rtwtraveller

Hello,

Looking for some thoughts on whether this trip is feasible in the time we have.

I am an avid traveller and usually get bored of just a beach really quickly, however with this being our honeymoon it means something a bit special and relaxing after all the wedding stress.

We are planning to go in June 2014 and the current route I am thinking is Lon - Sing and spend 4 nights there. I was then thinking of heading to Borneo for 5 nights and onto Bali for 4 nights in Ubud ending with 6 nights in Seminyak on the beach before a flight back to Singapore to come home.

I can get a direct flight with Air Asia from BKI to DPS so don not need to go via KL or Singapore which saves a lot of time.

I have a couple of queries, does anyone know how reliable the flights from BKI or DPS are, as they only go a couple of times a week if we miss it then either I will have to change my plans or book a last min connection flight. I know AirAsia are generally good but as this is a sparse route it might be different and I would be better off booking the indirect flight.

Also is it worth going to Borneo for 5 nights? We are planning to stay in KK probably in a beach resort so we have that as I know the beach is not great. I was going to book the Rasa Ria but they have major development work going on so thought it best to avoid it. The main reason was so we can go and see the Orangutans and Jungle/Rain forest to mix up the trip a bit rather than too much beach.

I know KL is probably a better base for the trip but my partner really wants to go to Singapore so I need to use that as a base. I considered Tioman, Perinthians and Langkawai instead of Borneo but they just seem to give me more beach rather than something a bit different..

Any thoughts appreciated.

Kathie

If you want to go to Borneo to see the orangutans, then you must not spend all of your time in the KK area. The very best option is to go to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, which requires a flight from KK to Lahad Datu. This is the best place to see orangutans in the wild. If you spend your 5 nights as one night KK, 3 nights BRL and one night in KK, your five nights can give you a good Borneo experience. If you don't want to go into the wilderness, opt for Kuching rather than KK. It's a charming city, and there is a "rehab" center were you can see orangutans - though not in the wild.

Another option to consider if the Borneo segment sounds like too much hassle is to take those days to visit Java. Borobudur and Prambanam are well worth seeing. Click on my name and you'll be able to find my trip report from a year ago of two weeks in Java.

I agree with you that places like Tioman, Perinthians and Langkawai are just beach.

rtwtraveller

Thanks a lot I will have a look your report and check out the BRL maybe we can just go straight there, one night in KK seems a little pointless unless we need it for flight times.

MmePerdu

I definitely agree with Kathie that Kuching is a much more enjoyable place to spend a few days than KK. KK is really only useful, in my experience, as a jumping off point to reach Kinabalu Mountain park whereas Kuching is a really lovely place to hang out.

If you decide to visit Kuching I recommend doing some reading on James Brooke and the Brooke family, known as the White Rajahs of Borneo. Kuching was their capital.

Here's a taste:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...he-Borneo.html

There's a biography about Sylvia Brooke, Ranee of Sarawak, called 'Sylvia, Queen of the Headhunters', by Philip Eade.

I've used Air Asia a number of times and have found it perfectly reliable.

Kathie

You can't go just straight to the BRL, you will need a day in KK each way due to flight schedules. The BRL is really off the beaten track.

AskOksena

Warm welcome to fodors, rtwtraveller (fine handle), and warm congrats on impending Asian honeymoon (rumour has it, occasionally joyous); perhaps, a few days in our fine home of Singapore, well done.

Rather rushed this fine Changi morning, but do wish to convey praise of our SIN's lodging and restaurant offerings -- budget permitting, honoured to offer further assistance.

Noticed you will be potentially flying LHR-SIN, return. Rather recently, SQ308 J, SIN-LHR, work, most acceptable with sweet SQ crew (more available via a recent SIA "fanboy's" review of SQ322 J on my profile page; love those posters, just like SQTalk - and others...)

Do wish to part with completely biased praise and love of Changi. Privileged past few days of participating in Changi's presentations of forthcoming Terminal 4 (~2017) and yes, future T5... (be seeing you Dubai, next month, for more aviation updates; can't wait).

Wherever you stay and do, have fun; warmest wishes, from Changi, Singapore,

macintosh (robert)


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