Bonjour,
Une petite question me vient à l'esprit ce matin. Comment faire pour l'argent pour notre voyage?
Nous partons 1 mois (1re fois aussi longtemps) à Bali, Nusa Lembongan et Labuan Bajo cet été.
D'habitude, nous emmenons les euros que nous aurons besoin pour le voyage et nous échangeons en plusieurs fois sur place. Ca évite les frais bancaires mais il y a plus de risque de perdre....
Pour notre voyage cet été, je me demande s'il est préférable de faire la même chose ou de retirer aux distributeurs. Par rapport aux lieux où nous allons, quel est le mieux? Je crains de me retrouver sans distributeur
Ubud; Keliki; Permuteran; Amed, Nusa Lembongan, Padang bai, Labuan bajo
Bonjour
Voici mes calculs, à partir d'un voyage en Indonésie (Bali, Flores, Labuanbajo) en Octobre 2010, cela a t il changé? Mystère, probablement pas. Je reponds uniquement sur l'interet financier, à ta question 😉
CASH VS ATM (Carte Retrait international Plus).
CONCLUSION : En ne considérant que l'intérêt financier et en laissant de coté la sécurité, la facilité, les résultats changent avec le lieu :
A Bali (Legian, Ubud...): VICTOIRE DU CASH. le meilleur change s'obtient avec le cash, à condition de bien choisir son « money-changeur » (car le change varie de 400/500 Rp par € du meilleur changeur au moins bon). Les ATM ne fourniront qu'un change à peu près équivalent (en tenant compte des frais) que pour de très gros retraits (plus de 300 euros). Cependant cette conclusion s'inversera si on se contente de ne comparer que 3 ou 4 money-changeurs ET si l'on retire de l'ATM plus de 300 €. (les 2 conditions précédentes doivent être réunies pour obtenir un meilleur change que le cash à un « mauvais » money-changeur). Cette victoire du cash est dû au frais de retraits qui sont important et surtout imputables à notre banque, et très peu (1/7ième seulement!) à la Banque Indonésienne...
Voilà les résultats pour Ubud Bali le 17 septembre 2009 ( voir note2)
CASH du meilleur money changeur : 14 000 Roupia/€ (réel j'ai recompter les billets)
ATM 8 millions de roupies : 13 875 IDR/€
ATM 5 millions de roupies : 13 842 IDR/€
ATM 3 millions de roupies : 13 760 IDR/€
ATM 2 millions de roupies : 13 660 IDR/€
ATM 1,5 millions de roupies : 13 560 IDR/€
CASH du plus mauvais money-changeur 13 550 IDR/€ et encore moins pour les TC
Dans les petites iles du Nusa Tengara, Flores ... COURTE VICTOIRE de l'ATM sur le CASH : (mais peu de données de comparaison)
Hors Bali le taux de change obtenu avec le cash est faible, et on obtiendra le meilleur taux en retirant aux ATM même que 2 000 000 Rp, (on a pas le choix les ATM ne donnent pas plus dans ces petites iles). Le calcul montre l'avantage aux ATM même pour un retrait de 1500 000Rp...
A Labuan Bajo, le change réellement obtenu avec un retrait de 2000 000 Rp puis de 1900 000 Rp fut légèrement supérieur à celui du cash (d'environ 300 Rp par euro), car le change des money-changeur de Labuan Bajo était bas (12 500 Rp/12700 Rp par Euro voir 13000Rp en demandant dans « la rue »...).
DOLLARS OU EUROS?
A Bali: D'après calcul (voir note 3) sur une dizaine de money-changeur AUCUNE différence d'appréciation entre l'Euro et le Dollar.Emporter des euros vous économiserez une opération de change.
Dans les petites iles...D'après calcul (voir note 1) sur deux money-changeur (et d'après l'expérience de Lolodesiles et de Laurent), il semble que le Dollar soit mieux apprécié que l'euro (de 5%). Si on écarte le mauvais change de Lolo, cette différence justifie à peine que l'on change ses Euros en Dollars avant de partir (la différence sera complètement bouffée par l'opération de change Euro-Dollar dans la plupart des changeurs de France).
Donc partir avec ses Euros si on est un ressortissant de L'UE, et choisir des dollars si on doit changer sa monnaie et aller hors Bali.
