Oy! Honeymooning in mid-May decision

Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 02:56 PM
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Oy! Honeymooning in mid-May decision

Hello,

My fiancee and I will be getting married May 10th in Japan (she is Japanese). From there, on the 11th, we want to go somewhere special for our honeymoon.

I know this is far from a simple question but we have narrowed it down (I think)to Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal or Tibet. One caveat is that we have to catch a flight back to the US from Japan on May 20th.

We are not tour group, "Let's shuffle off to the next significant place" type of people. Culture, people, some hiking, time to soak it in are more apt descriptions.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Concerned about weather and getting caught in a regimented, robotic tour.

Thanks in advance,
Bruce
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Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 05:45 PM
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Well, you can avoid the regimented, robotic tour by not taking a tour. Most of us here are independent travelers.

I assume you know the places you've listed are not plush travel. Indeed, they can be pretty rough around the edges. Also, you have a mere 9 days incluing travel days to and from. So basically, you'll have one week on the ground at your destination.

I think Bhutan really calls for more time (though a regular poster here, dogster, had a truly abysmal time in Bhutan - read his report). It's an expensive destination and you'd have to fly to another city (Bangkok or Kathmandu for instance) to catch a flight to Bhutan. There is also a minimum charge per person per day, something like $200 per person per day which includes your guide, ground transport and lodging (but not in the luxuty Uma Paro or the Amans).

Nepal would be interesting, though again, you'll have an air connection somewhere like Bangkok or Singapore which may cut another day off your time even a day each way.

I met some people when we were in Borneo who did a great trip to Mongolia to view wildlife. But it involved not only getting to Mongolia, but long ground transport to where they were going.

The more I look at your list, the less practical I think any of these options are. You will likely be happier if you choose a place that is just one flight away from Japan or one with a small connecting flight.

Sorry, I don't seem to be of much help.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 06:25 PM
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It seems to me as well that with only 9 days including travel days, you should go somewhere easy to access. Travel the day after your wedding is hard...we did it, and most people do it, but I would not make the travel more difficult than it really has to be. Also, returning to Japan to then board a flight to the states...make the flight to Tokyo a short one, as the one to the US is long and not fun, even in premium class seats.

You can fly from Narita to Ulan Batur (how do you spell that in English?) on Myat Mongol (English spelling I don't know, I searched in Japanese). It's non-stop, so you could consider that as a good option.

Easy enough, as Kathie has said, to not get a robotic tour if you just don't take a tour. Easy. I use www.tour.ne.jp to search for airfares...from there you can contact the agencies about availability of the fare on your travel dates....trick is, it's all Japanese.

To throw a different place into the equation, Bali is magical for honeymoon or anyone and anytime. It's easy access from Narita, great hotels in all price ranges, and no need whatsoever to even think about booking a tour as the best places, imo, are not used by the tour agencies, and those that are you can get cheaper yourself.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 06:29 PM
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Kim, I also thought of Bali. Are there non-stops from Narita to Denpasar or would they have to change planes in Hong Kong or Singapore?
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Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 06:34 PM
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There are non-stops to Denpasar from Narita.
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Old Jan 23rd, 2008, 06:46 PM
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I would also suggest Bali.
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 04:33 AM
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I was also going to chime in with Bali....exotic but also relaxing, and easier to access from Japan for only a 8-9 day trip
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 07:35 AM
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Another vote for Bali...
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 11:48 AM
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A Bali groundswell! Only problem is I've been there. And I loved it. But to go that far it would be great to go someplace I've never been.
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 12:16 PM
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Have you been to Thailand? Laos? Cambodia?
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 02:02 PM
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Kathie,

No, neither of us have been to Thailand, Laos or Cambodia. Are there weather issues in mid-May?

As for the idea of not taking a tour: Bhutan does not seem to offer that option. That is my fear with going there. As in Dogstar's experience.

Do you have specific thoughts about the 3 countries you've mentioned?

Bruce
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 02:52 PM
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In Bhutan, you must have a guide. So even if you aren't with a group you can run into the problems Dogster had.

It will be hot in all of SE Asia in May. I guess it depends on how much you are able to tolerate hot weather.

Angkor in Cambodia is truly a wonder of the world. It will be very hot and humid at that time of the year (actually it always is hot and humid, sometimes it's just less hot and humid). Visiting the temples is strenuous, lots of walking and climbing (some of the steps were meant for elephants).

