Mariandp

Hi! Next January IŽll be traveling with my husband for 3 weeks to Southeast Asia. We are defining which cities to visit, and as we donŽt have much time we must choose! Till now we selected:
-Singapur: 3 nights (We arrive there after a 24 hours flight from Buenos Aires)
-Cambodia: 3 nights
-Bangkok: 4 nights
-Phi Phi Island: 5 nights
-Kuala Lumpur: 3 nights

The thing is, this is all the time we have, and were wondering wether we should exchange any city or days with Vietnam and Laos.

What do you recommend?

Thanks a lot in advance!!!!!
Marian

Kathie

Basically, three nights somewhere means two days. That's not much time to experience a place. Of the places you've listed, the least interesting in my opinion is Kuala Lumpur. If it were me (and it isn't). I'd cut out KL and add the days to Siem Reap (it takes three full days just to see the so-called major temples, and you'll want more if you are interested in the Khmer temples) and Bangkok, both fascinating places. Personally, I wouldn't spend 5 nights at Phi Phi, but others would - it's really a matter of whether you'd be bored with 5 days of nothing but beach.

How about: 3 nights Singapore
Siem Reap, Cambodia 4 nights (or 5)
Bangkok 5 nights
PhiPhi 5 nights
Singapore 1 night

Guenmai

Yeah, I'd also cut out Kuala Lumpur and add in more time to Bangkok. KL is an architecturally interesting place, but not that exciting.

It's good you're landing in Singapore as it's such an incredibly easy place to get around in and will be relaxing after such a long flight. Taxis are safe and quite inexpensive and the MRT (subway) is super easy to use and incredibly clean and air conditioned.

When you say that you're going next January do you mean as in 2010 or do you mean THIS COMING January as in 2009? If you mean 2009, then you'd better get to selecting hotels. Many could easily be already booked solid. I travel to BK, almost annually, in Dec/Jan and some times to Singapore in December or January. Happy Travels!

Mariandp

Kathie & Guenmay, tks for your tips!!

I will be taking your advice regarding Kuala Lumpur, and yes, I will be traveling this january 2009, so I will start making my resrvations as you suggested.

Maybe I could make a reduction of my days in Phi Phi, but we really need the rest. Have a good hotel on the beach to recommend but not expensive as the Zeavola?

Regarding Cambodia vs Laos or Vietnam, any advice?

Thanks!
Marian

Kathie

I think you've made the right decision by choosing Cambodia. The temples of Angkor are truly one of the wonders of the world. Save VietNam and Laos for your next trip. Take a look at our photos of Angkor (and many other places in SE Asia) at www.marlandc.com

I'm no expert on PhiPhi, but one of our regular poster, Leightravelclub is. Here is a quote from a recent post of his about places to stay on PhiPhi:

"Phi Phi Island Village.....wonderful location...fabulous beach and, yes, amazing scenery. For me, the down side is that there is not great off beach snorkelling and just a little of the 'Club Med' feel about the place. TV in all rooms, and just a little too contrived for us. However, that is just a personal view, and this is a wonderful resort.

Holiday Inn.....for us, this the very best that Phi Phi has to offer. I believe, the very best location on the island, just a few hundred yards from Zeavola, but a million miles better. Accommodation here is not fancy, but perfectly adequate, and a beachfront bungalow at this resort will knock anything that Zeavola has to offer in to touch. Clearly, my No1 recommendation"

LeighTravelClub

I agree that you have made the right decision and very much like the itinerary proposed by Kathie. ie.

3 nights Singapore
Siem Reap, Cambodia 4 nights (or 5)
Bangkok 5 nights
PhiPhi 5 nights
Singapore 1 night

For your Singapore time look at Raffles the Plazza (which is part of the Fairmont Hotel) and consider the club floor. It's a little bit extra, but this is a lovely hotel, with balcony and great views. First class in every way.

It's four or five years since we were in Siem Reap and things have changed considerably, but for our visit, we stayed at Royal Angkor Sofitel and were very impressed. Again, it's worth paying just a little bit more for a de-luxe room.

Kathie has pointed you in the right direction at Phi Phi. A beachfront bungalow at Holiday Inn will provide you with memories for life. It really is a paradise location.

There are of course loads of options for your Bangkok time, but mainly for it's location, I would go for ROS, which I understand has recently undergone major renovations. My only disappointments with this hotel in the past have been that some areas felt a little 'tired', but that should no longer be the case, since the renovations. In any case, the river views from the guest rooms here are quite magnificent and that alone, is good reason to stay here.

I'm sure you will enjoy S.E.A.