Attention: A la calculette à la fausse conversion (merci les nouvelles fonctions) et le faux compte de billets, sans vigilance les money changers peuvent être des bandits non manchots, bien évidemment pas tous! Pour un calcul facile retirer 100 ou 200 € etc
Remarque ATM Il semble bien qu'il soit possible de retirer 2 000 000 Rp de la plupart des ATM Indo même lorsqu'il apparaît sur l'écran; « limité à 1 200 000 Rp ». (J'ai réussi (comme d'autres étrangers) à retirer 2 000 000 Rp de bien des ATM normalement limité à 1 200 000Rp, de plusieurs villes Indonésiennes...) (voir note1) Certains ATM de Bali, (ou de très grandes villes Indonésiennes) peuvent délivrer beaucoup plus que 2 millions de roupies (ATM Citybank de l'aéroport Bali, ATM BII d'Ubud, …), mais ces ATM sont rares, pas toujours faciles à trouver.
Bonne journee a tous JF
(1) J'ai retiré 2 millions de roupies d'un ATM "normalement" limités à 1 500 000 Rp à Labuan Bajo, Kalabahi, Kupang ! De plus, j'ai rencontré plusieurs personnes qui avait eu aussi effectué des retraits de 2 millions dans des ATM normalement limité à 1,5 ou 1,2 millions de roupies ! (ils avaient eu la même information que moi-même, à savoir la possibilité de retirer jusqu'à 2 000 000 Rp de la plupart des ATM Indonésien).
(2) Quel est le change obtenu aux ATM avec une Carte Bleue, de retrait...?
Voici le change obtenu aux ATM:
le 17 sept 13760 rp/€ en tenant compte des frais (14350 Rp/€ taux inter-bancaire appliqué mais comme il y a 9,06€ de frais pour 3millions de Rp de retirées, soit 218€ de facturer au total).
Le 1 oct 13177 rp/€ en tenant compte des frais (13927 Rp/€ taux inter-bancaire mais comme il y a 6,12€ de frais pour 1,5millions de Rp de retirées, soit 113,83€ de facturer au total)
Le 8 octobre 13055 rp/€ en tenant compte des frais (13793 Rp/€ taux inter-bancaire mais comme il y a 6,15€ de frais pour 1,5millions de Rp de retirées, soit 114,9€ de facturer au total) ..
Le taux de change ci-dessus diminue avec le montant retiré mais cette diminution est amplifiée par le raffermissement de la roupie face à l'euro fin septembre (de 400 à 500 roupie/euro en 3 semaines). Aussi pour comparer CASH et ATM il faudrait comparer les taux réellement obtenu aux ATM avec ce que proposent dans le même temps une dizaine de changeurs à chaque retrait, mais j'étais en vacances.. Cependant le 17 septembre à Ubud Bali je ai effectué un retrait ATM et j'ai relevé le change d'une dizaine de money changeur d'Ubud (car j'ai également changé beaucoup de cash à Bali ce jour là, le change étant meilleur à Bali que partout ailleurs).
Donc pour comparer CASH et ATM (et éviter que la comparaison ne soit faussée par les fluctuations de la roupie) j'ai calculé quel aurait été le change pour différents retraits pour une date fixe le 17septembre, à partir des informations données par ma banque sur les frais (2,5 € par retrait + 2,5% du montant) + les frais de la Banque Indonésienne ou autre...(environ = 0,53€ par retrait + 0,38% calculé à partir de mes relevés bancaires ultérieurs). Les changes obtenus pour différents montants le 17 septembre sont donc des calculs.
Les frais dépendent aussi de la carte utilisée (CB, Master, ...) J'ai refait les calculs avec ce qu'aurait été le change avec une CB du CA, (3,3€ par retrait + 1,75%) pas de grosses différences...
(3) Calculs EURO VS Dollar: J'ai calculé le ratio Dollar/Euro d'une dizaine money-changeur, et je l'ai comparé au ratio Dollar/Euro international du jour (celui donné par la bourse). Si ce ratio est égal, aucune raison de préférer le dollar à l'euro. A Bali Legian, j'ai trouvé un ratio de 1,48 à 1,51 le 14 novembre, et à Labuan Bajo j'ai trouvé 1,43. Or le change de ce jour etait de 1,49Dollar pour 1 euro le 11 novembre, donc le Dollar est un peu mieux apprécié que l'euro à Labuan Bajo mais pas plus à Bali. Et le retour de Loïc de Kupang....
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (M. Twain)
Bonjour
Cependant, les résultats de mon commentaires précédent risquent d'etre caduques, car il est possible qu' actuellement certaines Master Card, offrent des frais par retrait aux ATM inférieur à 1€.
Ainsi il est possible que certaines MasterCard sortent vainqueur sur le cash en tout lieu, (grace aux retraits aux ATM) aussi bien à Bali qu'à FLores.
