3 months in South East Asia next summer. Where to go?!

Why don't you try including the Philippines in your itinerary? c",) Try Palawan. I'm just not sure if there's a direct flight to the province from Indonesia. Reply to this

"Can anyone help? I've searched like crazy but a lot of the trips people make in South East Asia seem to exclude Indonesia! Thanks in advance guys."
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A lot depends on what you want to do. Except for Bali, Jakarta and a couple other areas popular with tourists if you are a party person, someone who wants to sample the nightlife you might do better in Thailand or even the Philippines. Less religious restrictions governing your life too! If you are a woman, Bali is very popular with women tourists but not only for the Kuta Cowboys. You have to do some research to see if you need a visa too. Also, how long will you be on holiday? If you are traveling long distance it doesn't pay to only stay a few days. Another night or two in a cheap hotel is not that much more expensive.

Since it is the end of June now I suppose you mean to leave in June next year. At least you have a year to do some more research. As far as where to start also depends on where you are coming from. If you are from the US or Europe get your plane tickets several months ahead of time for the summer flights. The difference between flying from the US in March or September compared to June through early August can be a thousand dollars difference if you wait until the last minute to buy your flight!

I have been to Bali and worked in Sumbawa Besar on a charity project but before the terrorists problems in Timor and the bars being blown up in Bali. If you intend to visit Indonesia then start in Jakarta or Bali (Den Pasar) and also fly home from that same starting point. Run the prices and see which city will be the cheapest to fly from your country. If you intend to fly into one city and fly home from another city make sure you check the price of a round trip ticket compared to a single one way flight. Some one way flights going overseas may be the same price as a round trip flight. So, flying back or taking a bus back to your original starting point may save you lots of money.

There are some discount airlines that fly in that part of Asia connecting you to other nearby countries for cheap prices. Some weight restrictions on luggage and landing at out of the way airports may have to be considered. For instance, some seats on flights to the Philippines have you flying into Clark (Diosdado Macapagal Airport) are sold to tourists as being convenient to Manila. It is not unless you think 3 hours on a bus or an expensive 2 hour taxi ride is acceptable. If you get a discount airline make sure you know where the plane actually lands especially if you are making connecting flights.

You have a lot of time between now and June next year. Lots of nice beaches in the Philippines and Thailand if that is your thing. Visit a local travel agency in your city and make some preliminary price checks. The information is free. Visit a local library and check out some travel guides on the countries you may have an interest in. If money is tight, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoule and Taipei will be more expensive than Bangkok and Manila. Cambodia is not too bad for prices. For there you could start in Phnom Penh and then take a ferry boat ride up to Angkor Wat. For Thailand you can use buses or trains to get around that country. For Bangkok you can also use the Skytrain or the new Airport Link which is scheduled to open in a month or so. You can also take a train from Bangkok to Malaysia and from Butterworth/Penang travel to KL and on to Singapore. I have done the train from Bangkok just within the past 2 years.

Good luck.




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