Korean Job Discussion Forums

Trumpcard · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

As an update to other threads, I'm planning to do a lot of travelling in May. Trying to get to Singapore or KL for a day or 2, sight-see then head on a cheap flight to Australia. Spend 2 weeks in Oz, then head back to Asia for 2 weeks. I've never been to Laos nor Malaysia.

Both sound exciting, I'd be travelling alone. Which is cheaper, offers more to see and do, better food, where would YOU choose and why? Would you travel anywhere else in the region?

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

Take in Singapore. While you're there, you can cross the causeway bridge into Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Both Singapore and JB are great places, IMHO.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Malaysia is much much more richer than Laos. To me Malaysia seemed 10 years ahead of Thailand, development wise. Also, Malaysian cities have a very interesting mix, and tension, between the ethnic groups (Chinese, Malays and Indians). Kuala Lumpur is kind of like a gritter version of Singapore, but with way more Malays.

How many days do you have? I'd say do Singapore for 2 or so days then work your way up the Malaysian peninsula, for about a week, then fly out of Penang (if you can) to Laos. Otherwise you'll have go back to Kuala Lumpur, or into Bangkok to get a plane to Laos.

Trumpcard · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

great, thanks for the tips. well the plan is to fly to ausytralia first as cheaply as possible. tiger air has ridculously cheap one way flights to melbourne from singapore and even cheaper on air asia from KL to the gold coast. main aim is to get to one of these asian cities from Seoul, spend 2 days, head home then fly back to one of these cities and spend 2 weeks at my leisure.

malaysia a safe place to travel by oneself? is jakarta worth visitng for a couple of days?

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Malaysia is really safe.

Travel by taxi is cheap as well. Travelled all over Malaysia in a taxi.

articulate_ink · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:15 am Post subject:

Much of Malaysia's safe but I'd steer clear of Johor Bahru. KL has a lot to offer and is worth a look. Hotels in Singapore have become rather expensive as the Sing dollar has appreciated. I love the place but if you're concerned about costs, give KL a thought.

Trumpcard · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

flights have now been booked! arriving in KL late in the afternnon on May 2nd, departing 2 weeks later on the 16th. Now to work out an itenarary! Would like to spend time in KL, Penang, perhaps Singapore, Melaca, possibly the Cameron Highlands, and do some relaxing on a beach. Kota Kinabalu sounds nice but might be too far away. Depending on timeframes, I'd like to spend a few days in Laos to see Luang Prabang Veng Vieng (sp).

Suggestions/advice welcome! I don't mind hotels so much but would prefer comfortable guesthouses close to interesting areas.

Trumpcard · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

My flights are booked and I realised I may have planned to visit too many places in my limited time. So which place would you say is better for 2-3 days, Melacca or Penang and why?

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

i'd say it depends upon time and what you're looking to do...

i spent 3 weeks in laos and had a fantastic time! it's a hassle to get there (you must either fly or bus from thailand, vietnam, or cambodia) so only a week there isn't worth it, IMO... highlights for me were don det (island paradise!), vientiane (a really chill, under-rated capital city), the food, and fellow travellers... vang vieng was beautiful but annoying and luang prabang was chock full of mystique and old people - REALLY old people...

living in seoul, i really enjoyed the slower pace in laos, but if you're looking for big city excitement, head somewhere else...

Trumpcard · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

ernie, would love to go to Laos - will be the next vacation, not enough time to really chill out there. mrssquirrel, thanks for those tips. You don't recommend Melacca? Haven't heard about the other 2 places u mentioned and will check them out. Considered snorkelling and diving but want to try and keep costs low and also doesn't seem to be cheap accommodation options in the Perhentians.

Definitely spending 3 nights in KL, at some stage 2-3 nights in Singapore and 2-3 nights in Tama Rata in Cameron Highlands. Penang is meant to be the food capital or something...

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Trumpcard · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

thanks for the great links! reading the Terry ones now. Think I'll have to give Singapore a miss and go there another time - just too much to see and do in Malaysia!