En effet, en 2014 à Madagascar, en retirant aux ATM ou DAB (Automatic Teller Machine, nom international ou Distributeur Automatique de Billets) avec ma MasterCard Carrefour j'ai constaté avec STUPEUR et JOIE que les frais pour mes retraits à Madagascar etaient inférieur à 1€ !!!
(le 4 septembre 2014, j'ai obtenu TOUT frais calculés et déduit (en regardant mon relevé bancaire) un meilleur change avec ma MasterCard à l'ATM de la MBC , une banque de Madagascar, que le meilleur change dans la rue, à la meme date dans la capitale. Et l'avantage de la MasterCard sur le cash s'est accru dans le reste du pays)
Mais qu'en est il pour l'Asie ? Cela sera til pareil qu'à Madagascar ? Cela est il spécifique à la MasterCard Carrefour ? Si d'autres forumeur ont réalisés des relevés précis... ?
CONCLUSION: Privilégier les retraits aux ATM qui délivrent beaucoup (800 000Rp ou le Maximum possible) avec une carte de retrait choisie avec soin, et vérifier les frais de retrait réellement pris sur son relevé bancaire. Emporter un peu de cash, avec des billets très propres quasi neuf, au cas où...
ATTENTION, toutes les cartes de retrait ne sont PAS équivalentes, car certaines ont des frais important par retrait. J'avais emporté 2 cartes de retrait, et avec ma seconde carte, la "Plus" de la BNP, aux mêmes DAB, j'ai obtenu un change environ 7% moins bon que le change de la rue ou avec ma Master Card, car les frais par retrait avec cette carte "Plus" etait de 8,42€ !!! alors qu'avec ma Master Card ils n'etaient que de 0.89€ donc <1€, aux memes DAB ! (j'effectuais plussieurs retraits consécutifs aux memes DAB, avec mes différentes cartes)
Si ces renseignements te seront utiles.
Bonnes préparations de voyages 😉
Notes: En effet, les frais par retrait aux DAB avec la Mastercard Carrefour n'était que de 0,89€ par retrait de 600 000 Ar, Ariary la money à Madagascar.
Le taux de change interbancaire nous est très favorable avec les retraits aux DAB, il faut juste veiller que les frais bancaires par retrait soit les plus faibles possibles. Je crois que d'autres cartes bancaires ont aussi des frais <1€, par retrait à l'étranger, car je me souviens avoir vu une publicité à la TV qui le disait, mais j'ai complètement oublié de quelle carte il s'agisait ?
j'ai effectué d'autres retraits par la suite avec ma Master Card en d'autres lieux de Madagascar, et à chaque fois les frais par retrait furent TOUS inférieur à 1€, d'après mon relevé bancaire. A chaque fois j'ai obtenu un meilleur change, que ce que j'ai concrètement obtenu dans la rue. (La rue ne me proposa un change équivalent à celui obtenu avec ma carte bancaire qu'à Tana la capitale de Madagascar).
Bon voyage
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (M. Twain)
Je ne connais pas Nusa Lembongan, mais sinon à Bali, Ubud et Labuanbajo Flores, oui vous trouverez des ATM.
En septembre 2015, les possesseurs de carte Visa ne purent plus retirer d'argent aux ATM d'Indonésie durant plusieurs mois, car Visa bloquait tous les retraits en Indonésie. Mais les MasterCard, ou ... fonctionnaient. Il semble qu'il soit à nouveau possible de retirer avec Visa en Indonésie.
voyageforum.com/...er-octobre-d7207262/
Un autre utilisateur Volcans93 a eu des problèmes avec les cartes bancaires de la Banque Postale parce que sa banque considérait l'Indonésie comme peu sure.
il y a pleins d'ATM a Flores, cependant si vous avez une carte a la banque postale vous risquez d'avoir des problemes. En effet la banque postale considere que l'Indonesie n'est pas sure et donc bloque les retraits. J'ai eue le cas il y a 2 ans avec une visa sur Flores et 3 ans sur les Moluques avec master card avant d'apprendre que c etait ma banque qui bloquait. Apparement il faut prevenir la banque avant de partir pour qu'elle ne bloque pas.
