Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand honeymoon in November
Jul 4th, 2006, 03:23 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand honeymoon in November
Hi all.
Just after a bit of advice again. We appreciated everyones input on a destination for our honeymoon and we have chosen to fly into Singapore and out of Bangkok 2 weeks later. What we do in between is where hopefully you guys can help!!
We were going to stay a couple of nights in Singapore, bus up to KL for a day or so then up to Penang and work our way up the coast into Thailand. Want to spend a bit of time at an island that could be quiet enough and have possibility for a dive so looking at Ko Lipe at the moment. Also want to dive at least a day at the Similians before flying out of Bangkok. We would like to go to Ko Phi Phi but Phuket doesn't really interest us. I have heard there is an amazing place called Rai Lei bay near Krabi that sounds neat also.
I know the water visibility may be poor after the monsoon but we will be looking at diving after about the 20th November so hopefuly things have cleared up a bit. ( I consistently dive where 5m visibility and 2m swells are considered excellent!!)
We havent got time to do everything so may need to prioritise. We are quite happy to rough it on the islands but bride-to-be will also require a bit of hotel decadence in the cities so any advice there would be great also!! We aren't big city folk but dont mind spending the time if there are awesome things to see and do!
We want a mix of peace and quiet, beaches, great food, shopping and diving over the 2 weeks in that order of priority!!
Thanx in advance!!
Geoff and Helen
Just after a bit of advice again. We appreciated everyones input on a destination for our honeymoon and we have chosen to fly into Singapore and out of Bangkok 2 weeks later. What we do in between is where hopefully you guys can help!!
We were going to stay a couple of nights in Singapore, bus up to KL for a day or so then up to Penang and work our way up the coast into Thailand. Want to spend a bit of time at an island that could be quiet enough and have possibility for a dive so looking at Ko Lipe at the moment. Also want to dive at least a day at the Similians before flying out of Bangkok. We would like to go to Ko Phi Phi but Phuket doesn't really interest us. I have heard there is an amazing place called Rai Lei bay near Krabi that sounds neat also.
I know the water visibility may be poor after the monsoon but we will be looking at diving after about the 20th November so hopefuly things have cleared up a bit. ( I consistently dive where 5m visibility and 2m swells are considered excellent!!)
We havent got time to do everything so may need to prioritise. We are quite happy to rough it on the islands but bride-to-be will also require a bit of hotel decadence in the cities so any advice there would be great also!! We aren't big city folk but dont mind spending the time if there are awesome things to see and do!
We want a mix of peace and quiet, beaches, great food, shopping and diving over the 2 weeks in that order of priority!!
Thanx in advance!!
Geoff and Helen
Jul 4th, 2006, 04:53 AM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Geoff & Helen
Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage!
My first reaction is that you are covering a lot of distance in a short amount of time. If you are not city people, then I wonder if your trip would be better spent in Thailand - unless there are particular reasons for visiting Singapore and KL. You could combine time in Bangkok with the beaches. You may also want to consider including a trip to Chiang Mai (perhaps BKK - CM - beaches - BKK) where you can eat some more, trek to see the hilltribes, visit elephant conservation camps and shop. Or alternatively focus on Bangkok and the beaches - if you did the latter you could probably just about fit in all the beach/island destinations you have mentioned. You would be hopping about quite a bit - which we always like to do - but some don't. The 'hops' are on boats normally however and v scenic and pleasant provided the swell is not to big!
Ko Lipe is a great island for some peace and quiet and the diving in the Similans should be superb (comparing to your norm
) by the end of November. You can go out on a liveaboard to the Similans which I would definitely consider or you can take a day trip from Phuket and I think also Khao Lak - where you may prefer to stay in to Phuket. Rai Lei (sometimes spelt Railay or Railey) is lovely - there are three beaches and there is a v deluxe hotel on one of them - the Rayavadee - and on the others some more low key accommodation. One of the other beaches is more backpacker focused (either 'East' or 'West') - if you do some reading on the area you are bound to be able to work out which is which. I can't remember - but from each of these three beaches you can easily access the other. For my money, I would stay on the non-backpacker one as it is quieter during the nights and has mid-range accommodation but you can still visit the amazing beach that Rayavadee is on and go to the bars on the backpacker one. Hope that makes sense! Also in Krabi, great snorkelling and fantastic kayaking into the limestone caves, rockclimbing and you can also do a daytrip to Phi Phi.
