Chele

Last year, we had the dream trip for our honeymoon - Bali & Singapore. We would like to plan our next trip (2 weeks) in Oct/Nov of this year but trying to decide where to go. We definitely want to explore something new.

We like Bali because there's so much variety: (What we liked about Bali)

- Who: Friendly people - we loved our driver!
- Sights: Volcanoes, lakes, mountains, beach, ocean
- To do: Rafting, watch cultural dances, temples
- The eats: Loved the food in Singapore- my husband wants to go back just for the food
- Inexpensive stays: $100/nt for a resort & $50/nt for a nice, centrally located hotel

So, which countries will have variety like this for the approx cost of Bali/Singapore? ($5000 for 2 for air, hotel, eats, & activities)

We're considering Cambodia (Angkor Wat) but my husband will probably get bored of the temples after a day- hence, the need for variety...

Vietnam & Thailand (Northern, since I've already been to Bangkok, Phuket & Ko Samui) are also considerations.

Japan would be great, but we're not sure if we can afford it.

Would love to hear from people who've been to some or all of the options we're considering!!

Thanks!!

rhkkmk

you will find hotels at angkor to be comparitively expensive....you could never spend 2 weeks there and not be bored, i don't think.....4 days is more than enough generally...

combine angkor and thailand...

combine myanmar and angkor....luang prabang laos and angkor with a few days in bkk

malaysia

the later in october the better in SEA..

Kathie

If your husband would truly be bored after a day at Angkor, don't go. I find the temples endlessly fascinating, but not everyone does.

With two weeks, I'd choose not more than three places. here are some to consider: Bangkok for great hotels and fabulous food and the energy of the city; Luang Prabang for the calm, the spiritual atmosphere; Penang for the Hawker food and the opportunity to stay at the fabled E&O, Hanoi for the traffic (lol) and the unique combination of the old and the new; the Golden Triangle (stay at the Anantara) for the lush green landscape, the elephants, the spa, the cooking class, the excursions to see the many cultures in the area.

angethereader

Japan was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be.

We traveled for 15 days, used points for our 3 night stay in Tokyo, and got a great deal on plane tickets.

In all we spent about $5000 for 2 plane fares, the other 12 nights (and 5 nights were at a guest house in Kyoto where we paid for our son also), train passes for 2, entrance fees, food and drink for 3.

Good, yet inexpensive food can be easily had. I had sooo much help from folks on this forum, and that helped with the costs too.

glorialf

I also found Japan less expensive than I expected but for your budget I would say you would be better off spending the two weeks in Thailand with a focus on northern thailand.

Cicerone

I would watch the rainy season, esp in Vietnam in Oct and November, take a look at weatherbase.com You can get some really heavy rain then. Also look at rain for both coasts of Malaysia at that time (i.e. Penang). The fall months are tricky around the coastal areas of SE Asia with the monsoon patterns.

I agree that Luang Prabang combined with Ankor Wat and Northern Thailand is an extremely nice trip and would work with that budget.

Another place you might consider is south India, specifically Kerala. This would have the beaches, the rafting (OK not whitewater, but on reed houseboats complete with cook), the dances, the temples, the really friendly people, and the great food. No volcanoes (but you aren’t going to find them in Thailand either, at least not live ones...). I would say November is better, esp if you pick around November 9 which is Diwali the Hindu New Year, a huge festival time and a great temple festival time. I would probably not include north India only because with only 2 weeks it’s a lot to fit in, but it could be done, temps are OK then it is not really hot, esp if you go in November. But with only 2 weeks, I would probably focus on south India primarily. Could also include Mysore, etc.

BillT

Know thy spouse- mine would get bored after 2 hours at any temple or museum!
Myself- I could last a bit longer but not by much!

AsiaDana

For variety and taking into consideration the things you like doing, i'm recommending Sabah or Sarawak.
The scenery is spectacular, the food is very good, the beaches/sea water unbelievably clean. Darn, i think i just talked myself into returning, lol.

DoctorCarrie

We combined two days in Ankgor with a trip to Thailand. I thought my husband would be bored with the temples, too, but they're pretty darn impressive and even he was fascinated. That being said, I wouldn't spend any more than 2 days there, if temples aren't your thing. While it can be expensive to fly there (relatively speaking, this is SE Asia, after all), it can be pretty reasonable with the Bangkok Air Discovery Pass. While you can spend absurd amounts of money in Siem Reap, you really don't need to - we stayed a perfectly decent place for ~$10 per night.

We also loved Northern Thailand, and it certainly meets your requirements of friendly people, rafting, temples, cheap accomodations and yummy food! I loved Chiang Mai and surrounds - my only regret was that we didn't participate in the one day elephant training program at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center! Although I couldn't take more than 1 day exploring the temples of CM (there are lots!!), I really like the vibe of the city, it was laid back and easy to get around. The street food was fantastic, as were almost all of the restaurants we ate at - especialyl loved lunch at the Four Seasons and Huen Phen. We drove the Mae Hong Son Loop, through Pai, Mae Hong Son, and Doi Inthanon, which was a fun, big adventure, with gorgeous scenery, good hiking, hot springs, and great people along the way. We didn't make it to Chiang Rai, but trekking in that area is supposed to be amazing.