voyageforum.com/...-indonesie-d7088349/
Recommendation importante: Ne jamais confier sa carte bancaire au coffre d'un hotel, ou à celui d'un dive center, ou au "safety" coffre de ... qui que ce soit, car des personnes malveillantes pourraient vous l'emprunter incognito et réaliser de nombreux achats avec, car en Asie du Sud Est, il est (ou était) possible de réaliser des achats sans votre code secret avec le seul sabot. Vous récupérez votre carte, vous ne vous appercevez de rien sauf à votre retour en lisant votre relevé bancaire, mais c'est bien trop tard. Cela m'est arrivé et je n'ai pu me faire rembourser que par miracle. Et j'ai rencontré 2 personnes qui perdirent beaucoup d'argent à cause d'un "emprunt" de leur CB dans le coffre soi disant "sécurisé" de l'hotel ou d'un dive center, et ces 2 connaissances n'ont jamais pu se faire rembourser les faux achats réalisés avec leur CB malgré toutes leurs énergiques protestations... 😠😠😠 (Parfois ce sont les hoteliers eux meme qui "empruntent" les CB confiées...)
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (M. Twain)
Salut
Moi je dis retrait sans hesiter. (En indonesie en tout cas), ce que je fais, je demande a ma banque de mettre l'option retrait a l'etranger sans frais sur ma carte (ca me coute 10euros) et ca me garantie aucun frais bancaire pour retrait ou paiement a l'etranger.
je demande a ma banque de mettre l'option retrait a l'etranger sans frais sur ma carte (ca me coute 10euros) et ca me garantie aucun frais bancaire pour retrait ou paiement a l'etranger.
😎😎😎 voila une information de toute première importance ! MERCI MERCI
Sais tu si toutes les banques le font? Quelle est ta carte bancaire et sais tu si cela est possible pour toutes les cartes bancaires? 😉
AUTRE INFO INTERESSANTE: j'ai réussi à porter le retrait maximum autorisé à 400€ au lieu des 300€ habituel (par semaine), en le demandant à mon banquier. (carte "BNP Plus" retrait international.) Je ne l'ai pas encore fait avec ma MasterCard (de Carrefour), mais j'essaierais de le faire également.
Mais en Indonésie, de mémoire, seul les ATM de la banque ... peuvent délivrer beaucoup de cash (4 ou 6 millions Rp ou ... je sais plus ), et je ne sais plus de quelle banque il s'agit. En 2010 il n'y avait de ces ATM qu'à Bali, Medan (Sumatra)... Mais les indos savent de quelle banque il s'agit 😉
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (M. Twain)
L’option Jazz International de la Société Générale.
Cette banque propose une disposition très intéressante avec l’option internationale de l’offre Jazz. À savoir 0 euro de frais de paiement et de retrait à l’étranger ! Et ce de manière illimitée ! Certes, il faut payer 9 euros par mois, mais l’investissement est vite amorti !Conditions : avoir une adresse à l’étranger et partir au moins 6 mois.
D'ailleurs le site précédent donne d'autres informations et conseils sur les CB comme sur le blocage dont on a déjà parlé:
Prévenez votre banque en cas de départ à l’étranger et indiquez-leur vos pays de destination. Certaines banques bloquent automatiquement les retraits à l’étranger après un premier retrait. Une bonne chose contre les fraudes. Mais cela peut être embêtant si vous n’avez pas anticipé.
Et pour la sécurité :
j’évite dans certains pays de payer avec ma carte bancaire. C’est le plus sûr moyen de se faire arnaquer en voyage et d’observer une fois de retour chez soi des retraits…
Une carte bancaire est vite copiée, il existe pour cela des petites machines discrètes. Je parle de cela et de beaucoup d’arnaques liées à la carte bancaire dans mon guide « 110 arnaques en voyage. Les connaître…pour ne pas devenir un pigeon ».
Ne quitter pas votre carte des yeux chez un commerçant ! Celui-ci peut rapidement prendre l’empreinte de la piste à l’aide d’une machine spécialisée.
Dans certains pays, les commerçants utilisent ce que l’on appel « un fer à repasser ». Ils vous présentent ensuite la facture à signer. Vérifiez bien que le montant est exacte.
Enfin, une fois de retour, ou en cours de route, vérifiez régulièrement votre compte afin de détecter des retraits frauduleux. Vous avez alors 70 jours pour adresser une réclamation à votre banque. Vous devrez envoyer un recommandé avec accusé de réception. Celle-ci est tenue de vous rembourser ensuite.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (M. Twain)
je compte me rendre en indonésie prochainement et je voulais savoir est ce qu'il ya des frais de retrait de la part de la banque indonésienne, un peu comme en thailande ou à chaque retrait vous avez XXX BATHS de frais en plus des frais de votre banque, ou alors ya que les frais de retrait de notre banque?
