SE Asia vacation - where to go?

dtmt · Apr 7, 2008

I'm thinking of taking a trip somewhere in Southeast Asia for 4-5 days. Mainly just want to relax, enjoy the beach and fresh seafood/local cuisine. It doesn't need to be the most exciting place, but I'd like somewhere were there's at least something to do/see outside of the hotel. (I'm not a fan of the typical American-style resort in Mexico or whatever where you're basically confined to the hotel grounds)

Right now the places I'm considering are:
Guam
Saipan
Thailand
Bali

For some reason I get the impression that Guam and Saipan might not be as nice, but since they're a bit cheaper I'm considering them as well.

Any thoughts/experiences/suggestions?

Matt · Apr 7, 2008

Obviously I have a bias toward Vietnam, but objectively, Thailand has everything and is a pretty easy trip for just a few days....

johnapril · Apr 7, 2008

Please consider taking a bit longer vacation, as the places you want to visit may not be as easy to fire in and out of on a tight schedule, and you risk basically throwing out any of the relaxing advantages of the destinations. I'd suggest no less than 2 weeks for either Thailand or Indonesia. Bail is an easy destination as you can fly into Denpasar and be on the beach less than 15 minutes after you step out of the airport. Thailand requires more of a trek south of Bangkok, so you might try to arrange an onward flight and never step out at Bangkok.

My ideal chill out spot in SEA is Luang Prabang, in northern Laos along the Mekong. If you need a guesthouse recommendation for the town, just ask for Viradesa. He's a good man.

dtmt · Apr 7, 2008

Has anyone been to Guam? I think it is my top choice right now -- I'm having a hard time finding decent deals for places like Thailand since it seems to be a busy season for travel.

Originally Posted by johnapril

Please consider taking a bit longer vacation, as the places you want to visit may not be as easy to fire in and out of on a tight schedule, and you risk basically throwing out any of the relaxing advantages of the destinations. I'd suggest no less than 2 weeks for either Thailand or Indonesia.
Well, I live in Tokyo so it's a pretty easy/short trip to most places in SE Asia.

Bic Pentameter · Apr 7, 2008

Originally Posted by dtmt

Has anyone been to Guam? I think it is my top choice right now -- I'm having a hard time finding decent deals for places like Thailand since it seems to be a busy season for travel.

Well, I live in Tokyo so it's a pretty easy/short trip to most places in SE Asia.

I lived on Guam for 4 years in the late '70`s, then took a trip back as an adult. It was not too impressive in comparison to Samoa. Member "watchingdetails" currently lives on Guam.

Bic

aleksandr · Apr 8, 2008

Technically Guam and Saipan aren't even in SE Asia but...

Anyhow, if you (or anyone else on SF for that matter) happen to visit Singapore or pass through on transit, I'd be happy to entertain you for a bit. Not much to see, but LOTS to eat.

dizzhizz · Apr 8, 2008

Definitely cross out Guam and Saipan from that list. I was there two years ago and I vowed never to go back.

Orsini · Apr 8, 2008

Originally Posted by dizzhizz

Definitely cross out Guam and Saipan from that list. I was there two years ago and I vowed never to go back.
Can you tell us more about that?

Karo · Apr 8, 2008

I'm heading over to Thailand next week. Phuket for 3 nights and bangkok for another 3 nights. So one week thailand trip including tickets, hotel + breakfast cost me $600usd.

dtmt · Apr 8, 2008

Originally Posted by Karo

I'm heading over to Thailand next week. Phuket for 3 nights and bangkok for another 3 nights. So one week thailand trip including tickets, hotel + breakfast cost me $600usd.

The problem for me is that I'll be coming from Japan during the "Golden Week" holiday, so prices/availability are much, much worse.

johnapril · Apr 8, 2008

Originally Posted by dtmt

Has anyone been to Guam? I think it is my top choice right now -- I'm having a hard time finding decent deals for places like Thailand since it seems to be a busy season for travel.

Well, I live in Tokyo so it's a pretty easy/short trip to most places in SE Asia.

Lucky bastard.

Matt · Apr 8, 2008

how about Boracay in the Phillipines?

or if you can get to Malaysia, gorgeous beaches around Redang and Perhentian.

Failing that, fly to Singapore and do a weekend package trip to Rawa (in Malaysia, but closer to Singapore than KL). Rawa is stunning....

Personally I am going to Con Dao again in a month, which is my favorite Vietnam chillspot.

lefty · Apr 8, 2008

I'm off to Bali next week, so, ummm... don't go there. Nothing available.

I would consider the recommendation to hit Laos. I haven't been, but I hear it's relatively unspoiled and probably pretty cheap. Thailand absolutely, if you've never been.

alexsandr, there used to be a seafood restaurant along the road from the airport to downtown Singapore with a huge sign that read, "If it swims, we got it." Always thought that summed up the cuisine pretty well. I'll be passing through for about three hours and would love to load up on some of my favourite dishes. Anything close to the airport (or even at the airport) you can recommend?

lefty

Matt · Apr 8, 2008

Giant in East Coast Park?

Alter · Apr 8, 2008

Originally Posted by dtmt

The problem for me is that I'll be coming from Japan during the "Golden Week" holiday, so prices/availability are much, much worse.

Guam or Saipan during Golden Week will basically feel like you are still in Tokyo.

SE Asia vacation - where to go?

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