Favorite Asia Destination
Apr 29th, 2010, 09:34 AM
#21
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<i>Is there a negative missing from this?</i>
Nope. Half-baked explanation of the statement is in the last paragraph.
Dunno about beaches. I'm with HT on this -- November is the time for Japan -- fall colors, dry/pleasant weather (except for the rainy/unpleasant days).
Nope. Half-baked explanation of the statement is in the last paragraph.
Dunno about beaches. I'm with HT on this -- November is the time for Japan -- fall colors, dry/pleasant weather (except for the rainy/unpleasant days).
Apr 29th, 2010, 09:38 AM
#22
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So, Rizutto and HT are suggesting that a panda leave New England, travl 1/2 way around the world to see fall colors? Isn't this a bit of reverse "Coal to Newcastle?" Are you both aware that the fall colors in Cambridge are pretty good? Nonetheless, Japan is definitely on the short list.
Apr 29th, 2010, 10:01 AM
#23
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Japan is a good idea. I think the Japanese go to Hawaii for beaches. Or Guam. Or Okinawa.
I really like Penang, too, so maybe you could do that and Langkawi or one of the southern Thai beach places.
Have you been to Hong Kong?
I really like Penang, too, so maybe you could do that and Langkawi or one of the southern Thai beach places.
Have you been to Hong Kong?
Apr 29th, 2010, 10:44 AM
#24
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To clarify, I'm not necessarily suggesting that Japan is a good idea for Panda-san or anyone else. I can try to explain what I like about the place, and it's up to you to figure out if the stuff that appeals to me might also appeal to you. And no problem with leaf-color conflict: the colors I've seen in Japan are entirely different than the ones on Prattle Street (more subtle ... more Japanese), and Japan's colors don't start until all of New England's leaves have been on the ground for several weeks.
On the other hand, spending some serious time in Bali is not an awful thought. I will tell you that some very, very serious pampering is available at the Four Seasons Sayan (just outside of Ubud). Architecture that had to have been inspired by Fallingwater. And a bar that is absolutely spectacular during a tropical downpour: the overhang of the thatch roof keeps you dry as you enjoy a drink while being serenaded by monkeys, birds, rushing waters, and pelting rains.
I also like cruchy's Hong Kong thought. If I could only spend 4 or 5 days in Asia, I'd do it in HK. But not 2-3 wks.
On the other hand, spending some serious time in Bali is not an awful thought. I will tell you that some very, very serious pampering is available at the Four Seasons Sayan (just outside of Ubud). Architecture that had to have been inspired by Fallingwater. And a bar that is absolutely spectacular during a tropical downpour: the overhang of the thatch roof keeps you dry as you enjoy a drink while being serenaded by monkeys, birds, rushing waters, and pelting rains.
I also like cruchy's Hong Kong thought. If I could only spend 4 or 5 days in Asia, I'd do it in HK. But not 2-3 wks.
Apr 29th, 2010, 11:20 AM
#25
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Yes the Japanese come to Hawaii for beaches I can attest to that fact.
The other beaches the Japanese go to are on Guam and Okinawa and also Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu. The areas around Kagoshima and the islands immediately south of Kyushu are also popular beach destinations.
The Chicoms were also pushing Hainan as the ultimate beach resort of Asia last month on all Japanese TV commercials when we were there. Evidently the Chinese govt has been putting a lot of yuan into building posh seaside resort facilities there and they did look pretty impressive.
The other beaches the Japanese go to are on Guam and Okinawa and also Miyazaki on the island of Kyushu. The areas around Kagoshima and the islands immediately south of Kyushu are also popular beach destinations.
The Chicoms were also pushing Hainan as the ultimate beach resort of Asia last month on all Japanese TV commercials when we were there. Evidently the Chinese govt has been putting a lot of yuan into building posh seaside resort facilities there and they did look pretty impressive.
Apr 29th, 2010, 12:00 PM
#26
Japan: Exotic, good food, safe, easy to get around, clean, natives will laugh at muscle tricks, good shopping, beautiful scenery, fabulous architecture and neighborhoods, hot springs and hot baths EVERYWHERE, Non-stop flights from US, good clean hotels at all budget levels. Very little stress traveling here. Problems can be resolved quickly, and getting lost only lasts until some one notices you need help.
