joannenyc

Where can I go by myself (female) for two weeks in January in Asia? I have been to thailand (about six times and will go after the two weeks), singapore, vietnam and cambodia.
I have always wanted to go to China, but given that I am going in January, it may be too cold (coming from NY so want to avoid cold weather). Am looking for Hanoi (five years ago), Sapa type experience.
thank you

Guenmai

Why not try Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur? One of the airlines...I can't remember which one...either Thai Air or Sri Lankan Air flies from Bangkok to Sri Lanka via Kuala Lumpur and for less than $600. rd.trip. Then you could do a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Happy Travels!

Kathie

Lots of options, some can be combined:

Laos, especially Luang Prabang

Malaysia, beaches and cities or Town, perhaps the Highlands

Indonesia There are months worth of things to see and do. Consider especially Yogyakarta in central Java and Bali. That would make a wonderful two weeks.

glorialf

I'd go to Burma. It was one of the best trips of my life and the people were incredbily grateful to be able to talk to us and to have someone act as though they care about what happens to the country. Do NOT take a package tour. Get a guide and driver through one of the local tour operators and insist on staying in non-government owned hotels. Make sure to go to the Inle Lake and Shan state area and, if it's open to tourists, the ruby mining area which was incredible.

It's a short flight from Thailand and will be the trip of a lifetime. You'll make friends and leave changed -- at least I did.

Gloria

BillT

A lot depends on what type of vacation you are looking for- if you are an avid shopper, like great Chinese food, try Hong Kong and then maybe one other destination. Hong Kong is good for about one week or less - not longer.

glorialf

Joanne-- If I understood correctly that you're looking for a Hanoi/Sapa type experience, I think Burma could give you both. The city with its sights and crafts and the Inle Lake/Shan State area where you can see a rurual side. Also January is a perfect time weather wise.

Laos is another possibility. Perhaps combined with 4 days in Hong Kong -- Cathay Pacific would be a good airline to do this with.

Gloria

joannenyc

thank you for your responses. I would like to eventually do all the places mentioned. However, for this trip I would like to go somewhere before it becomes too modernised or touristy.

Gloria, I am interested in going to Burma. YOu mentioned going through a local tour operator. Is it like Hanoi, where one can run into ten travellers cafes/tour agencies on a given block? Would you recommend booking a hotel in advance or should I just wing it? I usually stay at Amanpuri/Rayavadee type places in Thailand, but the one of best trips I ever had in life was staying in a stilt house in Vietnam with 15 other people from a local tour. I am looking for an experience where I can meet people and sort of live their lives for two weeks.
You mentioned Inle Lake and Shan State. Where else do you recommend? And how should I split up my time? Thank you for your input.

glorialf

Joanne--
You should contact http://www.myanmartravel.net

Myriam Grest did a terrific job for us when we went. Tell her exactly the kind of trip you want and book a guide and driver. If you can get a guide named Nhi Nhi, he will provide the kind of experience you want. We spent a full day in a village where the last time westerner they had seen was over 15 years ago. And we ended up taking photos of over 22 people who had relatives in the U.S. but whose mail has not gone through. We took meticulous notes, called all the relatives with a report when we got back and sent them all photos of their relative back in Burma. We spent a lot of time in people's homes and all in all had an absolutely incredible experience.

Gloria

glorialf

Joanne--
This was my itinerary. We skipped a lot of places where there are good temples because I wanted to spend more time in the Inle Lake area. We weren't sorry. Moguk was the high point of our trip but it is often close to tourists -- we were very lucky to get in.

1 night - Yangon
3 nights - Nyanug Shwe (Inle Lake)
1 night - Kalaw (Shan state)
2 nights - Pindaya (Shan state)
2 nights - Mandalay
3 nights - Mogok (ruby mining area)
2 nights - Mandalay
1 night - Maymo
1 night -Mandalay
2 nights - Bagan ( go there via the PUBLIC boat -- not a tour boat. It is fabulous and really gives you a feel of the country. We were the only tourists on it)
2 nights- Yangon

Gloria

joannenyc

Gloria, thank you very much for your advice. when were you there?

glorialf

I was there 4 years ago. Since we seem to also be communicating about the Tamarind Village here's my email: [email protected]. Feel free to email me with any questions. I LOVE talking about Burma. I could also recommend some books if you're interested.

The woman I went with lives in NYC (I did too until 1997) and I'm sure would be also happy to give advice. She's away for the summer but will be back in September.

Gloria

sanjaym

Hi,

Why dont u try Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka I would recommend Saman Villas by the south beach and Elephant Corridor, Sigiriya.

U could see www.elephantcorridor.com
and samanvillas.com

Contact me for more info.

Cheers!
Sanjay

hobbes

Myanmar has some amazing hotels - The Strand at Yangon is very highly rated. Pansea also has a property there. Inle lake has a place which I think Rolling Stones have highly recoed. U could also think of doing the cruise down the river mandalay with the Orient Express - all their trips are amazing.

glorialf

If you want luxury the cruise is great. But if you really want to meet the people (which for me was the highlight of the trip) stay in towns and cities and walk around. I feel you are much more isolated on a cruise. There is a wonderful public boat from Mandalay to Pagan -- definitely no luxury but you're on it with other Burmese -- not other Americans.

Cicerone

If you haven't been, I would suggest Hong Kong for 3 or 4 days at the beginning or the end of whatever you do. The weather is fantastic in January, sunny and mid-70s F during the day. No rain and low humidity. Great for hiking on Hong Kong Island itself or the Sai Kung area on the mainland.

Sri Lanka is beautiful in January. India is perfect weather in January. North India is mid-70s F and sunny, the beaches of Goa and Kerala are great, sunny and warm. Not that hard to get around by yourself in either place (haven't travelled in Sri Lanka by myself but would not appear to be hard to do).

If it weren't January, I would go to Bali, go inland and rent a house in an area outside of Ubud. You could also do the same in the northeast beach areas around Candidasa. You will meet locals easily and really see how they live. You can rent a bike for the 2 weeks and explore. You could also stay at Amans, Four Seasons etc. It depends on what you want to do with your time and the type of accommodation you are comfortable with. If you want to rent a house, go to Ubud or the Candidasa area, book into 2 or 3 star hotel for one or two nights, and ask the front desk staff about renting houses. Everyone has a "cousin" with a house to rent! I have done this by myself a couple of times, albeit when I was staying for a month or more, but even a week or 10 days is doable. Unfortunately January is quite rainy, so save this for another time. Same with Java (Jogyakarta), which is worth a trip, but not in January, IMO.