Korean Job Discussion Forums

[twoofus]

Hi all,

We're going on a vacation for only ten days and want to cram as much in as we can - we know the arguments about learning more about one place by staying in that place for ten days, and agree, but we prefer to see what we can see in the time we have.

Here's our plan - can you offer any suggestions/help about our itinerary? We heard it's best to book trains in advance because of the busy travel season, but aren't sure what if we really need to, or if it's better to get the 5-day $35 US train pass and pay extra for sleepers where necessary. Please tell us what you can if you've been there and done that. Or not been there but heard about that from a friend.

December 23 - land in Singapore, take a ferry to Tanjung Pinang/Pulau Bintan, visit village on stilts and Trikora Beach, no idea where to stay yet, possibly Shady Shack. Is it necessary to book a ferry?
December 24th, evening - ferry back to Singapore, stay at the InnCrowd (recommended by a friend)
December 25th - Singapore zoo, Little India, possibly Chinatown, sling at the Long Bar in the Raffles. A new cliche for Christmas.
December 26th - Walk over the causeway to Malaysia (possible?). Jungle train (during the day - to see the landscape) from Johor Bahru to Tanah Merah or Wakaf Bahru. Take a ferry to the Perhentian Islands, no idea where to stay yet. Many places might be closed because of the season.
December 28th - overnight train to Taman Negara - anyone does this? It seems complicated to get there.
December 29th - canopy walkway, climb Bukit Teresek. In the evening, overnight train to Kuala Lampur
December 30th - KL - Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, maybe a bit of a walk around KL
December 31st - walk around KL, flight to Singapore, walking tours of the city and New Year's
January 1st - back to good ol' Seoul

[J.B. Clamence]

The bus from KL to Singapore only takes about 6 hours and is not expensive. After all the overnight trains you're taking on the trip, it seems a bit odd you would choose to fly to Singapore.

[twoofus]

True - the flight was included in our original ticket price and is a bit quicker. The change might be nice too.

[billinkorea]

Its an ambitious plan. Not sure that it will be possible to cross into malaysia, catch the train and then get to the perhentians in one day. Actually i know it wont the boat runs at 8am then again at 12 if the weather is ok so you will struggle, but im sure you could find somewhere to stay overnight.

[gajackson1]

IF YOU ARE FLYING ON SIN AIR!!!

Hold onto your Boarding Pass stub - that thing is GOLD for discounts & extras, on all kinds of things in Singapore - including the Zoo, hotels, admissions on Sentosa, etc.

[wormholes101]

Plan sounds good although extremely tight. I would seriously consider forgetting about the Perhentian Islands as the weather is very likely to be atrocious (massive waves, monsoon, constant rain) with the genuine possibility that boats might not even be going to the islands. You may have to wait for a day or two for a break in the weather before boat captains are prepared to attempt the run out to the islands. Just don't expect to do anything while you're there as all the dive shops will be closed, the seas will be too big to swim in with dangerous rip currents and 95% of restaurants and accommodation will be closed. If you are determined to go to the islands probably best choose Coral beach on Small island or one of the west facing beaches on the Big island.

If you want to do the Perhentian trip you can get back down to Taman Negara by the jungle train departing from Wakaf Baru. The train is painfully slow and you'll probably arrive in at the town (can't remember the name) which is the gateway to Taman Negara at dusk/night. If you want to get into the park that night, you'll have to hire a taxi or you can wait and catch a boat up the river the next morning (3hrs).

Oh, by the way: it is possible to walk to Malaysia from Singapore.

[twoofus]

Wow - thanks everyone, this is all really great advice.

I've heard this about the Perhentians before, but your advice might just have made me cross the line - I'm not interested in diving this vacay, though snorkelling would be nice, but rather just want to get any lounging in the sun in that I can - even I get stranded in a hut with some beers I wouldn't be so disappointed, but getting stuck on the island due to the lack of transportation/unpopularity during the down season might put a damper on my schedule.

Would the same theory fly if we looked at heading to some beach on the west coast?

Thanks everyone!

[wormholes101]

The west coast should be fine weather wise. Your best bet might be Langkawi which is also right up the north on the west coast. I heard the snorkeling at Pulau Payar is nice but haven't had first hand experience with that.

Generally the west coast islands and beaches aren't as nice as the eastern beaches/islands but not sure if your really have much choice in the matter.