all the timetables are wrong! http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/mtpass/_file/climbersbus_en.pdf
* Very nice train map/PDF https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/kjhqgg0000002r95-att/Fujinomiya_info2018_en.pdf
* Comparison of trails: https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/trails/index.html
* Toilet map (including a PDF we can download): https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/mountain_huts_and_toilets.html
 
== Thailand Diving trip planning ==


Date suggestions would be arriving to Ko Tao on '''August 20, 2023''' and leaving on '''August 27th'''. We could then to visit Bangkok for a couple days arriving on the '''August 27''' and leaving on '''August 30'''.
Date suggestions would be arriving to Ko Tao on '''August 20, 2023''' and leaving on '''August 27th'''. We could then to visit Bangkok for a couple days arriving on the '''August 27''' and leaving on '''August 30'''.
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* [[:wikivoyage:Ko Tao|Wikivoyage page for Ko Tao]]
* [[:wikivoyage:Ko Tao|Wikivoyage page for Ko Tao]]
* [https://www.agoda.com/search?city=17389&locale=en-us&ckuid=ae995151-5703-42ef-98f4-dbb3dbf9cc65&prid=0&currency=USD&correlationId=35bf2b8e-eaa7-43ef-87dc-05dffc958e2f&analyticsSessionId=-2470980653307526451&pageTypeId=103&realLanguageId=1&languageId=1&origin=US&cid=1606957&userId=ae995151-5703-42ef-98f4-dbb3dbf9cc65&whitelabelid=1&loginLvl=0&storefrontId=3&currencyId=7&currencyCode=USD&htmlLanguage=en-us&cultureInfoName=en-us&machineName=as-pc-3g-acm-web-user-6fdf6d96bd-dp54q&trafficGroupId=2&sessionId=tvpdbbdpkjxqlgwkug2pldw1&trafficSubGroupId=2&aid=139090&useFullPageLogin=true&cttp=4&isRealUser=true&mode=production&browserFamily=Firefox&checkIn=2023-08-20&checkOut=2023-08-27&rooms=1&adults=2&children=0&priceCur=USD&los=7&textToSearch=Ko%20Tao&productType=-1&selectedProperty=296302&travellerType=1&familyMode=off Agoda Search]
* [https://www.agoda.com/search?city=17389&locale=en-us&ckuid=ae995151-5703-42ef-98f4-dbb3dbf9cc65&prid=0&currency=USD&correlationId=35bf2b8e-eaa7-43ef-87dc-05dffc958e2f&analyticsSessionId=-2470980653307526451&pageTypeId=103&realLanguageId=1&languageId=1&origin=US&cid=1606957&userId=ae995151-5703-42ef-98f4-dbb3dbf9cc65&whitelabelid=1&loginLvl=0&storefrontId=3&currencyId=7&currencyCode=USD&htmlLanguage=en-us&cultureInfoName=en-us&machineName=as-pc-3g-acm-web-user-6fdf6d96bd-dp54q&trafficGroupId=2&sessionId=tvpdbbdpkjxqlgwkug2pldw1&trafficSubGroupId=2&aid=139090&useFullPageLogin=true&cttp=4&isRealUser=true&mode=production&browserFamily=Firefox&checkIn=2023-08-20&checkOut=2023-08-27&rooms=1&adults=2&children=0&priceCur=USD&los=7&textToSearch=Ko%20Tao&productType=-1&selectedProperty=296302&travellerType=1&familyMode=off Agoda Search]
* [https://thaiest.com/blog/luggage-storage-delivery-at-bangkok-suvarnabhumi-airport-bkk luggage storage at BKK options]


=== Potential dive shops ===
=== Potential dive shops ===
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* Just a place to stay but like 1000 baht/night: https://www.summerguesthousekohtao.com/
* Just a place to stay but like 1000 baht/night: https://www.summerguesthousekohtao.com/


== Mako's Plans ==
=== Mako's Plans for getting in/out  ===
 
;2023-08-16 (Wednesday) — 2023-08-19 (Saturday): Mako should be in Wikimania in Singapore
;2023-09-04 (Monday): Mako needs to be in Princeton for kickoff the next day


When leaving, it probably makes most sense to fly to Koh Samui. There are direct flights, which are reasonably priced:
When leaving, it probably makes most sense to fly to Koh Samui. There are direct flights, which are reasonably priced:
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The closest pier to the airport is the [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bangrak+Seatran+Pier/@9.5601584,100.0609287,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x3054f01268b0c5e3:0x57edcdd2c7a21c3a!8m2!3d9.5644591!4d100.061905!16s%2Fg%2F11h_66xrrc?entry=ttu Ko Samui Bangrak SeaTran Pier] and departure are at 12:00 (arriving at 14:15) and 14:30 (arriving 17:00).
The closest pier to the airport is the [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bangrak+Seatran+Pier/@9.5601584,100.0609287,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x3054f01268b0c5e3:0x57edcdd2c7a21c3a!8m2!3d9.5644591!4d100.061905!16s%2Fg%2F11h_66xrrc?entry=ttu Ko Samui Bangrak SeaTran Pier] and departure are at 12:00 (arriving at 14:15) and 14:30 (arriving 17:00).
An alternative plan would be to fly to Bangkok, which is MUCH cheaper and there are many many options. From there, there are a bunch of options including a sort of bus + high speed boat options. These leave at 6am (arriving at 2:45p) or at 9pm (w/ VIP bus option that costs a little more) arriving a 8:35a the next day.
Bus location in Bangkok for the Lomprayah bus is: 154 Rambuttri rd., Banglumpoo, Bangkok 10200


