Planning our first trip around Asia
Aug 21st, 2010, 10:02 PM
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Planning our first trip around Asia
Dear All,
My husband, 7 month old and I have 7 free days before my husband begins work in South Korea. We are committed to exploring S. Korea over the next few years with long weekend etc. However, we have been here now 3 weeks and are up for a new scene. We are thinking about Cambodia, Vietnam or Thailand. Obviously, with the bambino we are on a pretty limited schedule. We were thinking of a resort that might offer some day trips... Ideas?
Thanks!
My husband, 7 month old and I have 7 free days before my husband begins work in South Korea. We are committed to exploring S. Korea over the next few years with long weekend etc. However, we have been here now 3 weeks and are up for a new scene. We are thinking about Cambodia, Vietnam or Thailand. Obviously, with the bambino we are on a pretty limited schedule. We were thinking of a resort that might offer some day trips... Ideas?
Thanks!
Aug 22nd, 2010, 10:09 AM
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It sounds like you plan for a series of trips to other parts of Asia.
Thailand is a wonderful and easy introduction to SE Asia. If you opt for a beach location, there won't be a lot in terms of days trips, except to other beaches or islands. If you need some relaxation time, that would be a good choice. WHich beach depends on the time of the year. Right now either Koh Samui or Hua Hin would be good Thai beach choices; by the second half of November, the whole Phuket/PhiPhi/Krabi/Koh Lanta area is good.
Another option would be to go to Bangkok and stay at a lovely hotel by the river, alternating days relaxing at the hotel with excursions into Bangkok for sightseeing, shopping and eating. The Marriott Resort and Spa is a popular place for families in Bangkok.
Thailand is a wonderful and easy introduction to SE Asia. If you opt for a beach location, there won't be a lot in terms of days trips, except to other beaches or islands. If you need some relaxation time, that would be a good choice. WHich beach depends on the time of the year. Right now either Koh Samui or Hua Hin would be good Thai beach choices; by the second half of November, the whole Phuket/PhiPhi/Krabi/Koh Lanta area is good.
Another option would be to go to Bangkok and stay at a lovely hotel by the river, alternating days relaxing at the hotel with excursions into Bangkok for sightseeing, shopping and eating. The Marriott Resort and Spa is a popular place for families in Bangkok.
Aug 22nd, 2010, 10:42 AM
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Not sure what kind of day trips you're looking for, and we haven't been there yet, but the HoiAn/Hue area of Vietnam might have what you're looking for -- beaches, historical sightseeing, colonial town(s).
Aug 23rd, 2010, 12:44 AM
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Also all these areas have rainy seasons which can really affect the enjoyment of a beach vacation which seems to be what you are thinking about. So see weatherbase.com and other websites for an idea of rain amounts. Also some of these destinations have Malarial areas, and you would need to consider whether you can or should give anti-Malarials to a baby. The Scottish NHS has very useful travel health website at http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/home.aspx (see esp their Malaria page).
Much as I like Vietnam, for something like a 7-day trip and with a baby, I am on the fence as to whether I would recco it, as to really see the country you should IMO move around. You may not want to do this with a baby. (Ho Chi Minh on its own is not a good destination, IMO, however going just to Hanoi might be interesting but not resorty). Beach resorts can be quite rainy from end August, and they also can have typhoons, so look at weather info. Getting to beach resorts in Vietnam from Seoul will require a change of planes, and so again for only a week look at flight schedules and see what works. But perhaps something like a few days in Hanoi and then a few days in Hoi An would work. Or Nha Trang and Danang have beach areas worth a look and you can undertake some sight-seeing from there. (Again, watch rain.)
You might also want to consider Bali, as there are non-stop flights, good weather now (virtually no rain) and lots to see and do. Plus a magical culture. With 7 days you could combine a beach stay with an inland area stay.
Thailand/Bangkok is certainly easy, non-stop flight and you can stay at a river hotel and get sort of a resort feel while having all that Bangkok offers near to you. It is just coming into the rainy season, but that is not so much of an issue there (unless you want significant pool time). Going to Hua Hin, or to east or west coast is possible, but involves a longer trip (plane connections for the latter or a 3-hour drive to Hua Hin) and watch the rain, but in the dry months these offer great vacation possibilities. The coasts have different rainy seasons, so generally when it is good in Koh Samui (now) it is rainy in Phuket and vice versa.
Cambodia would work, but there do not seem to be any non-stop flights. So for Ankor Wat you would be looking at at least 2 connections (probably via Bangkok). I don’t know much about beach resorts there, but perhaps you could combine Ankor with a Thai beach resort. A week at Ankor Wat may be a bit longer than you need or want, so I probably would say to combine it with something. Note that some parts of Cambodia are Malarial. Ankor Wat is not considered Malarial according to the Scottish NHS, but other websites may take a different view.
