I have 8 or 9 days to spend in SE Asia after I am done with travel in Singapore. I have been to Thailand a few times and love the relaxing beaches, savory foods, and kind people. I am tempted to go back. (Comfort in what I know.) However, I feel I should expand my horizons and visit either Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia. Quiet beaches are a bonus and accommodations can range from bungalows to hotels. (I was leaning toward the southern part of Vietnam but have heard conflicting stories.) What would you do with your 8 or 9 days .... help!!!!!!!

All are possibilities.

The easy answer is Indonesia. 8 or 9 days is perfect for a trip to Bali. Spend part of your time at a beach location and part inland, near Ubud. Or stay one place in Bali and take a couple of days for a trip to central Java to see Borobudor.

Malaysia has lots of options. We had a marvelous time in the Georgetown area of Penang. Or, consider Malaysian Borneo. I have trip reports posted here for both trips.

VN has lots to see and do, and if it were me, I'd wait until I had more time for VN.

What time of the year are you traveling?

i second bali as a perfect destination but it may depend on which month you travel...

another alternative might be langkawi in malaysia which you could combine with a visit to penang

Bali. Happy Travels!

Thank you everyone. And Kathie, I was hoping that you'd respond to me as I read many of your insightful trip reports. I leave Singapore on November 8th and fly to TBD and stay thru the 18th. In regards to Bali, I have yet to research and am running out to get a guide book today. Again, any input you have on Bali is a big, big help to me. (I thought Ubud was crowded with young people and parties. I am 41 and although not a bore, I enjoy the quite and almost secluded beaches ... kind of roughing it with my backpack.) In Thailand, I enjoyed the less crowded beaches on Koh Chang and northern shores of Koh Phangan. Anything like this in Bali???

The young people partying place on Bali is Kuta beach. Ubud is a small town inland, among the rice terraces. I don't recommend you stay right in town (though some people like it), but staying outside of Ubud overlooking the river or the terraces is lovely. In many ways, Ubud is the cultural center of Bali. The accessability of the unique Balinese culture is for me, the reason to visit Bali.

On Bali, I like Sanur for a beach town. Or, if you want lovely uncrowded beaches, think about Lombok. The beaches are nicer that Bali beaches, and the culture on Lombok is different. On lombok, we stayed at Qunci Villas, about US$70 a night, which was wonderful. Bob and Karen stayed there this past year and loved it as well.

Thanks Kathie! You are a savior. I will look into Ubud and Sanur. You said the culture is different in Lombok .. good different or bad different?

Just different.

Bali is the only Hindu area of Indonesia. The culture there is very accessible - you'll see temple celebrations as you drive through villages and will be invited to join. Each village has a different craft tradition, and there is much to see and do.

Lombok is primarily Muslim. It is less visited, less impacted by tourism. It has some interesting ethnic groups that have retained their lifeways. We visited several very interesting villages, and were able to observe some interesting silk weaving and a traditional pottery.

Some people go to Lombok just for the lovely beaches, and you can do that. But there is culture to experience there as well, but it's not as much in front of you as it is in Bali.

I agree that a combination of Java and Bali would be a nice way to spend 8 or 9 days.

Bali as an island has a lot of beaches, but they're not as quiet and pristine as they are in parts of Thailand. I personally like the Seminyak area because it's a long, sandy beach with big waves and a lot of activity and also near many restaurants, shops and spas. There are others, especially in the east and north of Bali, that are more quiet but they tend to be black volcanic sand or somewhat scruffy. Many of the newer resorts are being built on the cliffs overlooking the sea.

There are zillions of places to stay in Bali -- on the beach or inland -- at all price ranges. A few days on the beach soaking up some sun, a few days in the Ubud area soaking up the culture is a good balance.

Lombok has some very nice beaches, but I'm less generous about the culture there. It's a very depressed area -- economically and sociallya; I would recommend the beach but wouldn't consider it a destination -- like Java -- for arts and crafts or cultural tourism.

sissy,

Don't know what you mean by TBD? Where is?

But if you are serious about "roughing it with your backpack" then I would stay in Malaysia. Go travel!!

Buses are fantastic. From Singapore you can take one over to Johor Bahru and from there you can go almost anywhere. For a fabulous beach check out the Perhentians.

Bali is fun too if you get out of the tourist traps.

So it really depends on how much you want to "rough it" as I'm not sure what your definition of "roughing it" is.

Cheers.