jannan

My wife and I are trying to use our FF points. We've got 10-12 days in February (any time) when we're just going to get away on our first trip to asia.

Given that the primary requirement we have is to use the points we have for a free flight, we're completely open to traveling anywhere. in north or southeast asia. Some ideas:

Where would you go? What would you place highest on your "first trip to asia experience"?

I've been fascinated by Angkor Wat. But we'd like to see Hong Kong, Japan, really anywhere.

So....?

Kathie

My first trip to Asia was a nine-day stay in Bangkok. I was bitten by the Bangkok bug, and have spent some time in Bangkok almost every year since then. Bangkok is an excellent first trip to Asia. It's a big, modern city but it retains much of its exotic allure. There are many wonderful hotels for very reasonable prices. SHopping is great and, of course, the food is wonderful. You could take part of your time for an excursion to Siem Reap, Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat (plan at least three full days there - buy Dawn Rooney's book Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples to figure out how much time you will want there). Also, take a look at www.theplf.org for something else you can do while you are there.

There are many other options, of course. Hong Kong is a delightful city, with plenty to do for 10 days. You might also consider SIngapore and combine it with some time in Malaysia or Bali.

Trav_Eller

A lot depends on where you are flying in from and the available destinations on your FF airline.

Presuming your inbound flight is from the far side of the world allow at least a full 24 houras to get over jet-lag. Don't plan anything strenuous in that time, just wander near the hotel and absorb the local ambience.

For the rest, if you choose SE Asia then Bangkok, Siem Reap and Hong Kong (en-route if coming from the US) would be high on my list. On the other hand, if you were coming from Europe, I would include India's Golden Triangle as a possibilty.

Cheers, Alan, Australia
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/

yesmeanr

Thailand alone can keep you delightfully engaged for 2 weeks. We fell in love 10 years ago and now live here. Bangkok has worth a good 4-5 days- great sites, shopping, eating, and massages – all abundant. It is a great city to wander around – very safe and the people are unbelievable friendly. Chiang Mai is an hour flight away with cheap airfare if you book ahead. Wonderful area to explore. For some relaxation, head to one of the many picturesque beaches – some of the best in the world. Check out Trip Advisors’ best beaches. And, this Forum has great advice.

That all said, you would not regret visiting Angkor Wat. Only one airline can get you there from Bangkok, so the airfare is pricier than one would think. I understand there is another option if you want to keep prices down. Fly to Phnom Penh, and take a bus to Siem Reap – chance to see another city and some of the country long the way. We ran into other folks who did that and liked it. Agree, that you’ll need 3 days there- you can do less, but the experience is not be rushed. We were a bit surprised by the costs of visa fees, exit fees, park fees – adds up. Hotels and restaurants are a good value.

If you had more time, I could see seeing more of Asia – it’s amazing. My personal bias is against spending too much time in transit to places, especially if you have to cross borders – lots more time in airports and customs. Time, I believe, much better spend enjoying the country.

Have a great trip – you won’t regret it.

Hanuman

I believe Chinese new year for 2012 will fall on January 23 so avoid that week for travel to Hong Kong and China. A lot of shops and restaurants closed for the holiday.

marmot

With jet lag and travel time, you'll go through 10 days fairly quickly. I'd concentrate on two places -- either in the same country or two different countries with easy connections.

Your choice depends on what you like to do and what your interests are.

I'd suggest that you choose one city and one unique cultural destination. For cities Hong Kong, Bangkok or Tokyo would be my top choices. For culture Siem Reap/Angkor or Bali. Any combination would give you a good introduction to two different environments.

I've traveled to and lived in Asia for 30 years and there are still places I haven't made it to yet. There's so much to see and sometimes you see the most by staying in one place and letting Asia come to you.

Kathie

Marmot, I loe your comment "sometimes you see the most by staying in one place and letting Asia come to you." So true!

jannan

Chinese New Year is indeed Jan 23. How does that effect Bangkok?

Right now, we're letting a blend of flight availability and your responses shape our planning stages. Thanks!

Trav_Eller

"That all said, you would not regret visiting Angkor Wat. Only one airline can get you there from Bangkok, so the airfare is pricier than one would think. I understand there is another option if you want to keep prices down."

This may be the other way: http://www.bangkokair.com/en/plan-yo...ry-airpass.php

I used their voucher system to save some dollars in '08. It has changed slightly now but may be worth investigating.

Cheers, Alan, Australia
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/

mrwunrfl

Where are you flying from? What airline do you have the miles with? What class of service would you want?

jannan

I've been able to find flights in early february to Bangkok. Right now, I'm planning 3 nights in Bangkok (2 full days). The fly out on the 8AM to Seam Reap. We were planning to spend 2 nights there, and return to Bangkok for another night before departing to Hong Kong.

I know it's rushed but it's what I can fit into 11 days. Our main objective is Angkor Wat--is this too much in too little?

Kathie

By my count, 3 nights in Bangkok, 2 in Siem Reap and 1 in Bangkok is just 6 nights. I thought you had 11 nights. I wouldn't do the 6 nights you outline. That would give you just one day at Angkor. There are many dozens of amazing temples - I wouldn't fly halfway around the world to spend just one day there. My minimum recommendation for visiting Angkor is three full days (4 nights) which is how long it takes just to see the so-called major temples.

