Hi all,

Planning a trip to SE Asia for late September/October of this year. I think I'm going to hit Bali for an 8 day tour, as well as Hanoi/Halong Bay for a few days.

I have about 4 extra days that I can play with while I'm over there. For the purpose of this thread let's assume a few things:
I won't stay in Indonesia longer
I won't stay in Hanoi longer
I won't go to Thailand
I'd prefer to not take an overnight train (bad back) but a few hour train ride is ok!

Where would you go? Direct flights to/from (Denpasar) Bali and/or Hanoi would be lovely, but I'm ok with layovers! (I haven't decided on the order I'm going to do things, so it might be Hanoi-Bali-??? or Bali-???-Hanoi or something else!)

I'm big on culture (anthropology major- I love seeing how others live), but would like to keep my budget low, and I'd also like to avoid rainy weather (which I know is not possible to predict, but hey I can hope!)

I'd add the 4 days to Indonesia, visiting central Java.

Four days isn't really enough time to add another country, IMO.

BTW, There is no reason to do a tour in Bali, so easy to do on your own. Just hire a car and driver for a couple of days. The people are warm and friendly and you will meet other travelers, so you won't feel alone.

Given the stringent criteria you have set, Java would be my choice too.

Yes, but if you had to, where would you go?

I enjoy tours, and don't feel comfortable as a single female hiring a car and driver. If my SO was coming with me, I'd probably do that, but not on this trip!

It's not really long enough for Siem Reap, but it might be long enough for you. No reason you shouldn't hire a car and driver in Indonesia (in addition to planes, trains and buses). I did it and I'm a solo female traveler.

I would get the overnight train from Hanoi to Sapa and spend the time trekking around the villages in the valley. - not great for your back!!!

One other option, avoiding the train journey would be to spend the time in a homestay the Mai Chau. Valley a few hours drive from Hanoi. Very peaceful, amazing scenery and great people ( would tie in nicely with your anthropology major) some photos of our time in. Sapa and Mai Chau
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...ai/3/tpod.html

You can fly nonstop from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, an interesting destination.

Sorry, but that night train to Sapa was the second worst train ride I've ever taken, and I've taken a bunch. (The worst was an accidental night sitting up in third on a Thai train.) Incredibly noisy and incredibly bumpy and jerky - I wondered whether the carriage had been couplted properly. Not for someone with a bad back.

And four days in Luanag Prabang would a nice amount of time.

Luanag Prabang would be very interesting!!! Thank you!
I just watched AB's trip to Laos and it has sparked my interest in that country for sure.

Unfortunately, crellsston, I am unable to hike (although I've tried many a time!) due to my back problems

Kuching. Sits in between your other selections.

How about taking a trip to Komodo (or similar) from Bali...

http://www.peramatour.com/

Flores tour on that link reads well.

I think a few days in Jakarta would be good considering your conditions. There are endless nooks and crannies to be explored with plenty of good accommodation options as well.If you do visit I recommend the Keraton at The Plaza, Jakarta.

Jakarta? That has to be one of the silliest suggestions I've read in a while. So many nicer and more interesting places to visit in SEA!

I would go to Angkor Wat; 4 days is perfect and it is a lot different from your other locations.

My vote is Luang Prabang. Four days is perfect!

Most hate Jakarta.

If you want leisurely, laid back and beautiful, then stay in Luang Prabang, a wonderful destination - while there are some sights to see, being there is the experience. I loved the place. I would recommend it, too.

If you want intense and overwhelming, and want to immerse yourself in history, go to Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat complex. I loved the people that I met in our brief visit; really warm and welcoming. Know, though, that Siem Reap is a busy city, and there is a lot to do. Prices are very low, and you can find decent accommodations for not much. You can hire a tuk-tuk driver for very little, too. It's a remarkable place, but it's also exhausting.