Asia - South-East Asia Mainland

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Mar 4, 2012 1:13 PM
KenI

last reply
Mar 4, 2012 10:49 PM
KenI

4 replies
421 views
location: Myanmar

Wasp Full Moon dates?

Is Waso 2012 during July or August? I reading that it is early August; just want to double-check. Thanks.

Mar 4, 2012 10:41 AM
Eddie_S

last reply
Mar 4, 2012 10:41 AM
Eddie_S

0 replies
199 views

Weather info for more remote locations

What's the best source for forecasts and current weather conditions in Vietnam? I am going to travel to the Northwest and Northeastern areas and I am finding it difficult to get any reliable weather info. I have tried the standard Weather Channel, Yahoo Weather and Weather Underground sources. Is there another way, perhaps local papers or Vietnamese weather sites? I realize that a good part of the problem is that there probably aren't any weather stations up there to gather the data. But I thought I'd give it a shot here anyway.
Thanks

Mar 4, 2012 10:38 AM
martinlc

last reply
Mar 5, 2012 10:49 PM
bruce3404

5 replies
509 views
location: Laos

Laos in Oct-Nov

Hi friends

Trying to decide fall vacation. Final running: Morocco, Panama, or Laos. Laos in the lead, so far....
I love SE Asia. Been to everywhere except Laos and Cambodia. Trip +/- 3 weeks
Base will be Vientiane/LP. Once I decide I'm sure I will bug you all for tips on where and what.

One quick question: I would like to take a 3-4 day side trip and I see I can fly from Vientiane to Kunming and Siem Reap.

One over the other?
Angkor is supposed to be nice...But I have been to Bagan and Boroburdur and they were spectacular.
Kunming supposed to be beautiful and would be my first "China experience" (besides HK)
Thoughts?
Thanks a bunch

Mar 4, 2012 8:59 AM
lainy

last reply
Mar 4, 2012 8:59 AM
lainy

0 replies
594 views
location: Vietnam

trekking Sapa vs Bac Ha

In late March I will arrive on a Sunday morning into Bac Ha for its market. I will take the following Friday night train to Hanoi. This gives me 6 days for travel in the Sapa and Bac Ha areas.

My priority is trekking through beautiful scenery, staying in authentic village homestays, going to markets, and visiting as many ethnic minorities as possible.

Can anyone suggest an itinerary for me that covers both the Sapa and Bac Ha areas?

Any recommendations or contact information for excellent guides in Sapa and/or Bac Ha?

Is it worth going to Lung Phin's Sunday market after the tour buses arrive to Bac Ha's market?

Thank you for any insight!

Mar 4, 2012 7:33 AM
pawelx

last reply
Mar 14, 2012 4:24 AM
Herbie47

39 replies
3,369 views
location: Myanmar

Pages 1 2 3

Myanmar 17 day itinerary - please review?

The original plan was to go for around 17-18 days, and include around 5 days of beach time. Given the short timeframe, here's what I've come up with... Please let me know what you think makes sense and what doesn't!

Itinerary: Yangon (day 1), Bagan (days 2-3), Inle Lake (days 4-6), "something" else to experience indigenous villages (Sittwe?) days 7-10, Ngapali Beach days 11-16, Yangon days 17-18.

(1) Bagan obviously is a must for being an amazing heritage site. What about Inle Lake? what is the main attraction of that place? Not that I'm being sceptical but it sounds like most people go there for the "authentic" villages etc but if that is the case, then doesn't it become one of those awful touristy destinations where every village around the lake receives 500 western visitors daily and on every corner there are stalls selling local handicrafts, or village women posing for phot... more »

Mar 4, 2012 7:14 AM
Eddie_S

last reply
Mar 4, 2012 6:08 PM
Eddie_S

6 replies
973 views
location: Vietnam

Inexpensive Cellphone - Where to buy? Hanoi or Singapore

I would like to buy an inexpensive cellphone (for voice and simple texting). I will be in Singapore for a few days and then in Hanoi. Does anyone know whether it would be better to buy one in Singapore or Hanoi? I am not looking for an advanced IPhone or anything of the sort. Just something simple for voice calls and a bit of text. Thanks.

Mar 4, 2012 5:33 AM
littleannepom

last reply
Mar 10, 2012 8:31 PM
beieskantnepame...

2 replies
1,038 views
location: Vietnam

Day train to Lao Cai - Sapa : Beware !

Hi guys,

If you are going to Sapa and the night train is full and you are taking the day train of 6:10am in Hanoi arriving at 4.35pm in Lao Cai...beware of the minivan drivers waiting for you there.

I would even suggest you to talk to the other foreigners in your train wagon to check if they are going to Sapa too directly, and agree all together to stand your ground.

Minivans going to Sapa take advantage of the fact you are arriving late and they are the only ones left going to Sapa. They ask you for 300,000 dons per person! Refuse!

Then they will take the price down to 200,000 dons. Refuse. Actually you can walk down the road straight in front of the railstation to the local minivan bus station. Apparently the last minivan there should be at 5pm, but we argued too much in front of the railstation to arrive there on time.

So we were 6 foreigners, and walked there. And t... more »

Mar 4, 2012 5:32 AM
mercedes10

last reply
Mar 7, 2012 1:03 AM
parlakom

3 replies
1,210 views
location: Myanmar

Reliable Info on Bagan - Mandalay (or vice versa) boat?? What days?

