From US fly to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur (or open jaw)?
Dec 18th, 2016, 05:47 AM
#21
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Great food for thought. Pun intended!
Georgetown does sound intriguing, and I would like to try to fit it in on one end of the trip or the other. That is if we even decide to pull the trigger on this particular trip. (Someone suggested we just stick with India since we like it so much. We had thought about another trip to India, but the currency problems there right now seem to be just too much of a hassle.) Does this quote from Travelfish capture the essence of Georgetown? "If you could imagine Laos' Luang Prabang, but three times the size, with traffic lights, busy morning commuters and car ferries crossing the Mekong between oil tankers and fishing boats, then you're heading in the right direction." Last year we visited and liked Luang Prabang a lot.
Thanks for the reminder about Chinese New Year! As I recall, the time frame from a week before to a week after can be difficult for travelers. Whether there is heavy impact on Malaysia I don't know. Last year in Lao we ran into difficulties with finding lodging over this time period.
Right now my gut may be telling me to skip KL entirely and maybe spend just a few days in Singapore. Flight prices were very helpful in seeing how reasonably we could get to Georgetown. Of course, Melaka between KL and Singapore sounds like it may be interesting interesting too. This is always what happens when we plan travel. It is just like house remodeling. Well, since we are doing this we might as well add this on too......
I've got more thinking and investigating to do. And, I will have time to do it today since right now it is -16 F where we live. Need I explain any further about why we are looking for a winter escape? I appreciate the help.
Georgetown does sound intriguing, and I would like to try to fit it in on one end of the trip or the other. That is if we even decide to pull the trigger on this particular trip. (Someone suggested we just stick with India since we like it so much. We had thought about another trip to India, but the currency problems there right now seem to be just too much of a hassle.) Does this quote from Travelfish capture the essence of Georgetown? "If you could imagine Laos' Luang Prabang, but three times the size, with traffic lights, busy morning commuters and car ferries crossing the Mekong between oil tankers and fishing boats, then you're heading in the right direction." Last year we visited and liked Luang Prabang a lot.
Thanks for the reminder about Chinese New Year! As I recall, the time frame from a week before to a week after can be difficult for travelers. Whether there is heavy impact on Malaysia I don't know. Last year in Lao we ran into difficulties with finding lodging over this time period.
Right now my gut may be telling me to skip KL entirely and maybe spend just a few days in Singapore. Flight prices were very helpful in seeing how reasonably we could get to Georgetown. Of course, Melaka between KL and Singapore sounds like it may be interesting interesting too. This is always what happens when we plan travel. It is just like house remodeling. Well, since we are doing this we might as well add this on too......
I've got more thinking and investigating to do. And, I will have time to do it today since right now it is -16 F where we live. Need I explain any further about why we are looking for a winter escape? I appreciate the help.
Dec 18th, 2016, 06:24 AM
#22
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CaliforniaLady--
The Basaga Holiday Residence looks great and is exactly the type of place we look for. Thanks for the recommendation, and it looks as though Chinese New Year is not a big problem as far as room availability. Last year in Siem Reap we split our stay between the standard nice hotel and a hotel with larger and leafy grounds. We much preferred the hotel with grounds.
The Basaga Holiday Residence looks great and is exactly the type of place we look for. Thanks for the recommendation, and it looks as though Chinese New Year is not a big problem as far as room availability. Last year in Siem Reap we split our stay between the standard nice hotel and a hotel with larger and leafy grounds. We much preferred the hotel with grounds.
Dec 18th, 2016, 07:36 AM
#23
Regarding trying to make Georgetown compare somehow with Luang Prabang, as I see it, they just couldn't be more different (well, they're both on water?). I love them both but no. Georgetown is a bona fide seaside city with a colonial trading history of overlapping cultures, while Luang Prabang seems an overgrown village. I don't see the point, trying to sqeeze places into artificial pairings.
I think a better comparison for Georgetown might be with Singapore with which it has more in common, Singapore of 50+ years ago. In any case, I suspect you'll like it.
I think a better comparison for Georgetown might be with Singapore with which it has more in common, Singapore of 50+ years ago. In any case, I suspect you'll like it.
Dec 18th, 2016, 08:12 AM
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I've spent time in both Georgetown and Luang Prabang and I agree that they are very different. I enjoy both, but they are in no way comparable. Luang Prabang has a strong spiritual element with all of the monasteries and wats. While there are a few wats in Georgetown, the city is more about commerce. And Georgetown is often cited as having the best hawker food anywhere - no one says that about LP! As long as you stay in Georgetown, it is very walkable. Don't get lured into staying out at the beach or elsewhere far from Georgetown.
We haven't been to Melaka, but did research it. Friends of ours went there and found it nice, but felt it had much, much less to recommend it than Georgetown. They stayed two nights and said that one afternoon would have been enough there. We spent a week in Georgetown.
