Suzy_Q

Hi all,

My husband and I (in our late 20's) are in the early stages of planning a trip for late June or July for approx 10 days. We really want to see a part of Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are all under consideration. We're open to Cambodia and other locations. We'd be flying from New York.

Looking at the posts, I see that even 2 months is too little, but with ~10 days what would you suggest? We want a mix of lots of culture with a little city and little beach thrown in, and of course, good weather. Given the short timeframe, we want traveling between locations to be relatively short. Your help is much appreciated!

Smeagol

Then i would pick one country and stick with that, otherwise you will see a lot of airports and not really SEE anything.

Have a read thru some brohures see which country appeals the most and then we and go from there. Have you been to Thailand?
Bangkok and one of the islands could be a good choice.

Suzy_Q

We haven't been to Thailand, or any country in the region for that matter. Which one country would you suggest for our trip length?

Indonesia seems the most interesting, but it looks like it is very big and we do not have enough time. We were leaning towards Malaysia - seeing Kaula Lampur, Penang and Langkawi.

Kathie

You can have a wonderful trip in 10 days if you limit the number of stops. I like Smeagol's suggestion of choosing one country. Thailand is a very easy intro to Asia with warm people, great tourist infrastructure and lots of variety.

If you have 10 full days on the ground, you could even have time in Bangkok, a beach and a stop in Northern Thailand in that time.

Or, you might consider Bali. With 10 days, you could even make a short trip to central Java to visit Borobudor.

Kathie

Your plan for Malaysia is certianly a possibility. We loved our time in Georgetown, Penang (stay st the E&O if you can). Langkawi is a nice beach resort. I find KL a bit boring, frankly. But for a first trip, those three destination would work fine.

Smeagol

I agree with Kathie, I loved Penang (didn't love the E & O but it was nice) Langkawi is ok for beach,(Bon Ton Resort is FABULOUS, for SUPER LUXE try the Datai) KL is alright, my least favourite SE Asian city though, but OK for a short trip.

Suzy_Q

Would you suggest we replace KL with Singapore instead? I definitely want to see Penang. Would you recommend another beach/resort area in the country? If not, is there another area you would suggest we see instead? We are ready to skip the beach aspect.

We did look at Thailand, but for some reason it didn't excite us too much. I guess we are looking for something slightly off the beaten path. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Smeagol

Malayasia is not really off the beaten path.
Tell us what is THE most important aspects of a holiday for you and what you want to do (be realistic its 10 days) and we can help further.

If it were me (and it isn't) and i was a first timer to SE Asia i would do BKK and maybe Koh Samui (as you are going in our summer and the weather is generally better on the east coast then)
However, I have just come back from Luang Prabang in Laos and this is my MOST favourite place i have visited so far (i have been to Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and HK in SE Asia) not as extensivly traveled as many of the posters here but Laos could be one to look at, an AMAZING place.
Thirdly Singapore, Penang, Langkawi would be a nice trip but not off the beaten path but i wouldn't let that trouble you too much.

Zeer

Bali with some time spent on Java would be my choice for a mixture of beaches or resorts followed by some culture in a country that relatively few overseas tourists venture to.

Vietnam while stunning can be a bit stressful at times, Malaysia certainly has some pretty nice places or you can simply go to Thailand, following a well worn tourist trail as half the world seems to do, providing of course nothing much eventuates from the current state of affairs there.

marmot

Every country in Southeast Asia has its own personality so it's difficult to rank, but for 10 days my top choices would be Bangkok + Thai beach or Bali + Singapore or Hong Kong.

Angkor is a spectacular, must see experience, but combining it with another country is complicated logistically for a 10 day trip. For me, Malaysia wouldn't be among the top contenders.

If you can afford business class the SQ nonstop from Newark to Singapore is a great way to start. Also CX to Hong Kong in any class is convenient with good connections to Bali and most of Southeast Asia.

June/July weather in Bali is very good. You'd get a good deal of arts/culture and nature, but not the city aspect. Borobudur/Central Java is a good combination with Bali, but although Yogyakarta is in a densely populated area it isn't a city in the same sense as Singapore, Hong Kong or Bangkok.

