30

thanks for your answers.

i know ashley its a comercial video. thanks for the advise. The video its nice anyway.

I think i will go philipins only for el Nido, or may be a night in manilla if its not posible to go directly to puerto princesa.

For sure:

• yogyayakarta/borobudur.
• Ubud (Bali)
• Gilis.
• El nido (palawan).
• KL plus batu caves.
• Singapur

Considering:

• Medan (orangutans) (sumatra)
• Pulau wea (sumatra)
• Vietnam (hanoi/hoi an/hue/ ho chiminh) all using flyghts to gain time.

Probably not cause weather:

• komodos :(.

i have like 28 days:

Java + bali + gili: 8 days.
Nido: 5 days
KL + singapur: 3 days.

12 days left ...

31

The weather in Pulau Weh in January will not be the best, again because of the NE monsoon. The wind beats up the best beach, Pantai Sumur Tiga, and will also impact Iboih and Gapang.There are lots of beaches in the Philippines that compare with Pulau Weh (I was just there in April) in any case. Research the island of Siquijor, or the adjoining coasts of the island of Negros around Dumaguete City. Apo Island off Dumaguete at least equals Pulau Weh for snorkeling.
-
You could then go to Medan via KL on Air Asia (and get out of both cities the same day!), get up to Bukit Lawang, spend a week or so seeing that area, Brastagi, and Lake Toba, then fly to Bali, go to the Gilis, then work back to Yogya and finally to Jakarta for your flight home.
-
We were really cold in North Vietnam in March a few years ago, which took a lot out of the experience.

32

I have heard from two couples that your tinming in Palau Weh is really off. Yes it is off-the beaten path and quite unusual but the weather can be really a major issue.
In KL you might want to check out the weather in the Cameron Highlands. We were there in early March. It was simply beautiful with the tea and flower plantations. It is a 2.75 hr trip so you should plan on spending 1 night out there if the weather is not bad. There are also several interesting gypsy communities just before you arrive at the plantations. If you can get a driver, you really do not need a guide, that would be the best way to go or a group tour with less than 20 people so that you are not treated like cattle. We loved it. It is nothing like Bali or Dieng Plateau but just as nice. Batu Caves is a 3 hour outing in a group tou but again try to go in a group under 15. It will not cost much less. The Genting Highlands is a ripp off in my opinion unless you want to gamble. The Petronas Tower in town is interesting. I would suggest you geet there by 7:30 AM so that when it opens you will be in one of the first groups going up and avoid the weekends. If you go the Cameron Highlands then 3 days is correct if not 2 full days is more than enough. This is based on two visits with the last none in 2009.

33

It thought it's good time to visit adamant coast. 2 years ago i went to koh phi phi during Febrery and the weather was really nice. So i thought that pulau weh works in the same way(looking a map púlau weh its close to koh phi hpi), seems i dont understand how this monsoon works :p. if u can explain it would be nice.

I Know that vietnam its cold during this year but hoi an and hochimin should have good weather. and if im at cities may be cold its better than rain.. halong bay its the only problem..

So if pulau wea its out my decision its between:

• 12 days -> sumatra.
• 12 days .> vietnam..
• 12 days -> may be both(sumatra, vietnam) using a lot of planes..

• or more philipins.. but seems that its not too intresting.. in a cultural way.

34

Btw thanks Karlo.

35

Thanks for malasia information ashley.. i read that is not good time to go to cameron highlands cause the weather.

I think i will go to batu caves using your advice, and probably i will go to Petronas, but i will not goign up.. im afraid of highs jeje..

were is Dieng Plateau worth a trip?.

Thanks.

Jaime.

36

I thought is was gorgeous but it was 2.5+ hours each way. Wiedy would not steer you wrong. If he thought it was not worth doing at that time of year he would not do it just to earn a day of touring. He does quite well with his many endeavors. Trust me.

37

For 5-7 days might you consider going to Thailand and spend 2 days, despite the crowds visit the ancient temples and then head north and with a guide visit the different tgribes that are in a raduius of Chiangi Mai. We foubd them very interesting and they welcomed us as lomf as we had a local guide ($50-$75/day) and while in Chiange Mai visit the Lampang Elehant Conservancy.Some of this can be done backpack style. Also visiting Chiani Rai ids not far off the track and is worth a 2 day historical visit. This Thailand sortie would be be a 5-6 day adventure if funds permit and give you a very different perscpective. Just a thought

38

Thanks ashley, but i already know thailand.. And chiang Mai.