If you do have 11 nights, but were planning on spending 5 nights in Hong Kong, I'd suggest you reconsider. You will enjoy the trip more if you have time to actually see and experience a bit of the places you have chosen. With that in mind (not even considering jet lag or the heat), I recommend choosing just two places. Bangkok and Siem Reap will easily fill your time.

jannan

Thanks Kathie. I'm going to have to sacrifice nights in Bangkok for more in Siem Reap. 11 nights--and two of them are burned in getting to BKK. My pencil-on-napkin schedule has us flying into Siem Reap at 9 AM staying 2 nights, and a late flight out.

If I arrive that early and leave that late, is there any touring that I can do of the temples?

mrwunrfl

You can do quite a bit of touring of the temples in that amount of time.

2 nights flying, 3 in Bangkok, 2 in SR, 1 in BKK = 8 nights. So you are then planning on 3 nights in Hong Kong?

One reason that I asked about the FF program is because it is possible to fly between the USA and Siem Reap with only one stop. That means not having to return to BKK. Korean and Asiana Airlines both connect in Seoul to Siem Reap.

jannan

Unfortunately, I've got to make my "destination" as HKG, albeit for 1 night.

I think I've got it worked out where we can stay 2 nights in BKK coming in, stay 3 nights in Siam Reap, and the 1 more night in BKK on the return.

If I take that early AM flight from BKK-REP, it would allow us the remainder of the day for touring--that's why I thought 2 nights in SR would be OK.

Kathie

You certainly can do touring on the day you arrive fairly early in Siem Reap. BUT - You may not want to start your touring at mid-day. It will be very hot, and you won't be acclimated. The traditional way to tour is to go out at sunrise, stay until noonish, go back to your hotel to relax and cool off and go back out about 3. That's easier on you, and your driver's main meal of the day is at mid-day, so it's what he will want to do as well. Also, the best light for viewing and photography is early and late. If the main focus of your trip is Siem Reap, I think it would be a pity to cut it short. Now I speak as someone who spent a week at Angkor and would have enjoyed even more time there.

So the way you have it laid out, I'd say you have two and a half days to visit temples. Is that enough? This is a know thyself question. I've never met a wat I didn't like and can visit wats endlessly without getting "templed out." So, for you to figure out how much time you need in Siem Reap, you need to do some research. The Dawn Rooney book I suggested in my first post is the best way to decide how much time you want/need at Angkor. You are also welcome to peruse our photos at www.marlandc.com

While Bangkok is my favorite city in the world, it's easy to get to, unlike Siem Reap. So if you have to short Bangkok (even the amount of time you have is very short) to get your time in Siem Reap, I'd recommend that you do it.

marmot

As Kathie said, it really depends on the depth of your interest in Angkor. I recently went there for the first time and had no problem filling up four days, five nights. After that temple-fatigue set in, but I know I'll go back.

On the other hand there was a tour advertised in our hotel that offered 14 temples plus meals and cultural show in one day!

If I were you I'd pick two destinations. Since you're committed to flying into Hong Kong, make that one. It's a wonderful choice for a first time visit to Asia. Just make sure your dates don't overlap with Chinese New Year. The festive spirit and decorations usually stay up for a few weeks, so just afterwards is a good time to be in Hong Kong.

I don't know how lunar new year affects Cambodia. Check on this before you finalize.

The combination of Hong Kong + Angkor is a good one for two completely different perspectives on Asia. I'd leave Bangkok and Thailand until next time. You'll be back.

Trav_Eller

"I've been able to find flights in early february to Bangkok. Right now, I'm planning 3 nights in Bangkok (2 full days). The fly out on the 8AM to Seam Reap. We were planning to spend 2 nights there, and return to Bangkok for another night before departing to Hong Kong.

I know it's rushed but it's what I can fit into 11 days. Our main objective is Angkor Wat--is this too much in too little?"

It's almost exactly what I did myself, so I'm not going to criticise.

I used the first two nights and the day between in Bangkok as an acclimatisation and jet-lag adjustment period, wandering the Khao San road and adjacent downtown areas with no particular goal. Just enjoying the hustle and bustle of the place.
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/2008/05/bangkok.html

I spent the first day in Cambodia relaxing and wandering around Siem Reap, especially the old French market area.
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/2008/03/cambodia.html

That let me start early next day by Tuk Tuk to Angkor Wat. I think I got to the ticket place just after opening.The only drawback with that is that the entrance is in shadow, but I reckon the east entrance is a better photo anyway, without the crowds: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GGuBLqgIbH...h/DSCF7264.JPG

I had lunch at one of the restaurants opposite the entrance, then continued to The Bayon and Angkor Thom and some surrounding temples in the afternoon. I wandered at my own pace and never felt rushed. It helped that I had read up on the place in advance; I didn't use a guide. I used the Tuk Tuk driver for advice on locations and sites, but not as a guide.

My final day in Bangkok was spent looking at the Grand Palace and wandering around via cab and public transport, including the river ferries.

I was only in Hong Kong for two days and the night between and enjoyed that too. It's true that you could spend weeks in each place, but that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy a brief sojourn nor does it necessarily mean you will be rushed. Of course you won't see everything, but that gives you a reason to return some day.

You're going to have a wonderful time

Cheers, Alan, Australia

jannan

Thank you for the replies!

Alan, so how many total nights did you spend in Seam Reap?

Temple fatigue is a concern for us. My idea was also to get a guide in BKK to fully maximize our time there. On such a short trip we could burn through a lot of time just wandering around.

mrwunrfl

You've got to make HKG your destination? Why is that?