In Reply to: Bali vs Phuket: From Kuta to Kata...... posted by CISWI on Friday, 7. December 2007 at 00:24 Bali Time:
This year i was in Thailand for one week, and for sheer helpfulness they couldn't be beat anywhere i've been in Asia.
It was altruistic giving and i call this more friendly than striking up a conversation.
Language wasn't a barrier when i, as a solo traveller, needed help.
Just three very small examples out of quite a few during one week's travel:
*When i couldn't make a phone call at a railway station, a cell phone was offered to me to make the call by a complete stranger.
*A volunteer Bangkok tourist guide absolutely refused payment, or a tip, for showing me around for 8 hours. She even used her own railway pass to pay for herself on public transport, and her tourist guide pass to pay her way into tourist attractions we visited.
*A hotel housekeeper hemmed some pants for me and also refused payment. She just wanted to help.