Cal_88

Hi,

Me and my wife are travelling throughout SE Asia for 2 months from Early February to Early April (8 and a half weeks). Our itinerary so far looks like this:

- Flying to Bangkok (3 nights)
- Flying to Chiang Mai (5 nights)
- Volunteering with a Workaway host near Chiang Mai (1 week)
- Minivan to Pai (4 nights)
- 1 night in stopover in Chiang Mai
- Early morning flight to Krabi and a minivan to Ko Lanta (1 week)
- Fast boat to Ko Lipe (3 nights)
- Fast boat to Langkawi
- HOPEFULLY volunteering with a workaway host near Langkawi (2 weeks)
- Flight to Bali via Kuala Lumpur and then a taxi to Ubud (5 nights)
- Fast boat to the Gili Islands (5 nights)
- Sanur in Bali (4 nights)
- Flight back to Bangkok for return flight (2 nights)


Our planned itinerary is seeming alright to me at the moment, but the 2 weeks volunteering near Langkawi are a bit sketchy...we are hoping to volunteer with a Workaway host near Langkawi, but the problem is that the host we have in mind will not be certain until closer to the time if there is room to accommodate us.

Just for a bit of peace of mind I am now trying to conjure up a backup plan for what to add to our itinerary should no workaway volunteering offers materialise.

We are planning to spend the last 3 weeks of our trip in Bali/the Gili Islands, but could potentially have a spare 14 in the middle of that to get from Langkawi near the Thai border all the way down to Bali. Rather than simply stay around that area and then fly down to Bali, I am trying to find out where would be worth our time to add to our itinerary between Langkawi and Bali. Can anyone suggest anywhere that they personally really enjoyed staying being between the two places and think we might enjoy, at the same time going in the general direction ofBali (that covers pretty much all of Malaysia and most of Indonesia).

We are a married couple in our 20s, travelling on a bit of a budget (not too tight, but certainly not rich enough for Singapore from what I have heard!) wanting to do something a bit different and see some beautiful places. We are fairly easy-going people and enjoy anything from experiencing native culture, exploring cities, relaxing on beaches, trekking, sight-seeing, visiting cafes, bars, museums, partying, meditating - we are open to anything really, there isn't one particular type of thing we are after.

Long story short, I guess what I'd like to know is where would you personally choose to go between Langkawi and Bali if you had a spare 2 weeks and why?

Thanks in advance!

sartoric

I'm planning to do pretty much that in May 2016 from Georgetown Penang to Bali via Java. There's a couple of current planning threads, by me and poster kja. Have a look, they might give you some ideas about places to stop.

The site "man in seat 61" is great for train advice, you would have time to train with two weeks.

I can't specifically advise, as I haven't been there yet, but I am intrigued enough to want to go. For me, the temples, natural beauty, culture along with some colonial architecture and fabulous food are the attractions.

Kathie

I hope your trip works out as planned. I note that you are in Chiang Mai and elsewhere in northern Thailand for 17 nights in February. Hopefully, the burning won't have started by then. But do be aware that the burning of fields makes the air in northern Thailand unbreathable for many weeks. You might want to have a plan B in case the burning has started.

I don't know what kind of work you anticipate doing near Langkawi as it is an international beach resort. Near Langkawi is Georgetown, Penang which is a fascinating world heritage city.

On the way to Bali, I would recommend a stop in central (and maybe eastern) Java. Lots to do and see on Java (though I recommend that you skip Jakarta). There are two current threads by people planning trips to Java. Also, I have a trip report here from a few years ago of two weeks in Java. Just click on my name and go to trip reports. Photos are at www.marlandc.com

Kathie

Hi satoric, we were posting at the same time and thinking much the same thing!

marmot

Java is a good suggestion -- lots of affordable nature and culture. You could start in Central Java (Yogyakarta/Borobudur) and make you way across to East Java (Bromo/Ijen) then take the ferry to North Bali. You could spend a few days in north Bali in the Pemuteran and/or Munduk area before heading down to Ubud.

After the Gilis, you might also add on a few days in southwest Bali. I'd especially suggest the area around Batu Bolong and/or Petitenget.

Alternately, you could fill up two weeks in one of the less developed parts of Indonesia like Sulawesi (Manado/Tanah Toraja) or Sumba/Sumbawa/Flores. Either of these would take a bit more logistical planning, but would be worth the effort.

Cal_88

Thank you all for the speedy responses - all very helpful.

I am hoping that the workaway plans will work out, but after reading your responses and having a bit of a think I am now thinking of the following once leaving Thailand (ko lipe) into Malaysia (Langkawi):

-3/4 nights in Langkawi.
-Fly to Kuala Lumpur and take bus from airport to Melaka for 3 nights.
-Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Yogyakarta (3 nights).
-From Yogyakarta book a tour of Mount Bromo and Ijen with combined ferry into Bali (I need to research this in more detail!)
-Spend any remaining days in West Bali (Again this needs more research, but would be good to find some sort of quiet place by the sea to catch our breath after all the travelling before heading to Ubud).

This is a fairly rough itinerary at the moment and is liable to change as I research it further.

Once again, thanks for the advice and any further input would definitely be greatly appreciated.

