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| Where to go? |
| Mainland (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos) |
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63% |
[ 7 ] |
| Indonesia/Malaysia |
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36% |
[ 4 ] |
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| Total Votes : 11 |
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cazador83
Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:13 am Post subject: SE Asia: Where to go for 5 weeks |
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I've got about 5 weeks for winter vacation, and I just bought Lonely Planet's Southeast Asia book.
I realize I can't do everything, so I'm wondering, which area do you guys recommend? The mainland Mekong area (Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam) or Malaysia/Singapore/Indonesia? I might throw Thailand into either one if time allows.
I'm backpacking alone (male) and mainly want to go someplace with adventure but also relax if I need to! |
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carpenocturne
Joined: 25 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: The former! |
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I'm not particularly versed in Malaysia or Indonesia as I am some of the other countries you've mentioned, but considering current events with earthquakes and foreign aid in Indonesia--not to mention the bombings in the last few years--you may find the tone a bit too somber for your vacation taste. That being said, Indonesia is a big country and beautiful.
I would personally think it better to check out the first options of Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, (and Thailand). I'd definitely recommend Thailand. Just a few weeks there and its already surpassed all 32 countries I've visited in terms of natural beauty, lifestyle, price, accessible medicine, and cuisine! |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| 5 weeks is a nice amount of time to cruise around in India. |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:20 am Post subject: |
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| It'll be rainy season in winter in Indonesia. I'd recommend further north. |
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cazador83
Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:59 am Post subject: |
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yeah i was leaning towards the mainland anyway, but i just keep hearing awesome things about Malaysia.
Would India be as cheap as what SE Asia? Or cheaper even? |
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asams
Joined: 17 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:14 am Post subject: |
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| If you don't mind my asking: What's a trip like this gonna run you? I would love to do something like this. |
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cazador83
Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:02 am Post subject: |
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| haha i'm not sure. i'm just gonna wing it and see. i won't spend too much, but i'm sure ill splurge every once i awhile in order to enjoy myself! |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| asams wrote: |
| If you don't mind my asking: What's a trip like this gonna run you? I would love to do something like this. |
This could be done on a backpacker budget of 25-30 USD a day. More if you like to drink a lot or don't fancy the backpacker haunts so much.
30*35 days= 1050 +~ 500 airfare. Should be quite easy to do with 2k or less. |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| cazador83 wrote: |
yeah i was leaning towards the mainland anyway, but i just keep hearing awesome things about Malaysia.
Would India be as cheap as what SE Asia? Or cheaper even? |
Eh, could be, but will probably be around the same price.
India is an utterly massive country, however, and transportation is slow. With 5 weeks, you'd probably stay mostly in one or two regions. And again, in winter, you have to be wary of monsoon affected areas (Eastern and N. Eastern areas).
Personally, I think SE Asia has far more to offer but I didn't really like India that much. Others may (strongly) disagree. |
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chris_J2
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Location: From Brisbane, Au.
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| Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject: Indonesia |
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| Quote: |
| It'll be rainy season in winter in Indonesia. I'd recommend further north. |
Umm... Most of Indonesia is below the equator. Meaning January is summer. And it usually only rains in the afternoon & at night. Plus it never snows below 5,000 metres. The Dieng Plateau in Java sometimes has frost in August. This is not Korea, people. How did Bukittingi fare in the recent quake? Lake Toba, Nias & Bukit Lawang are all still operating. Java can easily chew up 3-4 weeks, then another week for Bali & Lombok.
Peninsular Malaysia can be done in about 7-9 days. |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:46 am Post subject: |
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| runthegauntlet wrote: |
| cazador83 wrote: |
yeah i was leaning towards the mainland anyway, but i just keep hearing awesome things about Malaysia.
Would India be as cheap as what SE Asia? Or cheaper even? |
Eh, could be, but will probably be around the same price.
India is an utterly massive country, however, and transportation is slow. With 5 weeks, you'd probably stay mostly in one or two regions. And again, in winter, you have to be wary of monsoon affected areas (Eastern and N. Eastern areas).
Personally, I think SE Asia has far more to offer but I didn't really like India that much. Others may (strongly) disagree. |
Monsoon is in Indian Summer, not during November to March and that is why most people go there in these times. |
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chris_J2
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Location: From Brisbane, Au.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:59 am Post subject: India |
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| DD is correct. I've also been to India in winter (January / February). That's the dry season, not the monsoon, which is in summer. Some flights from Nepal were delayed by fog, though. And locals were complaining that 10c was an iceage. |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 3:59 am Post subject: |
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My 2 favorite places were Malaysia/Borneo and Laos. This is of no help though, sorry  |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:45 am Post subject: |
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| D.D. wrote: |
| runthegauntlet wrote: |
| cazador83 wrote: |
yeah i was leaning towards the mainland anyway, but i just keep hearing awesome things about Malaysia.
Would India be as cheap as what SE Asia? Or cheaper even? |
Eh, could be, but will probably be around the same price.
India is an utterly massive country, however, and transportation is slow. With 5 weeks, you'd probably stay mostly in one or two regions. And again, in winter, you have to be wary of monsoon affected areas (Eastern and N. Eastern areas).
Personally, I think SE Asia has far more to offer but I didn't really like India that much. Others may (strongly) disagree. |
Monsoon is in Indian Summer, not during November to March and that is why most people go there in these times. |
No. There are two monsoon seasons. The Eastern and N. Eastern areas are affected during the winter time, between October and February-ish. June to September is the Southwestern monsoon. Depending on the region, you may or may not be affected. You can go look it up if you'd like. Don't take my word for it. |
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runthegauntlet
Joined: 02 Dec 2007
Location: the southlands.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:46 am Post subject: Re: India |
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| chris_J2 wrote: |
| DD is correct. I've also been to India in winter (January / February). That's the dry season, not the monsoon, which is in summer. Some flights from Nepal were delayed by fog, though. And locals were complaining that 10c was an iceage. |
Again, depends on where you're at. |
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