Bonjour
En 2010, oui les ATM des banques indonésiennes prenaient elles aussi une toute petite commission, de l'ordre de 1€. (mes calculs précédents tenaient compte de la commission totale, de ce que j'avais réellement payé pour chaque retrait, et par déduction avec mes relevés et les données de la banque français, j'avais constaté que la commission de la banque indonésienne etait bien inférieur à la commission de la banque Française).
Un super Tuyau, la carte bancaire N26 permet des retraits aux ATM sans commission!
n26.com/
Pourquoi une Carte Bleu de retrait N26 ?
Le compte et la carte est gratuite (ca ne coute rien donc de l'essayer)
Pas de frais sur les retraits a l'étranger, (en Thaïlande il y aura toujours 200B par retrait prélevé par la banque thai mais pas par N26), pas de frais sur les paiements a l'étranger, pas de frais sur le taux de change qui est celui de Mastercard. Le taux de change est disponible sur le site de Mastercard.
Alerte en temps réels sur le mobile des dépenses qui sont faites. possibilité de regler soi meme depuis son smartphone l'activation / désactivation des dépenses a l'étranger, possibilité de changer soi meme son code pin en direct (dans le cas ou on doute que celui ci a été vu par qq'un)
Et surtout, pas besoin de partir a la recherche d'un bureau de change en se demandant si celui ci va etre ouvert ou si il aura un bon taux. Je glisse ma carte dans le distributeur et j'ai mon cash. Et IMPORTANT, pour plus de sécurité je peux limiter ma carte bancaire au seul retrait aux ATM (impossible de faire des achats avec). Ainsi si on me " l'emprunte" incognito, le voleur ne peut rien en faire, pas d'achat bidon... 😉
(Pour ouvrir un compte bancaire à N26, il y a eu une liste d'attente de juillet 2016 à décembre 😕 . J'èspère que c'est toujours gratuit, car devant son succès, il y a eu des modifications... J'ai pas pu tout lire, je suis parti avant de recevoir la mienne 😕 )
Bon voyage 🙂
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (M. Twain)
Je pars à Bali très prochainement et je me demandais ce qui était le plus rentable pour échanger de l'argent... Faut-il prendre des Roupies Indonésiennes dans…
J'ai le projet d'apprendre quelques bases d'indonésien dans le cadre de mon voyage à Java à la fin de l'été. Le projet qui m'amène en Indonésie devrait me…
Photographie et vidéo en voyage › Indonésie · 3 replies
Je recherche des voyageurs qui sont allés sur l'ile de Java et qui seraient disposés à faire des échanges de photos car j'ai perdu une partie des miennes suite…
Travailler, étudier et vivre à l'étranger › Malaisie / Indonésie / Singapour · 3 replies
Je voudrais savoir si il y a des personnes parmi vous qui on voyager dans des pays lointain travailler et en contrepartie héberger et nourrit par une famille…
Bonjour à tous.
je prépare mon voyage et d'après tous les post lus, ce pays est incroyable.
Evidemment j'ai une tonne de questions à vous poser.
voici l'itinéraire possible - Vientiane - Vang Vien - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luanh Namtha et région - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang et retour sur Vientiane
qu'en pensez-vous ?
nous allons privilégié les transports locaux, est-il possible d'effectuer cette boucle ?
Nous aimerions également faire du kayak mais je ne sais pas si la saison s'y prête et quel est le meilleur endroit pour le faire.
Concernant le trekking - j'ai lu de Phongsali était le spot le plus authentique pour visiter les villages et la faune ? - connaissez-vous une agence sérieuse et une guesthouse qui pratiquent des prix raisonnables ?
cela vaut-il le coup de prendre un bateau lent pour un trajet sur le Mékong et si oui quel trajet ?
Concernant les hébergements, est il préférable de passer par booking et Agoda ou chercher en arrivant ?
est ce que les moustiques sont voraces au Laos et faut-il un traitement contre le paludisme ?
quel est le budget moyen par jour environ (hébergement - nourriture- visite)
est-ce une bonne option de louer des scooters pour visiter les villes et si oui lesquelles ?
d'après ce que je lis, il est préférable d'avoir des espèces sur soi - euros ou dollars ? ce n'est pas trop dangereux de se promener avec autant de billets ?
j'ai encore des tas de questions . Merci à ceux qui peuvent m'aider et preneuse de tout conseils, infos etc...
encore merci
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
Hi,
From Malacca to get to Jerantut, is it better to go back to KL and take a bus from there, or take a bus to Tampin and then a train? Any feedback on the "Jungle Train"? (duration, price, comfort, etc.). Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Flores and then Bali at the end of September.
