Where to go in September/October?
 

My parents have expressed interest in going to South East Asia for the first time in September or October and I was wondering what kind of itinerary they should follow. They would be going for 3 weeks.

They will be flying in and out of Hong Kong and are interested in visiting Thailand but they're worried about the rain. I went to Thailand last November and got rain everyday, but it was only in the late afternoon/evening and it never lasted long so I can't complain. One thing's for sure, they want to spend at least a week on a beach somewhere. Bali would also be interesting...

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

Dino

I kinda mapped out this itinerary given the flying routes on Air Asia:

Arrive in Hong Kong, spend 2-3 nights
Fly to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and spend 2-3 nights
(if going in Sept/Oct) Fly to Bali for 7-10 nights
(if going in November) Fly to Krabi for 7-10 nights
Fly to Bangkok for some crazy shopping for 2-3 night
Fly back to Hong Kong for 1 night before flying back home

Remember that two nights is only one full day. So I'd suggest not less than 3 nights in anywhere.

This itinerary has a lot of flying. I'd suggest one less location.

So - if Sept/Oct
3 nights Hong Kong
3 nights Singapore I much prefer Singapore to KL - more to do and see.
10 nights Bali, split between a beach location and a location near Ubud.
at least 3 nights Bangkok, more if possible.

If November
3 nights Hong Kong
3 nights Singapore
7 nights Krabi (less to do/see than Bali)
4 or more nights Bangkok.

the later they go the better.... i do not suggest september at all... at least any place in thailand..

bali would be fab in both months...

I usually go in October and never see rain. Temps are good too.

Too many nights in Krabi. Do 3-4 nites there and make it a week in bkk!

Koh Samui is another option for the beach part of our trip. From what I've read it should be pretty dry in September. It's also closer to our other destinations...

I don't know that I would say that Koh Samui is dry in Sept... 8.2 inches of rain. Earlier in the month would probably be better.

I use www.weatherbase.com for info on usual weather patterns.

Really, if the trip is Sept/Oct, you are much better off in Bali than in Thailand. I don't know when Mango has been in Thailand in October, but every time I've been there that early (we usually go Nov/Dec) we've had a LOT of rain. Bangkok averages 9.1 inches of rain in October.

Bali most magical for me Phuket area www.sawadee.com #2

www.komaneka.com

Monkey Forest Ubud best area

spend lots of time there

www.monkeyforestubud.com

still monsoon time on the wane try to bump

to a later month in the fall like Nov-Dec if you can.

Singpore BKK superior shopping

www.betterbidding.com for GREAT 5* hotels from $50

bidding priceline works best for me.

Happy planning,

Note that what priceline calls 5 star you might call 3 star... buyer beware!