Quick trip from Singapore
Jun 2nd, 2003, 10:04 AM
#1
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Quick trip from Singapore
I will be in Singapore for a few days and would like to experience another area for a few days closeby. Any suggestions? Malaysia; KL? I can drive or fly...just for a quick 3-4 days...
Jun 2nd, 2003, 12:31 PM
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Plenty of choice and plenty of flights
Penang 1 hr 10 mins
Langkawi 1 hr 25 mins
Phuket 1 hrs 25 mins
Krabi 1 hr 30 mins
Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) 2 hrs
Bali 2 hrs 30 mins
Kuala Lumpur is 45-50 mins
Depends on whether you want to laze on a beach or what as to which you choose.
Penang 1 hr 10 mins
Langkawi 1 hr 25 mins
Phuket 1 hrs 25 mins
Krabi 1 hr 30 mins
Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) 2 hrs
Bali 2 hrs 30 mins
Kuala Lumpur is 45-50 mins
Depends on whether you want to laze on a beach or what as to which you choose.
Jun 2nd, 2003, 12:33 PM
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If you are on your own don't bother with any package as they get expensive for a single person, check this site for cheap flights
http://www.airfares.com.sg
Then just search out some cheap hotel rates for the place you choose.
http://www.airfares.com.sg
Then just search out some cheap hotel rates for the place you choose.
Jun 3rd, 2003, 12:08 AM
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I second the nomination for Bali, although I would go for a minimum of 4 days, longer if you can. Do a mix of beach and mountain areas. Run a search here for ideas, as Bali is a popular place. I myself have posted a lot recently.
Another favorite place of mine that is perfect for a 3-4 day trip is Rawa Island off the East coast of Malaysia. IMHO, the most beautiful beach in Southeast Asia. White sand, and water that changes from turquoise, to green to deep blue depending on the weather. It is a tiny island, you can kayak around it in about an hour. There is only one hotel, and it is not luxurious but perfectly fine and the location and the staff make up for it. You can snorkel and scuba dive right from the beach or hire a boat for the day to take you to reefs and outlying islands. Can't say enough good things about Rawa. So much nicer than Tioman. Take a look at their website at rawasfr.com. The boats for the island depart from Mersing, the ride is about 40 minutes. The drive to Mersing takes about 3 hours, much of it through rolling hills with rubber and coconut plantations and small villages, and is very pretty. To get to Mersing, you can rent a car and drive yourself , take a taxi (go to Johur Baru just over the Singapore causeway to hire the taxi more cheaply than taking one all the way from Singapore.). There is also an express bus services from Newton Circus Food Court in Singapore (near the "IN" entrance to the car park) Sultan Bus Station. Departs at 6:30 a.m. daily. I only took the bus once more than 10 years ago and I would say the taxi/car option is easier and better especially if there are at least 2 people to split the cost.
Finally, a great trip is to drive all the way up the east coast of Malaysia to Kuala Terengganu on the border with Thailand. You will go through palm oil plantations, rubber plantations and drive along the sea with great views. If you are there in July and August and are very lucky, you can se the giant sea turtles which come to lay their eggs. I last saw them about 10 years ago, a recent poster has said that they have virtually stooped coming. It is a beautiful drive in any event. You can stop in Kuantan one night and go up to Rantu Abang the next. There is a nice Hyatt on the beach in Kuantan. There is a great hotel in Rantu Abang called the Tanjang Jara Resort. This is a gorgeous resort, built of teak in Malaysia long-house style. They are part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which gives you some idea the quality. The diving is the world-class, you can hire boats for the day to go out into the South China Sea. I could not find a website for the hotel, but they are in the website for Small Luxury Hotels of the World at: slh.com
If you are going from end October through March, the weather is not good on this side of Malaysia, so head either for Bali or for the west coast of Malaysia.
Another favorite place of mine that is perfect for a 3-4 day trip is Rawa Island off the East coast of Malaysia. IMHO, the most beautiful beach in Southeast Asia. White sand, and water that changes from turquoise, to green to deep blue depending on the weather. It is a tiny island, you can kayak around it in about an hour. There is only one hotel, and it is not luxurious but perfectly fine and the location and the staff make up for it. You can snorkel and scuba dive right from the beach or hire a boat for the day to take you to reefs and outlying islands. Can't say enough good things about Rawa. So much nicer than Tioman. Take a look at their website at rawasfr.com. The boats for the island depart from Mersing, the ride is about 40 minutes. The drive to Mersing takes about 3 hours, much of it through rolling hills with rubber and coconut plantations and small villages, and is very pretty. To get to Mersing, you can rent a car and drive yourself , take a taxi (go to Johur Baru just over the Singapore causeway to hire the taxi more cheaply than taking one all the way from Singapore.). There is also an express bus services from Newton Circus Food Court in Singapore (near the "IN" entrance to the car park) Sultan Bus Station. Departs at 6:30 a.m. daily. I only took the bus once more than 10 years ago and I would say the taxi/car option is easier and better especially if there are at least 2 people to split the cost.
Finally, a great trip is to drive all the way up the east coast of Malaysia to Kuala Terengganu on the border with Thailand. You will go through palm oil plantations, rubber plantations and drive along the sea with great views. If you are there in July and August and are very lucky, you can se the giant sea turtles which come to lay their eggs. I last saw them about 10 years ago, a recent poster has said that they have virtually stooped coming. It is a beautiful drive in any event. You can stop in Kuantan one night and go up to Rantu Abang the next. There is a nice Hyatt on the beach in Kuantan. There is a great hotel in Rantu Abang called the Tanjang Jara Resort. This is a gorgeous resort, built of teak in Malaysia long-house style. They are part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which gives you some idea the quality. The diving is the world-class, you can hire boats for the day to go out into the South China Sea. I could not find a website for the hotel, but they are in the website for Small Luxury Hotels of the World at: slh.com
If you are going from end October through March, the weather is not good on this side of Malaysia, so head either for Bali or for the west coast of Malaysia.
Jun 5th, 2003, 12:36 PM
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Thank you so much for your suggestions...I will take a look at all possibilities...I would prefer to be under an hour flight time, as I will just be off a flight from NYC; seeking luxury on a beach...
Jun 18th, 2003, 04:34 AM
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If you are simply looking for a luxurious hotel on a lovely beach then you should consider Bintan. It is part of Indonesia but very easily reached from Simgapore by a 5 minute taxi journey from the Airport to Ferry terminal and then a 20 minute journey on a modern catamaran to Bintan. Hotel transfers are about 10 mins at the other end and arranged by the hotel. It's not authentic Indonesia by any means and it's mostly hotel based with some limited touristy things to do, however if you are looking for a relaxing, luxurious,close and cheap (by Singapore standards) resort then Bintan would be suitable. We stayed at the Bintan Lagoon Resort as a stopover from an exhausting Australia trip. It has about 7 restaurants and bars and a golf course and sports centre wihtin the complex. The room cost about $70 per night. Total relaxation and with friendly Indonesian service.