39

The monsoon works the way it does because during the winter, cold air descending the Himalayas joins up with the prevailing NE Trade Winds to push moist ocean air away from SE Asia. That creates the NE Monsoon.
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Then, as the Northern Hemisphere warms up in spring, the Trades move far enough north so they are blocked by the Himalayas, and the steep southern face of the mountains acts like a big chimney as the summer heat intensifies, sucking wet air from the Indian Ocean and creating the SW Monsoon.
-
When we arrived in Pulauh Weh in early April, the SW monsoon was just starting up, so our position facing NE was totally protected, getting better as the month went on. That was because Sumatra and Pulau Weh itself were blocking the wind, which whistled past us and stomped on Koh Phi Phi, etc., while leaving the Perhentians calm because the Malay Peninsula blocked the SW Monsoon wind there.
-
In winter, the NE Monsoon is stopped from hitting Koh Phi Phi by the Malay Peninsula/Isthmus of Kra, but it pounds places facing NE, like the Perhentians and Pulau Weh. That's why you can't count on decent sea conditions on Pulau Weh in January, but can in May.
-
As for Malaysia, comparing the tired old hill station of Cameron Highlands to Lake Toba/ Brastagi/ Bukit Lawang/Ketembe is like comparing a miniature golf course to the Amazon jungle. You'll pay about six times as much for an experience that put me to sleep, as opposed to seeing one of the last great areas of accessible rain forest, complete with orangutans, plus the biggest and most spectacular crater lake in the world, at ridiculously cheap prices. Cameron Highlands will bore you with Tudor wannabe architecture and ridiculous "jungle walks" around the golf course, while Lake Toba has interesting Batak architecture, and interesting Batak culture in a brilliant setting, and Gunung Lesseur National Park has unequaled adventure travel possibilities, including stunning river rafting. Wiki Travel will give you an overview, and provide some useful links. Or just go to Google Images, and look at the pictures of Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang, compared to anything in Peninsular Malaysia.
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As for Batu Caves, it's a minor attraction surrounded by suburban tracts and industrial parks. Ho hum.
The only reason I'd hit KL is to make use of Air Asia. Otherwise, you could skip KL completely, and just fly direct from Jakarta to Medan to enjoy Sumatra. Small airlines like Sriwijaya and Lion Air will fly that route far cheaper than Garuda.
-
In your situation, I'd do one of two things. If you can find a cheap one-way fare from Jakarta to Manila, you could do your Palawan visit first. Then fly Air Asia to KL, and go on to Medan the same day. After seeing North Sumatra, fly Medan-Denpasar, Bali. After Bali and Lombok, fly to Yogya, then go on to Jakarta for your flight home.
-
Better yet, do it the other way around, which would be easier as far as recovering from jet lag is concerned. Connect from Jakarta to Yogya and Bali right away on arrival, and spend a few days unwinding in easygoing Yogya and tourist-oriented Bali, enjoying the culture and tanning on the possibly rainy beach. Then, fly to Medan for Lake Toba, etc, and afterwards, go via Medan to KL and on to the Philippines in a day. Fly back from Manila to Jakarta at the end.

40

Karlo has a good idea. We spent 3 days in KL and the only real interesting time was the day to the Cameron Highlands in late March. I as well was not thrilled with the caves. I would say to gpo to them only if you were there for other interesting things and without the Highlands and not being able to go to the peninsula due to the rains the monuments are not worthy of a stop. I would spend 3 full days in Central Java and you would likely be cost neutral and see more interesting things. I do not remember if I mentioned to have Wiedy to take you to the artist Sony Santos's compound. Other than he being a bit off the wall his paintings are specacular and sell in Paris, Jakarta and else where for thousands. I bought one afer heavy negiotations for $900 that I saw a similar one in theme and size for $3800. I just had to promise not to tell the Aman resort. He is the artist in residence there.

41

Thanks ashley and karlo. Good information about monsoons.

So malasia would be only kl as a hub and maybe day trip to batu caves.

17: arrive at jakarta. 
18: morning plane to yogya. yogya.
19: borobudur.
20: plan to denpasar and go ubud. Ubud
21: ubud (may be 1 more day in ubud)
22: fast boat to gilies.
23: gilies
24: gilies.
25: ftom gilies to ????
.
.
.
15 morning flight to jakarta.

and here im not sure.. El nido its for sure but i dont know much time do i need to get there and how many dats its ok to Stay.

bukit lawang seems nice , but im not sure about kake toba.

Also im thinking on a fast trip to vietnam like:
Day 1: hanoi
Day 2: halong bay day trip
Day 3: flight from hanoi to hue.
Day 4: hue and bus to hoi an.
Day 5: hoi an
Day 6: bus to hue and flight to ho chi min
Day 7: ho chi min.
Day 8: morning flight to Kl,medan,jakarta or bali. (depens of the other part of the itineary)

another options is Donsol, snorkeling with whale sharks seems nice, but is not 100% sure durinf decenber/january as i read. And i dont know if there is sonething nice in donsol diferent from whale sharks.

Would be posible: yogya,ubud,gilies,el nido, bukut lawang, hanoi,hue, hoi an, ho chi min arriving 17 dec at 6pm and leaving  15 jan at 6 pm.

