Jen

Carrie,<BR><BR>Baby isn't due until November! Things have been busy lately, but I'm sure I could pencil some time in if you were out this way!!<BR><BR>Lin, first of all, can you call my parents and tell them what NICE parents do when their kids have babies? My folks are too nervous to travel and I want my mommy!! This is their tenth grandchild, though - maybe they aren't so excited about it anymore. *sniff*<BR><BR>From S'pore... well, if you consider KL is only about five+ hours from S'pore (estimating here - I've never done that drive) you could cover a lot of ground easily by car. Melaka is a must - but you must have gathered that already from my posts! KL isn't great, but there are a few things to see. Batu Caves are really neat. <BR><BR>You can get to Tioman directly from Singapore by ferry, but you could also drive to Mersing in Johor and ferry from there. You leave your car in Mersing - there is a guarded car lot so it'll be safe.<BR><BR>I know there have been mixed reviews of Tioman Island, but we had a really good time, and I thought it was beautiful. We stayed at Salang, the last ferry stop. The accomodations are basic (there is a Berjaya resort there, too, but the beach didn't look as nice there), but if you hardly spend any time in your room, who cares? The corals have been trampled nearest the beach (Singaporeans and Malaysians can't swim, so they walk all over them!), but further out it gets really impressive, and if you're really daring I hear you can go up the north end of the beach and swim around the point for some spectacular snorkelling. The beach is best at the south end, though. We were there during the week and it was fairly quiet... we went to the beach at 9-10am to take pictures and had it to ourselves.<BR><BR>There are other islands in that area, as well, and I'm sure they are more remote and quiet than Tioman, but I can't recommend because Tioman's the only one I've been to. The thing with the other islands is that often the boats will only go to each once a day. And their resorts fill up more quickly, so you can't really just show up at Mersing and find a place (there are booking agents there at the jetty). You can talk to an agent in S'pore, though, and I'm sure they could help you out.<BR><BR>Anyway, for beaches close to S'pore, Tioman or any of the other islands around there are your best bet. Have fun!!<BR><BR>OH!! Do be sure to ask your son and daughter-in-law if they need you to bring any baby gear. I'm not finding what I want, and imports are SO expensive. Car seats are mostly Euro models, which aren't as good as North American seats. Also can hardly find onesies or one-piece sleepers with feet... Suffice it to say, our next visitors are bringing a shipment of baby things for us!<BR><BR>Jen, fellow Cdn with baby#1, due 11/12

Lin

Hi Jen<BR>Thanks for your terrific reply. We are really undecided about our length of stay in Sing as of course the baby is our #1 priority. We would like to do some sightseeing too. My kids informed me of their pregnancy one week before my son's visa came through. I was ecstatic but a little sad that they were leaving Canada. The timing wasn't the greatest but that's life! Since we were going to visit Oz again this winter we had already planned on stopping in Sing to see them. Now it's not so much them but the baby!!! LOL! I had been buying up baby clothes prior to their departure and everyone thought I was nuts. (Funnily enough I bought a bunch of onesies half price at Zeller's!!) I think we will have a baby shower here before we travel and hopefully my son's firm will pay to ship any large items. I'll keep the car seat in mind. I hope your Mommy will change her mind about a visit. I'm sure you'd appreciate seeing her. I know my daughter-in-law is feeling a little lonely. They have been in Sing four weeks now. Are you living in Malaysia permanently? My email address is [email protected] if you feel like keeping in touch.<BR>Best wishes,<BR>Lin

Carrie

Jen, I'll see if I can squeeze a day trip to Malacca. I shall email you if I can re-schedule my itinery. In the meantime, take care and let us know how you get on. My very best wishes. Carrie.

Rohit

I have been reading the postings with a lot of interest. I am visiting Malaysia(Kuala Lampur - 2days, Langkawi - 1 day)<BR>Singapore (2 days) and Hongkong ( 1 day).I know it is kind of rushed but I can only manage a week of vactaion time.<BR><BR>Can anybody just budget hotels at the above places which are also located close to the sight-seeing spots?

kristie

Well I realy started something off here didn't I!!!<BR><BR>The more that I think about it Penang sounds more what we are looking for. However, we have heard that there is quite a lot of polution on Penang and this is putting us off a little. We are looking at the Sandy Bay Hotel on Penang - has anyone out there been there and if so is there plenty to do in the area - ie lots of bars or restaurants. Talking about restaurants - what type of price can you expect to pay for a decent meal?<BR><BR>We are also thinking of staying for a while at KL - we are not really culture vultures but like a little sight-seeing and need to know what to see and do.<BR><BR>Can anyone help me again

Jen

Not sure about your hotel in Penang, but if it's on Gurney Drive I would go elsewhere! We stayed there as there are lots of hotels and eateries, etc, along that stretch of waterfront, but the waterfront (not a beach, just a muddy, sludgy stretch of YUCK) reeked so badly of sewage and god knows what else that we couldn't even walk outside. Truly awful. I've been told this is not the usual, but I have a hard time believing it.<BR><BR>Don't give KL too much of your time unless you want to shop there. Check out Batu Caves, go up KL Tower (ie: Menara KL, not Petronas twin towers), go to the Chinatown/Petaling Street Nightmarket (hold onto your wallets, though), Bukit Bintang for trendy central (lots of western eateries, malls and bars around there), Central Market for arts and handicraft shopping (bargain where you can).... Upscale shopping, try Suria KLCC (under the twin towers) or MegaMall - hard to believe Malaysia is a "developing country" when you see these!! <BR><BR>And if you do give KL more than a few days, do take a day trip down to Melaka, my sweet little (adopted) hometown! It's only a couple of hours by bus.<BR><BR>Meal prices... if you aren't afraid of hawker food (and you shouldn't be), a couple can chow down for just a few dollars. Actual restaurants, but local style, aren't much more. In Malaysia it's a given that if the place looks like a dump and the service sucks, the food will be fantastic. If the decor is nice, and the service is decent, the food will suck. Hotel restaurants cost a bomb and the food generally is not that great (with some exceptions, of course). Anywhere you go and have beer, expect your bill to double or even triple.

wayne

Kristie: Dont stay at Sandy Bay. It is in Tg Bungah beach which is a lousy stretch. I should know, my mum's house is there. Stay in Batu Ferringhi which has the best beach in Penang. The nice hotels there (in order of distance, from nearest to the city) are Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang (the best IMHO, Shangri-La's GOlden Sands, Lone Pine (a lovely boutique hotel in Bali style, Holiday Inn, Casuarina, Bayview Pacific, Parkroyal, Mutiara(2nd best IMHO. All are by the sea. Batu Ferringhi has lots of food stalls,pubs, street shopping,water sports and even a waterfall. The best food are to be had in town tho. Enjoy yourself and do let me know if you need anymore help.OH, I wouldnt stay more than 2 nites in KL. Go to Taman Negara instead.I betcha you'd hv never seen anything like it before.

Chakri

Wayne:<BR><BR>I am in KL for two days. Is it enough time to do Taman Negara rainforest or would that be rushing it?