Where are you travelling from btw?
For hotels in Bangkok, we like staying on the river. Take a look at the Marriott, Shangri La and for top of the range - the Peninsula and the Oriental. From here you have great access to public transport - the Skytrain and the Express boat. There are some great sights to see in Bangkok, fantastic food and wonderful shopping. Even if you are not city people, Bangkok has an energy that captures most and if you stay on the river you have a bit of an 'escape' from the city madnesss.
Hope this helps!
BB
Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage!
My first reaction is that you are covering a lot of distance in a short amount of time. If you are not city people, then I wonder if your trip would be better spent in Thailand - unless there are particular reasons for visiting Singapore and KL. You could combine time in Bangkok with the beaches. You may also want to consider including a trip to Chiang Mai (perhaps BKK - CM - beaches - BKK) where you can eat some more, trek to see the hilltribes, visit elephant conservation camps and shop. Or alternatively focus on Bangkok and the beaches - if you did the latter you could probably just about fit in all the beach/island destinations you have mentioned. You would be hopping about quite a bit - which we always like to do - but some don't. The 'hops' are on boats normally however and v scenic and pleasant provided the swell is not to big!
Ko Lipe is a great island for some peace and quiet and the diving in the Similans should be superb (comparing to your norm
) by the end of November. You can go out on a liveaboard to the Similans which I would definitely consider or you can take a day trip from Phuket and I think also Khao Lak - where you may prefer to stay in to Phuket. Rai Lei (sometimes spelt Railay or Railey) is lovely - there are three beaches and there is a v deluxe hotel on one of them - the Rayavadee - and on the others some more low key accommodation. One of the other beaches is more backpacker focused (either 'East' or 'West') - if you do some reading on the area you are bound to be able to work out which is which. I can't remember - but from each of these three beaches you can easily access the other. For my money, I would stay on the non-backpacker one as it is quieter during the nights and has mid-range accommodation but you can still visit the amazing beach that Rayavadee is on and go to the bars on the backpacker one. Hope that makes sense! Also in Krabi, great snorkelling and fantastic kayaking into the limestone caves, rockclimbing and you can also do a daytrip to Phi Phi. Where are you travelling from btw?
For hotels in Bangkok, we like staying on the river. Take a look at the Marriott, Shangri La and for top of the range - the Peninsula and the Oriental. From here you have great access to public transport - the Skytrain and the Express boat. There are some great sights to see in Bangkok, fantastic food and wonderful shopping. Even if you are not city people, Bangkok has an energy that captures most and if you stay on the river you have a bit of an 'escape' from the city madnesss.
Hope this helps!
BB
Jul 4th, 2006, 02:30 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I assume you are going to Similian Islands before late Aug, for they are most difficut to get there after that. In fact, in early Sept., 5 yeats ago, they were already closed to tourists by mid-Sept.
Two days in Singapore is more than enough but 2-3 days in KL is worthwhile. One day with a guide/driver, a 7-8 hour trip to the Cameron Highlands, is very special. A day in KL visiting some of the monuments, maybe Frazier Hill and KLCC shopping center is a very worthwhile 10 hour day.
Take a pass on the Batu Caves, in my opinion and the Genting Highlands.
If you want first class snorkeling and diving maybe you do not have to leave Malaysia and take the 40 minute flight from KL to the Redang Islands for 3-4 days of great diving/snorkeling. We found it better than Phi Phi and Koh Tao but that is a personal preference.
Two days in Singapore is more than enough but 2-3 days in KL is worthwhile. One day with a guide/driver, a 7-8 hour trip to the Cameron Highlands, is very special. A day in KL visiting some of the monuments, maybe Frazier Hill and KLCC shopping center is a very worthwhile 10 hour day.
Take a pass on the Batu Caves, in my opinion and the Genting Highlands.
If you want first class snorkeling and diving maybe you do not have to leave Malaysia and take the 40 minute flight from KL to the Redang Islands for 3-4 days of great diving/snorkeling. We found it better than Phi Phi and Koh Tao but that is a personal preference.
