Travelling SE Asia

[jjbouma]

I'll be going to the following countries in May and was wondering if anyone has advice on what to do, how to get between countries, places to stay, how much things cost etc. basically any info I can get.

Philippines
Vietnam
Laos
Korea
Japan
Bali
Kuala Lampur
Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand
Cambodia
Hong Kong

Philippines and Vietnam are pretty planned out I have friends from there who are touring us around.

My main issue is getting cheap airfare between countries and a good way to get from Hanoi to either Luang Prabang or Vientiane, Laos.

Thanks CP'ers!

[IGGYFORMVP]

Airasia.com is great for air fare around asia... I have flown with them a lot. Dont believe people when they tell you how cheap things are... prices have gone up alot in the last year or two.

That is alot of countries to make it too, how long are you going for?

That list looks like it would take a year.

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur is in Malaysia), and Singapore would be a good 4 - 6 month trip. Hanoi Is a long way from laos.. you have cambodia and thailand between you and there.

[fokakya]

I definitely not trying to be a dick, so many apologies if this is taken that way, but Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, not a separate destination. Unfortunately, I can't help you much. An ex-girlfriend backpacked through SE Asia but I didn't really quiz her on how she got from place to place. I know there were a lot of bus and boat rides.

[jjbouma]

Originally Posted by fokakya

I definitely not trying to be a dick, so many apologies if this is taken that way, but Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, not a separate destination.

No worries, I know it is. I was just lumping KL and Singapore together because they are urban places and the rest of Malaysia I will be going to is up the coast towards Thailand.

[jjbouma]

Originally Posted by IGGYFORMVP

That is alot of countries to make it too, how long are you going for?

Hanoi Is a long way from laos.

I'm going for about 4 months. Some countries will definitely be quicker than others, but wanted to squeeze in as much as possible before I have to start work.

Isn't Vietnam right next to Laos?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by jjbouma

Isn't Vietnam right next to Laos?

If you plan on backpacking it, I would hope you know.

[Bunk]

I did a trip starting in Japan (hostels are about $25-30 a night), then flying to Shanghai, then to Hong Kong (hostels about $25 a night) then flew Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi. I'd recommend Ha Long Bay as a must see in Northern Vietnam - Sa Pa is also quite interesting, but somewhat difficult to get to. Depending on your route through vietnam you might want to consider flying from Hanoi down to Hue - it's a long distance with not much in between. South from Hue, tourist buses, or sleeper buses will suffice. Roads are hectic and a bit scary in Vietnam, but you'll be fine. Hoi An is a must see and I'd recommend Mui Ne. Stunning beaches and landscape. Super nice. Saigon is also nice. You'll find hotels in Vietnam extremely cheap. I'd recommend going for about the $10-15 a night price range for something decent. And remember - negotiate EVERYTHING.

Lots of people take the tourist buses between Saigon and Cambodia. I had a friend that took a boat and it was hell.

I met a lot of people that went to Laos. There's not that much to see except small villages and to treck (hike) It seems like mostly wilderness - but quite beautiful.

From Saigon I flew Vietnam Airlines to KL. Then flow to places like Langkawi via Air Asia - a good discount airline - then a fairy to Georgetown. To get to singapore, we took a tourist bus from KL - which is just fine in Malaysia. Highways are very modern and nice there.

[Claeren]

Bangkok Airways ( www.bangkokair.com )


They have a lot of flights around SE Asia at excellent price points and are a great airline to fly with. Great staff, private lounges, etc. I believe they were voted 'best boutique airline', whatever that means!? lol (I think it is because they only connect tourist spots?).

They also run Lao Airline and Siem Reap Airlines.


The second time I was in SE Asia I got a 7-segment international airpass for $200 that I was able to use over a 4 month period to go in a giant circle around SE asia.





Claeren.

[return to the red]

Phillipines - Manila has a lot of history around the city if you are into the wwII stuff or old churches. The city itself I found to be very sketchy and would highly recommend getting into the country side. Do your research first though for the areas to go. When we were there travel through the country side was not encouraged as many militant and terrorist factions were on high alert and everyday you were reading about tourists going missing in the country side.

