Where to next
 

I just came back from Tibet ,Nepal,and New Delhi. Ive been to Singapore,HongKong,Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hoi an,Ha Long Bay ,Bangkok, Golden triangle,Kuala Lumpur,Phuket, Panang, Myanmar,Bombay, Jaipur,Cochin, Sri Lanka,Ankor Wat. Ok i think thats it. On these trips i usually have a tour guide and driver.I stay at good hotels for most of the time although in Tibet it got a little interesting.I really enjoy sightseeing , walking around and occasionally driving over land to different towns. This worked perfectly in Tibet where i was able to drive from Lhasa to Kathmandu over the course of a week or so along the friendship highway.I also drove from Bagan(Myanmar) to Rangoon which was also very good with stops along the way. I LOVE southeast asia and the area and all it has to offer. Does anybody have any good suggestions for my next trip which will be about 18 days of vacation.I would rather go away during Chrismas and New Years but that can be changed. Also i would rather travel when the weather will be warm at the destination.Should i go to Southern India or maybe China or Laos. Im also not shy about traveling to several different countrys by plane if needed.I need to figure some kind of plan so when my girlfriend says lets go to South America , i can have and alternative .Thanks for your suggestions and i will look forward to your responces.

If I haven't missed something, it sounds like you haven't been anywhere in Indonesia and the only Malaysia destination I saw was Penang. I didn't see Bangkok listed, though I'm guessing you've been there given your other destinations (If you haven't I highly recommend it as a stop). I also didn't see Laos listed.

I've only been to Luang Prabang and the surrounding area in Laos, but it's on my list for a return visit.

Indonesia has an incredible diversity of cultures and experiences. I love central Java, Bali is unique, I enjoyed Lombok, and there are many other places in Indonesia I haven't yet visited, but I certainly want to (like Sumatra).

There are lots of options in Malaysia as well. Given that you are fairly adventuresome, may I suggest Malaysian Borneo? We had a wonderful time there last year, and there are plenty of places there we didn't get to. (I have a trip report on it called Kathie's Borneo Trip Report, so do a search).

By the way, I hope you will post a trip report on you latest trip for all of us to read!

Wow! You have definitely seen a lot of places! I visited China in April, and had a wonderful experience. I did go on a tour, considering I was traveling alone, and it was my first time out of the U.S. Needless to say, I saw the areas that China is known for...the great wall, terra-cotta soldiers, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, People's Great Hall, Suzhou, Tongli, and ended in Shanghai. I recommend China to anyone. It was very interesting to see old buildings next to brand new ones. I absolutely loved it!

Thanks for the replys. Kathie, yes i have been to Bangkok. I have been reading your responces for some time about Laos and how much you enjoyed it. Your suggestions are great and i will start to do my homework on all of them. Did you find Indonesia to be safe? also im not a good typer so a travel report would be difficult, but if anybody has any questions please feel free to ask...

I've not worried about safety in Indonesia, but you'll have to decide whether you'll feel comfortable. Unfortunately, the current state department warnings have as more to do with politics than real dangers, in my opinion. Use common sense. If you are concerned about terrorism, well, the whole point of terrorism is that you can't predict where it's going to happen.

bali would appeal to both of you...

there are many other options in indonesia and also in malaysia...

i do not see shanghai listed or xian...or beijing for that matter either....

What about Japan and Viet Nam? Papua New Guinea is a little farther afield but absolutely wonderful.

By the way, South America has some great destinations, too.

Most of the regulars on this board ignore the Philippines- and thats a mistake in my opinion. Do a earch on this board for my first trip report in March of 2005- I think you will see that there are many intertesting things to do there and everyone speaks English so language is not a problem Also the US$ goes a long long way.

I will certainly check out your plilippine report. Japan is possible and ive already been to Vietnam and of course loved every minute. Actually Vietnam is still my favorite country.

While I've been to almost every place you mentioned, my love affair with SE Asia began with a trip to Indonesia in 1992. We went to Bali, Java and spent an idyllic week in Toraja land in Sulawesi. In late 1996, I made it over to Lombok for the first time (a second time in 2002) and then on to Komodo and Flores, with the islands in between. Drove the length of the north/south highway through Sumatra in early 1996 (from Padang to Lake Toba). It probably remains my favorite country in the world, even more than Italy. Go for it!! As to the terrorist risks, I think they are small, there are good people everywhere, and life is a risk!! Bali is heaven on earth, IF you get inland and away from Kuta and the beach. areas !!

Loads of wonderful places still to see in India. Otherwise - yes, Laos or, as Kathie suggests, Borneo. Or maybe SW China?

I've never been to the Philippines - they've been on the list for years - but not sure they quite fit the car with driver mould being an archipelago. Still you could concentrate on one island.

Not sure why, but I was underwhelmed by Bali - guess it depends on previous experiences.

There's always Australia for something completely different.

And South America too. Or even Africa - hey, why not?

Ghana....or Salvador,Brazil....Happy Travels!

thanks for the suggestions . please feel free to keep them coming.

well im starting this thread again as i was in India and Bhutan in Jan. now im getting the urge to book another trip. for some reason im hooked on s e asia.i know why, cause its great. i actually thought about egypt and jordon for something different or even iran and syria. ok indonesia is certainly at the top but airfare may be high so i need to keep that in mind but i could probably make up for it with inexpensive hotels. i have to be happy with my decision so anybody want to push me in a direction....

Indonesia has so much variety! And it is an inexpensive destination once you get there.

You might also want to consider Sri Lanka. There is still a lot of political upheaval there, so you'd have to decide how you feel about travling there.

thanks Kathy, looks like airfare will be about 1700 $ , maybe not too bad ! but any comments on china air ?

you can google reviews for airlines. www.airlinequality.com and others come up.