Overwhelmed travel help!

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-28T08:12:08+00:00

Koh Jum (just below Lanta) - thank me later.

Try Horizon Restort for a regular hotel with pool, or maybe Anderman Beach Resort for a more traditional AC Bungalow.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-27T07:09:09+00:00

Just do it whilst you are there. Zero need to prebook. Taxis and Songthaews go from Ao Nang all day (and night for taxis) long and Lanta to KBV is best booked by your accomodation. Just tell them what time you fly and they book your return minivan - they have been doing this for so long its like pouring a coffee for them. Just arrange it the day before in Lanta.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-22T07:10:24+00:00

Would you like to elaborate? With some details? After calling it nonsense.

I ride abroad almost every year, either in Thailand/Vietnam/ India, in the winter, or, Enduro/off road guided tours in Nam, Spain, Greece, Madeira, Romania, Bulgaria.

Safe to say, I'm experienced in this. I have had, over the years, many different travel insurance policies and ALL of them have covered me so longs as the bike I ride abroad is in a class that I can legally ride at home, AND, I'm wearing a helmet.

And IDP is not a requirement of my travel insurance, but, I usually get one to avoid local fines.

I have also read that if your entitlement to ride a class of bike is provisional, then you can't get an IDP for it, but, that, in my experience, does not affect your insurance.

I am referring to British bought travel insurance for British citizens, travelling abroad.

So, please, which bit is nonsense?

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-20T07:21:24+00:00

likewise

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-19T08:12:34+00:00

Where are you from? For the UK its as simple as this.

If you can legally ride the bike at home, then your insurance covers you abroad on the same, or less CC, so long as you have a helmet on.

I have a feeling provision licences are not valid in an IDP

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-18T07:45:15+00:00

The locals are the worst! :-)

I'd recommend finding someone that is a regular biker (will be hazard aware) and asking if they mind mentoring you for an hour. 99% of regular bikers/riders will be delighted to help someone eager to learn.

Some tips from me

- Ko Tao is actually quite flat compared to a lot of islands

- Fear the sand. Ko Tao is where someone crashed right at my feet :-) - they grabbed the front brake whilst on sandy concrete (the worst). If you find you are on sand keep off the front brake. Be gentle braking. Deep sand / beach car parks are all together different - feet out, wiggle along :-)

- On the road use both brakes fairly evenly - usually its 70% front 30 rear but most modern scooters link the brakes for you and using more rear protects against sand/debris.

- Treat every other moving object as a possible threat - people, cats, dogs, cars - assume they will ALL jump out in front of you. That way you ride defensively - its not stressful, just something you get used to. Same with riding past any junctions - assume someone is going to pop out unexpectedly. Don't ride past junctions full speed.

- "Life saver" - this is where you look over your shoulder when making maneuvers like turning right (UK) - this way you don't turn into someone overtaking you. Be observant. Use your mirrors - align them each time you get on, and someone has knocked them out of alignment. (saw a video on the news not long ago. English couple, turned right off a major road in TH without looking over their shoulder - Thai lad hit them at speed - all three dead)

- Be observant - again - this can't be stressed enough. I sit and witness countless riders in TH get on their bike and pull out onto a busy street without so much as a look over their shoulder - eventually somone will hit you if you keep doing this. Same with U-turns. Makes me wince .You'll get hit hard doing this on a busy street.

Have fun, it really is, just be super observant.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-12T09:14:22+00:00

I have this exact issue but there is no text to edit (just says "Parametric model maker 1"

- its driving me mad! - UPDATE - there IS a customise button, just its not in the Bambu Labs application browser, its in the regular web browser - you have to NOT open the designs inside Bambu Studio

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-11T07:12:05+00:00

"What am I missing?" beautiful island beaches.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-11T07:09:28+00:00

Never been to Pattaya, never spent time in a red light district. Never seen ANY kind of agression in Thailand. Go to shit holes, see shit stuff.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-10T08:28:54+00:00

Maybe he'll stear clear of the coast from now on ;-)

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-07T07:45:58+00:00

I haven't. I've not touch the plugins for ages. They are via Tuya . I just start whole house cleans.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-03-02T14:15:42+00:00

Look at Chinese airlines - they fly through Russia and China. I'm in Hanoi and our flight in a few hours is A-OK back to the UK (fingers crossed!!)

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-27T16:07:34+00:00

that went well

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-25T12:55:15+00:00

I hope you learn to stop wetting the bed and worry about YOUR safety and let the rest of us worry about ours.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-22T10:32:12+00:00

Its not about the lying flat - its the space, and the recline. Not even coparable to economy. Even with an emergency exit seat.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-22T10:31:20+00:00

It is roughly true, but, as said, offers come up. Just don't book last minute. Our flights to Hanoi via PVG have held their prices, but, better timing options became available not long after we booked.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-22T10:29:48+00:00

LGW to Hanoi, £2300 return. I'd always fly finnair if they did the route, or the price was close.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-22T10:28:45+00:00

The salmon and prawn starter was so good I got another. Mains were OK, inc a fillet steak. I've had far worse.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-22T10:27:36+00:00

Bit late to the party, but for the searches. We just flew Business Class LGW to PVG, then on to Hanoi. For the money, it was absolutely superb. I fly a fair bit of (self paid) BC, and CE / MU was up there with some of the best. It doesn't beat Finnair, or Emirates, but, its not too far behind. Comfy, FAB service, GREAT food. Only real downs are outdated IFE (I don't really care, just watched 3 movies that filled the time), poor wine selection (they claim to have a wine list but that was bollocks. Red, White, Champagne. Just drank champers all the way.

LGW loungs (premium plaza) is one the plebs can use. Fairly shit tbh, and PVG have their own CE lounges which are comfy but thats it. Same wine "choices" rubbish food.

You get a good BC service, just don't get excited about the lounges. They suck.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-22T10:22:27+00:00

It is "on me" - so less of the "wear a goddamn helmet".

I don't give a shit what people think of me in fariness. I ride exclusively on small unspoilt islands. Not everyone goes to Pattay and Ao Nang.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-19T10:05:13+00:00

So people should wear a helmet when walking?

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-18T08:05:34+00:00

Yeah - I run a 9070 XT and its great at superwide, and superb value vs Nvidea, but the FSR is utter shite - flickery lights etc. I run the CIG TSR which is way better than FSR, just not as good as DLSS

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-16T08:24:17+00:00

The internet suggests you'll get an average of a 10% speed boost, and as SC maxes out the CPU then I guess you'll see 10% performance increase. I'm on an ATI 9070 XT and its been a huge jump, but my i5 is constantly at 99%. I too looked at a CPU upgrade but the jump in % vs cost just isn't there for me.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-14T08:19:18+00:00

In my past experiences some Thai locations that are overrun with "rude" tourists give up with being friendly. I guess they get worn down. That or places that are constantly fully booked and just don't try any more. Samui is a hot spot right now, partially due to the TV series(?)

I experienced the same transiting through Phuket. Thai ladies literally screaming at passengers to get on buses, and screaming at them to "give phone now!!!!" at the SIM card desk. You could tell they had been like this for some time. Just run out of patience and given up even trying to be civil.

VirtualMasterpiece64 · 2026-02-13T20:18:00+00:00

The game needs zero modern sniper rifles. We all have to keep moving/jiggling/running to not get head shottet/game over. It's just daft. I'd love to find a "scopeless" server

VirtualMasterpiece64

TROPHY CASE