Very humid in August, but bearable toward the end of the month. It starts getting really cold in November, so I'd go as early as possible in that month.
Will you be doing chemo prior to this trip? Japan is so clean that you can safely drink tap water and there health care is excellent should you need anything.
India is in many ways just the opposite of Japan- Also very hot in August (but better than earlier in the summer) and lovely warm weather in November. Dirty, lots of hassles, food borne illness common. Hotels like the Taj or Oberois will spoil you rotten.
It is one of those places that you will struggle to make trip plans, and you'll curse often while you are there, but will give you great satisfaction and travel stories. Other than the aggressive shopkeepers, the people are very warm and kind. Excellent health care.
India will haunt you (in good ways) afterwards. Not for wimpy travelers, but "worth it" in so many ways.
Very humid in August, but bearable toward the end of the month. It starts getting really cold in November, so I'd go as early as possible in that month.
Will you be doing chemo prior to this trip? Japan is so clean that you can safely drink tap water and there health care is excellent should you need anything.
India is in many ways just the opposite of Japan- Also very hot in August (but better than earlier in the summer) and lovely warm weather in November. Dirty, lots of hassles, food borne illness common. Hotels like the Taj or Oberois will spoil you rotten.
It is one of those places that you will struggle to make trip plans, and you'll curse often while you are there, but will give you great satisfaction and travel stories. Other than the aggressive shopkeepers, the people are very warm and kind. Excellent health care.
India will haunt you (in good ways) afterwards. Not for wimpy travelers, but "worth it" in so many ways.
Apr 29th, 2010, 12:52 PM
#27
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Weeeelllllll...you know I've never been to Asia, but I do have a "wish list" of places I'd like to go.
Based on the experiences of Amy, who has posted here, as well as Ursula (who used to post on Fodors European Forum, as she is Swiss and liked to help others), as well as the mom of a pal of mine, I would give serious consideration to Vietnam. Based on things I've learned here, I would want to visit BKK, Krabi and Phuket, and based on my former employers' holdings, I'd be interested in Singapore. Doesn't mean I'd never consider Japan or Hong Kong. I would also consider India and have a friend whose daughter is living there now and successfully working as a writer, and as a component of her work, she travels often within the country.
Although I have several friends who've been to China, I think I am least likely to go there. Several have said there were glad they went for the experience, but they'd never go back. (However, Andy, I did enjoy seeing you modeling your "red star" hat!)
BC
Based on the experiences of Amy, who has posted here, as well as Ursula (who used to post on Fodors European Forum, as she is Swiss and liked to help others), as well as the mom of a pal of mine, I would give serious consideration to Vietnam. Based on things I've learned here, I would want to visit BKK, Krabi and Phuket, and based on my former employers' holdings, I'd be interested in Singapore. Doesn't mean I'd never consider Japan or Hong Kong. I would also consider India and have a friend whose daughter is living there now and successfully working as a writer, and as a component of her work, she travels often within the country.
Although I have several friends who've been to China, I think I am least likely to go there. Several have said there were glad they went for the experience, but they'd never go back. (However, Andy, I did enjoy seeing you modeling your "red star" hat!)
BC
Apr 29th, 2010, 02:09 PM
#28
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<i>[Japan] starts getting really cold in November</i>
The OP and others might wish to consider the standard of "really cold" as understood by the Hawaiian who typed the observation.
I hope to be in Hakone at the very end of November and expect that it will be pretty warm -- around 40 (4C) early in the morning, and maybe it will make it up to 60 (16C) in the afternoon.
The OP and others might wish to consider the standard of "really cold" as understood by the Hawaiian who typed the observation.
I hope to be in Hakone at the very end of November and expect that it will be pretty warm -- around 40 (4C) early in the morning, and maybe it will make it up to 60 (16C) in the afternoon.
Apr 29th, 2010, 02:11 PM
#29
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Maybe I'm too conservative, but places like India and Burma seem like they would be rough for you to visit right now. You are wise to feel out your doctors about them.
Definitely avoid Burma in August. I was there in July and got to experience the heat and the rain and humidity. I also got sick - either food poisoning, dehydration, or a combination of the two - and was miserable for a week. And one of my traveling companions got dengue fever and had a temperature of over 105 degrees!
