Help with our itinerary in Malaysia
Jun 12th, 2007, 12:26 PM
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Help with our itinerary in Malaysia
Last year, in July, we went on an amazing 4 week honeymoon in Asia consisting of Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui), HK, Tokyo. In the end of December for 3 weeks, we are planning to go back to Asia. This time our itinerary is slightly different: Bangkok, Phuket, HK, Singapore, Malaysia. Our main destination is Phuket for 6 days of relaxation.
Originally, we thought of going to Singapore, KL, and Langkawi. The hotels in Langkawi are very expensive this time of year and some of the more reasonale ones are full. My question is should we go to Penang instead and stay at the Shangri-La hotel and not go to Langkawi? We were only planning on staying in Langkawi for 4 days. We could do a day trip by ferry to see Georgetown and do it all. What would you suggest?
Originally, we thought of going to Singapore, KL, and Langkawi. The hotels in Langkawi are very expensive this time of year and some of the more reasonale ones are full. My question is should we go to Penang instead and stay at the Shangri-La hotel and not go to Langkawi? We were only planning on staying in Langkawi for 4 days. We could do a day trip by ferry to see Georgetown and do it all. What would you suggest?
Jun 12th, 2007, 12:59 PM
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If you are going to Penang, skip the beach (which isn't that nice) and stay in Georgetown at the E&O. It's worth the trip all by itself! You are going to Phuket anyway, so you really don't need more beach time.
Read my trip report from November, 2006 (Kathie's Penang, Chiang Mai and Bangkok Trip Report).
Read my trip report from November, 2006 (Kathie's Penang, Chiang Mai and Bangkok Trip Report).
Jun 13th, 2007, 03:46 PM
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I recently visited Penang for a few days (not by choice), which is known to be Silicon Valley of SE Asia. Indeed there are many semiconductor plants there. I heard from locals that the beach was nice till the Intels and Motorolas set up their factories in Penang.
To be honest, it is less exciting than Phuket and Bangkok. The E&O is quite nice but I am not sure if it's worth flying all the way over there just for the hotel.
On the positive side, the food is great. I love the diversity of cuisines there. Georgetown is quite interesting but I found it quite similar to some areas I have seen in other SE Asian countries.
To be honest, it is less exciting than Phuket and Bangkok. The E&O is quite nice but I am not sure if it's worth flying all the way over there just for the hotel.
On the positive side, the food is great. I love the diversity of cuisines there. Georgetown is quite interesting but I found it quite similar to some areas I have seen in other SE Asian countries.
Jun 13th, 2007, 06:42 PM
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The E & O "quite nice" ??? We spent 4 days there a couple of years ago and if you are in Malaysia then it's certainly worth the visit. It's a charming, wonderful hotel and may be the highlight of your trip. We loved it. The beaches on Penang aren't great but the Island has a certain charm and there are lots of great restaurants.
Jun 13th, 2007, 08:57 PM
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why penang? (though the food is amazing!) since you are already doing phuket - skip the beach scene in Malaysia. Instead, spend a couple of nights in malacca - a wonderful, old world, heavyly dutch influenced sleepy town. Try heeren house for stay. It's an excellent bargain and amazingly ethnic.
http://www.melaka.net/heerenhouse/
http://www.melaka.net/heerenhouse/
Jun 14th, 2007, 05:10 AM
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I agree with sasha_g. I rather liked Georgetown but have to say that there are many other places in Malaysia that are as interesting, or more so.
Malacca would be one such.
I'd get a guide book and get more acquainted with what is possible.
Have you, for instance, ruled out the East coast because it is a bad season to be there?
Malacca would be one such.
I'd get a guide book and get more acquainted with what is possible.
Have you, for instance, ruled out the East coast because it is a bad season to be there?
Jun 14th, 2007, 05:32 AM
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It looks like Penang is one of those places that people either love or they can't imagine why others love it. I loved Penang - really, I'm just talking about Georgetown. Yes, the E&O is amazing, a real step back in time. But Georgetown has such a rich confluence of cultures and such a rich history, I really enjoyed being there and experinceing it. The food is wonderful, both the justly esteemed hawker food and the fabulous Indian food you'll find there.
Jun 14th, 2007, 05:47 AM
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sasha....can you tell us more about your experience at this guest house...it looks quite nice....what did you do at malecca? would 2 full days be sufficient to spend there....i have not done my reading as of yet...any other hints about malecca would be helpful...
i will be travelling from singapore and then heading to K/L afterwards....how did you get there??
i will be travelling from singapore and then heading to K/L afterwards....how did you get there??
