What to do with three extra nights in SE Asia?
 

We will be taking our first trip to Asia in March 2008. We are an American couple, fairly well-traveled, and will be 28 and 31 years old at that time.

We have the following flights booked with FF miles...
Flying into Tokyo arriving on March 5
Tokyo-HK on March 7
BKK-Tokyo-home on March 17

We need help in determining what to do with our 10 nights between HK and BKK. We want to spend at least 3 nights in HK and 4 in BKK.

I have come up with four options:

<b>1) 4 nights in HK and 6 nights in BKK</b>
This would give us more time to see things in and out of BKK including a cooking class and trip to Ayutthaya...

<b>2) 3 nights in HK, 3 nights in Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), and 4 nights in BKK</b>
We don't know much about AW, but reading about it on this site has really intrigued me...

<b>3) 3 nights in HK, 3 nights in Koh Samui, and 4 nights in BKK</b>
Seems easy logistically but I don't know if KS is right for us...

<b>4) 3 nights in HK, 3 nights in Khao Lak (Phuket airport), and 4 nights in BKK.</b>
From KL we would take a trip to the Similan islands and maybe a 1/2 day elephant ride in the jungle...

Since our time is quite limited, we definitely want to get from HK to our destination in one day. Since flights out of HK to these destinations depart later in the day, it would be nearly impossible to get to Phi Phi Island, for example.

We enjoy food, scenery, beautiful sights, culture, in that order, probably. My parents live on a beach in Florida so we don't care about beaches unless the scenery or some other aspects make it different. We do like to swim and plan to do so at our BKK hotel if nowhere else.

We do want to see elephants at some point on this trip. Also we have booked Tong for two days in BKK.

Any opinions or pros/cons? What would you choose?

Thanks so much.
Liz

If you're not seeking a beach holiday, I would eliminate plans (3) and (4). I would go with (2) to Cambodia or go to Luang Prubang, depending on your interest. I'm not a city person, so I would even eliminate a day off each of HKK and BKK and spend it in one of the above 2 places, but that's my personal preference.

Thanks cmenoni....

We are not opposed to a beach if it has different scenery (Khao Lak and the Similans look striking...)

Any other opinions?

I haven't been to either, but Ankor Wat and Laos are awesome. The beaches around Krabi/Ao Nang/Railey and on to Phi Phi all offer beautiful scenery.

I'd opt for either Angkor or Luang Prabang, Laos. Either would be a fabulous, unforgettable experience.

photos may help you decide: www.marlandc.com

Is it possible to get from HK to Luang Prabang in one day? I cannot find a connection...

But I have figured out that I can fly HK- Krabi in one day, connecting through BKK on Thai Airways...

The only airline that flies from Bangkok to LP is Bangkok Air. You'll have to check their schedule.

I vote for option 2.

Or option 5:
4 nights in Hong Kong and 6 more nights in Japan

Tim and Liz - when we were traveling in January I looked at flying HK to REP - Siem Reap Airlines flies there (via PP on one day) 3 days a week - here's their schedule

http://www.siemreapairways.com/timet...estination=rep

Well....clearly I should read your post first......sorry - thought you were asking about REP not LPQ.

It looks as though Vietnam Air flies from HKG to LPQ via Hanoi - maybe that can be accomplished in one day?

I think we've ruled out options 2 and 3. I think Cambodia deserves more time than we have... I know we'll be back to SE Asia and are saving it (and Laos) for next time. Also Koh Samui isn't what we're looking for.

I do have another option, and I think this may be just perfect...

Fly HK to BKK and take the 2-night, 3-day Manohra cruise to Ayutthaya. Then spend 5 additional nights (four full days) in and around BKK.
http://www.manohracruises.com/s_journey.php

You could certainly spend 6 full days in Bangkok and not run out of things to do. My first trip to Thailand was 9 days in Bangkok. I became addicted and now return to some time in Bangkok almost every year. Personally, I wouldn't spend that much time on the Manohra cruise. If you want to go to Ayutthya, you can do it as a day trip.

Thanks for your advice, Kathie. I really appreciate it. I will talk with Tim this week about whether we should skip a beach, take the cruise, or just spend all of our time in BKK. I can see pros and cons for each option!

I vote for option 2. If you're interested in seeing siem reap do it now, it's changing drastically.

Go to Angkor/Siem Reap.

I have completely changed my mind and am now planning on going to Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat for 3 nights. Thank you to everyone who recommended it... I have been reading about it for the past two days and am quite excited now!

Liz

Hi Liz - I don't think you'll regret that decision!

Here's a link to our blog

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/2...wat/index.html

The temples at Angkor are really stunning. Enjoy!

Oh Elizabeth, I have enjoyed reading your blog so much. We traveled to NZ last year and it brought back many good memories... Also I have loved the Asia sections and have passed on the link to friends and family who are heading there as well. Thank you for putting it together-- please know that it is very interesting (and helpful) reading!!

Kathie- Angkor just seems like the perfect thing for us! Thanks again for your replies to my questions so far-- there will be more in the next 9 months :)