Singapore & what else? Beachy island?
Jun 21st, 2014, 04:46 PM
#1
Singapore & what else? Beachy island?
Hi,
Mid-March 2015, We're taking a 2 week cruise that leaves from Singapore and ends up in India (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket, Myanmar (2 nights), Cochin (Kerala), Mangalore & Mumbai)
and I'd like to tack on something easy before we leave. I've never been to Singapore, but to my ignorant mind, I'm thinking 3 nights/2 days there might be enough. (Let me know if I'm wrong)
I'd like to go to a beautiful tropical island, as I was really hoping to add the Maldives at the end of the trip, but it's too complicated….and we need to see more of India, as well.
So, I was considering Langkawi….or Borneo (Malaysia part)….or some other island not too difficult to get to.
Originally, I was thinking Koh Samui, but with the current trouble in Thailand, I'm not inclined to go there. I'd love to hear your suggestions….should we just stay in Singapore?
Mid-March 2015, We're taking a 2 week cruise that leaves from Singapore and ends up in India (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket, Myanmar (2 nights), Cochin (Kerala), Mangalore & Mumbai)
and I'd like to tack on something easy before we leave. I've never been to Singapore, but to my ignorant mind, I'm thinking 3 nights/2 days there might be enough. (Let me know if I'm wrong)
I'd like to go to a beautiful tropical island, as I was really hoping to add the Maldives at the end of the trip, but it's too complicated….and we need to see more of India, as well.
So, I was considering Langkawi….or Borneo (Malaysia part)….or some other island not too difficult to get to.
Originally, I was thinking Koh Samui, but with the current trouble in Thailand, I'm not inclined to go there. I'd love to hear your suggestions….should we just stay in Singapore?
Jun 21st, 2014, 04:52 PM
#2
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No trouble in Samui. Wouldnt even know a coup happened. Singapore is boring imo. 3 nights is more than enough. One of my fav beach areas is Krabi. Can fly Air Asia for low price. Trang islands are good too esp Mook and Ngai. Look up Emerald Cave Ko Mook.
Jun 21st, 2014, 05:25 PM
#3
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Singapore has some interesting things to see and do. It is quite expensive in comparison to the rest of SE Asia. Langkawi is a good option, or one of the beach resorts in Sabah (Shangri-La has two) or Sarawak (resorts near Damai). Certainly the political problems in Thailand wouldn't affect you on Koh Samui. Lots of options.
Jun 21st, 2014, 05:46 PM
#4
Not to throw fuel on the fire, but haven't there been several kidnappings of tourists from resorts in Sabah recently? I know, if we worry about every bad piece of news we wouldn't go anywhere!
As far as Krabi, we have been to Koh Lanta and would like to experience a different area.
As far as Krabi, we have been to Koh Lanta and would like to experience a different area.
Jun 21st, 2014, 06:28 PM
#5
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Not that I know of. There have been in the past kidnappings of tourists from tiny remote islands very close to the Philippines which are part of Sabah. For a time they didn't allow anyone on those islands, later they opened them, but not for overnight stays. I don't know the current status. If you have more info, I'd be glad to look at it.
My idea for you was to stay at one of the Shangri-La resorts close to Kota Kinabalu.
My idea for you was to stay at one of the Shangri-La resorts close to Kota Kinabalu.
Jun 21st, 2014, 08:29 PM
#6
Hi Kathie,
Those resorts look beautiful! I looked up the kidnappings and there have been 3 since November…some from the Singamata Reef Resort near Semporna, which looks to be far away from the Shangi-la resorts. However, China has just cancelled almost 80 flights to Kota Kinabalu so they must be concerned about safety.
Those resorts look beautiful! I looked up the kidnappings and there have been 3 since November…some from the Singamata Reef Resort near Semporna, which looks to be far away from the Shangi-la resorts. However, China has just cancelled almost 80 flights to Kota Kinabalu so they must be concerned about safety.
Jun 21st, 2014, 10:56 PM
#7
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I enjoyed my stay on Langkawi but wouldn't class it as a beautiful tropical Island, I also think (IMHO). 2 nights is a very short time to see Singapore. Unlike Prachuap I think there is plenty to do in Singapore, especially if you haven't been before...
How long we're you considering for the Island excursion?
You could go to Lombok and stay at Qunci villas, there are direct flights from Sin to Lombok on Silk Air.
How long we're you considering for the Island excursion?