When I am going somewhere that requires a routing though a place I am not fond of, I make a real effort to learn about the place and give myself an experience I'll enjoy. For example, our Chindwin Cruise last year required at least an overnight or two in Mandalay - my least favorite city in Burma. So I did some research and came up with a plan that got us well off the traveler's track outside of Mandalay, and we had a lovely time. So consider that as you look at places you might pass through.
Also, consider not making a real stop in a place that doesn't interest you. You could overnight in the airport at Singapore in very basic sleeping rooms or in a nicer real hotel. I've done both at times when, for instance, we need to pass through Singapore twice, and I wanted to consolidate our time in Singapore. Most of the airports in Asia have such facilities.
But I think the question you need to answer for yourselves first is whether you want to take that Pandaw cruise.
We haven't been to Melaka, but did research it. Friends of ours went there and found it nice, but felt it had much, much less to recommend it than Georgetown. They stayed two nights and said that one afternoon would have been enough there. We spent a week in Georgetown.
When I am going somewhere that requires a routing though a place I am not fond of, I make a real effort to learn about the place and give myself an experience I'll enjoy. For example, our Chindwin Cruise last year required at least an overnight or two in Mandalay - my least favorite city in Burma. So I did some research and came up with a plan that got us well off the traveler's track outside of Mandalay, and we had a lovely time. So consider that as you look at places you might pass through.
Also, consider not making a real stop in a place that doesn't interest you. You could overnight in the airport at Singapore in very basic sleeping rooms or in a nicer real hotel. I've done both at times when, for instance, we need to pass through Singapore twice, and I wanted to consolidate our time in Singapore. Most of the airports in Asia have such facilities.
But I think the question you need to answer for yourselves first is whether you want to take that Pandaw cruise.
Dec 18th, 2016, 08:32 AM
#25
I dislike thinking in terms of how many days a place is "worth", but agree that while a sweet town, Melaka (or Malacca) is less interesting than any other place we've mentioned here. On the visit to KL I mentioned, staying beside the train station was because we wanted to take the train to Melaka, then on by bus to Singapore. I enjoyed the days we spent there and would do the same again but if time is limited (I had 6 months for that trip) it's one that can be skipped if it's out of the way. For us it was right on the way, had come into KL from Borneo and wanted to see more of the peninsula so it worked well.
If you're interested in combining Georgetown with another very different location that can be gotten to by taxi (about 3 hours drive if I recall correctly), I'd recommend the Cameron Highlands, low-key hill station, tea growing area and I loved it. Don't ask what there is to do there, nothing much, just a great hanging out area. There may be a golf course somewhere.
If you're interested in combining Georgetown with another very different location that can be gotten to by taxi (about 3 hours drive if I recall correctly), I'd recommend the Cameron Highlands, low-key hill station, tea growing area and I loved it. Don't ask what there is to do there, nothing much, just a great hanging out area. There may be a golf course somewhere.
Dec 18th, 2016, 08:37 PM
#26
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Julie, I do indeed think you will like Kuching, and your stay at the Basaga. Try the vegetarian homemade egg rolls for the complementary Basaga breakfast. I took a one day kayaking trip from there with a company called Semadang Kayak. The river was gorgeous.
Kathie and MmePerdu, interesting discussion about West Malaysia. You have inspired me to see more of the area there.
Kathie and MmePerdu, interesting discussion about West Malaysia. You have inspired me to see more of the area there.
Dec 19th, 2016, 06:25 AM
#27
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I think we are going to go for the trip and the cruise, but we still haven't confirmed or purchased anything because I want to do a bit more research.
As far as flights, it looks as though flying into KL is much cheaper than Singapore, so that decision is probably made. Many times in Europe we have just used a gateway airport and then left immediately without seeing the city. I guess for Asia I was somehow thinking differently (probably because I am quite certain we'd never be returning to the area again). But, for people like us who aren't big fans of huge Asian cities, it may be wise to just bop in and out.
Once again, thanks for all of the advice. I'll update when we actually make a final plan.
CaliforniaLady--Sounds like we have similar interests. Kayaking is right up our alley!
As far as flights, it looks as though flying into KL is much cheaper than Singapore, so that decision is probably made. Many times in Europe we have just used a gateway airport and then left immediately without seeing the city. I guess for Asia I was somehow thinking differently (probably because I am quite certain we'd never be returning to the area again). But, for people like us who aren't big fans of huge Asian cities, it may be wise to just bop in and out.
Once again, thanks for all of the advice. I'll update when we actually make a final plan.
CaliforniaLady--Sounds like we have similar interests. Kayaking is right up our alley!