Jun 14th, 2007, 11:59 AM
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If you are very interested in some of the best snorkeling and diving in Asia the Redang Islands are great. They are a 40 minute non-stop flight from KL and Berjajha Beach Resort (speeliing off) in a Beach villa is quite nice for 4-5 nights (4 full days). The food is pretty good but because it is remote it is not BK or HK by far but the waters are nicer than Phuket and the snorkeling is better than Phuket or the Phi Phi Islands (worth a day trip while in Phuket). I would not spend more than 2-3 full days in Singapore and environs. When in KL I would get a car service for what will be a long day (10-11 hrs
and be driven to the Cammeron Highlands. It is 5-6 hours RT driving but they are simple beautiful if the weather is sunny or even partly cloudy. You will see nomadic tribe colonies near the Highlands that are not disturbed by your looking. We stayed at the Sheraton (part of Sheraton's Luxury Collection and it was lovely) and much nicer than the Ritz Charlton where we stayed the year before. Personally KL and side triles is worth 3 days tops including a day in the Highlands. HK we have visited so it's hard to judge but since you already visited it once 4 full days is more than enough. BK with side trip to Floating Market (1/2 day) and if your into to temples and shopping it is worth 5 full days.Phuket at a hotel like the Meridian Yacht Club, Baynan Tree or similar are lovely and 5 or 6 full days as you plan is about right. That may add up to more than 3 weeks by a few days but if you have the time the cost of getting over and back is costly so you should try to really enjoy it.
and be driven to the Cammeron Highlands. It is 5-6 hours RT driving but they are simple beautiful if the weather is sunny or even partly cloudy. You will see nomadic tribe colonies near the Highlands that are not disturbed by your looking. We stayed at the Sheraton (part of Sheraton's Luxury Collection and it was lovely) and much nicer than the Ritz Charlton where we stayed the year before. Personally KL and side triles is worth 3 days tops including a day in the Highlands. HK we have visited so it's hard to judge but since you already visited it once 4 full days is more than enough. BK with side trip to Floating Market (1/2 day) and if your into to temples and shopping it is worth 5 full days.Phuket at a hotel like the Meridian Yacht Club, Baynan Tree or similar are lovely and 5 or 6 full days as you plan is about right. That may add up to more than 3 weeks by a few days but if you have the time the cost of getting over and back is costly so you should try to really enjoy it.
Jun 16th, 2007, 10:47 PM
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To answer Rhkkmk, melacca - from KL - is about 2 hrs by bus. U take the bus from Puduraya (which is in KL) - buy the tickets and get on the bus.
The bus drops you at malacca bus stand & then you take a cab (takes around RM 15) that drops you right at the doorstep of Heeren House.
The hotel is a quaint little one - an old dutch warehouse transformed into a small hotel, with antique furniture and old paintings. it is run by an english couple - very friendly. Its very basic but a very nice experince.
The town is very small - with cobbeled streets and the main (and perhaps the only) street is called jonkers Street. As the name aptly suggests, it is lined with old antique shops selling junk and its a pleasure browsing through these shops.
The food is awesome - try Discovery cafe, Harpers, Geographers'.
Things to see - there's an old church & an old dilapidated fort called A'Famosa. There's a maritime museum - a ship turned into a museum and is quite fun visiting.
If you go on a saturday, you ll find the jonkers street turned into pasar malam or night market that sells all kinds of stuff and yummy street food. (the dumplings are to die for!)
Apart from that, there's nothing much to do in Melacca and a 1 night stay should suffice. But it's worth a visit - the old laid back town takes you back in time, when life was not a hurry and time was all you had in hand.
The bus drops you at malacca bus stand & then you take a cab (takes around RM 15) that drops you right at the doorstep of Heeren House.
The hotel is a quaint little one - an old dutch warehouse transformed into a small hotel, with antique furniture and old paintings. it is run by an english couple - very friendly. Its very basic but a very nice experince.
The town is very small - with cobbeled streets and the main (and perhaps the only) street is called jonkers Street. As the name aptly suggests, it is lined with old antique shops selling junk and its a pleasure browsing through these shops.
The food is awesome - try Discovery cafe, Harpers, Geographers'.
Things to see - there's an old church & an old dilapidated fort called A'Famosa. There's a maritime museum - a ship turned into a museum and is quite fun visiting.
If you go on a saturday, you ll find the jonkers street turned into pasar malam or night market that sells all kinds of stuff and yummy street food. (the dumplings are to die for!)
Apart from that, there's nothing much to do in Melacca and a 1 night stay should suffice. But it's worth a visit - the old laid back town takes you back in time, when life was not a hurry and time was all you had in hand.
