hunnibee

Hi,

My boyfriend and I will be flying into Singapore from NYC (arriving on 12/23/13) to visit a good friend. We are planning on spending 3 days in Singapore. After that, we're stuck on where to spend the next 6 days. We can either fly out of Singapore or Thailand on 1/1/2014. We are considering the following:

a) Singapore (3 days) + Bali (6 days), or
b) Singapore (3 days) + Bali (3 days) + Bangkok (3 days), or
c) Singapore (3 days) + Bangkok & Krabi (or some other beachy location) for 6 days

We are in our early 30's and are very active. We love hiking, bicycling, exploring local neigborhoods, and being close to nature. We also love good food (both high-end and cheap eats). We would love to spend all 6 days in Bali (split between Seminyak and Ubud) but we're somewhat worried about the rainy season and possibly getting rained out the whole time. We'd love to stay in a villa with private pool in Bali, but given the possible rain, not sure it is the best idea to splurge on the lodging if we won't get to make the most out of the villa. Since December is a pretty good time, weather-wise, for Bangkok, we thought maybe we can add that as a "safety" destination.

Do you think splitting the 9 days between Singapore, Bali and Bangkok is too much? Should we spend the 6 days in Bali hoping for the best? Or do we go for the safer option and spend the 6 days in Thailand?

Your comments/insight will be most appreciated!

Kathie

Choose not more than two locations. If you choose three locations, you'll spend much too much time in transit rather than enjoying the marvelous place you have chosen.

Both Bali and Thailand are wonderful destinations. But at this point where to go may depend on where you can get reservations. Getting reservations in Bangkok will be no problem, but at the beach, it will be more difficult and more expensive.

When I say two locations, I mean exactly that, so Singapore + Bali or Singapore + Bangkok or Singapore + Thai beach. You can fly non-stop from Singapore to Phuket.

marmot

If you want Bali, go to Bali. You will get some rain, but not constant and unless you plan to sunbathe 10 hours a day, not to the extent that it would ruin your visit.

Bali is very busy the last week of December and New Year's Eve is insane, so you have to plan in advance.

To me the worst part about late December is not the rain, but the crowded-ness and the debris that washes up on the beaches after the storms. A villa would provide a serene oasis, but choose your location carefully as there's a lot of construction going on in South Bali.

AskOksena

>>>My boyfriend and I will be flying into Singapore from NYC (arriving on 12/23/13) to visit a good friend.<<<


Greetings hunnibee and advance congrats on spending Christmas holiday in our fine home of Singapore. Any chance you be arriving into SIN with my main business travel carrier, Singapore Airlines, via flight 25, JFK-FRA-SIN? If so, well done; nice and serene on SIA's A380s presently plying those sectors.

Having a good friend in Singapore, suspect you are already sorted with activities. Can assure you from recent SIN Christmas holidays with family and friends, it is indeed most festive and colourful, fireworks and all. Enjoy.

Not knowing your ultimate post-SIN holiday budget, will give the ongoing praise to the Amanpuri on Phuket and a recent surprise (being wedding guests), the Jimbaran Puri Bali. Mind you, and as my profile reviews indicate, our long weekend stays have been with most gratefully appreciated off-season tariffs (October and May). Special places.

Concerning flights to both places, have had great business class flights of late from SIN to/from Phuket via SilkAir (MI 754/753), and Singapore Airlines to/from Bali (SQ 942/943). The latter - and most recent - particularly special, with some 'surprise' birthday cakes and offerings from some great friends and crews working those flights.

Much more to suggest, but work and travel beckon. I am very happy for you, hunnibee; savour your planning and times in our sweet city-state of SIN,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

mistadobalina

That time of year, there's going to be far less rain in Thailand than in Bali. I'd recommend staying in or around Phang Nga Bay - very relaxing with great scenery. You might also be interested in taking the train from Singapore to Bangkok (it's about two days), and seeing the scenery (and Kuala Lumpur) on the way up.

hunnibee

Thank you all for your feedback! We have decided to save Bali for a trip on its own (during less rainy weather) and go to Bangkok and Siem Reap instead. We're really excited and can't wait for December to roll around!

Guenmai

So, I take it you mean Singapore, Bangkok. and Siem Reap? I would only do 2 places in your amount of time max. Southeast Asia is not like many other places where people just rush through them on the fast track.

Happy Travels!