which way round South east Asia??
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Oct 31, 2012 3:56 AM Last Post By: bigal1
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which way round South east Asia??
HiyaI'm a 20 year old female and plan to travel on my own to South east Asia on the 1st of April for three months, I’m then going to Australia for 2 moths and New Zealand for a month.
I fly into Bangkok on the 1st April 2013 and plan to stay there for 3 - 4 nights, I found a hostel - NapPark Hostel - has anyone stayed here that can recommend it?
This is where I'm stuck, do I go clockwise from Bangkok through Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia then back into Thailand and down through to Singapore or the other way??
The main reason I'm unsure of which way to go is the weather, I like the heat and don’t want to be stuck in loads of storms. Which ever way I go I want to spend around 6 weeks in/travelling through Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Then the rest in Thailand (i would love to be on the Thai islands on my birthday, June 8th) I’m also unsure because the Thailand Visas are really confusing and I don’t know how I get one or which kind.
If anyone has done this journey please let me know which way you went and how you found it, also if anyone is going to be in Asia around the same time as me let me know as I’m going solo!
Thanks
1
April is HOT and dry so head North Changmai fown through Laos and into Cambodia and then HCMC Vietnam north to Hanoi on open tour bus, then into Kumming Chna and do Dali Lijiang tiger leaping gorge and hsanfgris la back to Kumming and fly into Bangkok which then gives you 28 days visa free again I've done it Cambodia -Vietnam-Laos - Thailandfrom UK don't worry about visa as you get 28 days visa free and if re entering Thailand from say Thailand or Cambodia overland 15 days which inlcudes 1st day so technically 14 days visa free
air asi do Hanoi to BKK so that might be an added bonus as Thai visas from an Embassy are expensive
click here FAQ76 SEA basics
you will also meet plenty of people travelling so dont make internet arrangements, and careful with your drinks as some have been rhypnold (date rape drug slipped into drink) in SEA over the last few years.
SEA is pretty safe for a woman travelling on her own but just take usual precautions you would at home.
will private message you more info
safe travels
2
Monty apart from the visa issue where did china pop into the equation?I would do N thailand, Laos Vietnam cambodia and then back to Thailand. You could spend your birthday on Ko Chang. If you do not then wish to exit Thailand to get a second 15 day visa exemption you would need to pick up a Thai visa on your travels
3
It was a suggestion if she has time she should include it and fly Kumming or Hanoi to Bangkok.I have done the visa waver more than once re-ntry by land since the 15 day introduction I was not refused re-entry to Thailand although once I counted 15 days and was told it would cost me 500 baht overstay at airport but they let me off.
so technically 14 days only as day 1 counts as a day plenty to get you from say Laos or Cambodia to Malaysia /Singapore
5
Thank you so much for this. I am going to head North to Chaing Mai then round to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia then I think I might fly from Phnom Pehn to Phuket but struggling as I really want to go to a full moon party (25th May)and 7 weeks may not be enough time to see all of those places before.Do you think I should just 'get over it' or is seven weeks enough time? I am staying with a firend in Kualar Lumpa for a week towards the end of my time in so can travel from the islands down to see them in the rest of my time there?
Thanks
6
My advise would be follow the route you are thinking about , enjoy yourself, when you find somewhere you like stay and when you do not like the place get the next bus or train out.Do not aim for the full moon party but if nearer the time it is a possibility then go for it but my guess is that you be having such a good time you will miss it this trip. I think you might regret it if you plan your trip around the full moon party
