snow or sand - thailand or japan - pls help me

[Phteven]

aaagggh I'm so torn.

We've just sold part of our business and we're very relieved to be rid of that part and we have a bit of extra cash so we're off on holiday to celebrate (sensible people would save their money ).

So now I'm torn between Thailand and Japan.

Japan would be 2 nights in Tokyo then off to the ski fields for 8 nights then home. We would probably do a day or 2 sightseeing near the ski fields.

Thailand would be fly to Phuket then travel to Krabi and then just drift around or stay put as the mood takes us. We would definitly ride an elephant but other than that we would mainly be lazing about.

Sooo the Thai option would be really relaxed and unstructured and spending lots of time with the children whereas the Japanese would be much more active and structured and since the boys would be at ski-school and creche we would see less of them and have daily deadlines for pick-up and drop off.

Which would you do? Please help me choose because every time I think I have chosen I start thinking taht the other would be better

[Indadhanu]

If it was just me, I'd go to Japan and skiing. For a family holiday I'd go Thailand, spend lots of time with the kidies.

Do the kids love skiing, so snow school would be fun for them? Or would they rather swim?

[Phteven]

Yasin loved his last snow school . He can already stop and turn at low speeds but if we get a snow school he doesn't like then it would be a big problem. Imran can't ski and still isn't reliably toilet trained so it would probably be creche for him (unless we can find a snow school that's ok with nappies) which he woul be cool with but not as happy as spending the day swimming with us.

DH and I have been wanting to go to Japan for so long so it's hard to turn our back on the dream *sigh*

[Indadhanu]

You'll get there eventually hun!

I'd probably go Thailand myself, and plan on Japan when they're a bit older and will REALLY enjoy ski school with other kids cos don't want to hang out with mum and dad anyway lol

(I just read back through my other post, how unhelpful am I lol!)

[Pandora]

While I would love to go there, there is no way I'd be travelling to Thailand at the moment while the DFAT have warnings out against travel. But thats just me.
So depending when you are planning to go I'd probably go Japan.

[sushee]

I'd go to Japan.

Yes it may be more structured but a family holiday, I reckon, is fun when the kids are lots to do, and new adventures to experience. I know Thailand will be more relaxed, but after a bit the kids will probably be climbing the walls! Lol!

So no contest for me. I reckon Japan for sure.

(I also am not fond of Thailand personally)

[AliBaby]

Yasin loved his last snow school . He can already stop and turn at low speeds but if we get a snow school he doesn't like then it would be a big problem. Imran can't ski and still isn't reliably toilet trained so it would probably be creche for him (unless we can find a snow school that's ok with nappies) which he woul be cool with but not as happy as spending the day swimming with us.

DH and I have been wanting to go to Japan for so long so it's hard to turn our back on the dream *sigh*

Go to Japan hun. I can tell by your post that this is where you really want to go. I am not being mean to Imran but he is so little and will hardly remember the holiday and you an take him swimming anywhere in Australia. He can still have some plays in the snow with you guys and make snowmen and throw snowballs.

I think that if you and DH have sold part of the business and its your dream to go tot Japan then go there and have a fantastic time. You deserve it!

[Phteven]

Rayray, that's a concern but we are planning on travelling to a small area that is relatively safe. We won't be in Bangkok or the very southern provinces.
I've never been very responsible when it comes to the travel advisories. Maybe it's time I grew up and started acting responsibly.

[Amie]

I have a feeling my post is going to leave you still fairly and squarely on the fence but here goes...

Skiing in Japan is AMAZING!!! We went in March '08 and even though there was relatively little snowfall (which is apparently very rare) it was still fantastic. It's a bit of a catch-22 though; for the boys to really get the most out of ski school you might need to go somewhere a little more westernised, like Niseko. But the places around Hokkaido (like Furano) are much quieter, more Japanese (iykwim) and much cheaper.

Thailand will be much cheaper and will be an absolutely beautiful, relaxing family holiday. (We're going in March!)

If money isn't a huge issue, go Japan!! Who knows what kind of ski season we'll get here this year??!!