I was fortunate enough to be awarded a trip for two to Malaysia from my work. I work in a spa in Hawaii and the management team that runs our spa also runs a spa in Malaysia and will be running one that is being built and will open in April. So we get to go there and spend 3 or 4 days at each of them. One is Pangkor Laut and the other is going to be in Cameron Highlands. My husband and I are very excited. We have never been to that part of the world and would like to see as much as we can in the short time we will have there. I have done a tiny bit or research so far (I actually came home the night of the party that I was given the trip and stated looking things up right then!). The company will get us to Kuala Lumpur, to the two places I mentioned and home. I would like us to spend a little more time on our own, say another 10 days. I would like us to spend A LOT more time but we don’t have that luxury and need to plan for the time we can spend. I think a few days in KL would be great and then from there to Siem Reap for a few days and maybe Chaing Mai for a few. Does this sound do-able? Will it be to rushed? What about airfare from KL to SR and then on to CM and back to KL? Book here wait or until we get there? Waiting makes me nervous but I have talked to people that say it is cheap & easy to do. I need any and all advice you can give me. Last year we did a Mediterranean trip I planned and it was wonderful so I know I can plan it . I love that part too. I just need lots of direction. Thanks in advance for all input.
Ginger

Have you decided that Chaing Mai and Siem Reap are the two places you want to go in addition to your Malaysian destinations?

There is no question that the temples at Angkor are stunning. Frankly, I find CM to be rather dull. Doi Suthep is wonderful, but I could leave the rest (there are others on this board who are enthusiastic about CM). If it were me, and I wasn't staying in Malaysia, I might choose Bangkok and Siem Reap for my extra time.

I'd suggest that you do some research about other parts of Malaysia. I've recently returned from a trip to Malaysian Borneo where I stayed in a lodge the rainforest and saw orangutans in the wild. You can find my trip report by doing a searh or clicking on my name and finding it. It's called Kathie's Borneo Trip report. It may give you some ideas about other things you might enjoy in Malaysia.

hi gingerqueen

this opinion is biased as i am malaysian but i do think there is enough in malaysia to occupy all that time especially if you are adventurous and want to climb mountains or go to some spectacular caves or include diving.

however, if you do want to add siem reap and chiang mai to your itinerary, then the budget airline air asia is flying both places. the fares are very cheap but quite a few people experience delays with the flight. mostly short delays but one forum member was unfortunate enough to have her flight delayed for 11 hours!!

they are giving away 2 million free tickets at the moment (exc for taxes) so may still be worthwhile looking into.

check out http://www.airasia.com

Thanks for your quick respones Kathie & Hornbil. No, we haven't really decided what we want to do.That is why we will take any suggestions into account. I have ordered a book or two about Malaysia and plan to read up. Siem Reap was really apealing to me personally, Chaing Mai was suggested. I did read your Borneo trip report, Kathie. Fantastic! It sounds a little more than we are up for. My husband heard the word leech and freaked out! lol I really appreciate the suggestions. Maybe more time in Malaysia and one side trip then?If not Borneo than where else. I know I should wait until I read up more but excitment prompts me to get info here as well. I did check out the fares at asiair. We were thinking of going in October but some of the free fares end then so maybe we will move it up to September. How do you feel about waiting till you are there to make air reservations to say Cambodia?
Again thanks a millon for sharing with me.
Mele Kalikimaka - Merry Christmas!!!
Ginger

The leeches really aren't bad. Tell your husband that it's kind of a badge of honor if he actually gets a leech to bite him. lol

I finally got the book on Malaysia I ordered from Amazon. com. It took forever to get here probably because of the holidays. Anyway, now I am more confused than ever! I do think that there is plenty to do in Malaysia without going anywhere else. I did have my heart set on Siem Reap but I am re-thinking it. From all the reading I’ve done is seems that you don’t want to run around too much. So please help with an itinerary that would work for our limited time. I am thinking that we need 2 or 3 days in KL. As I said before we are going to Pangkor Laut for 3 or 4 days and then to Cameron Highlands for 3 or 4 days. We would like to spend another 5 but where? Should we go to Kuching, or KK? Or is this too much. Or maybe a just few days in Penang? I just can’t decide. Help!
Ginger

There is definitely more to do in Panang than the Cameron Highlands. We really enjoyed Penang. I don't think you need 4 days in The Cameron Highlands. I can understand making the choices as I had the same problem when I planned our trip to Malaysia.
What ever you decide you will find it interesting and enjoyable.

If you opt for a city in Malaysian Borneo, I'd recommend Kuching over Kota Kinabalu.

Oops - hit post too soon.

As I understand your trip, your time in Pangkor Laut and In the Cameron Highlands is fixed. You'd like a few days in KL which makes sense since you have to transit through KL in any case. So you have another 5 days and want to chose one place. I think there are lots of places you can choose that would be really interesting and a good contrast to the places you are already visiting. But just choose one place. You are already doing a lot of moving around!

Gingerqueen, please don't rule out the whole of Borneo on the basis of maybe coming across a few leeches. I agree that if you based yourself in Kuching it would be a pity not to explore the rainforests and lodges, but if you go to KK instead, there are plenty of interesting daytrips to take without going anywhere near a leech.

We spent 5 noghts in KL and 11 nights in KK in April 2004 and although we saw plenty of wildlife, leeches were definitely NOT on the list! Some of the photos of our trip are at http://tinyurl.com/9qoy7

Thanks again for the input. It is hard to pick a place since they all sound wonderful. I am still researching. I recieved book # 2 in the mail today and it has much more of what I was looking for as far as explaining where everything is and what there is to see & do in each place. Now I guess I just need to make a decision!!! I'll let you know.
Xenos the pictures were great . Thanks.

aughgghhh! I'm sooo envious!

Have fun!

OK. The decision had been made. We are going to go to Kuching! There are a lot of things there that appeal to me. I think it will be a good addition to our trip. We will be staying 5 days. I thought we could spend one night at Bako National Park - (if I can talk my husband into it. NO leeches please! lol) and I think we can fill up the rest easily. I would like to do a river cruise. I would like to see the Orang- utan sanctuary. I read that the Sarawak cultural Village was good to visit as well. Now I am wondering where is a good place to stay and should we use a tour company for some of the excursions we would like to do. The book (Frommers) recommends that you do and gives the names of Borneo Adventures & Telang Usan travel & tours. Anyone familiar with either of these?
We are both directionally challenged and usually do opt for guided tours when we travel as long as the tour groups are small.
I thank you again for all the input so far and look forward to hearing any new ideas.
Mahalo,
Ginger

Ginger, you can easily book any tours you want once you get to Kuching. There are lots of reputable tour companies and the prices will be less than half what you would pay by booking in advance. You can also choose a group excursion or an individual tour when you make arrangements in Kuching.

Kuching is quite charming. I plan to return. We stayed at the Hilton, which was lovely and had a great view of the river and the shophouses. I'm not generally fan of Hilton hotels, but this one was very nice. Do stay on the Club floor if you can, the amenities are worthwhile. I could spend days just wandering around town.

Thanks Kathie, I am a planner. It is hard for me to wait! But I will listen to the experts. We will wait until we get there to set up tours and such. I had read another post re: the Hilton. I will check it out. Thanks agin for all the guidance. It was really helpful.
Mahalo,
Ginger