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 »

Palawan in August

Hi,

I have three weeks in the Philippines in August, looking to spend about 10 days in Palawan.

The general idea to is fly in and out of Puerto Princesca from Manila.

Is there a better choice of airline to fly with in terms of reliability of departures? Or should I make sure I have an extra day spare in Manila before my international flight in case of delays?

On Palawan itself I'd like to do a loop up to El Nido, then Port Barton and back to Puerto Princesca.

Is there a better direction to do this in terms of transport options? Considering the roads and potential rain at times, i wanted to be closer to the airport to fly out than up at El Nido and come all the way back and have an unexpected delay.

Also how easy is it to boat from El Nido to Port Barton? Considering this is not apparently the high season will there be others likely to want to mkae the same trip to ... more »

3 weeks in Malaysia: Budget/Itinerary

Hi everyone,

I'm a solo traveller looking to hit Malaysia this July for 3 weeks. I'm a relatively experienced, though have never been backpacking, nor been to Asia. I've got about EU800 (£680, $1067) to spend, not incl. flight to KL. I've got 3 questions:

1. Would EU800 be enough for 21 days (per day EU38, £32, $51), travelling low-budget style? This should include all accommodation, food and transport. I'm alright with sleeping in dorms and taking public transport.

2. What stops should I make? I'd like to visit at least one national park (avid hiker) and one beach/island. What can I find in Malaysia that I can't find anywhere else? I've read good things about the Cameron Highlands, but wonder whether it's too established of a tourist spot. Are there any cities/villages/temples/ruins of major cultural and historical interest?

3. Borneo: always wanted to go, but is it feasi... more »

Volcanoes at Bali

I have been dreaming a visit to volcano.
I know best volcanoes in Indonesia are not at Bali, but do you know is there any good volcano that can be visited??

I am going to Bali for 10 days at february 2014. Please, fellow travelers, give me some advise about visiting volcanoes.

Lore Lindu National Park trek

I'm planning to visit Indonesia as a single traveler and I'm considering including a short trek in Lore Lindu National Park in central Sulawesi. The Lonely Planet Guide says it's a wonderful place for trekking and the megaliths are intriguing but I've never done anything like this and it definitely stretches my boundaries. It appears I can fly to Palu, meet a guide, trek for a few days, and end in Palu or Tetena, then continue on to Ranetapao or Makassar. Has anyone trekked at Lore Lindu? Any advice? Any suggestions regarding finding a guide? Any problems to avoid? Many thanks!!

Changing US Dollars in Java...

Hi!
I'm here in Java for the first time and had brought with me some nice new clean dollar notes as reserve cash. Today i went into a bank to change $100 and was unable to so due to the fact that here in Java they only change dollar notes with an HK serial number which i really thought was incredible! I tried another two banks and they both said the same thing. I was told by the various banks that i could change the dollars with a money-changer which is what i'm going to do tomorrow but i would have prefered to change it in a bank. I found it all rather curious!
Ciao!

Anyone know where I can buy a bottle of wine in Yogyakarta?

Hi All, just a quick question as spelt out in the title! Anyone know where I can buy a bottle of wine in Yogya?
I've tried Carrefour but they don't seem to sell alcohol... or at least I have never been able to find it and have asked.
I've been here for a while and have a visitor so want to celebrate. Living out of the centre and not too familiar with the shops there so don't know where I could get some from.

Thanks!

FLORES, Indonesia. Islands question

I am going to Flores for 10 days in August, flying in to Ende, leaving from Labuan Bajo.
2 nights in Ende, 2 nights in Bajawa.
I really want to spend 3 nights chilling out on a tropical beach somewhere.
Should I go to Riung - 17 Islands? is it worth it?
If you think yes, can you get to Labuan Bajo via Reo and Lampe, rather than going back to Ruteng.

Or should I go to an island off Labuan Bajo for a bit of paradise? Or even a beach on the outskirts of Lab Baj?

Either way, whatever your recommendation, any tips on beach places to stay would also be really welcome.
Ideally, being very spoilt, I would love to be able to snorkel right off the beach if possible.

And lastly one more question, travel on busses, on a haul of about 5 hrs +, presumably they do make pit stops along the way? Or would you think a Kjang is a better option/

Your help is appreciated, Thanks

Edited b... more »

Morning Call to Prayer during Ramadan

I'll be traveling in Indonesia during Ramadan and am wondering about the timing of the Call to Prayer broadcast from the Mosques in the morning.

I've read on-line that each day starts with one at about 4:45 a.m. and another at about 6:00 a.m. Would like to know if there will be additional such religious announcements because of the season.

My specific reason for asking is that I'm considering a hotel in Yogyakarta which has two mosques quite nearby, and this could be a factor in deciding where to stay. I have the greatest respect for the Muslim Religion, but am not sure I want to wake up quite that early.

Thanks.