Japan sounds like it might be interesting, especially if you visit some of the areas off the main tourist circuit. I've only flown over it (saw Mount Fuji out the window!) and changed planes at Narita, but I would like to make an actual visit to Japan some day.
Definitely avoid Burma in August. I was there in July and got to experience the heat and the rain and humidity. I also got sick - either food poisoning, dehydration, or a combination of the two - and was miserable for a week. And one of my traveling companions got dengue fever and had a temperature of over 105 degrees!
Japan sounds like it might be interesting, especially if you visit some of the areas off the main tourist circuit. I've only flown over it (saw Mount Fuji out the window!) and changed planes at Narita, but I would like to make an actual visit to Japan some day.
Apr 29th, 2010, 03:59 PM
#30
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My scans are on June 24. Afterwards, they will sculpt my second round of treatment and I can formulate my Asia plans. Until then, your ideas create wonderful daydreams. Right now, a warm bath in Japan, a dusty road in India or a balloon ride in Bagan all sound great.
Don- we looked the the FS outside Ubud and did not like it. It did have some wonderful views, but it felt artificial.
My son had a conference in Hainan and he was amazed at how crowded every square inch of the beach was. Not exactly Krabi or St. Barth's.
Lcuy-I'm likely to be on chemo for several years. There have been very good results with this chemo, Temador. However, I don't think it will limit my travel plans.
Don- we looked the the FS outside Ubud and did not like it. It did have some wonderful views, but it felt artificial.
My son had a conference in Hainan and he was amazed at how crowded every square inch of the beach was. Not exactly Krabi or St. Barth's.
Lcuy-I'm likely to be on chemo for several years. There have been very good results with this chemo, Temador. However, I don't think it will limit my travel plans.
Apr 29th, 2010, 04:53 PM
#31
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now lets just get a thing or two straight....gpanda does not plan trips....he selects destinations and rough dates and then disappears until its time to go to the airport....beth does everything else...
don't fall for it...
don't fall for it...
Apr 30th, 2010, 12:26 AM
#32
Hi Gpanda,
If you settle on August, I think another trip to Bali would be hard to beat. It's an ideal time weatherwise; you've been before & liked it.
I asked my friend who spends a lot of time in Bali, owns & rents out an apartment in Legian and knows the island very well, for some tips on villas on or close to the beach. She & her husband have been going there since the 70's and are always interested in what's happening on the food & hospitality scene.
Told her you're not "Brass & Glass Compound" people. She came back from 2 weeks in Bali last week, so thought she'd be up to date on what's what. Here's her answer:
"Depends how posh they want to go. We found a beautiful little hotel last week in Jl. 66 called Pearl. It is owned/operated by a French couple
and their chef son Jeremy has the restaurant there. Absolutely to die for modern cuisine. But it's about halfway between Jl Legian and the
beach so may not be a great location. The Deluxe room was huge with a massive balcony but upstairs - so not sure how well your friend is.
All the rooms are modern - minimalist - but well priced from US$65 for the superior to US$95 for the deluxe.
Jl Drupadi is a great little street in Seminyak for villa accommodation. It runs between Jl Laksmana (Eat St) and JL Dyana Pura. I just did a
Google search and lots come up.
Have just remembered the villas our friends stay in on Jl Drupadi - Uma Sapna - they love them.
There are also Sanur Beach Villas which are run by an Australian guy and his wife. Get heaps of great comments on BTF.(www.balitravelforum.com)
Sanur might be a nicer way to ease
into Bali. Also David and Moira Wedd now have their Dolphin Beach Apartments available in Lovina. They also have the Pacung Indah Hotel in Bedugal."
If you settle on August, I think another trip to Bali would be hard to beat. It's an ideal time weatherwise; you've been before & liked it.
I asked my friend who spends a lot of time in Bali, owns & rents out an apartment in Legian and knows the island very well, for some tips on villas on or close to the beach. She & her husband have been going there since the 70's and are always interested in what's happening on the food & hospitality scene.
