midwifetraveler

JFK july 1, arrive Bali JULY 2
UBUD 5 nights
Mundak 2 nights
Permutaran 2 nights
thinking back to UBUD 3 nights for more day trips//relax or No?
Sanur/Lembogan 2 nights
day 15 lve for Bangkok-2 nights
siem reap 3 night
Luang Prambang 4 night
Bagnkok overnight
depart for NY next day.

Kathie

Too much moving around on Bali, IMO. Bali is a small island, and while it makes sense to stay in two different areas, I can't see the reason for four areas and going to Ubud twice. Don't forget that you lose time to do/see things when you have to pack up and move to another place to stay.

Have you researched visiting Angkor? The experts say it takes three full days just to see the major temples, more if you are really interested. (We spent a week and would have loved even more time) Take a look at Dawn Rooney's Book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples and assess your level of interest. you'll have two days - is that enough for you?

You also have just one full day in Bangkok, not nearly enough IMO.

I'd cut a few days from Bali and add one to Siem Reap and add a couple to Bangkok.

You have quite a trip planned! It just needs a little tweaking.

midwifetraveler

Hi Kathy, my friend who has been to Bali 3 times, suggested these places and loved them , (she suggested beautiful hotels but not too high end, to stay as well). so i will skip going back to UBUD if you think it's repetitive and make more time for the rest of trip. Siem Reap, yes, I realize 3 full days to see the temples is suggested but frankly a few years ago I went to Tikal, saw the sun rise and after a few hrs in midday heat, i felt it was enough. I know that's not the popular opinion, but i dont know if i need 3 full days of temples. On the other hand Luang Prabang has a lot to recommend it: caves, waterfalls, trekking, biking, cooking classes etc, I might want an extra day there. Which brings me to my next question, Should i book all these flights ahead of time.
? What if I decide i need another day here or there? Lastly, Ive already been to Bangkok, and althougt its fast, exciting,congested, polluted with great food, i just want to take my son to What _Pao, get a massage, eat from the food stall, take a canal boat ride and leave. I am how ever very sorry that i dont have time to go back to Krabi/Phra Nang, Au Nang, Raleigh etc which I loved..

Kathie

It is your trip, you have to decide what is important to you. I can give you the benefit of my experience, but it always has to be filtered through your interests and desires.

How much time you need in Siem Reap depends on you. There are cooking classes there as well and a silk weaving workshop if you are interested in textiles as well as Artisans d'Angkor, a high-end crafts workshop. Angkor has dozens of accessible temples in the Siem Reap area (as well as many more distant ones), so it is pretty different from Tikal, but if you've looked at Dawn Rooney's book (or done other research) and decided you only need 2 days, I would trust that.

Whether to book flights now depends on how elastic your budget is. Waiting to book will cost substantially more, as you won't be able to use the Discovery Pass. Also, you will be traveling at high season for Siem Reap and Luang Prabang. While there is plenty of lodging in Siem Reap, there is less in Luang Prabang, and you will want to book ahead.

midwifetraveler

I plan on looking at rooney's book this wk. do you book the Discovery Pass online? My budget isnt elastic at all! I have booked my rooms but not the international plane tix ( i have RT NY Bali-BK _NY) thanks Kathy. Did you like Luan Prabang?

marmot

July 15 will be the start of a major Balinese religious holiday. It's a great time to be in Bali -- especially Ubud -- because there will be a lot of ceremonies and festivals.

July 17 and the week leading up to it is the start of the major Islamic holidays. Bali isn't directly impacted but all Indonesian flights and airports will be crowded all week.

Are you going to Pemuteran to dive or snorkle? If not, then I think you could find a better beach location.

midwifetraveler

snorkel.

. Well, if I wait till July 15, it really delays the rest of the trip. My ticket home is July 24.

midwifetraveler

Now, Im so confused. Trip planning if a fultime job! (but more enjoyable!)

Kathie

For the Discovery Pass, go to the Bangkok Air website and read about it. You must buy it before you leave, as it cannot be purchased in SE Asia. You have another thread here and have gotten some good advice about how to book the Discovery Pass.

We loved Luang Prabang - spent a week there.

Yup, trip planning can be a full-time job! So many variables to consider!

marmot

Well, you can't do it all or see it all, but Galungan really is an exceptional time to be in Bali.

Lolazahra

Midwifetraveler,

Your trip will be lovely. If you could squeeze in more time for Laos, I would. I only spent four nights in Luang Prabang and wished for more than 3 full days. Yes trip planning is a lot of work and making decisions is hard, but it us fun too!

Marmot, glad to read about the religious holidays in July. We land in Ubud on July 8 and though we will be in Seminyak by July 15 we don't leave until 11:30 pm on July 16. So we could plan a day to explore the ceremonies on the 15th and part of the day on the 16th. I will email Putu.

Take care.

marmot

Lolazahra, You'll see plenty of Galungnan pageantry at Petitenget Temple in Seminyak, which is one of the great sea temples guarding Bali's perimeter. The ceremonies usually spill over onto Petitenget beach. Nearby La Lucciola restaurant is a great choice for breakfast, lunch, sunset and dinner.