You could go to Lombok and stay at Qunci villas, there are direct flights from Sin to Lombok on Silk Air.
Jun 22nd, 2014, 01:02 AM
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I've been to Singapore dozens of times and always enjoyed it, but 2 or 3 days at a time is generally enough for me.
Pangalusian Island which is just off Palawan has incredible beaches. The resort I stayed at is long gone, but there are several others. Look at El Nido in Pangalusian.
Lombok sounds doable too. In addition to Qunci (which everyone seems to love) there are a few other newish boutique resorts:
Lombok Lodge, Jeeva Klui
I haven't been to Langkawi, but it the resorts look good, like the Datai and the Four Seasons. Damai beach in Sarawak -- near Kuching -- is splendid, better I think than the beaches around Kota Kinabalu, but I'm not sure about the resorts. The one I stayed at (formerly a Holiday Inn) seems to have changed hands several times and wasn't all that great at the time. Tioman I didn't like at all.
If you're interested in a snorkling beach (as opposed to a sandy beach) there are plenty of choices in the region, like Sidapan, Moyo, Manado.
I wouldn't worry about political turmoil in Ko Samui. That seems the easiest choice.
Pangalusian Island which is just off Palawan has incredible beaches. The resort I stayed at is long gone, but there are several others. Look at El Nido in Pangalusian.
Lombok sounds doable too. In addition to Qunci (which everyone seems to love) there are a few other newish boutique resorts:
Lombok Lodge, Jeeva Klui
I haven't been to Langkawi, but it the resorts look good, like the Datai and the Four Seasons. Damai beach in Sarawak -- near Kuching -- is splendid, better I think than the beaches around Kota Kinabalu, but I'm not sure about the resorts. The one I stayed at (formerly a Holiday Inn) seems to have changed hands several times and wasn't all that great at the time. Tioman I didn't like at all.
If you're interested in a snorkling beach (as opposed to a sandy beach) there are plenty of choices in the region, like Sidapan, Moyo, Manado.
I wouldn't worry about political turmoil in Ko Samui. That seems the easiest choice.
Jun 22nd, 2014, 05:48 AM
#10
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Warm greetings again, barefoot. Do wish to thank you for your thoughtful trip reports over the years. If memory serves correct, I gave you some suggestions on where to purchase some traditional Thai 'khim' music in beloved Bangkok. (And BKK was as fine as ever earlier this month for meetings and brief weekend rendezvous. At present, rather attractive Bangkok lodging offers for any of you corporate and holiday travellers.)
Will give a shameless promotion for my (our) sweet home of Singapore. Our city-state is not for everyone, but feel blessed to call the place home for family, work and residence. The following could be a bit of a budget buster, but will give a lodging suggestion of dear old Raffles. My profile page review of her just touches on that joyous weekend 'staycation' during the Singapore AirShow. More ideas to be gleaned from: yoursingapore dot com/
On the road for work at present, so will have more ideas (including beaches) for you in future. Savour your planning barefoot, and a good week (and perhaps, flights) to you and all,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Will give a shameless promotion for my (our) sweet home of Singapore. Our city-state is not for everyone, but feel blessed to call the place home for family, work and residence. The following could be a bit of a budget buster, but will give a lodging suggestion of dear old Raffles. My profile page review of her just touches on that joyous weekend 'staycation' during the Singapore AirShow. More ideas to be gleaned from: yoursingapore dot com/
On the road for work at present, so will have more ideas (including beaches) for you in future. Savour your planning barefoot, and a good week (and perhaps, flights) to you and all,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Jun 22nd, 2014, 09:05 AM
#14
OK…at first I thought Lombok might be too far (it's a 2 hr 45 min flight vs. 2 hrs. for Ko samui and 1 hour for Langkawi….but the flights are actually cheaper than to Ko Samui….we'd be doing this after an intl flight from LAX so I'd like to minimize flight times.
However, if the consensus is that Lombok is much better than the others for scenic beauty, clear water, and lovely resorts, we could do it. We have been to Bali before, so I wasn't considering Lombok. Now that I realize we could do a nonstop flight to Ko Samui without going thru BKK, that also looks more attractive. If Ko Samui, where would you stay?
Also, since we'd be going about March 8th….is one area better than the other regarding weather?