Dec 19th, 2016, 12:00 PM
#28
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Hey Julie! Always good to "see" you here. I appreciate the way you phrase the questions of where to go, stating your likes and dislikes of places you've been.
I was going to say, per your stated dislike of modern, sterile, high-rise buildings, avoid the Suntec/Marina Bay of Singapore as a place to stay--there are more interesting areas. Still, given you won't fly via SG, you don't need any more advice about it.
Kuala Lumpur airport is probably the "best" airport in the world to get out of ASAP!! The indifferent bordering on rude staff , and public toilet cleanliness level will make you long for an airport in India!
Yes, per your post above,you could just return to India (-; After pondering a SEA trip, I "threw in the towel" and since I love it, am going to "brave" India again (Gujarat, first time) in February. I understand your desire, stated above, to avoid the money hassle, but have heard from friends there the currency crisis is, at least for tourists, improving, and a month or two from now, should not present problems for visitors as it did in November.
Wherever you choose, safari njema!!
I was going to say, per your stated dislike of modern, sterile, high-rise buildings, avoid the Suntec/Marina Bay of Singapore as a place to stay--there are more interesting areas. Still, given you won't fly via SG, you don't need any more advice about it.
Kuala Lumpur airport is probably the "best" airport in the world to get out of ASAP!! The indifferent bordering on rude staff , and public toilet cleanliness level will make you long for an airport in India!
Yes, per your post above,you could just return to India (-; After pondering a SEA trip, I "threw in the towel" and since I love it, am going to "brave" India again (Gujarat, first time) in February. I understand your desire, stated above, to avoid the money hassle, but have heard from friends there the currency crisis is, at least for tourists, improving, and a month or two from now, should not present problems for visitors as it did in November.
Wherever you choose, safari njema!!
Dec 19th, 2016, 05:02 PM
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Another benefit of flying into KL is that it's a major hub for AirAsia with flights to many destinations throughout Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia.
If you are flying around the time of Lunar New Year, book in advance as flights will be very busy. AirAsia has an excellent on-line booking system, but be aware that flights cannot be cancelled and there are penalties for changes.
If you like smallish un-touristed towns, you might look at some Indonesian destinations like Makassar, Manado, Pekalongan, Cirebon, Labuan Bajo. I would especially recommend Pekalongan, the center of batk making on the north coast of Java.
If you are flying around the time of Lunar New Year, book in advance as flights will be very busy. AirAsia has an excellent on-line booking system, but be aware that flights cannot be cancelled and there are penalties for changes.
If you like smallish un-touristed towns, you might look at some Indonesian destinations like Makassar, Manado, Pekalongan, Cirebon, Labuan Bajo. I would especially recommend Pekalongan, the center of batk making on the north coast of Java.
Dec 19th, 2016, 06:18 PM
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I wish I could one day make it to Java. I collect batiks and have some hand painted batik, from the batik region listed above. But, I buy them from a friend that a friend in Singapore sells at her boutique. I usually just go to her for the batiks as she really knows her stuff and goes into small areas in Indonesia and picks up vintage batik pieces.
Happy Travels!
Happy Travels!
Dec 19th, 2016, 06:24 PM
#31
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Correction: My hand accidentally hit POST before finishing the edit.
Disregard the following: "But, I buy them from a friend that a friend in Singapore sells at her boutique..."
I was trying to type, " But, I buy them from a friend who has a boutique in Singapore and who really knows her stuff as she goes into small areas of Indonesia and picks up vintage pieces."
I think I might have to go back to Indonesia. I was only on Bali back in 1999.
Happy Travels!
Disregard the following: "But, I buy them from a friend that a friend in Singapore sells at her boutique..."
I was trying to type, " But, I buy them from a friend who has a boutique in Singapore and who really knows her stuff as she goes into small areas of Indonesia and picks up vintage pieces."
I think I might have to go back to Indonesia. I was only on Bali back in 1999.
Happy Travels!
Dec 19th, 2016, 07:05 PM
#32
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As you have mentiones that "We have zero interest in shopping and malls.We prefer cities that are walk-able (or mostly walk-able to places that interest tourists).We are interested in history and cultural aspects of cities.We don't do high end or westernized restaurants but prefer great local food in smaller but clean establishments."..so according to your interest I prefer you to visit "Kuala Lumpur"..It is completely historical type of place..it has lots of historical monuments and is the best place to explore hidden history..there are so many history attached with these historical monuments..you can also took the help from tourist guide..I am sure you will love that place
Dec 19th, 2016, 07:20 PM
#34
I wonder if Bill doesn't live in KL. I met a man in the Cameron Highlands who was from KL and I don't recall listening to anybody quite as proud of his city and how much he enjoyed living there. He was in CH for work, had worked on my twisted knee, and was looking forward to going back soon. I wish I'd seen the KL he described and loved but I didn't. I should have kept in touch.
