Thorn Tree travel forum

Bali - Off the beaten track !!

I am attending a wedding in Bali next year and I want to make the experience as valuable as possible. I have been there 4 times and have never enjoyed my time there. This time we are staying out of Kuta and I would like to know of some cultural sites and general attractions that you wouldnt find in travel brochures.

If anyone knows of hidden gems or places where you can get a real experience of the local culture, I would love to hear about these great experiences.

Please save me from the drunken Aussies, the over baked UK backpackers and general Eurotrash !!

Cheers

Chopper

shopping for lenses in KL or Makassar

Hey all,

I have been lucky enough to secure a cheap flight to KL from which my partner and I are going to go to Indonesia for a vacation. I am an amateur photographer and really want a new Canon wide angle lens and, rather than fork out at Australian prices, thought it might be an option to pick up a good lens at a good price in KL. Does anyone have any suggestions of good places to buy camera gear (new or used) in Kuala Lumper? Alternatively, we are flying from KL to Makassar, so any tips on good photography shops there are also welcome.

ta

Blix

Trip to Singapore... Alone

I will be traveling to Singapore for the first time... and alone on Dec.19-27

Anyone also going there within that period?

Suggestions on arranging car/driver from Brunei to Miri ?

Going to be in Brunei for 3 days and want to go from BSB to Miri via car as I understand the public buses to get to Miri require multiple changes of buses.

Are there reliable services in Brunei that I can contact that offer this type of transport service with a car and driver to take us to Miri? Conversely, will I have better luck if I arrange for a Miri based driver to pick us up in Brunei and take us back?

Thanks for any thoughts on how to best do this and with what companies.

Looking for Moral Support

My high-maintenance, blonde-hair, blue-eyed sister and I are planning on teaching in English for a couple months in China. Afterwards we are going to backpack from Bangkok down to Singapore. I spent two years living in Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka so this is definitely my cup of tea. However, my sister is a bit more hesitant. She doesn't enjoy "roughing it" and has never been to a developing country. How can I help her cope? I think ultimately she will enjoy it, but in the mean time, I could use some suggestions on how to buoy her excitement for this grand adventure through Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore!
P.S. As a side note, we will spending a few days in Dumai, Sumatra, Indonesia teaching English. I've heard it's a bit dodgy there. Do you think it will be safe to bring my sister there?

Tigerline ferries from Langkawi to Koh Lipe (Thailand)

Hi,

Has anyone recently taken the Tigerline ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe in Thailand? I arrive in Langkawi late tonight and I'm hoping to take one early tomorrow morning and am trying to figure out where they depat from... one website said they depart from Kuah jetty and another said that they depart from the pier at "Awana" resort. If anyone can help me it would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Malapascua or Moalboal?

....for a week in February( .....as part of 5 week trip to Phil).

Which is better? Pro's / Con's of each?

Single Traveler. Chill out on the beach. Some evening drinking spots(nothing too crazy, but some people around!), Do some diving(have PADI cert.), not too expensive, "backpacker" rather than "package hotel" scene.....

comments appreciated!

thanx

TAILORED SUITS IN KUALA LUMPUR

I'm going to KL next month and am very keen to get some tailored suits, prefrably including a DJ /black tie suit.

I'm happy to pay for good quality - though obviously I'm hoping it will be much cheaper than london.

My main concern is not getting ripped/fobbed of with something which falls apart.

I previously had an excellent experience in india where I bought tailored shirts for c.£20 which are still good quality 18 months on.

Thanks