Bali IS well traveled but it still has that magical, mystical aura about it. You can delve as deep as you wish.

rhkkmk

if you have never been to SEA before then certainly thailand is the easiest place to visit that offers in a very small area all those things which you have mentioned...

singapore is a fabulous city state but basically very sterile... think a combo of las vegas and nyc and disney with everything clean and tidy and full of asian people...

K/L really offers very little for the tourist...

in thailand you could spend time at the beginning and at the end in bkk....huge city but very interesting....i would then plan to go to a beach area: khoa lak, krabi, hua hin or parts of phuket for a few days and then return to bkk for the remainder....keep it simple..

airlines from nyc are endless: eva, ANA, korean, united, american, japan, canada, delta, air france, luftansa, brit air, emerites and very good service by finn air...

Suzy_Q

Thanks everyone. We're going to take a look into Bangkok + Bali or Bali + Java seem like good options from what you're telling me and what I've been reading. I'll take a deeper look and be back with more questions. Thanks again!

AskOksena

>>>If you can afford business class the SQ nonstop from Newark to Singapore is a great way to start.<<<

(Couldn't agree more, 'marmot' - SQ EWR-SIN 'all-J' product, not so bad.)


Now, warm early morning greetings, 'suzyq' (love your handle), and congrats on your forthcoming SE Asia journey. Should your budget be on 'high side', well, those sensational Singapore Girls can fly you rather elegantly to sweet SIN. Check out that singaporeair dot com and SIA newsletter; on occasion, 'special' fares.

A little promo for Singapore (the primary work/home for the past several months); the sweet city-state does have a few discreet 'nightspots', some lovely neighbourhoods, and a fine 'expat' community, a bit off the 'tourist trail'.

After ~ 4 days of fun in SIN, keep the party rolling with SQ J (check out those SIN SilverKris lounges) to Bali or Bangkok. (Re, the latter: most discreet evening venues, more neighbourhoods, and more fun-loving expats - your secrets are safe with me.)

All the best to you, suzyq, from a certain cherished lounge, and early weekend wishes to all.

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ..,

robertobloise

Hi, We were just in Bali for almost a month and later two days in Singapore and are now in Thailand.
Bali, I would not go unless you are in for party time in Kuta or have a lot of money to stay in Nusa Dua, a very fancy resourt area. I would recommend a couple of days in Sinpagore and later go to Thailand. Phuket and islands around are very nice and Chiang Mai excellent (we are here now). From here, we are not sure where to go next , maybe Vitnam , Hanoi and HCMC.
Hope I helped and if I can help with anything else, please let me know. Enjoy your trip!

Ayidth

Last year I made a trip from Bangkok travelling by rail to Malaysia, through the eastern part of Malaysia and terminating in Singapore. Lots of interesting places along the way. Can also come from Thailand to Butterworth for Penang then on to KL and Singapore. www.seat61.com for more info.

Ayidth

From Chiang Mai you can take a direct flight to Yangon...

Kathie

Roberto, I wouldn't stay in Nusa Dua if you paid me! It's a totally sterile tourist enclave. If you want a taste of Bali you wouldn't go to either Kuta or Nusa Dua. Those are the two places in Bali I always tell people to avoid. Sorry you didn't find Bali in the month you spent there.

kuluk

Kathie: You took the words right out of my keyboard! As an Ubudian I am always surprised when people mostly mention Nusa Dua or Kuta/Legian/Seminyak, as if the entire island were limited to these places.

Suzy-Q, for a short trip like that I would go with either Bali or Thailand. Singapore would be ok for a one or two night transit stop but it's not very "Southeast Asia." I go there frequently but since you have only 10 days I wouldn't use it up on cities. A lot really depends also on what you want to see and do. P.S. The cool season is on in Bali right now until about September. Love it!

SDGlenn

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents on Vietnam, which has lovely beaches and decent nightlife in places like Nha Trang. Very inexpensive (especially if you want to eat shrimp all the time, or purchase silk items that make China look pricey). A great place to spend a week.

On the other extreme, and not necessarily expensive, the temples at Bangkok are incredible. A little dicey right now, but well worth looking at down the road.