Thailand - Bangkok I found to be a neat city kind of the "you have to see it to believe it type" but you really only need to spend a little bit of time there. Get out of the city and head out to the islands. Koh Phi Phi was really nice but I haven't been there since 2 month before the tsunami. You should try to hit up Khopanyang (sp) for a full moon party.

Flying really any asian carrier is nice and all put the North American carriers to shame

hope this helps

[Stumptown]

Couple years ago I flew a cheapie regional airline called Jet Star from Phnom Penh to Singapore and it was very budget (charging $2 extra just for blankets a pillow!) but new and well run. I think they fly over most of the area. Bangkok Air is also good.

If I had had time, I would have taken the boat ride from Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) to Phnom Penh instead of flying. There's a whole distinct culture around the Tonle Sap, and the only way to experience it is by boat. My Rough Guide from a few years ago says the boat is $25. (BTW - they mostly use US$ in Cambodia) Phnom Penh is not really worth staying any time, just a typical third-world capital, but it is the transportation hub, so you'll probably have to go through there to see the rest of the country besides Angkor.

[jjbouma]

Originally Posted by Claeren

The second time I was in SE Asia I got a 7-segment international airpass for $200 that I was able to use over a 4 month period to go in a giant circle around SE asia.

What airline was this through?
Thanks for the info!

[HockeyPuck]

I was in the Philippines in January and my wife and I absolutely loved the island of Boracay. It was different because the market/restaurants/shopping/hotels all lined the beach, everything you need it is right there. We stayed on this resort called La Reserve and it was great - right in the middle of the strip. Lots of sun, powder beach, and everything's cheap!

[IGGYFORMVP]

Vietnam is next to laos in the north, but in the south you have cambodia between them. A great book for you to read is the lonely planet south east asia on a shoestring.

Take it from me tho, and instead of trying to do too many countries focus on enjoying the ones that you are in. Also I would encourage you to not overly plan out the trip, cause chances are you are going to meet a hot Swedish broad and its all going to go out the window! Have a lot of fun, and may the buckets of Sangsom treat you all right.

How much are budgeting?

[jjbouma]

I've got about 10 grand set aside for 3 months and I'm getting my flight over there and back on air miles.

Yeah I don't really want to overly plan things while I'm in a country, but there are some flights I want to book before I go over there because I'm meeting some friends that live in SE Asia in a few places.

[CaptainReboot]

Hong Kong was great. We stayed at the BP International hotel on the Kowloon side. I think it was $80 - $90 a night.

Getting around is super easy. The MTR subway system is amazing. I'd recommend getting an Octopus card. Add money to it and just scan it to get through the gates at the stations, on the bus, or even at like 7-eleven or some other convenience stores. Food is cheap, lots of street food.

[jjbouma]

Thanks for all the great info!

[Nammer403]

if you get sick of all the noise in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh, fly down to Nha trang, its around 50 bucks for a one way ticket in nha trang they have beautiful beaches with fine and clean sand and clear ocean water youll see a lot of tourist travel down there and theres quite a few things you can do down there but id say a week is enough in nha trang

[mmanzz]

Philippines, Korea and Japan are fairly out of the way while the others are more connected in terms of land travel. If you are going in May i suggest visiting the more tropical zones first as it will be very very hot and humid from June on in the more southerly destinations. Unless your on the beach or in the highlands, I'd rather be in Japan and Korea from July on. Check into the recent anti-malarial medications as well, the side effects can be quite bad. There is a circuit of people doing this type of overland travel and you can pick a lot of info along the way. I also suggest the lonely planet guide to SE Asia, i believe it was actually the first book they published. Enjoy your trip!

[Mr.Coffee]

since you plan on going to Laos, this thread begins and ends with the gibbon experience. You can thank me when you get back, as this is not advertised in travelplanet books and is strictly word of mouth:

www.gibbonx.org

oh yeah, and if you have a vicious hatred of hiking, disregard this post. But if you do go, you owe me one!

And if you want a sneak preview, and your on facebook, look up the group- they've got videos.

[jjbouma]

Also, for those of you that backpacked Asia, or anywhere else for that matter, what size of pack is adequate and approximately how much did it weigh when full. (Some intra-Asia flights have a checked weight limit of 15 kg).