Singapore might be a good place for a trip with a baby, there are non-stop flights and there is the zoo, bird park, etc and you could stay at a hotel will a big pool to also get the resorty feel. Great food, tons to do and see. Good weather now, they have some rain starting in December but really nothing that would interfere with a vacation, IMO. I would say the same for Hong Kong, esp in winter months when it is cold in Korea but really pleasant here (mid-October through end Jan for sure). Otherwise we get rain and it is hot, but there are many other activities which you can do which are not as weather-dependent as a beach. There is Disney, Ocean Park and similar kids attractions, not sure what a 7-month old would get out of them, but pandas at Ocean Park perhaps. One attraction of Hong Kong is that there are non-stop flights from Seoul.
I would also throw the Philippines into consideration, much more so after about mid-October when the monsoon season ends. You can fly non-stop to Cebu, which while not my favourite Philippine beach, may work well for a short vacation and with a baby. You can stay at the Shangri-La and get a resort feel plus some town activities. The non-stop is a nice feature with a baby too. Places like Palawan would be a very good vacation; this would require a flight to Manila and then a short hop on a plane, then sometimes a short boat trip. But in the winter months a great escape from cold Korea. Parts of the Philippine is Malarial (Cebu is not).
You can fly non-stop from either Busan or Inchon to Guam, which may be something to consider as well, although I believe they are in rainy season now. But perhaps for another short break (and when you need a dose of Americana…..)
Much as I like Vietnam, for something like a 7-day trip and with a baby, I am on the fence as to whether I would recco it, as to really see the country you should IMO move around. You may not want to do this with a baby. (Ho Chi Minh on its own is not a good destination, IMO, however going just to Hanoi might be interesting but not resorty). Beach resorts can be quite rainy from end August, and they also can have typhoons, so look at weather info. Getting to beach resorts in Vietnam from Seoul will require a change of planes, and so again for only a week look at flight schedules and see what works. But perhaps something like a few days in Hanoi and then a few days in Hoi An would work. Or Nha Trang and Danang have beach areas worth a look and you can undertake some sight-seeing from there. (Again, watch rain.)
You might also want to consider Bali, as there are non-stop flights, good weather now (virtually no rain) and lots to see and do. Plus a magical culture. With 7 days you could combine a beach stay with an inland area stay.
Thailand/Bangkok is certainly easy, non-stop flight and you can stay at a river hotel and get sort of a resort feel while having all that Bangkok offers near to you. It is just coming into the rainy season, but that is not so much of an issue there (unless you want significant pool time). Going to Hua Hin, or to east or west coast is possible, but involves a longer trip (plane connections for the latter or a 3-hour drive to Hua Hin) and watch the rain, but in the dry months these offer great vacation possibilities. The coasts have different rainy seasons, so generally when it is good in Koh Samui (now) it is rainy in Phuket and vice versa.
Cambodia would work, but there do not seem to be any non-stop flights. So for Ankor Wat you would be looking at at least 2 connections (probably via Bangkok). I don’t know much about beach resorts there, but perhaps you could combine Ankor with a Thai beach resort. A week at Ankor Wat may be a bit longer than you need or want, so I probably would say to combine it with something. Note that some parts of Cambodia are Malarial. Ankor Wat is not considered Malarial according to the Scottish NHS, but other websites may take a different view.
Singapore might be a good place for a trip with a baby, there are non-stop flights and there is the zoo, bird park, etc and you could stay at a hotel will a big pool to also get the resorty feel. Great food, tons to do and see. Good weather now, they have some rain starting in December but really nothing that would interfere with a vacation, IMO. I would say the same for Hong Kong, esp in winter months when it is cold in Korea but really pleasant here (mid-October through end Jan for sure). Otherwise we get rain and it is hot, but there are many other activities which you can do which are not as weather-dependent as a beach. There is Disney, Ocean Park and similar kids attractions, not sure what a 7-month old would get out of them, but pandas at Ocean Park perhaps. One attraction of Hong Kong is that there are non-stop flights from Seoul.
I would also throw the Philippines into consideration, much more so after about mid-October when the monsoon season ends. You can fly non-stop to Cebu, which while not my favourite Philippine beach, may work well for a short vacation and with a baby. You can stay at the Shangri-La and get a resort feel plus some town activities. The non-stop is a nice feature with a baby too. Places like Palawan would be a very good vacation; this would require a flight to Manila and then a short hop on a plane, then sometimes a short boat trip. But in the winter months a great escape from cold Korea. Parts of the Philippine is Malarial (Cebu is not).
You can fly non-stop from either Busan or Inchon to Guam, which may be something to consider as well, although I believe they are in rainy season now. But perhaps for another short break (and when you need a dose of Americana…..)
Aug 23rd, 2010, 08:11 AM
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FWIW, the US does consider Angkor Wat to be "malarial". I can't find the link right now, but it was given to me by someone on this board. (Not saying US is right, just that there's apparently a difference of opinion).
Aug 23rd, 2010, 08:14 AM
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Aug 23rd, 2010, 06:33 PM
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Very good to know. Thanks so much. We might need to take a different trip all together and save South East Asia for when we have a grandma visiting who will be happy to spilt sightseeing with babyseeing. Thanks again!
