Thorn Tree travel forum

South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula FAQ

Inside this thread you'll find a collection of links to TT threads and websites about attractions, activities, travel practicalities and news about Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, & Singapore.

Before you get reading (and posting), here's some advice from the TT team to help you find the info you need:

1. Do a TT search! At least five posters a week ask the same questions. The road is well travelled. Find those threads, add a reply (which brings the topic to the top, restarting the conversation), and then see #2.

2. Be specific. How much do you have to spend? How long is your trip? What are your interests (i.e. local culture and art, or sport, or food and drink, or none of the above). The details will help the community tailor your advice and answers.

3. Please use the right branch. This branch is intended for travel questions and resources... more »

On the beach in Indonesia

Hey guys and girls,

I've read through a few posts about this but there seems to be a lack of definitive answer..

My fiance and I are planning to go on Honeymoon in Indonesia, Bali is too busy and touristy for us but we would like some time chilling out on the beach (probably a week out of a month-long trip). I'd love to go to Sumatera but worry that even on the likes of Pulau Weh board shorts and bikinis would be cause real offence to locals. If my (then) wife wore board shorts and a t-shirt would that be considered acceptable or are we better off spending a week on a beach somewhere else in South East Asia before we arrive on Sumatera?

Any advice/suggestions would be great!

Cheers

bali to banda islands

i arrive bali on the 11th of jan. and can depart manado 30-01-2010 or jakarta 31-01-2010.
do i have enough quality time in banda islands. especially ai island. if that does not work,it will be flores or manado/north maluku.
thanks for all that i read and all that can help.

Sarawak with children

Hello

Me and my family (husband + two boys aged 6 and 10 years) are planning to travel to Borneo - Sarawak in approx. 3 weeks in March. We are backpackers and have been to Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines with the children since they were the age of 2 and 6 years, so we are accustomed to travel with them. We have never been to Borneo though - so therefore the questions:

• How is March regarding the weather for Sarawak?
• Would it be a good destination for kids (we would like to see animals, jungle, long houses, culture etc.)
• We are not planning for Sabah since we like to travel slow and we have about 3 weeks. Is that a mistake??
• is 3 weeks long enough to see anything and travel 'slow' = in the children's pace (Borneo will be part of a bigger tour starting in the Philippines)
• anything else nice to know when travelling with children in Borneo

El Nido Eco-Tourism Development Fee

El Nido's Eco-Tourism Development Fee tickets are now available at the following outlets: ElNido Municipal Tourism Office info@elnidotourism.com; El Nido Cove Resort http://elnidocove.com]; Artcafe http://elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com; Four Season's Resort +639194524266; Alternative Inn +091087274557; Greenview Resort +639215861442; El Nido Beach Hotel +639285029841

Surfing and Diving the Philippines

Basically, my question is this : Can anyone recommend some good spots for diving and surfing on the Philippines?

Beginner spots are perfect, as my girlfriend will be doing her Basic Open Water there, and we've never tried surfing before.

Most important is the diving, as we're both hooked, though inexperienced. If anyone has some recommendations it would be great (and I have tried to search, was amazed there weren't threads like this before...)

Lombok's Rinjani trek in January?

Hello,
I was planning a trip to Lombok the last three weeks of January. I had wanted to do the Rinjani Volcano trek. Then I read, it is the rainy season until April. Is it still possible to do the trek this time of year? or should I postpone the trip until later in the year. I had also wanted to go to east Java to see the Bromo and Semeru Volcanos. I would still like to go on the trip, but not if there is little chance of seeing the volcanos.
Thanks

Cebu Pac to Phnom Penh?

Potential good news for frequent Philippines-Cambo commuters: Cebu Pac to (probably) launch direct MNL-PNH flights early next year, according to this Good news for frequent Philippines-Cambo commuters: Cebu Pac to (probably) launch direct MNL-PNH flights early next year http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009111829597/Business/philippine-flights-given-go-ahead.html