Told her you're not "Brass & Glass Compound" people. She came back from 2 weeks in Bali last week, so thought she'd be up to date on what's what. Here's her answer:
"Depends how posh they want to go. We found a beautiful little hotel last week in Jl. 66 called Pearl. It is owned/operated by a French couple
and their chef son Jeremy has the restaurant there. Absolutely to die for modern cuisine. But it's about halfway between Jl Legian and the
beach so may not be a great location. The Deluxe room was huge with a massive balcony but upstairs - so not sure how well your friend is.
All the rooms are modern - minimalist - but well priced from US$65 for the superior to US$95 for the deluxe.
Jl Drupadi is a great little street in Seminyak for villa accommodation. It runs between Jl Laksmana (Eat St) and JL Dyana Pura. I just did a
Google search and lots come up.
Have just remembered the villas our friends stay in on Jl Drupadi - Uma Sapna - they love them.
There are also Sanur Beach Villas which are run by an Australian guy and his wife. Get heaps of great comments on BTF.(www.balitravelforum.com)
Sanur might be a nicer way to ease
into Bali. Also David and Moira Wedd now have their Dolphin Beach Apartments available in Lovina. They also have the Pacung Indah Hotel in Bedugal."
Apr 30th, 2010, 01:43 AM
#33
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Bokhara2-thanks for the detailed info. Bali in August is definitely a possibility.
In response to the Needham troll, I suggest that just because I don't plan out verey meal location prior to travel doesn't mean that I don't plan. I'm more of a big picture sort of panda. We figure out locations, hotels and hopedfor activities, but remain FLEXIBLE and open to new ideas. WE are not prisoners of our schedule, like some Needhamites.
For example, we might decide to go to Asia in August, but would do so with only a month prior notice. This would cause a major meltdown in the Ham of Need.
In response to the Needham troll, I suggest that just because I don't plan out verey meal location prior to travel doesn't mean that I don't plan. I'm more of a big picture sort of panda. We figure out locations, hotels and hopedfor activities, but remain FLEXIBLE and open to new ideas. WE are not prisoners of our schedule, like some Needhamites.
For example, we might decide to go to Asia in August, but would do so with only a month prior notice. This would cause a major meltdown in the Ham of Need.
Apr 30th, 2010, 01:55 AM
#34
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Ditto what lcuy said about India, although through the years I've read in the NYT travel section about some luxury Indian mountain resorts that feature ayurvedic therapies, massages, yoga (but perhaps pandas prefer tai chi to yoga).
Apr 30th, 2010, 08:56 AM
#36
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I've done both Tai Chi and Yoga. AS a result, I became a totally centered panda. Of course, that's self-centered, but centered nonetheless.
Bob has proposed India with the pandas for 2011. If the dcans are good, we might postpone India and choose another Asian location. We'll see.
Bob has proposed India with the pandas for 2011. If the dcans are good, we might postpone India and choose another Asian location. We'll see.
Apr 30th, 2010, 11:03 AM
#37
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After going through all this stressful medical stuff, don't you need a more Zen-like destination? Maybe Japan is the answer. Plenty of Italian restaurants there, too. You could also tack on a Pacific island. Ever been to the South Seas?
Apr 30th, 2010, 01:24 PM
#38
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LAL-I do not do well on beaches for more thnan a few days. We went to the Caribbean and after a couple of days lounging on beautiful deserted beaches, I kept saying, "OK, what now?" I would not have done well on Gilligan's Island. Speaking of which, Bob Denver does not get enough recognition for his role as two of the greatest TV characters of all time, Gilligan and Maynard G. Krebs. Two! This is an unparalleled feat of acting. OK, I guess Buddy Ebsen also played two primary roles, but they weren't on a level with Bob Denver.
Just found out we have a August family wedding, so an August Asia trip may be off the scope, but I can still hope.
Just found out we have a August family wedding, so an August Asia trip may be off the scope, but I can still hope.
Apr 30th, 2010, 01:24 PM
#39
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how 'bout thinking about a different part of asia and look at destinations like turkey or israel? both offer amazing cultural opportunities, are fairly exotic, and quite different from the places you have been already. great history, ruins, food, amazing sights... israel can be fairly easy to navigate and organize private tours etc, so if you are in a scramble to organize you will get a wonderful holiday put together easily. you can certainly do israel in november- august will be hot. you will have to check the weather in turkey for those times, but I know that there can be snow in cappodocia region in december.
