South Asia...

Communicationb

Hi guys.

Am going to Asia for 4 weeks in September with herself and this is the plan at the moment. Any ideas or comments greatly appreciated.

Sept 5 Fly to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (KL)
6 Arrive KL
7 KL
8 Leave KL...fly to Singapore
9 Singapore
10 Singapore
11 Fly Singapore to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
12 Ho Chi Minh
13 Ho Chi Minh
14 Fly Ho Chi Minh to Vientiane, Laos
15 Vientiane
16 Vientiane
17 Vieniiane
18 Fly Vientiane to Siam Reap, Cambodia
19 Siam Reap
20 Siam Reap
21 Siam Reap
22 Leave by boat for Phnom Penh
23 Phnom Penh
24 Leave Phnom Penh...fly to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
25 Burnei
26 Leave for Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
27 Borneo
28 Borneo
29 Borneo
30 Borneo
Oct 1 Fly Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur
2 KL
3 Fly home
4 Arrive home

Thanks.:)

Board-in-work

Hi there - just a comment really. I would say theres' more to do in Singapore than in KL. Been to both recently. 2 full days in KL will do. Just back from KL - stayed in the Mandarin Oriental for about £100 a night. It's right next to the petronas towers. Highly recomend. I thought it was great value for what is one of the best hotels in the world. The hotel got us tickets for the trip up the tower. Thought there would be a glass floor or something. No. It's just an office block. Glad I didnt' queue for hours with everyone else to get the tickets!Are you climbing Kinabuloo? Worth a climb!

Board-in-work

Siem Reap is fantastic - been a couple of times - any questions pm me.

Communicationb

Board-in-work wrote: »

Hi there - just a comment really. I would say theres' more to do in Singapore than in KL. Been to both recently. 2 full days in KL will do. Just back from KL - stayed in the Mandarin Oriental for about £100 a night. It's right next to the petronas towers. Highly recomend. I thought it was great value for what is one of the best hotels in the world. The hotel got us tickets for the trip up the tower. Thought there would be a glass floor or something. No. It's just an office block. Glad I didnt' queue for hours with everyone else to get the tickets!Are you climbing Kinabuloo? Worth a climb!

Yeah thats the first thing that strikes...too much time in Singapore plus it is expensive by all account..so maybe an extra day elswhere would be better....maybe Phnom Penh.

I actually asked herself last night if she wanted to climb Kinabuloo...Would you recommend it and how much time?

The big thing for her is see monkeys...I have cut out Hanoi and Kuching out of it so far as we want to relaxe as well and not spend the time hopping on and off planes.

Kotek Besar

Communicationb wrote: »

too much time in Singapore plus it is expensive by all account..

Depends what you're spending on. Public transport is cheap in Singapore, as is food. Clothes and electronics are generally the same price as in Ireland now.

As it is, you've only 3 nights in SG. That's probably about right if you're organised. There's a lot to do there, so plan properly so as not to waste any time.

Todd Gack

Singapore is pretty cheap (compared to here) for eating out and things but alcohol is expensive (more so than here). Worth a few days although some people find it a bit sterile, there is plenty to do and it's a nice introduction to the region. The Riau Islands in Indonesia are only 45 mins by ferry away, beaches and resorts type places.

Vientiane does not have much to see or do by mine and most accounts, a day or so would be plenty. Most of Laos' attractions are the scenery and the smaller towns, I'd consider leaving it out altogether and go straight to Phnom Penh or Angkor Wat. Air Asia flights are very cheap and have a decent network. You don't wanna try do too much and not enjoy yourself as well. Made those kinda mistakes before and the time does pass you by a bit cause you're thinking of what's ahead.

Phnom Penh doesn't have many redeeming features imo, the killing fields and tuol sleng are worth seeing but the city itself isn't the most appealing. I personally am not a fan, been there twice unfortunately. It's one of those places you'd probably need to stop in for transit purposes but as a city in itself...not so much.

Have a decent read of the lonely planet, different strokes for different folks so that gives you a pretty decent insight into what's where and what sounds the most enticing.

Board-in-work

Singapore not too bad price wise. Shop around for a cheap hotel. I stayed in a small boutique hotel in China town. Comparable to a B&B in Uk price wise. Given the choice - I'd cut out KL - it's just a city, and Singapore is a better one.
Kinabuloo is worth a climb allright - but it's not a 'luxury' experience. Arrive the day before and stay in quite basic accomodation. Get up before sunrise and trek thru the night to the summit. Prb a 3 day activity.
Check out the Air Asia website - they are very cheap - and they do multi-stop ticket offers. I Flew to Bali from Singapore for about £100.