Wherever you go, I hope you have a fantastic time! Cheers, Carrie

carylspall

What about Hong Kong.Your husband would probably adore the food there as well.

blgerber

Try the andaman and nicobar islands or the lakshwadeep islands in India. Best beaches and ocean life I have ever seen.

Wmccawley

You should go to Angkor, it is very special and you can do it so you do not get bored. You can do a half day at Angkor tom and then go up to the peak (via elephant or your own feet) watch the sunset (you can take wine or beer if like) it is beautiful. The hotels are pricey, but the rest is cheap. Bangkok is fun and offers alot (I live there). Oct/Nov can be rainy in the beach area. Vietnam, same thing. Tell me what kind of things do you two like to do on vacation.

Chele

Wow! Great responses!! I'm liking the idea of Northern Thailand, Angkor Wat, & Penang OR Japan- husband's leaning toward Japan.

Just wanted to answer the question of what we like to do...

The trick with our vacation planning is finding things that we BOTH want to do...

I would love to see Angkor Wat. Always wanted to go, but my hubby says 1-2 days would be his max. His question was: What else is there to do there?

My husband is interested in Japan because he wants to check out the new technology/ products. My question was: What else is there to do there?

Things we both like to do:

We both loved river rafting in Bali...

We loved the pretty, scenic beaches in the Caribbean - fine sand, warm water

We loved trying different food in Singapore - without worries of getting sick on Street food.

We liked the Ministries of Sound nightclub in Singapore

We love to snorkel & see the sea life- trying to convince him to get certified so we can SCUBA.

We liked visiting the volcanoes in Bali & Hawaii.

I like 1 hr massages for low prices like in Bangkok.

We liked hiring a driver in Bali for $30/day to see lakes, rice fields, coffee plantations, & a restaurant overlooking the volcano/lake.

My husband loved talking to our driver- who is our age, laid back, casual... My husband could relate!

Thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions!!!

Wmccawley

To be honest, there really is not a lot else to do in Angkor that is why 1-2 days is enough. Having said that, it is a special place and I am not a temple person. When you fly into Siem Reap, you travel to your hotel and arrange for an English speaking guide. He will be your guide the entire time. He will come with a van and driver. Your husband will enjoy talking with him. You need to guide what you want to do. We went to Angkok Tom one morning and the overgrown temple (sorry forgot the name- Tomb Raider movie). We quit around 1 and had lunch and a massage at the hotel. Then we went for the sunset. The next day we went to Angkor and the fishing village. It was an unique experience as these people are very poor yet everyone has a TV. Then we went back to our hotel, showered and flew home. It is by far one of my most memorable trips after living in BKK for 5 years.

As for Beaches, nothing is better than Bali. If you want to do the beach thing you might want to go back. Some Thailand beaches are nice, but the sand and waves are nothing like Bali. The limestone formations in Thailand are stunning though. Snorkling is cheaper in Thailand than Bali.

I have a couple of friends who live in Japan, they say with the language barrier (it is suprising how many people do not speak English considering their education system) it is challenging to get around. So looking at new technology might prove to be more effort than pleasure. Have you thought about Hong Kong? Great food, electronics, sights and a lot to do. May even be a connection in your flight schedule.

Northern Thailand is beautiful, but I find a bit boring after a couple of days.

Enough babble.

BeniciaChris

Chele-My husband |& I along with another couple will be in Bali for a week in October. You mentioned how much you liked your guide. Did you prearrange him or just get him when you got there|?? We will also be in Tahailand & I have arranged for Tong for 2 days in Bangkok & a 5 day tour with Sergeant Kai in Northern Thailand but have not worked on the Bali part-Thanks-This site is so helpful,chris

rhkkmk

we really liked putu in bali as our guide and he has a nice suv for comfort too.....look for his contact info here on fodors...

if you like tong, you will like him...

fiona

what about Kuala Lumpur and Bali? You loved Bali so why not return for the R@R bit. KL would you give the hectic city bit, with the good food!
Or, what I am doing this October, fly into Delhi- go on the Golden Triangle tour(5days), fly down to Mumbai for 2 days and then go on to Goa for the R@R bit- go to the south if you want more peace and the north if you like busy.Internal flights are very cheap.

fiona

PS
posted too quickly! Meant to say we are going to KL and Bali this summer, after falling in love with Bali two years ago( when, like you, we combined it with Singapore)

Chele

BeniciaChris-
WE did not prearrange a tour guide. Our hotel in Ubud arranged it for us. My husband just really clicked with the guide- he's young, "hip" & my husband clicked with him.

We went with another guide we found & it just wasn't as enjoyable, so we went back to our first guide.

IF you're interested, I can try to find his info for you. Let me know.

Ctam

Hi Chele,
My fiance and I are also planning a Bali/Singapore honeymoon next june/july. It sounds like you and your husband have similar tastes in destination expectations -- could you give a brief recap of where you stayed / main highlights - activities? Neither of us have traveled that much in Asia and I frankly have no clue what to expect in Singapore (his idea to stop there a few days) We'd be coming from the west coast U.S. Any advice would help!! Thanks!