 What to do?? Help! |
What to do?? Help! |
What to do?? Help!AsiaTopic Type: Help | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What to do in Southeast Asia for 5 weeks! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K A K Post Count: 7 Msg: #1 77 days ago, May 10th 2008 | My wife and I are quitting our jobs and taking two months to travel in Asia. Itinerary as follows: | 6/4 - 6/11 (7 days), Japan 6/11 - 6/25 (14 days), South Korea 6/25 - 7/30 (35 days), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos We are planning to spend our first 5-6 days in Thailand, then the next 5 days in Cambodia. After Cambodia we were alotting ourselves 12 days to sightsee from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. From Hanoi we were going to fly into Vientiane. Then spend 5 days in Laos. From Laos we woudl finish up the rest of the trip in Chiang Mai down to Bangkok. We are wondering what we should do specifically for the Vietnam portion of the trip since we heard travel is slow. We also wouldn't mind input on any of the other portions of the trip. We have all the lonely planet books and are doing our research, but it would be nice to hear input from someone who has been there recently. Any help and/or suggestions no matter how brief would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Kyle and Angy  Debtravel Debbie Cooper Post Count: 112 Msg: #2 77 days ago, May 10th 2008 | If you're going to Vietnam it would be worth considering going north from Hanoi to the mountainous region of Sapa - you can book a 2/3 day trip from Hanoi (it takes you back to Hanoi). We did it through a place called the Kangaroo Cafe which does good tours; they also do 2/3 day boat tours to Halong Bay. | Between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, I'd recommend especially Hue, and also Hoi An. You can go overnight from Hue to Hanoi on a sleeper train, and you can take a bus between Hoi An and Hue (think it's about 5-6 hours, can't quite remember). Travel is actually fine in Vietnam, we didn't have any problem at all. Laos is beautiful! really try and make more time there, if you can, it's a lovely country. If you can make it up to Luang Prabang, that's a really nice town - in between there's Phonsovan, which'll take you to the Plain of Jars, well worth seeing. Thailand I would really recommend Sukothai and Ayuthaya for some really good Buddhist ruins, and the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi - stay in one of the little raft houses on the Kwai, where you get a hammock on your terrace! Maybe more info than you wanted, but hope it's helpful  Mell Mel Fla Post Count: 2738 Msg: #3 76 days ago, May 11th 2008 | Hello K :) | For Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos I suggest you get a copy of the Lonely Planet guide for SE Asia. It includes all those countries and gives suggested itineries as well as information about accomodation, money, safety, transport....... It is available in most book shops around the world and cost around 30 Euros. Mel Simen Simen TO Post Count: 7 Msg: #4 76 days ago, May 11th 2008 | As Mel suggested, Lonely Planet is a very goog help when travelling in SE Asia. They have mentioned everything worth doing. Try also to talk with the locals and other turists/backpackers and ask for suggestions what to do. Thay usually have many activities that are'nt mantioned in the Lonely Planet. | If you like diving, Koh Tao is one of the best places in the world to dive. Lots to see and discover. Aboulutely on of the highlights on my trip. In the North of Thailand, Chiang Mai, you can also visit local tribes like lingnecks, big ears and black teeth. An interesting experience for everyone. Hope I helped :) Simen Hazels mum Naomi Post Count: 9 Msg: #5 68 days ago, May 19th 2008 | 12 days between Hanoi and HCMC will be rushed and I would strongly recommend you fly at least some of the way. I did the trip in 2 weeks: one day HCMC, 2 days Mekong delta, flew to Danang, taxi to Hoi An including extensive sightseeing around Danang before arriving Hoi An, 5 days Hoi An including day trip to My Son, bus to Hue, 2 days Hue, overnight bus to Hanoi (which I would not recommend), 3 days Hanoi. | I felt rushed and by the time I got to Hanoi I just wanted to chill for a few days, which I did rather than rush off to Halong Bay etc. I definitely regretted not doing a hilltribe trip to Sapa, but you are going to Laos and Chiang Mai, so you have the option of visiting hilltribes in those locations instead. You are fitting alot of countries into one trip, I'd probably concentrate on one or two places per country only or you'll be suffering travel fatigue and start hating the locals for no other reason than you're exhausted and sick of being touted. Pack your sense of humour, lots of patience, and remember to take three deep breaths and smile whenever temper raises its ugly head. enjoy your trip!! [Edited: 08:26 - Hazels mum ] Number of Users: 5 | Number of Posts: 5 | |||||||||||||