I have to nake my decision before monday cause air asia promotion is until tomorrow.. :s

42

You are short changing Yogjakarta. I would devote 2 full days. One for the cultural aspect of the temples and one to get a feel for the native life of the communal villages thattruely are insightful that tourists do not see. If Wiedy says the weather is on your side Dieng Plateau is really not to be missed. It is as spectaular or more so than cameron Highlands and as I said most of Bali. At the Phoenix Hotel you ill find a most comfortable 3+ star hotel with a very interresting mix of guests. I think you would be short changing yourself since you have the time. Most of China is unpleasantly cold in Dec.-Jan.
As for shartks my opinion is based on experience once you have swam with 10-12 it gets somewhat boring though folks mak a big deal over the experience. But it's your trip.

43

Thanks ashley im not 100% sure about whale sharks but sounds amazing..

may be this it's too ambitious but would be nice if its posible. what do u think ?. the main idea is to buy flight in advance with cheap prices and also book hostels before so we dont lose too much energy and time looking for hostels.

Morning Afternoon Night comments
17-12-2012 flight flight Jakarta Airport
18-12-2012 flight to yogya yogya yogya
19-12-2012 Borobudur yogya yogya
20-12-2012 flight to Bali bus to Ubud ubud
21-12-2012 ubud ubud ubud
22-12-2012 ubud ubud ubud
23-12-2012 bus to port fasboat to gilis gilis
24-12-2012 gilis gilis gilis
25-12-2012 gilis gilis gilis
26-12-2012 fast boat flight to KL Flight to hanoi
27-12-2012 hanoi hanoi hanoi
28-12-2012 bus to halong bay halong bay Halong bay
29-12-2012 Halong bay bus to hanoi flight to Hue
30-12-2012 Hue hue hue
31-12-2012 bus to Hoi An Hoi An Hoi An
01-01-2013 Hoi An Hoi An Hoi An
02-01-2013 bus to Hue flight HCMC HCMC
03-01-2013 HCMC HCMC HCMC
04-01-2013 flight to KL KL KL
05-01-2013 flight to PPS bus to El Nido el nido may be direct flight to el nido if its posible
06-01-2013 el nido el nido el nido
07-01-2013 el nido el nido el nido
08-01-2013 bus to PPS Flight to Manila manila may be direct flight to manila if its posible
09-01-2013 flight to Legazpi bus to Donsol Donsol
10-01-2013 Donsol Donsol Donsol
11-01-2013 bus to legazpi Flight to Manila Flight to KL
12-01-2013 flight to Medan bus to bukit park bukit
13-01-2013 bukit bukit bukit
14-01-2013 bus to medan flight to singapur singapur
15-01-2013 flight to jakarta Airport Flight to Chile

Im really grateful with all you people,you dont even know me, but you spend your time helping me with my questions and indecisions.
Really thank you.

Jaime.

44

Easy to read:

17-12-2012 : flight -> flight -> Jakarta Airport -
18-12-2012 : flight to yogya -> yogya -> yogya -
19-12-2012 : Borobudur -> yogya -> yogya -
20-12-2012 : flight to Bali -> bus to Ubud -> ubud -
21-12-2012 : ubud -> ubud -> ubud -
22-12-2012 : ubud -> ubud -> ubud -
23-12-2012 : bus to port -> fasboat to gilis -> gilis -
24-12-2012 : gilis -> gilis -> gilis -
25-12-2012 : gilis -> gilis -> gilis -
26-12-2012 : fast boat -> flight to KL -> Flight to hanoi -
27-12-2012 : hanoi -> hanoi -> hanoi -
28-12-2012 : bus to halong bay -> halong bay -> Halong bay -
29-12-2012 : Halong bay -> bus to hanoi -> flight to Hue -
30-12-2012 : Hue -> hue -> hue -
31-12-2012 : bus to Hoi An -> Hoi An -> Hoi An -
01-01-2013 : Hoi An -> Hoi An -> Hoi An -
02-01-2013 : bus to Hue -> flight HCMC -> HCMC -
03-01-2013 : HCMC -> HCMC -> HCMC -
04-01-2013 : flight to KL -> KL -> KL -
05-01-2013 : flight to PPS -> bus to El Nido -> el nido - may be direct flight to el nido
06-01-2013 : el nido -> el nido -> el nido -
07-01-2013 : el nido -> el nido -> el nido -
08-01-2013 : bus to PPS -> Flight to Manila -> manila - may be direct flight to manila
09-01-2013 : flight to Legazpi -> bus to Donsol -> Donsol -
10-01-2013 : Donsol -> Donsol -> Donsol -
11-01-2013 : bus to legazpi -> Flight to Manila -> Flight to KL -
12-01-2013 : flight to Medan -> bus to bukit park -> bukit -
13-01-2013 : bukit -> bukit -> bukit -
14-01-2013 : bus to medan -> flight to singapur -> singapur -
15-01-2013 : flight to jakarta -> Airport -> Flight to Chile -