Trip to Varanasi

Journey Date: July 2015
Booked through: Makemytrip
Flight: Indigo (Bengaluru -> Delhi -> Varanasi);  Round-trip cost-per-person: 11,000/-
Hotel: Divine Destination; Cost for two nights: 4600/- for Deluxe A/C room
Distance from Airport to Hotel: 23 Kms; Taxi cost: 750/- for non-A/C

Notes:
- The Kashi ishwanath temple was about 1 km from the room
- The Ghat (where Aarti is performed) is about 1.5 kms from the room
- Commute to temple & ghat possible only using hand pulled rickshaws
- Veg food from Annapurna Canteen outside the Hotel (OKish, not bad)
- Hotel room was decent, but, doesn't have Veg-only restaurant

Hash tags: 
#born_to_horn; #narrow_lanes; #hand_pulled_rickshaws; #ganga_aarati

Thailand - 2014

PACKAGE
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Makemytrip "My Thailand - 4N/5D" Package, covering 2 days in Pattaya and 2 days in Bangkok.
Pax: 2 Adults + 2 Child
Cost:     1.3 L
Date:  28-Dec-2014  (dep), 1-Jan-2015  (arr)
Airways: Thai Airways (from Chennai)

Visa:
- Visa on Arrival Cost per person: 1000 THB (normal); 1200 THB (fast track)

PATTAYA
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Stay: 
Citin Loft Pattaya (room was very spacious; no kitchenette)
- Free wifi
- Complimentary breakfast

Places visited:

- Art in Paradise (ticket at the counter)

- Coral Island (included in the package)

- Sanctuary of Truth (booked online though their website -- massive place!)

- Mini Siam (booked through hotels2thailand.com -- not a great place - ok)

Places missed:

- Alcazar show

- Khao khew open zoo

- Sri Racha Tiger zoo

BANGKOK

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Stay: 
Golden Tulip Mandison Suites (room was good; no kitchenette)
- Free wifi
- Complimentary breakfast

Places visited:
- Temple tour (included in the package)
-- Golden buddha
-- Reclining buddha
- Chao Praya Princess Cruise (booked through hotels2thailand -- very nice experience)
-- Indian buffet dinner
- Safari World (booked through hotels2thailand - kids liked the shows & open zoo)
- Emerald buddha (from outside)
- MBK Center
- Siam Square (not much to do)
- Indra Square (lots of small shops -- good for bargain shopping)

Places missed:
- Wat Arun
- Siam Ocean World
- Kidzania

Challenges
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- Language! Very difficult to communicate in English
- Taxis don't use meter! Both in Pattaya & Bangkok. Charges are over the roof in Pattaya.
- The Smell! Not saying no more!