jelsbells

Ok before I start, I know this will seem like a lot in a short amount of time and I know its the most common mistake people make but I want to put it out there and see what you guys think and what we should do to fix it. Btw we are two females traveling together age 24

Duration: 6 weeks

Sept 2 Start:

Bangkok: 3 nights
Chiang Mai: 3 nights
Pai: 1 night
Ko Tao: 4 nights
Ko Phi Phi: 2 nights
Siem Reap: 3 nights
Hoi An, Vietnam: 4 nights (inc. day trip to My Son, an hour away)
South Vietnam for Sand Dunes (this mine be omitted if impossible - but were heading indonesia so its on the way)
Bali: 4 nights
Gili Island (just 1): 4 nights
Java (because we fly out of jakarta): 2 nights
Home to Canada

*I counted 31 days here so we have some buffer as surely we will extend some things.. we will be there a total of 41 nights I believe

To re-iternate, I know some of you will look at this and say dont do it! you need to remove things! Can you please advise what to remove and the best way to get in between all these places.

Thanks so much...

Kathie

When is this trip? Are you planning on flying from place to place?

Some quick comments:

I notice you are planning on two islands in Thailand, on opposite sides of the country. There are few times of the year when the weather will be ok in both places.

You have just three nights in Siem Reap. It takes three full days just to see the so-called major temples - add a night here if you can. Also, pick up a copy of Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples which will help you prepare for your visit.

I don't understand your comment on South Vietnam being on the way to Indonesia. Are you trying to go overland from mainland SE Asia to Indonesia? (South VN is still not "on the way") If you are considering this, let me highly recommend that you take a cheap flight to Bali on Air Asia.

In Indonesia, you are planning equal amounts of time on Bali and Gilli... Bali has about a thousand times more to do/see/experience than Gilli. Reconsider this. And you say you are going to Java - are you planning to visit Borobudur and Prambanam in central Java?

I'll come back and provide more detailed feedback later.

MmePerdu

I'm not sure, even at 24, I would have wanted to move so much on a 6 week trip. I've always felt that one sees more visiting fewer places with time to take it all in and I think that travel style has served me well. I haven't been to all the locations you mention so can't comment on which would be better for you. But if you do your homework you can probably eliminate some yourself by discovering which suit your interests best.

What I will say in favor of fewer locations is that it gives one's travels different dimensions entirely. Some that come to mind are just the act of slowing down brings wherever you are more clearly into focus, the effect of which is to experience more in 1 place than you would in 2 skimming the surface and moving on. It's like the difference between driving & walking, similar only in the fact that you're in motion. Also, as we all know, moving wastes time & resources, not moving means an upgrade to everything on the same budget.

Staying in 1 location longer allows time for day trips, sometimes places most tourists may not otherwise know about in the area. It also allows for the occasional spontaneous detour there would otherwise not be time for. Some of my most meaningful experiences have transpired as a result of suggestions by fellow travelers, detours I could make because there was time. Asia is especially rich in such opportunities.

jelsbells

Hi Kathie,

Trip is Sept 2 - Oct 14

We are planning to fly most places but if bus or train is easier then we dont mind doing that... would be willing to spend extra for flights if necessary is what i am saying and would prefer to fly

about the islands: yes we are aware they are on opposite sides and are gambling with the weather especially ko phi phi but we are willing to take the risk just to see it and feel we would regret it if we didnt. we really want to do kao tao as it is the top desired island and we want to learn to scuba here. We will be okay if we get some rain.. question thought, would it be better to go from ko phi phi or ko tao to siem reap?

Cambodia, note taken.. we will add a night here.. do you think we need more? Is there a hidden gem around here we dont know about that would be worthwhile?

Yes we will be flying from vietnam to Indonesia.. what is your recommendation? Where should we fly out of if we want to fly into bali?

We want to spend a lot of time in the one particular Gili island from our research it seems to have everything we want and will want to unwind chill and get comfortable here for at least a couple of days..

About Java i have no idea.. is it even worthwhile to go here with limited time or should we stick to gili and bali? I heard there are some amazing volcanoes there

jelsbells

Thank you for your comment, MmePerdu.

Besides the jumping around, is there anything else you can comment on - such as how to get to and from some of these places or things i must do from what Ive written?

Thanks

MmePerdu

I suggest you do a great deal more research based on several comments & questions above. Some are so basic it tells me you aren't yet ready for an itinerary. Back to the guidebooks. You do have guidebooks?

crellston

I would check out the weather at the places you want to visit. I find this site helpful and easy to use.
http://www.selectiveasia.com/thailan...eather/october Just click on the country and date.

Not the best time for SE Asia but room rates will be lower and it will be less crowded.

Koh Tao is a cheap place to learn to dive but do be aware that the weather won't be at its best. The rain affects not only your beach time but also the diving as visibility will be reduced and seas may be rough. Not great for a novice diver. Tha said, if the weather is good, the diving is both easy and interesting. You should also be aware that two young British tourist were murdered there a couple of years ago ( one was raped). The island is now apparently run by the local mafia!

For getting around, take a look at www.airasia.com for cheap flights to most of the locations you mention. Many flights may require routing through Bangkok or KL.

www.seat61.com is a good resource for train travel which may be viable for some places in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Java has a lot to offer and does has some amazing volcanoes etc. Jakarta is IMHO a dump and the less time spent there the better. We spent most of last year travelling in Asia and you may find some ideas on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com

What to remove?
Chiang Mai and Pai
Phi Phi

If you want to go to Cambodia, don't just go for Angkor. Include Phnom Penh maybe get the bus from PP through to Ho Chi Minh city. LP SE Asia on Shoestring or the Rough Guide equivalent ( even better) will have specimen itineraries. Lots of research now will yield massive results on your trip!

jelsbells

MmePerdu.. im trying to research and am really overwhelmed, hence why i am on a forum. based on my research this is what i came up with. jeez, no need to be so harsh.

