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 »

Kota Kinabalu weather in January 2010 - any experiences?

Thinking of going up Kota Kinabalu in January 2010, but it appears its the worst weather season. Should we do it?

Need to know before planning our itinery as it seems to be the wet season. Obviusly not bothered about climbing up a hill if its cloudy and raining!

Has anyone climbed KK in january or even stayed in the town or that area?
thx in advance

Indonesia: Am I trying to do too much?

Hi,

My Girlfriend and I are making our way across Indonesia around mid February. We have a rough itinerary and I am a little worried that, as usual, I am trying to squeeze in too much.

We will be arriving in Sabah from the Philippines and then making or way to the Tawau/Tarakan border crossing, then onto Derawan for some diving. After this we plan on making or way further south to Balikapan (can this route be made overland and are there good trekking opportunities on the way or would we have to venture inland?) where we hope to catch a ferry over to Sulawesi (Palu if possible). Once in Sulawesi we want to do some trekking and maybe catch a funeral ritual (although I have hardly researched either of these at all), then head south to catch another ferry to Lapuhanbajo where we will island hop (via boat and bus) across Flores, Komodo, Bali etc onto Java where I want to see Mt Brom... more »

Honeymoon in Bali - Hotel recommendation

We have decided to go to Bali for our honeymoon in August.We have 3 hotels in mind:

• Melia Benoa
• Grand Mirage
• Bali Tropic
• Club Bali Mirage

Bicycle around Mount Mayon in two days?

Hi all,

Is it possible to get a bicycle in Legaspi and drive it around Mount Mayon for a circle in two days. Say, first day, from Legaspi to Tobacco City, Second Day, from Tobacco city to Legaspi.

I searched the google map found there is a highway but I didn't find any travel log about "bicycle around mount mayon". So I don't know whether it is feasible, and as I will travel alone, is it safe there?

Thanks in advance.

Allen

Help us decide! Siquijor or Sugar beach... or perhaps somewhere else?

We are coming to the Visayas in just three weeks, and still haven´t been able to decide where to go - help!

We are a small family of three, our child has just turned one. We are looking for a laid back white beach destination where we can stay in a nipa hut on the beach. Mainly we will just chill out, but more than one decent place to eat within easy reach, the possibility of a few easy excursions are a big plus. Considering our child, we need to be able to reach the place safely - no motorbike rides and no scary rickety old ferries.

We´ve narrowed it down to Siquijor and Sugar beach and are leaning towards Siquijor. Maybe the coast south of Dumaguete has something to offer too? Or someplace completely different? For the final week of our trip, we´re going to Boracay (because I´m a white sand fetishist and just have to see it!), so we´re really looking for something much lower... more »

Penang, Phuket, Langkawi, or????

I am an Australian wishing to have a holiday in Asia in March 2010. Probably spending 4 days in Singapore and then a resort style relaxing holiday in good 4 or 5 star accommodation. Penang, Phuket and Lankawki have all been recommended. I am confused. Where would be best to go?

middla range accomodation in Ermita required

Hi everybody,
i will spend a night in Manila, and i wonna stay in Ermita.
I looked at some hotels, maybe i'll choose between executive plaza, lotus garden and citystate but every hotels, these included, have some negative reports for unfriendly staff, being not very gf, cheating or loosing time on check out...
Do you know a good midrange accomodotation in this zone??
Do you also know what time does Robinson Mall close?

Thank you