An Unexpected Extra Week near Singapore. Where?
Oct 7th, 2012, 10:39 PM
#1
An Unexpected Extra Week near Singapore. Where?
We've just been told that our ship will be a week late, boarding in Tanjung Pelepas near Singapore. If you had an unexpected week to spend nearby where would you go? Must keep a lid on the price, maybe $100 US a night.
Oct 8th, 2012, 06:49 AM
#4
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Langkawi is an international beach resort. It would be hard to keep prices under $100 a night.
Have you been to central Java? Yogyakarta area to visit Borobudur and Prambanan, see the Ramayana Ballet, etc. Prices are very reasonable.
Have you been to central Java? Yogyakarta area to visit Borobudur and Prambanan, see the Ramayana Ballet, etc. Prices are very reasonable.
Oct 8th, 2012, 06:23 PM
#8
This is the problem, been to many of the usual places including Bali and Sabah/Sarawak. All good ideas to be sure but I guess what I really would like are suggestions of very specific accommodations you've loved staying or places I've never heard of (maybe even if it's over the $100 mark). Places I may not find on my own. This is such a well traveled group so tell me your secret place. I won't tell a soul.
Kathie, I've never heard of Malang or Bromo. Thanks! I'll begin investigating. November is also when our opportunity is, 3rd full week.
Kathie, I've never heard of Malang or Bromo. Thanks! I'll begin investigating. November is also when our opportunity is, 3rd full week.
Oct 8th, 2012, 06:39 PM
#9
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Take a look at both Bromo and Ijen in Eastern Java. Both interesting areas of volcanic activity.
The largest remaining complex of Hindu temples in eastern Java is at Blitar. We will take a daytrip there from Malang.
The largest remaining complex of Hindu temples in eastern Java is at Blitar. We will take a daytrip there from Malang.
Oct 8th, 2012, 06:42 PM
#10
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PS Accommodations: We will be staying at the Tugu Malang. There is a Tugu at Blitar which is less expensive. Near Bromo, consider the java Banana. We will fly out of Surabaya to SIngapore, so will spend one night at the Majapahit, a grand old hotel that I expect you could get for under $100 a night. We will have a suite for only $150ish.
Oct 8th, 2012, 06:53 PM
#11
Kathie, I had a look at the Tugu Malang, top rated on TA, while you were posting. It looks great, not unlike the place we stayed in Yogyakarta. But the Majapahit looks fantastic and one less flight to get to. What do you know about Surabaya?
Oct 8th, 2012, 07:53 PM
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Pulau Tioman or Tioman Island off the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. You can get there via Mersing which is in the Johor state. Then there's Kuantan again on the east coast. Further north on the east coast there's Tanjong Jara resort which I can highly recommend.
Or Taman Negara, if you are into jungles.
http://www.taman-negara.com/
Or Taman Negara, if you are into jungles.
http://www.taman-negara.com/
Oct 8th, 2012, 08:00 PM
#14
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East Java is serene and scenic and offers both nature and culture, but in a more low key, underdeveloped level than Bali or Central Java. Consequently, there are fewer places to stay and you pretty much have to do it yourself on sightseeing.
Mt. Bromo is one of a group of active volcanoes in a dramatically beautiful setting. Accomodations are fairly basic, but there are lots of local tour options.
Ijen is also an area of volcanic activity. It's where sulphur is mined under primitive traditional methods.
Surabaya is a big Asian trading city, with a strong Chinese influence. Not a lot of draw for the non-business traveler, but the Majapahit is a gem.
Malang is a medium sized upland town. Personally I think its charm is overrated, but there's no denying the appeal of the Tugu hotels as culture purveyors. Many people go to Malang just to stay at the Tugu.
I'd also suggest that you think about Lombok for a beach-y destination. If you're adventurous some of the further afield islands are fascinating (and cheap) but take some planning to navigate. Some ideas would be Central Sulawesi (Torajaland), North Sulawesi (the Manado/Bunaken area), Sumba or Sumbawa.
During the third week of November you will get rain in Java, Bali, Lombok. It will come and go and may not be a deterent to any activities except mountain trekking. The good news is that it's a low rate period.
Mt. Bromo is one of a group of active volcanoes in a dramatically beautiful setting. Accomodations are fairly basic, but there are lots of local tour options.
Ijen is also an area of volcanic activity. It's where sulphur is mined under primitive traditional methods.
Surabaya is a big Asian trading city, with a strong Chinese influence. Not a lot of draw for the non-business traveler, but the Majapahit is a gem.
Malang is a medium sized upland town. Personally I think its charm is overrated, but there's no denying the appeal of the Tugu hotels as culture purveyors. Many people go to Malang just to stay at the Tugu.
I'd also suggest that you think about Lombok for a beach-y destination. If you're adventurous some of the further afield islands are fascinating (and cheap) but take some planning to navigate. Some ideas would be Central Sulawesi (Torajaland), North Sulawesi (the Manado/Bunaken area), Sumba or Sumbawa.
During the third week of November you will get rain in Java, Bali, Lombok. It will come and go and may not be a deterent to any activities except mountain trekking. The good news is that it's a low rate period.
Oct 8th, 2012, 10:34 PM
#15
So it's not Conrad's Surabaya anymore then...damn. Too late again. But the hotel looks like my kind of place. And it seems I might be able to afford it unlike the Metropole in Hanoi whose public areas I walked through a few days ago.
Lots to consider. Many thanks.
Lots to consider. Many thanks.
Oct 9th, 2012, 05:45 AM
#17
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I'm giving you the link to my planning thread, as I got good suggestions for things to see/do in Surabaya (and elsewhere, of course), Did you stay at the Phoenix in Yogya?
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-please.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-please.cfm
Oct 9th, 2012, 07:17 PM
#20
The good news is I'm holed up in a very nice place, the Vinh Hung 1 Hotel in Hoi An so it could definitely be worse. A lovely concerned woman just brought me tea and toast and I'm feeling a bit better. Flying back to Hanoi tomorrow, I hope, just must practice not coughing so they don't think I have bird flu.
