| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
timhorton
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:22 am Post subject: South East Asia ( How to get the most of 2 weeks ) |
 |
|
I have 2 weeks vacation. Would like to hit some of the attractions in South East Asia......Starting from Bangkok what would be a good route.
I hope to visit phuket, cambodia, laos, and vietnam.......is it posible? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:34 am Post subject: Re: South East Asia ( How to get the most of 2 weeks ) |
|
|
| timhorton wrote: |
I have 2 weeks vacation. Would like to hit some of the attractions in South East Asia......Starting from Bangkok what would be a good route.
I hope to visit phuket, cambodia, laos, and vietnam.......is it posible? |
Is it possible... yes....
2 days for each place and 4 days total for travel time..... hmmmmm
Is it realistic..... NO.
Pick 2 locations and spend a week in each. Repeat on your next vacation or at the end of your contract.
It'll be more realistic, you will actually be able to see something outside of the arrivals hall and passport control at each destination, it will be much more relaxed and enjoyable. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
b_canadian_eh
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
I concur with Tom... pick a couple spots with minimal travel time and truly enjoy your break. So you can say you've been to more countries, take the time and enjoy the place you decide on.
Thailand/Malaysia... Cambodia/Laos... Vietnam.... heck, each of these countries warrants at least the 2 weeks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| b_canadian_eh wrote: |
| each of these countries warrants at least the 2 weeks! |
exactly
don't be the one to scurry through a half dozen countries at blinding speed and then when you get back home talk as if you know that country or mention that you've been to this that and the other country without saying how litttle time you spent actually seeing anything and doing anything. don't be that guy! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
well, in contrast to the rest of you, I've spent the last two three week holidays I've had with incredibly busy itineraries. We visited the four countries of Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in one of those for example. We spent no more than three nights in any one place. We didn't do this to boast of where we'd been or to say we "Knew" any one country. Hell, who knows a country after a week, let alone two days? Not me. Not any of us. We did it cos we only had that amount of time and may not get another opportunity.
But, I'd do it again. Reason being that when your schedule is crammed full, three weeks feels like three months. Both my wife and I, after one week, could hardly believe all we'd seen and done... and we still had two weeks to go. It was amazing how time stretched out. At least now we can say we have seen something of each of those distinct countries and cultures.
Conversely, when I've spent two weeks on a beach or even a week here and a week there. Time rockets past and the holiday is over before you know it. It's a curious psychological phenomenon. Not sure why it works.
So, I'd recommend cramming your itinerary unless you are in fact the kind of bozo who does boast they've visited a country after one night in a hotel. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
timhorton
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The Saint, since you have experienced these four places ( Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand ) I would to hear your advice.
I will depart from Seoul:
Where is the most convenient arrival to complete these four countries?
Would you be able to suggest a route?
How about visas? Where do you get those? Is a visa needed for each country?
How about accomodations?
thanx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
huffdaddy
Joined: 25 Nov 2005
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| the saint wrote: |
So, I'd recommend cramming your itinerary unless you are in fact the kind of bozo who does boast they've visited a country after one night in a hotel. |
All of these countries have enough sites to allow for more than 2 weeks of cramming. Trying to cover all four in two weeks sounds manic. I did two months and only got to see about half of what I wanted to.
OP: Bangkok is pretty much the hub of SE Asia. Check the embassy web sites for visa info. Thai visa is usually available at arrival. I believe Cambodia's can be bought on-line or at the border. Vietnam and Laos will need visas ahead of time.
Doing the region is usually a circular route. Bangkok-Siem Reap-Phnom Phen-HCMC-Hanoi-Vientienne-Luang Probang-Chiang Mai-Bangkok. Once you get to Bangkok you can pretty much follow the scent. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
timhorton
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
thanks huffdaddy,
Would it be right to say that it is "best" to start in Bangkok ->Cambodia->Laos->Vietnam? Is this the most efficient route? I figured fly into bangkok go down through and fly out of vietnam....or is the reverse route better? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
huffdaddy
Joined: 25 Nov 2005
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| timhorton wrote: |
thanks huffdaddy,
Would it be right to say that it is "best" to start in Bangkok ->Cambodia->Laos->Vietnam? Is this the most efficient route? I figured fly into bangkok go down through and fly out of vietnam....or is the reverse route better? |
I don't think it matters. I did the counterclockwise route (by bicycle/bus/train), but I'm sure plenty of people do it clockwise, and criss-cross different ways.
I'd suggest getting a SE Asia guide book, and/or checking out some of the travel forums, such as bootsnall.com. There'll be a lot more people who can answer your questions there. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| timhorton wrote: |
| The Saint, since you have experienced these four places ( Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand ) I would to hear your advice. |
well, I've only experienced some of the many wonderful places in these countries. In Cambodia and Laos, for example, I've only flown in and out of one town. Hardly expert advice...
| Quote: |
| Where is the most convenient arrival to complete these four countries? |
"complete" - is that really the right word? Bangkok usually has the cheapest flights into SE Asia from Seoul. Bear in mind that if you fly Bangkok to Siem Reap there is only one airline (Bangkok Airlines) and they're relatively steep.
| Quote: |
| Would you be able to suggest a route? |
Sure http://www.johnandsheena.co.uk/sea/tour.html
but it does all depend on you and there are so many variables my suggestion is kind of worthless really...
| Quote: |
| How about visas? Where do you get those? Is a visa needed for each country? |
I feel for you here. The Internet is a wonderful thing. I worry that, not being able to find your way around the net, you might suffer finding your way around SE Asia  Visas all depend on your nationality. For Brits, only Vietnam needed a visa in advance. Laos needed passport photos on arrival. Cambodia offers an optional e-visa in advance which we took advantage of.
| Quote: |
| How about accomodations? |
unless you go at peak season (Christmas/New Year) you can find a huge range of accommodation anywhere by just turning up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
timhorton
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
"The Saint" - thanks for your informative replies. When I stated "complete" I was referring to completing my travel plans.
( including just a little of thailand, cambodia, laos, and vietnam.
Although I do surf the net for this info...it's nice to hear from those who have experience.
Because time is a factor ( just two weeks ) I am wondering where to start...I would like(prefer) to travel from Bangkok->Cambodia->Laos->Vietnam->Bangkok.......does anyone know if this is an efficient route? My plan is to go to each of the four and see some main atractions , snap some photos and carry on.
If anyone else has experience with this please post some info...
thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