However, if the consensus is that Lombok is much better than the others for scenic beauty, clear water, and lovely resorts, we could do it. We have been to Bali before, so I wasn't considering Lombok. Now that I realize we could do a nonstop flight to Ko Samui without going thru BKK, that also looks more attractive. If Ko Samui, where would you stay?
Also, since we'd be going about March 8th….is one area better than the other regarding weather?
Jun 22nd, 2014, 03:35 PM
#16
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Lombok's beaches are quite pleasant, but I wouldn't put them on the same level as Thailand's. The resorts I mentioned are good, low key, but well designed and service oriented.
"Scenic beauty"? Not so much. Aside from the ocean, which is always a pleasure to look at, I'd say Lombok's visuals are, again, pleasant, but not spectacular like Bali. It's more arid, and because the culture is Muslim, not Hindu, it doesn't have the religious pomp and ceremony. Not much in the way of arts and crafts. If you intend to spend most of your time on the water, this won't make a difference.
Early March is the tail end of the rainy season in Bali/Lombok, and the weather is unpredictable. This year was on the dry side and next year is supposed to be dry-ish as well, but with 4 days, you may get a mix of rain and sun.
I can't really compare Lombok to Ko Samui. The culture, the food, level of development, the ocean are all quite different.
"Scenic beauty"? Not so much. Aside from the ocean, which is always a pleasure to look at, I'd say Lombok's visuals are, again, pleasant, but not spectacular like Bali. It's more arid, and because the culture is Muslim, not Hindu, it doesn't have the religious pomp and ceremony. Not much in the way of arts and crafts. If you intend to spend most of your time on the water, this won't make a difference.
Early March is the tail end of the rainy season in Bali/Lombok, and the weather is unpredictable. This year was on the dry side and next year is supposed to be dry-ish as well, but with 4 days, you may get a mix of rain and sun.
I can't really compare Lombok to Ko Samui. The culture, the food, level of development, the ocean are all quite different.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 04:56 AM
#17
Thanks Smeagol & Marmot,
I believe I have it narrowed down to Ko Samui. I'm going to hold off researching this more until I figure out how much time (and money) we'll need to visit India at the end of our trip, which I think is a bigger priority. I might also just do Singapore at the beginning to simplify our trip….we just went to South Africa and I regretted (sort of) that I'd booked a 4 hour, extra 2 time zone, flight to Mauritius right after that 15 hour JFK-Johnnesburg flight.
Another idea is that the return flight from New Delhi changes planes in Singapore and Narita before continuing on to LAX. If a stopover in Japan is allowed, perhaps we should break up the flight and spend several days in Japan…although I"d want to get out of Tokyo. Anyway, I need to look at the whole picture before I narrow it down. Thanks again to all of you for your comments!
I believe I have it narrowed down to Ko Samui. I'm going to hold off researching this more until I figure out how much time (and money) we'll need to visit India at the end of our trip, which I think is a bigger priority. I might also just do Singapore at the beginning to simplify our trip….we just went to South Africa and I regretted (sort of) that I'd booked a 4 hour, extra 2 time zone, flight to Mauritius right after that 15 hour JFK-Johnnesburg flight.
Another idea is that the return flight from New Delhi changes planes in Singapore and Narita before continuing on to LAX. If a stopover in Japan is allowed, perhaps we should break up the flight and spend several days in Japan…although I"d want to get out of Tokyo. Anyway, I need to look at the whole picture before I narrow it down. Thanks again to all of you for your comments!
Jun 23rd, 2014, 05:03 PM
#19
Smeagol,
I've never been to Japan or Tokyo. I just don't really like big cities. I prefer beautiful countryside or small villages. However, I misspoke because I would want to spend a day there seeing the most important sites. I just picture masses of people crowding everywhere…lots of neon….but, I was also totally wrong about Beijing and Shanghai, which I pictured the same way. We found some very charming neighborhoods…and I LOVED the neon light parade of Pudong glimmering in the river. So, I'm really speaking out of my ******* since I haven't done any research about Japan and Tokyo.
I've never been to Japan or Tokyo. I just don't really like big cities. I prefer beautiful countryside or small villages. However, I misspoke because I would want to spend a day there seeing the most important sites. I just picture masses of people crowding everywhere…lots of neon….but, I was also totally wrong about Beijing and Shanghai, which I pictured the same way. We found some very charming neighborhoods…and I LOVED the neon light parade of Pudong glimmering in the river. So, I'm really speaking out of my ******* since I haven't done any research about Japan and Tokyo.
