Leaving for SE Asia in a month and a half, any advice appreciated!
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Dec 4, 2012 3:28 PM Last Post By: albieeats
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Leaving for SE Asia in a month and a half, any advice appreciated!
I am leaving for a 4 month long trip through SE Asia come January 15. I'm a solo female traveler and this is my first time doing any trip of this kind. I'm very excited but getting a bit nervous! I don't have anything booked other than my round trip flight to and from Bangkok. I wanted to leave it very open ended and flexible, but this is my very rough plan -Fly into Bangkok, stay for a few days, train to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Phnom Penh, back to Bangkok to meet my sister who is staying for a couple weeks, Chiang Mai and then down to Southern Thailand, she flys out from Phuket and I continue down to Malaysia, then Indonesia, fly to Ho Chi Minh city, travel to northern Vietnam, and then from Northern Laos to the South, and back to Bangkok for my return flight.
I'm thinking I should book my hostel/guesthouse for Bangkok and Siem Reap in advance since it's a very busy time, would it also be wise to book further in advance than that?
Also, any recommendations for places to go, places to stay, and things to do are appreciated! I'm young, would like to meet other travelers, and like to have a couple beers every now and again but I'm not a crazy partier looking to get wasted every night. I'm more interested in exploring nature, and learning about local culture. Would like to avoid things that are TOO corny/touristy, but hey, even touristy crap is probably going to be interesting to me. I'm pretty easy to amuse.
2
Your route is crazy, and maximizes the number of times you will have to fly or adds a lot of unnecessarily long bus trips. If it weren't for your sister and whatever plans you have with her, a more natural trip would be Bkk-> North Thailand-> Laos North to South-> Cambodia-> Vietnam South to North -> Hanoi to BKK flight -> South Thailand -> Malaysia -> Indonesia -> Fly to Bangkok-> Fly home.But not sure what you promised your sister you'd do with her and for how long.
'sheeed
3
Your route needs readjustmentclick here for FAQ76
but saying that it is dependent upon your sister maybe do the Cambodia thing siem reap Phnom pen back to Bangkok then overnight Kaosan rd bus to Changmai into Laos with sister speedboat to Luam Phrabang Vang Vienne avoid the ryphnol drinks and party crowd and onto Vientianne into Thailand from Udonthan back to bangkok and Phuket if you must go with sister and for you as said malayasia- Indonesia (bus from Hat yai Thailand to penang and medan Indonesia from there Orangutangs onto Lake Tobah Yog Jakarta Borrobador and Mt Bromo and Bali and then Jakarta to HCMC saigon (airasia) open tour bus to Hanoi then Yunnan china and or Myanmar
4
The usual route would beChangmai -Laos-Cambodia-Vietnam- Yunnan-Myanmar-KL-Indonesia-Bangkok
visas needed in advance are China (from Home or Bangkok) Myanmar (Bangkok) and Vietnam (phnom pen) VOA laos $35 +$2 if after 4pm scam in US $'s only
Cambodia $20 + scam for more at land borders maybe get visa in Vientianne
maybe do few days Cambodia or Thai Beach Kohh Chang etc leave sister in Vientianne as she heads to Phuket from Udonthani
5
I'm not going to Myanmar or China. Not trying to stretch my time too thin, may already be trying to stretch it too thin as it is! My sister's coming for two weeks, flying into Bangkok on Feb 10 (a month after I arrive in BKK) and out from Phuket two weeks later. I don't mind long bus trips if they are scenic and decently comfortable. Shoooooot I don't know how to re arrange this to make it work out with her timing __6
Yes I agree it needs some adjusting or you will fly a lot and sit on a bus for days. First there is no train to SR, you can get a train to near the border then bus or taxi to SR. You know PP to BKK will take about 12 hours by bus? Also Laos in April is baking hot.7
So she arrives a month after you do. You were planning a month in Cambodia before she came. Actually, it isn't as bad then. That will be a bunch of small trips. Then Thailand w sis, Mal, Indo, up to VN, Laos, fly Paxse to Bkk...Lemme see. A girl who wants to spend time in Cambodia. I will take more time to consider your case...
'sheeed
9
Probably more like 3-ish weeks in Cambodia, then a bit of Thailand exploring by myself before my sister arrives. Heat isn't a HUGE issue for me, I've been living in New Orleans for the past year. It's not ideal but I'm not sure there's any way to ONLY hit the best weather spending 4 consecutive months. And yes I realize there's no train or bus directly from BK to SR.11
Or you could go to Laos first then meet your sister in CM.