We’ve already visited both but this time, once we’re in Labuan Bajo, we’d like to take a boat to the Komodo Islands to see the famous Komodo dragons.
I don’t want to sleep on the boat—just a day trip would be perfect.
Does anyone know a reliable and friendly provider to recommend?
Thanks in advance, and have a great summer!
Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali.
And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people!
So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...
Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops):
- 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud
2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa)
1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...)
- 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces)
- 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai
- 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed)
- 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island)
- 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan)
- 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).
Accommodations in homestays or hotels.
Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?)
Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?)
Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)
Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...
After reading and researching, we're planning the following stops in Cambodia in January 2027:
- Phnom Penh
- Kampong Cham
- Kratie
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Kampot (round trip)
I'm wondering about the direction of these stops, which could also influence our international flights.
Either a round trip from Phnom Penh in the order above.
Or landing in Siem Reap with the following order:
This second option would save us the Battambang - PP - Kampot trip but means doing a round trip to Battambang from Siem Reap and placing the "highlight of the trip" (Angkor) at the beginning of our stay.
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
However, I’m not quite sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still some walks and/or things to see in Kampong Thom?
Hi there,
We’re planning to travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang next November.
We’d like to take a slow boat from Chiang Khong—or rather from Huay Xai in Laos—with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.
Could you let us know if the boat still leaves Huay Xai in the late morning? If so, what time roughly, and what’s the price for the trip?
Thanks for your help!
Alod
We (3 adults: 68, 65, and 25 years old) are just back from a short trip to the Philippines, and I’d like to share a little summary of our journey. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum about this destination and answers the questions of those who aren’t familiar with it. I should also mention that my comments are personal and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions. Since I don’t have any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the sights, hotels, and restaurants.
Preparations:
We chose this destination in December and quickly booked our flight tickets (540 € with Turkish Airlines) for a departure on February 16 and return on March 5, 2019. We then contacted two French-speaking tour operators based in Manila, asking them to put together an itinerary based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and our budget. We wanted to see the rice terraces in northern Luzon, the hanging coffins in Sagada, before flying to the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, etc.), and the Taal Volcano, while limiting our nights in Manila as much as possible. In the end, we opted for Alize, whose itinerary and quote matched our request almost perfectly. Our exchanges helped us refine our circuit.
International flights:
The round-trip flights went smoothly. Turkish Airlines, while not at the level of Asian or Gulf airlines, does the job just fine.
Day 1:
We landed on time (6:15 PM) on Monday, February 16, at Terminal 3. We exchanged our euros (near the car rental counters), and I can confirm the exchange rate was very good. On the way to the St. Giles Hotel (decent and affordable for a transit night), we got our first glimpse of Manila’s dense traffic. The Makati district, where our hotel was located, offers a wide choice of restaurants, so we grabbed a quick bite to recover from the trip.
Day 2:
This day was dedicated to transferring to Banaue. Fortunately, we had a comfortable van and an excellent driver for this journey, which took all day (8 to 9 hours with stops). We got a taste of driving in the Philippines—and it’s terrifying. You wouldn’t want to drive on these roads. The first thing that struck us was the relatively good condition of the roads and the cleanliness (a change from other Southeast Asian countries). This impression lasted throughout our trip. Around 6 PM, we checked into our room at the Banaue Hotel (large, charm-free, but with a beautiful view of the rice terraces).
Day 3:
With the help of a local guide, we took a jeepney to Batad. And then—wow! The rice terraces form an amphitheater overlooking the small village. Under the sun, it’s simply spectacular and breathtaking! Even though we’re familiar with rice terraces (Sapa, Bali, Thailand, etc.), we were dazzled by so much beauty. We spent the day walking along the terrace walls. This place is timeless and fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, we returned to the hotel exhausted (due to our ages and lack of exercise). We had dinner with our driver at the Las Vegas restaurant in the center of Banaue. The meal was decent, cheap, and the Filipino owner played the guitar to accompany our dinner.
Day 4:
Today, our driver took us to Sagada. The mountain road offered spectacular landscapes (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Along the way, we stopped in Bontoc to visit the small but interesting anthropological museum. It features old photos and various objects from the Ifugao tribes, as well as a reconstruction of primitive dwellings.
We then went on a short hike in Sagada with a very friendly local guide who explained the region’s funeral rites. The walk started at the communal cemetery before reaching “Echo Valley,” where we saw the first coffins hanging on the cliff. We continued to the “Underground River” and a small waterfall, ending our journey in the “Lumiang Cave” burial cave. All in all, this day was very interesting. On the way back, we made a few photo stops.
