mcbg1

I am trying to plan my first trip to Asia in November and I can't seem to make up my mind on where to go. I will be travelling solo. I basically have 18 nights to spend and I will fly into Bangkok and fly out from Hong Kong (cheapest flight I could find). I will be using Air Asia between cities as it's pretty cheap and convenient. I would prefer not to move around too much. I want to spend at least 3-4 nights in each city I visit. Right now, I'm leaning towards doing:

4 nights in Bangkok
7 or 8 nights in Phuket for some R&R but I'll also take a day trip to Ko Phi Phi, though I'm scared to death of the boat ride there (I get seasick very easily)
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur (not sure about this one)
4 nights in Hong Kong

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Curt1591

All I might suggest is to stay on deck during the boat ride, forward, facing the direction of travel. This should be less "confusing" to your senses, therefore less likely to upset your stomach.

mcbg1

I went cage diving with great white sharks in South Africa last April and even though I tried really hard to fix the horizon, the waves were so strong, there was nothing I could do. Definitely the worst day of my life lol. Hopefully the Andaman Sea is calmer.

Kathie

KL is not very exciting, IMO. What else are you hoping to see/do/experience?

Four nights/three days would be perfect to see Angkor Wat, for instance.

mcbg1

I think I'm gonna drop Kuala Lumpur and focus on the other 3 areas. Here's what I'm planning to do:

5 nights in Bangkok (Centre Point Silom)
4 nights in Phuket (possibly the Andaman White Beach Resort or the Royal Phuket Yatch Club)
4 nights in Ko Phi Phi (Holiday Inn, beachfront bungalow)
5 nights in Hong Kong (hotel undecided, would like something with a view of the harbour)

Should I change my itinerary to spend more or less time in one city?

Kathie

That's a fine itinerary if you want a combination of beaches and big cities.

Note that Hong Kong hotel prices tend to be high, especially for something with a harbor view. The one option with a harbor view that won't break the bank is the YWCA Salisbury. If you are interested book a harbor view room ASAP.

Gpanda

The second itinerary sounds much better. I take the non-drowsy seasickness medication with good results.

In Phuket, I suggest that you look at the Meridien Beach Resort. We liked it much better than the Yacht Club. It's closer to nightlife and restaurants. Both have wonderful beaches, but the pool at the Meridien is much better. The view from the Yacht Club Breakfast buffet is stunning.

mcbg1

OK change of plans: I will be flying in and out of Hong Kong and I now have 26 nights to spend. I will be flying between each destination using Air Asia. I just can't decide between the following itineraries:

Option 1
4 nights in Hong Kong
2 nights in Kuala Lumpur
2 nights in Singapore
5 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
4 nights in Phuket
4 nights in Ko Phi Phi
1 night in Hong Kong

Option 2
4 nights in Hong Kong
1 night in Kuala Lumpur
3 nights in Siem Reap
5 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
4 nights in Phuket
4 nights in Ko Phi Phi
1 night in Hong Kong

Should I consider substituing any destination for something else? Spend more or less time in each place? The last night in HK can't be changed though. It was much cheaper to fly back home from there than from anywhere else I will visit.

Thanks again!

Kathie

If you are all interested in the temples at Angkor, go as soon as you can. It takes three full days just to see the major temples, so I'd schedule 4 nights there. To get those 4 nights, I'd tend to take a day from Chiang Mai. Some people love it - I find it rather boring.

So I'd opt for #2, with the adjustment of time at Angkor.

krgystn

They both have too much travel/hotel changes for my taste.
What time do you get into HK? any way to leave immediately to another location? I hate to have one night in a city just to catch a flight.

Also, I have never been to KL (so cannot speak to how great it is) but for one or two nights only I would drop it.

mcbg1

On my first day, I will land in HK at 7:45 PM, on Halloween! On the second to last day, I should be there in the afternoon. Flying back home, the next day at 10 AM.

krgystn

Yeah, you get in kind of late so would be tough to avoid staying in HK twice. I agree with the 4 nights in Siem Reap.

Kathie

I assumed you needed the night in KL for a plane connection. If not, I'd skip it.

mcbg1

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I've been obsessing over this trip for the past few weeks and I have decided to go with Option 2 with some tweaking. I really am a big city kind of person and while I would love to see Cambodia and Laos, I'd rather leave those for another trip since I don't feel like 3/4 days would be enough to do those countries justice.

I am currently planning on doing the following itinerary:


Option 1
4 nights in Hong Kong
1 night in Macau
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur
3 nights in Singapore
4 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
4 nights in Phuket
4 nights in Ko Phi Phi
1 night in Hong Kong

I will consider staying in Krabi instead of Koh Phi Phi for my last 4 nights. I will have to check what's available in terms of accomodation and if it's affordable. All comments are welcome.

krgystn

I heard Macau is boring unless you are big into gambling.

krgystn

Forgot to say, I think you can do a good job in SR in 4 days, I would encourage you to add this piece back as it is a lot different from the rest of itinerary, whereas you have a lot of beach time right now with Phucket and Ko Phi Phi.

mcbg1

Regarding Macau: I wanted to visit it as a day trip from Hong Kong to see the historic sites and do some casino gawking. The flight from Macau to Kuala Lumpur is cheaper so I figured I might as sell spend the night.

Cambodia/Siem Reap: Should I spend less time in Chiang Mai or skip it completely to see Siem Reap?

Ah, I'm leaving in 6 weeks. I can't believe my itinerary is still not finalized. This is driving me crazy haha.

krgystn

I wouldnt skip Chaing Mai, but SR is the most magnificant thing I have seen in SEA-- a true highlight. Why not steal some time from elsewhere, ie KL (which I have never seen), Phuket and/or Phi Phi?

mcbg1

The last week in Phuket/Phi Phi isn't something I'm willing to change. I'm really going to need that time to relax before flying back home. Kuala Lumpur also is somewhere i want to spend 2 or 3 nights, plus I have to fly through there to get to Siem Reap anyway. While I was looking forward to visiting Chiang Mai, it was at the bottom of my list so I wouldn't be too sad to skip it. Same for Singapore.

Also, skipping Chiang Mai would allow me to fly directly from Bangkok to Krabi, which seems so much more beautiful than Phuket. I could then go to Phi Phi from there after a few days. Hmm...

krgystn

Whatever you decide to do I am sure you will have a fantasic time-- it is a great part of the world! And if you are going to go back one day it doesn't matter what you miss on this trip.