== Request to Sairee Cottages ==
== Request to Sairee Cottages ==

Latest revision as of 09:16, 26 July 2023

Tokyo Planning[edit]

Other things:

  • garlic restaurants

Fujisan Climb[edit]

Plan is to start in Fujinomiya in a hotel near the station.

Both Options
635am get bus Fujinomiya Station → Fujinomiya 5th Station [4] (Mika should verify this information on the bus website)
Both Options
755am: arrive at Fujinomiya 5th Station and start climb to the top (should take "up to 5 hours" to make the climb)[ https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/climbing-mount-fuji]
Option 1
Descend back down the Fujinomiya train (which could take Up to 2 hours and 45 minutes [5]) for a total of 7h45m to make the last bus back at 7pm [6]; one concern is that this route might be congested; we then proceed back in more-or-less the same way (we'd have 11h from arriving to make this)
Option 2
Descend down the Yoshida Trail (the most popular route with a separate descent route) 8to Fuji Subaru 5th Station (should take "up to 3.5h" for a total of 8.5h to get the last bus at 6:40 [[7]] to Kawaguchiko (we'd have 10h45m from arrival to make this)
Option 3
Descent down the Subashiri trail although we'd need to make the last bus at 17:45 (because the 18:45 only runs on Sat/Sun, holidays and 8/14-16); that path down should take "up to 3 hours" though and we'd have 9h50m from when we leave; if we've made good time up to the time we should consider this because it should be the least crowded route down, by far; should be much more in the woods


Resources[edit]

Thailand Diving trip planning[edit]

Date suggestions would be arriving to Ko Tao on August 20, 2023 and leaving on August 27th. We could then to visit Bangkok for a couple days arriving on the August 27 and leaving on August 30.

Resources[edit]

Potential dive shops[edit]

Sairee beach places in order that I should contact them:

  • [Contacted 2023-07-09] [good choice for combo diving/place to stay] Sairee Cottage diving seems to have extremely cheap package deals w/ diving trips [8] and places as little as $15/night; some have wifi and the Sail Rock trip is on Saturdays
  • Mojo Diving goes to Sail Rock every Wednesday and Saturday (6am-1pm) w/ 1.5k reviews on TA: https://mojodiverskohtao.com/
  • Shop that runs very early morning trips (6am) but seems to mostly beat the crowds as a result with 1.5k reviews on TA: https://newwaydiving.com/en/fun-diving/
  • Bigger newer shop seems to be run entirely by foreigners w/ lots of options (3k reviews on TA): https://www.roctopusdive.com/
  • Run by Austrian's with a website in German (200 reviews on TA): https://www.divepoint-kohtao.com/index.php/en/

Other places:

Places to stay[edit]

Mako's Plans for getting in/out[edit]

When leaving, it probably makes most sense to fly to Koh Samui. There are direct flights, which are reasonably priced:

There is also the option to take Singapore Airlines (SQ706) leaving at 7:10am, changing in BKK, and arriving at 11:40am in Ko Samui (USM).

Two high speed boats go from Ko Samui to Ko Tao:

The closest pier to the airport is the Ko Samui Bangrak SeaTran Pier and departure are at 12:00 (arriving at 14:15) and 14:30 (arriving 17:00).

An alternative plan would be to fly to Bangkok, which is MUCH cheaper and there are many many options. From there, there are a bunch of options including a sort of bus + high speed boat options. These leave at 6am (arriving at 2:45p) or at 9pm (w/ VIP bus option that costs a little more) arriving a 8:35a the next day.

Bus location in Bangkok for the Lomprayah bus is: 154 Rambuttri rd., Banglumpoo, Bangkok 10200

Request to Sairee Cottages[edit]

Greetings!

I am interested in arranging for a stay in late August for myself and my wife Mika. It will just be the two of us. We are both PADI Rescue Divers with 100+ dives. Here are the details:

- Arriving on Sunday August 20th
- Leaving on the morning of Sunday August 27th

I think we'd want to plan to dive on all those days:

- Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, Thursday 24, Friday 25 (so 10 dives?)
- PLUS a Sail Rock trip on Saturday August 26 

In the interest of taking a day off, maybe we can just register for 6 or 8 dives with the idea that we can add one or two based on how we are feeling when we arrive?

I think we're flexible in terms of accommodations although a double/queen bed would be fine and we'd love to stay in a place with Wifi. In that sense, the Yellow or Green rooms look most attractive.

You can reply to us at: team@leastsquar.es

Regards,
Mako