In Laos, Luang Prabang is a lovely world heritage site. It's a small town, with lovely wats to explore, and there are options for hiking in the nearby hills.

Thailand has lots to offer... Bangkok, beaches, the northern hill country.

You might find it useful to take a look at some of our photos of SE Asia www.marlandc.com

The photos may give you some ideas.
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 06:10 PM
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Yup, I did have a crap time in Bhutan - but that was a product of an unfortunate guide. But be warned [and I don't know if my perceptions are correct..] I found it rather artificial.. and dull.

If you want to go to Bhutan, make it simple. It's do-able in the time you have. Just jump straight to Uma Paro
http://www.uma.como.bz/paro/default.asp
Use them to guide you around. They understand. They come from the same planet as you do. You'll be safe. Paro/Thimpu/Punakha/Wangdi.
That's all.

Most people assume that honeymoons should be sybaritic, luxurious affairs - for all the right reasons. But by your list of options it seems to me that you might just be a bit more adventurous than that.

Bang for your buck: Nepal. As I said way down at the bottom of my trip report/therapy - combine Dwarika's [or the Hyatt Regency] with the absolutely extraordinary Apa Villa Phulbari [out of town, gobsmacking views, real deal]
http://www.villa-srilanka.com/apanepal/index.htm

and a side trip to Pokhara [or even a flight to Mustang for a taste of Tibet] and a drive down thru amazing scenery via Tansen [mucho goat sacrifices here] to Lumbini - [where Lord Buddha was born]

That'll give you something to do if you want to be active.

If you want to be active in the err... 'honeymoon' way - then go Bali. Perfect.




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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 08:45 PM
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Dogster, Apa Villa Phulbari is absolutely beautiful.Nepal is looking more and more desirable.
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Old Jan 24th, 2008, 10:38 PM
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Glad to be of service guys.

Apa Villa Phulbari is highly recommended; I stayed there three days earlier last year. It'll be the highlight of your stay - and NOBODY knows about it.

When you get serious give me a shout in here and I'll tell you anything you need to know.

www.dwarikas.com

for your Kathmandu hotel. Can't go wrong.
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Old Jan 25th, 2008, 05:51 AM
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Alas! the advertisers are out in full force today.

Ignore Peter and Himalaya as those are ads.
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Old Jan 25th, 2008, 06:16 AM
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Nepal is amazing. But with a mere 7 days, you are unlikely to leave the Kathmandu Valley. Any chance you can add some more time? You'll have to check air connections and see whether you can even get a full 7 days on the ground in Nepal from Japan. Given how little time you have, I'd wouldn't advise trying to go to Mustang or Lumbini. You might manage an overnight trip to Pokara.

A few caveats I like to give people thinking about Nepal... Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has the second highest incidence of TB. Sanitation is virtually non-existent for the people there. You'll be staying in clean places, but as they say "Don't drink the water and don't breathe the air." Staying outisde of Kathmandu itself will be helpful in the air department. Also, Nepal has been almost completely deforested. The people are very poor and have cut down all of the stunted trees for firewood. When I was there (mid- 1990s) the government had planted a "National Forest." The trees were still very small, and it wasn't at all clear that the trees would survive.

Of course, since the time I was in Nepal, things have gotten worse rather than better for the Nepalese people. The Maoist insurgency terrorised people, then there was the slaughter of the royal family by the crown prince (remember, the king is considered to be the reincarnation of Shiva, so this horrible event was even more traumatic because of what the king means to the people). Tourism has long been the primary source of income in Nepal, so all of the political turmoil hurt Nepal economically as well, since few tourists came during the worst of times. Nepal seems well on its way to a political peace. This seems like a good time to visit.

You'll want to make sure you get all appropriate immunizations for Nepal. Check out
www.cdc.gov/travel
There are often outbreaks of infectious disease there; it's the only place I've visited where I had to get a meningitis vaccination because of an outbreak.

I don't want to appear too discouraging, because I loved my time in Nepal. But I think you will enjoy it more if you make an informed decision and are prepared for Nepal.
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Old Jan 25th, 2008, 12:54 PM
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Kathie,
Thank you for all your various words of wisdom. And you read my mind. I just checked he restrictions on our award tickets and we can change the return date without penalty. So I'm hoping we can eek out a few more days.
Bruce
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Old Jan 25th, 2008, 01:14 PM
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Great! Do let us know what you decide to do.
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