Kathie

Tell us about what attracts you to this part of the world. What interests you? Culture? Sun and sand? Food? Shopping?

I love central Java, but I love Buddhist and Hindu ruins and seeing the Ramayana Ballet was a highlight. I skipped Bromo since it seems over-crowded to me (but many people love it) and I live where we've seen volcanos erupt. But if seeing a volcano is important to you, there are a number of options on Java, as well as options on Bali.

SE Asia is my favorite part of the world - maybe our photos can help you: www.marlandc.com

MmePerdu

Suggesting more research is in order wasn't meant to be harsh, it was meant to advise to do what you need to do before asking for help to fine tune. We don't know you and with nothing much to go on, it's impossible to say what may satisfy you. I spent some time this morning writing my initial response and there's nothing worse than trying to help, then getting such an unappreciative response. So, shoot the messenger or accept help, your choice. It won't always come in the form you've imagined.

LancasterLad

Sometimes there's a need to appear cruel in order to be kind. 100% avec Mme Perdu.

Slow down, scrape below the surface of places, loiter and enjoy. It's worth it.

MmePerdu

Thanks LL.

progol

You may want to check out travelfish.org. It's a great site for research and has a forum section as well and the participants are generally a younger group. While there is excellent information available (and I consider the advice you're getting so far right on the money), you may find others more aligned with your travel style.

jelsbells

@ MmePerdu.. my sincere apologies, i must have read the tone in your message wrong which is easy to do online. pls accept my apology and thank you for your efforts.

to all of you, thank you. i have decided to take off cambodia for now since i really only want to see seam reap and may save it for another trip..

bangkok, northern thailand, vietnam, thai island, indonesia (gili t., bali, and java) is my new plan in that order

marmot

I will comment on the Indonesia portion of your itinerary.

AirAsia has non-stop flights to Bali from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. If you get yourself to any of those airports -- on AirAsia or any other carrier -- you can connect to Bali. Other airlines fly to Bali as well, but AirAsia tends to be both reliable and cheap. If you book in advance pay attention to the cancellation options, which can be strict.

You will have good weather in September/October in the parts of Indonesia you are looking at. It's low season for hotel rates too.

There are a couple of holidays that you should be aware of.
*September 7 to 17 will be a major Hindu holiday in Bali. This is a festive time to visit Bali as there will be a lot of temple ceremonies.
* September 10-12 will be a major Islamic holiday in Java and Lombok. This is not a good time to visit Java. Transport to Gilis will also be very crowded, though I don't think the resorts will be impacted. I mention it just in case you rearrange your itinerary.

Even if you stick with your 4 day plan for the Gilis, I would suggest you find a way to extend your time on Bali, in order to spend time both on the beach and inland in the Ubud area. Just my guess, but I would think that after the Thai islands, the Gili's will be a disappointment.

You can scuba and snorkel in northeast Bali around Amed and in northwest Bali around Pemuteran and Menjangan Island. The Ubud area is best jumping off point for culture, nature and wellness activities like spas and yoga.

For the southern beaches I think you would like the area around Canggu, Batu Belig and Batu Bolong. These were originally surfer hangouts but are now hip and vibrant social spots for 20-somethings from all over the world. Lots of beach clubs, cool inexpensive restaurants and clubs, spas, yoga classes and of course, surfing.

Eastern and Central Java would both be interesting stops (East Java for the Mt. Bromo and Ijen areas, Central Java for Yogyakarta and Borobudur), but since you're already trying to eliminate places, not add, I would skip them this time. You can fly non-stop from Bali to connect with your Jakarta flight home.

Lastly, make sure that you are covered with medical evacuation insurance and be very careful on motor bikes. DAN, the scuba association, offers a good, inexpensive evacuation policy, that's covers you for all kinds of mishaps, not just diving related.

marmot

We cross posted. If you do add stops in Java, plan two nights in East Java (fly into Surabaya) and three nights in Central Java (fly into Yogyakarta).

I'm not as negative on Jakarta as Crellston , but if something has to go, I'd not plan to spend a night there.

Kathie

I think your new plan will work better for you. If you want to post your plan in terms of how many nights in each place, any questions about transport, etc, we will be glad to help you fine-tune your plan.

jelsbells

my new itinerary looks like this

bangkok 3 nights
chiang mai 5 nights (2 nights are in the jungle about 1 hour away and 3 in chiang mai city)
pai 2 nights
**koh samui or hoi an (thinking hoi an)5-6 nights
** koh samui or hoi an (whichever is left over probably koh samui)7 nights
bali 7 nights
gili t 4 nights
java 2-3 nights
home


what do you guys think? way better right

MmePerdu

I wouldn't bother with Java for only 2-3 nights. Too interesting to short-change it like that. You may as well add those nights to somewhere else. Or drop something else and add those to Java.

Kathie

I agree with MmePerdu - 2 or 3 nights in Java (that is one or two days) isn't enough. Since you are flying out of Jakarta, rearrange some of your itinerary so you have enough time to visit central Java. Six nights in Hoi An is a lot - most people would get bored. Hoi An is charming, but very touristy. You might consider cutting a few nights from Hoi An to add to Java. If you have 4 nights in Java, that is enough time for a taste.

If you only have 7 nights on Bali, spend it all in one place - inland near Ubud, as you'll get your beach time on Gili.

Don't forget that it will take time to get from place to place - and some of your transfers are complicated and will likely take all day (like getting from Gili T to anywhere).

I know you are flying out of Jakarta - plan to spend the night before at a hotel near the airport.