Kathie

A couple of notes on your more recent thoughts on your itinerary:

Georgetown, Penang is more interesting than Melaka. You can take a ferry from Langkawi to Penang and fly from there to KL. Then I'd skip Melaka and fly straight to Yogya.

You won't want to book a trip from Yogya to Bromo and Ijen, you'll want to go to Surabaya or Malang to book that.

marmot

I agree with Kathie on both points. Melaka is appealing as a side trip from Singapore, but I wouldn't consider it a three night destination. Penang has more character.

Mt. Bromo is about 400 KM from Yogyakarta. You can fly or train from Yogya to Surabaya and access the Bromo area from there. I would suggest you stay in the mountains, not in Surabaya. Look at Java Banana.

You should also consider visiting Ijen for a unique experience.

While in Central Java, plan to split your time between the town of Yogya and the countryside around Borobudur. Manohara is right on the monument grounds.

I would only recommend taking the ferry to Bali if you're interested in spending time in North Bali. The north coast (e.g., Pemuteran) isn't especially known for its beaches, but the snorkeling and diving are quite good. Look at Menjangan Island.

Still north, but inland, the area around Munduk is undeveloped and beautiful There are a lot of wellness and yoga retreats in the vicinity of Munduk.

Heading down the west coast is not so easy as transport is limited, but if you book a room at a resort or homestay you could arrange for them to pick you up at the ferry. The farther north you go on the west coast the less developed it is.

The beaches are quite rugged -- black sand, big waves -- but scenic. You'll find mostly surfer outposts in the Balian area.

South of Tanah Lot, you'll get more development. The area that is loosely called Canggu is full of inexpensive (and expensive) villas and homestays, surfers, new age beach lovers and Aussie hipsters. Look at Desi Seni.

Inland from Batu Bolong beach is the epi-center for young, hip travelers. The beaches -- again big wave surfing beaches -- are kind of scruffy, but the whole area is a lot of fun.

A good middle ground is Batu Belig or Petiteget where you have access to Petitenget beach and a whole host of inexpensive (and expensive) restaurants, clubs, spas. The Colony is a wonderful boutique hotel. If that's too pricy there are tons of budget hotels in Petitenget and homestays/bungalows in Batu Belig. (Avoid Sunset Road.)

Not sure of your dates for Bali. March is generally a quiet time, except for Easter week which is a peak tourist period. March 9 is Nyepi the Hindu day of silence --a great time to be in Bali.

crellston

I agree with much of what marmot has suggested, with regard to Java. Last year we got the train down through Java to Bali. Highlights were Borobodur, ( from Yogyakarta ), Bromo and, especially Mt Ijen both combine on a trip from Malang. More detail in my trip report here http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rough-java.cfm and on our blog here http://accidentalnomads.com/category/indonesia/

I too feel that Penang has more to offer than Melaka. From Penang you could get a bus to Ipoh - great food, street art and some interesting cave temples ( more info on the Malaysian section of our blog)

Finally, regarding your time in the north of Thailand, you should be aware that the burning season COULD cause widespread pollution at that time of year. The timing and levels of smoke do vary from year to year but when we were there around the same time last year it was especially bad. IME, the earlier you hit the north the better. Also, I think four nights is too long just for Pai. As you are in that area I would consider spending a couple of days in either Mae Hong Sorn or Soppong.

PS Just taken a look at the workaway site you are using. Would be very interested to hear how you get on as we may well give them a try when we visit South America this year.

kja

I'm soaking up all the great info here -- thanks to all, and best wishes for a great trip, Cal_88!

Cal_88

I can't thank you all enough for your insights on this - its all been very helpful, especially regarding Central Java and maybe giving Melaka a miss. I have since managed to secure a place with another workaway host near Yogyakarta teaching English in addition to the workaway we already have helping a retired lady in Chiang Mai. So with less than 2 weeks before we jet off, here's the itinerary:

- Bangkok (3 nights)
- Chiang Mai (5 nights) with numerous day trips
- Workaway near Chiang Mai (6 nights)
- Pai (4 nights) with trip to Tham Lot Cave and a few other sights, but mainly just enjoying some peace and quiet.
- Chiang Mai (1 night)
- Flying to Koh Lanta via Krabi (6 nights)
- Fast boat from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe (3 nights)
- Fast boat from Koh Lipe to Langkawi (4 nights)
- Fly from Langkawi to Yogyakarta via Kuala Lumpur. Workaway near Yogyakarta (9 nights)
- Fly to Bali. Ubud (5 nights)
- Fast boat to Gili T (5 nights)
- Then we have 5 nights to spend somewhere else on Bali, or maybe stay on the Gilis, basically going to play it by ear and see where the mood takes us. Apparently there is the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud that falls at the same time, so may go and check this out, but I fancy leaving our options open as its the last few days of our trip.
- Then fly back to Bangkok for 2 nights before flying back to Manchester.

And that's it! It could all change at the last minute, and should the burning season start early we'll probably have to bail on some of our time in Northern Thailand (at the moment we'll be leaving on the 25th of February), but as has been mentioned it can often be unpredictable when it starts.

Thanks again for all the help you lovely people!

crellston

Glad to see you have got your trip sorted. Have a fantastic time and be sure to let us know how it goes.