In the evening, on our driver’s recommendation, we ate at the “Bistro,” a French enclave in the center of Banaue (good pizza, roasted quail, homemade fries).
Day 5:
Today was a transfer day. To limit fatigue and nights in Manila, our tour operator arranged a flight from Clark to Tagbilaran (Bohol), saving us 2 to 3 hours of driving. But to catch our flight, we had to leave very early: 5:30 AM. Our kind driver dropped us off on time at the airport. To use it, we had to pay a 150 PHP tax per person. The Philippine Airlines flight (15 minutes) left early and was far from full. Upon arrival, we were taken to the Loboc River Hotel, on the banks of the river of the same name. A very charming lodge lost in a tropical garden. We stayed in a stilt cottage overlooking the river. We relaxed a bit in the lovely pool. This place is really great—the staff is charming, and the food is excellent for a reasonable price.
Day 6:
This day was dedicated to exploring Bohol. The program was classic, starting with the tarsier sanctuary. We saw a few specimens in a small garden, each pointed out by a staff member. It was both good and disappointing because the animals were in pseudo-freedom in a small enclosure. Then we went to the “Chocolate Hills” and climbed 240 steps to admire the panoramic view of the hills—but by 10 AM, it was crowded. On the way back, we stopped at the butterfly garden, which was uninteresting: tiny, with few butterflies. We consoled ourselves by photographing beautiful flowers. To please our teen, we stopped at the Loboc Eco Tourism Adventure Park and crossed the river lying down, suspended from a steel cable (300 PHP). Finally, we had the traditional lunch-cruise on the Loboc River. It was a factory-like experience, and the meal was unremarkable. The only good thing was the singer on each boat and the lush vegetation. Afterward, we visited colonial churches and the cathedral, remnants of the Spanish presence, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved dip in the pool. Note that for those interested, there’s an arena near the hotel where cockfights are held every Sunday—something Filipinos are passionate (if not obsessed) about.
Day 8:
Very early departure for the port. We boarded a *banca* in search of dolphins. After about an hour of sailing, we were lucky enough to spot around a hundred dolphins. Our boat then headed to the small and charming island of Pamilacan. After a walk through the little village, we came across locals traditionally building a boat. They told us it takes about a month to finish their outrigger boat. Then we had to choose our snorkeling spot between the coral garden, the fish park, and the turtle enclosure. Note that a fee is charged for each spot: 150 PHP per place and per person. It felt a bit like we were being ripped off, especially since the spots weren’t amazing—we’d see much better on Apo for much less. We had lunch on the island at one of the many small eateries (350 PHP per person).
Days 9 and 10:
On our return, we were taken to the Bohol Sea Resort on Panglao Island, where we stayed for 2 nights. It’s a small, recent establishment in a quiet corner of the island. It’s relaxing—maybe a bit too much. It has a nice pool and access to Danao Beach, but the view is blocked by a flotilla of boats. We didn’t try their diving school. The meals were good. If we had to do it again, we’d skip this stop to spend more time in Negros.
Days 11 and 12:
We took a fast ferry (Ocean Jet) from Tagbilaran port to Dumaguete and were taken to the Thalatta Resort, about 20 km away near Zamboanguita. We stayed there for 2 nights. Let’s just say it was our favorite. It’s a small place facing Apo Island. The rooms are simple, and the pool, nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, is fantastic. The staff is friendly, and the meals are very good. The hotel has its own diving center (snorkeling gear provided) and its own boats. We booked the Apo Island excursion: 1,350 PHP per person, including lunch. It was incredible: magnificent corals, colorful fish, and turtles of all sizes. The crew was endlessly kind and didn’t hesitate to dive to guide us to the best spots. In short, a perfect day. This site is ranked among the top 5 diving spots in the Philippines.
Since we were lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday morning, we explored the surprising Malapay Market, a 10-minute walk from our hotel. You’ll find numerous stalls selling vegetables, fruits, live or dried fish, and handicrafts. Enclosures are set up for selling livestock (calves, zebu, pigs). There are also restaurants. We were lucky to see two pigs roasted traditionally on a spit. There are few Europeans, and the people are warm. A great moment.
We left this beautiful place with regret because we didn’t have time to visit the island or go swimming with whale sharks.