Jul 4th, 2006, 03:20 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are flying from NZ via Melbourne to get married and on to Singapore. We chose that flight because it was with Emirates that have a stopover in Maelbourne rather than separate flights. (Saves about $400 each!) We were originally going to go to the Perhentians but Fodorites convinced us that the weather would be crap in November. We still would really like to go there so what we could do is leave Malaysia for another trip and focus on Thailand and the islands but still come in via Singapore. What flight destinations and options would there be from Singapore so we could continue our trip from the south of Thailand? Fly into Langkawi or Penang? What websites and airlines give the best deals. We do have student ISIC cards which may help get the best rate
Cheers,
GEoff
Cheers,
GEoff
Jul 5th, 2006, 05:07 AM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Geoff
Sounds like a fantastic trip! I am not sure what the situation is with crossing the border between Malaysia and Thailand - someone else might know. I only know that the provinces (in Thailand) near the borders have had some troubles.
If you are going to go visit Malaysia another time, perhaps leave Penang and Langkawi until then. You could then fly from Singapore to Bangkok or Phuket as you prefer.
You will be able to go to the Similan Islands in November - I think StanKase thought you were going soon to the Similans and missed the heading of your post - as the boats start to run again then. As you've indicated, you know that the visibility will not be as great as it can be there but I think you would best to leave the Similan trip until the end of your two weeks/your spell on the Andaman coast to get the best chance for visibility to improve. Just don't leave yourself only 1 day to do it - give yourselves a few days grace the other side of when you plan to go out to the Similans just in case there is bad weather on the day you plan to go. (I have read that you can go on 1 day trips now to the Similans - but we went on a liveaboard which was great fun and a diving indulgence!).
BB
Sounds like a fantastic trip! I am not sure what the situation is with crossing the border between Malaysia and Thailand - someone else might know. I only know that the provinces (in Thailand) near the borders have had some troubles.
If you are going to go visit Malaysia another time, perhaps leave Penang and Langkawi until then. You could then fly from Singapore to Bangkok or Phuket as you prefer.
You will be able to go to the Similan Islands in November - I think StanKase thought you were going soon to the Similans and missed the heading of your post - as the boats start to run again then. As you've indicated, you know that the visibility will not be as great as it can be there but I think you would best to leave the Similan trip until the end of your two weeks/your spell on the Andaman coast to get the best chance for visibility to improve. Just don't leave yourself only 1 day to do it - give yourselves a few days grace the other side of when you plan to go out to the Similans just in case there is bad weather on the day you plan to go. (I have read that you can go on 1 day trips now to the Similans - but we went on a liveaboard which was great fun and a diving indulgence!).
BB
Jul 5th, 2006, 06:45 AM
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd say too many places in too little time unless maybe you fly to some of them...it's only a 45 minute flight between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. I wouldn't waste time taking a bus to Kuala Lumpur when I could fly. And what can really be done in a day in Kuala Lumpur. It's not the most exciting place in the world...although architectually interesting...but it needs more than a day. Happy Travels!
Jul 8th, 2006, 12:49 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats! Covering Spore-Msia-Thailand in 2 weeks? Even thinking of it makes me tired. But anyway, best of luck. Here is my suggestion. From Spore to KL, stopover at Malacca (1-2 days). It's a nice place with 500 years of history. In KL (1-2 days), get to know these 2 public train services - LRT Putra and Star. The trains will take you anywhere you want. Make your way north and stopover Taiping (1 day), a very neat town steeped in English colonial history. Stay a day or two in Penang and now comes the tricky part - getting on the right bus to cross over to Thailand. You need to make your way to mainland Butterworth main bus station. There are a few companies that operates buses to Haadyai, southern Thai town. I always use company "Super Panther". If you can afford, please take the VIP ones. They are more comfortable because the journey is quite long. You will have your passport stamped at Bukit Kayu Hitam (Msian side) and Sadao (Thai side). Follow what other passengers are doing. It's fairly straight forward. It's true that southern Thai is going thru a rough period of insurgency but so far I haven't heard of any bad news that involve tourists. The bus will stop in Haadyai and you can check in the hotel and decide what to do next. The town is nice and I believe you can arrange with tour agents there for your trip to Thai islands. By the way, do hop over to Songkhla's shoreline for rustic seaside scenes. Southern Thailand is the place to see real Thai heritage and culture, not BKK. The pace of life is slow and food is great!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FirstTimeToAsia
Asia
23
May 16th, 2010 05:55 PM
