I'm having a hard time planning this year's travels. Bhutan? Laos, Bali?
Mar 1st, 2010, 07:23 PM
#1
Original Poster
I'm having a hard time planning this year's travels. Bhutan? Laos, Bali?
For some reason, I am having a hard time getting into trip planning this year. I want to go somewhere, but just can't decide where & when to go. I currently have Platinum status on Continental, so this is a good year to travel with the benefits of elite status. I would probably go on this trip in September or mid-October, so that I can add the Boston GTG on at the beginning or the end.
A few of the places I have on my bucket list are Bhutan, Laos, Borneo, Burma, South Africa and Bali. I would love to stopover in Bangkok or Singapore to satisfy some food cravings.
I know this is being totally lazy, but if you were going to go somewhere for 3 or 4 weeks in the fall, which of these would you choose?
A few of the places I have on my bucket list are Bhutan, Laos, Borneo, Burma, South Africa and Bali. I would love to stopover in Bangkok or Singapore to satisfy some food cravings.
I know this is being totally lazy, but if you were going to go somewhere for 3 or 4 weeks in the fall, which of these would you choose?
Mar 1st, 2010, 07:29 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
so africa is fantastic in late october.....great for animal watching and lovely time to drive the garden route....
bkk in november means attending another GTG as we will be there...
argentina would be a good trip on continental too....not sure of temps in the fall however...
bkk in november means attending another GTG as we will be there...
argentina would be a good trip on continental too....not sure of temps in the fall however...
Mar 1st, 2010, 07:59 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Weather wise for Bhutan, Burma and Laos September to October will still be during the Monsoon season.
As Bob said S. Africa will be nice and the weather I believe should be in between their cold and hot season.
How about Southern China(Lijiang) and Tibet? Should be just right weather wise but for 3 or 4 weeks it could be too long. Perhaps you can combine that with a trip to another part of China.
As Bob said S. Africa will be nice and the weather I believe should be in between their cold and hot season.
How about Southern China(Lijiang) and Tibet? Should be just right weather wise but for 3 or 4 weeks it could be too long. Perhaps you can combine that with a trip to another part of China.
Mar 2nd, 2010, 04:24 AM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lucy. Glad to read that you are planning to attend the BOS GTG once again. I look forward to seeing you there.
Wow... you have lots of options for your trip. Oh, to have such a dilemma. Wish I could be of more help, but you know me... I'm stuck on Bangkok for the time being.
You will have a fantastic trip, what ever plans you organize.
Carol
Wow... you have lots of options for your trip. Oh, to have such a dilemma. Wish I could be of more help, but you know me... I'm stuck on Bangkok for the time being.
You will have a fantastic trip, what ever plans you organize.
Carol
Mar 24th, 2010, 03:08 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I spent 2 weeks in Bhutan in October 2008 -- the weather was spectacular, the days pleasant and sunny. I went via BKK so there was time for some Thai food en route. It was a perfect time to be there and the festivals were packed with Bhutanese farmers who were taking some time off after harvest. Have also been to Burma -- in January, when it's cooler and dry -- and SAfrica, in February...but my favorite of all is Bhutan. Happy trails wherever you go!
Mar 25th, 2010, 02:14 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are a number of festivals in Bhutan in September and October, so that would probably be my first choice. I have been to the spring festival in Paro, and it was really interesting, but the ones in Thimpu I think would be equally good or possibly more interesting, and there are others elsewhere, consult guidebooks and websites. I agree you might have a good bit of rain in September, esp in lower elevations, but look at websites and see. October may be a better month if festival dates work with that (they shift slightly from year to year).
Otherwise, any of the places on your list would certainly be good, although Borneo will be quite rainy so that would probably be fairly far down my list, as outdoor activities are pretty much the point of a trip there. Thailand/Laos/Burma are also going to be on the rainy side, does not matter so much in Bangkok, and October is drier overall in each of them.
It is actually quite a comfortable flight from SE Asia to South Africa, as you can get non-stops from Singapore to Cape Town or Jo-burg (not on Continental, but South African business class is quite nice and they are also a Star Alliance partner), so you might consider doing a split (although South Africa has more than enough to see and do for 3-4 weeks).
I also think that New Zealand or Australia in those months would be quite nice as well, weather is very good (not warm in some places but pleasant spring weather and dry most everywhere even places like Darwin which gets a ton of rain in other months) and 3-4 weeks would give you an opportunity to see a good bit of either.
Otherwise, any of the places on your list would certainly be good, although Borneo will be quite rainy so that would probably be fairly far down my list, as outdoor activities are pretty much the point of a trip there. Thailand/Laos/Burma are also going to be on the rainy side, does not matter so much in Bangkok, and October is drier overall in each of them.
It is actually quite a comfortable flight from SE Asia to South Africa, as you can get non-stops from Singapore to Cape Town or Jo-burg (not on Continental, but South African business class is quite nice and they are also a Star Alliance partner), so you might consider doing a split (although South Africa has more than enough to see and do for 3-4 weeks).
I also think that New Zealand or Australia in those months would be quite nice as well, weather is very good (not warm in some places but pleasant spring weather and dry most everywhere even places like Darwin which gets a ton of rain in other months) and 3-4 weeks would give you an opportunity to see a good bit of either.
Mar 25th, 2010, 10:27 AM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We went to Bhutan for 3 weeks in October. The weather was perfect. As Cicerone said there are a few festivals going on at that time. We visited 2 & also managed a festival that was for the rededication of a temple which was also great. As previously said it is easy to fit in a BKK stopover with Bhutan also.
May 24th, 2010, 06:55 PM
#13
Original Poster
I still haven't decided. Turkey or Bali appeal to my DH. My traveling friend is thinking burma.
Meanwhile I delay the decision with trips to Philadelphia & Oregon this week, then San Diego and Idaho in Late June. I am also waiting for Bob to finish his trip, so I can use the itinerary if I do go to Bali in Sept!
Meanwhile I delay the decision with trips to Philadelphia & Oregon this week, then San Diego and Idaho in Late June. I am also waiting for Bob to finish his trip, so I can use the itinerary if I do go to Bali in Sept!
May 24th, 2010, 09:00 PM
#16
Original Poster
Family and the Fourth of July is all I'll be doing in San Diego.My brother and niece are coming in from Australia, my adult niece and her family will be coming down from Portland and my San Diego relatives will be housing all of us! Only a 6 day visit, but I'll get to see the parade in Coronado and go to an all class reunion at my old school.
The we'll be off to Beautiful Boise to catch up with more family!
Nothing exotic, but we'll have a good time, I'm sure!
Hey, Billy, I know why you want to hitchhike in my bags....I saw the car pics!!
The we'll be off to Beautiful Boise to catch up with more family!
Nothing exotic, but we'll have a good time, I'm sure!
Hey, Billy, I know why you want to hitchhike in my bags....I saw the car pics!!
May 27th, 2010, 04:55 PM
#17
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 49,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might check in with J and J in San Diego, you may have more in common with them than you realize! 
I think you'd could do a GTG with them in R.Penasquitos!
They could intro you to some of their wonderful relatives!
I think you'd could do a GTG with them in R.Penasquitos!
They could intro you to some of their wonderful relatives!
May 28th, 2010, 06:27 PM
#19
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lucy, We just booked a Kenya safari (for July), but we were also considering an orangutan trip to Borneo with time in Jojakarta...You could combine both of those with Bali. You might also want to consider a Fiji/Australian outback combo - great prices now.