Is there any way to get reliable information on when the 'fast' boats between Bagan - Mandalay (or vice versa run)? We are trying to plan/book our trip in October, but whether we initially fly Yangon - Mandalay or Yangon - Bagan is largely going to depend on boat availability on any given day. We're keen to book things so we can get our first choice of hotels etc. Is there any concrete information on this or is it simply too early to know? Some of the searches I've done say it depends on the season etc. which isn't really helpful! Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated! Also, is there any reason that doing this journey in one particular direction is preferable to the other? We intend to go on to Inle after Bagan/Mandalay...

Mar 4, 2012 5:04 AM
hvwade1982

last reply
Mar 4, 2012 5:04 AM
hvwade1982

0 replies
330 views
location: Laos

10 day trip to Laos in May

Hello,

I'm off to Thailand and Laos at the end of April and will be flying into Chang Mai on 7th May. I am yet to decide if I am going to spend two days in Chang Mai or use the time to get a slow boat into Laos but once I am there I am looking for some ideas on how to make the most of my time please. My return flight from Bangkok is on 21st May.

I'd like to see as much as I can and am happy to pay a bit extra for internal flights. Any ideas please on where to start and what route to take and how to get back to Bangkok? I love exploring beautiful and unusual sites so any ideas would be welcome please

Thank you

Mar 4, 2012 1:30 AM
qwertyjjj

last reply
Mar 4, 2012 2:04 AM
martin010

1 replies
448 views
location: Myanmar

VOA now or not? Confused on rule changes

So, can you get VOA now or not?
Some posts I have read say yes, some said rules change in 2012, some said in Bangkok only.
If you do VOA are you forced to stay in government hotels?

Mar 3, 2012 11:10 PM
marklessles

last reply
Feb 19, 2013 3:34 PM
JJack

5 replies
512 views

Volunteering in Cambodia

Hello, I am considering volunteering in Cambodia, in any area between phnom penh and siem reap but are unsure which organisation to go through or research. Does anyone have any experiences, good or bad. Or any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

Mar 3, 2012 10:26 PM
weavey72

last reply
Mar 5, 2012 11:48 AM
cedezlepassage

4 replies
2,375 views

Mobile Phone in Vietnam/Cambodia

Hi All,

We are heading to Vietnam/Cambodia in 2 weeks and was wondering about buying a SIM for my mobile phone whilst we are there.

Are they compatible with phones purchased in Australia (currently a Vodafone customer) or are the handsets locked into only Vodafone SIMs?

We don't want to turn on International Roaming as that is expensive. The other option that was mentioned to us is buying a pre-paid phone here in Australia and taking that with us but ultimately I don't really want to be carrying around 2 phones. (I would still like to take my phone for the currency and trip advisor apps which I will utilise various hotels wi-fi for) I don't foresee us needing to use the phone very much at all but would like the ability when required.

Also will a SIM purchased in Vietnam work in Cambodia/KL?

Thanks

Mar 3, 2012 10:03 PM
Ried363

last reply
Mar 14, 2012 2:05 PM
Ried363

3 replies
1,121 views
location: Myanmar

Working in Burma?

Hi,

I spent 26 days in Burma last year and plan to go back again this April, preferably in time for Thingyan. If possible, I'd like to obtain a work visa and stay for a while. I'm a certified and experienced English teacher from the U.S. I've heard of longer-term visas granted for people working as volunteers, but I'd prefer to earn at least enough money to live there for 6 months or 1 year.

Do you know any foreigner who has worked in Burma? Is it possible to obtain a work visa? If I were to ask questions about this topic inside Burma, where would I go?

Thanks,

Ried

Mar 3, 2012 9:42 PM
hafalisa

last reply
Mar 23, 2012 7:56 PM
maayaa

3 replies
1,437 views
location: Vietnam

Halong Bay Cruise

My boyfriend and I want to take a 2 night cruise on Halong Bay in June.
There are sooo many options, and it is a bit overwhelming.
Anyone have any good experiences?
Kayaking is a must, and we'd like to be able to hike too.
Would love to avoid crowds if possible. Is it possible?
Private balcony would be nice.
We are willing to spend a little more, and don't want a "cheap" cruise.
But we certainly don't need the lap of luxury either. We don't need a huge room or gourmet cooking classes.
Any advice would be welcome. Thank you.

Mar 3, 2012 8:40 PM
sacer

last reply
Mar 5, 2012 7:17 AM
KMC85

4 replies
3,625 views

SE Asia Backpacking Budget

Hi guys,

I'm looking to travel on my own for a month this summer, and I need some advice on budgeting. I plan to travel to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Asides from my flight, what is a ball park estimate of my total costs? I've never travelled before, so I am not sure what to expect.

I plan to live pretty cheap, Im not much of a drinker, and I don't mind living in a hostel. I've heard you can get by on food and housing for around $20 a day, but I don't how to account for transportation, immunizations, visas, etc.

Asides from a flight, would $1500 be enough for all this?

Also, do you think a month is a good amount of time to visit these 3 countries? I would stay longer, but my only issue is the cost at this point.

Thanks!

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