Days 12 to 15:
From Dumaguete port, we took a short crossing (1 hour with Ocean Jet) to Siquijor Island to reach the Coco Grove Beach Resort. A beautiful hotel nestled in a spacious tropical garden. Several restaurants and bars, 4 pools. Despite the size of the place, it remains intimate. You can snorkel (corals and fish) right in front of the beautiful beach. We stayed in a very pleasant duplex suite. For those interested, there’s a spa and a diving center. You can also take the Apo Island excursion (offered at 1,950 PHP).
We spent our days relaxing between the pool and the beach. In the evening, the sunsets over Negros and Apo were stunning.
We booked an island tour with a comfortable tricycle from the hotel (1,500 PHP). The circuit was classic and allowed us to go around the island. We discovered beaches, the famous 400-year-old ficus tree with its enormous roots, and its equally famous foot bath with its cleaning fish. Then we visited the St. Isidore Convent before heading to the Cambugahay waterfalls and their four pools. The setting is idyllic, and the water is surprisingly good—we had a lot of fun swimming. We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the island, where you can see Apo, Cebu, and Negros. In the end, Siquijor turned out to be a real little tropical paradise.
Since the hotel restaurants were expensive, we dined at nearby establishments: Fuego (clean, good—excellent raw fish—and quiet), Chekesch (louder), and the very pleasant Baha Bar, which brews its own beer and offers more refined cuisine.
Days 15 to 16:
We left at dawn to return to Dumaguete and its airport by ferry. We had breakfast at the Coco Grande Hotel, an annex of the previous one. The Philippine Airlines flight went smoothly. A driver took us to the town of Taal. We stayed at Paradores Del Castillo, right in the heart of the old town. It’s a charming old house with only 6 rooms. The various rooms are decorated with antiques—a real little museum. The garden is pleasant and opens onto the town.
It’s an old early 19th-century house converted into a hotel, beautifully arranged with 6 rooms in the heart of the city. The restaurant in the garden is very pleasant and offers a panoramic view.
We visited an old Spanish house before heading to the beautiful Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Philippines. A mass was in progress, allowing us to gauge the Filipinos’ fervor before we could visit. When we left, it was dark, and we could admire the illuminated building. We ended our evening by exploring the night market with its many fruit and skewer stalls. A nice surprise.
In the morning, we were taken to the shores of Taal Lake, an ancient caldera where a second volcano has formed in the middle of the lake, which in turn contains another lake. We boarded a *banca* to reach the island in the middle of the lake. This was followed by an uphill walk, made difficult by the high temperature (36°C) and the dust on the path. The dust was worsened by the many horses carrying (or bringing back) the less courageous. To illustrate the difficulty of the climb, the trail is marked by the Stations of the Cross and its 14 stations. We were panting while our guide trotted far ahead. Our effort was rewarded when we reached the summit and its viewpoints over the inner lake and the surroundings. The wisps of smoke seen here and there confirmed we were on an active volcano. Inside the lake, there are supposedly 45 small volcanoes, one of which emerged during its last eruption in 1911.
On the way back, we had lunch by the lake before returning to Manila and the Bayleaf Hotel, whose main merit is its location in the Intramuros district. In the late afternoon, we walked along the walls of the old city.
We had dinner on the hotel’s panoramic terrace overlooking the city and the bay.
Day 17:
Last day! Our tour operator joined us for a tour of the Intramuros district. He enriched the visit with comments on the history, geopolitics, and economy of the Philippines. We visited the Manila Cathedral, destroyed 7 times in the past (6 earthquakes and the 1945 bombing). It’s beautiful, and its stained glass is magnificent. We couldn’t enter the San Agustin Church, the oldest Catholic building in Manila. We passed by the memorial to the Battle of Manila, which claimed over 100,000 lives. We visited the area around Casa Manila, which was closed on Monday, and had a drink at Barbara’s cabaret, located in a historic house. A very enriching morning.
Then we went to the Mall of Asia, the world’s largest shopping mall, to buy some souvenirs (Kultura store) before being taken to the airport. We exchanged our last pesos at the buying rate right after check-in.
The return flight went smoothly. We regretted not being able to use the facilities of Istanbul’s new airport, as its opening was delayed by another month.
Finances:
In the end, we spent 1,640 € for the international flights, 4,200 € for the stay (hotels, visits, various transports) with the agency (whose professionalism we can only praise), and about 700 € for meals, tips, and souvenirs.
Summary:
Luckily, we had beautiful weather throughout our stay, with temperatures between 26 and 35°C. Discovering the Philippines was a wonderful experience. The diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Filipinos, the cleanliness, and the truly delicious fruits (especially pineapples and mangoes). We were never harassed, unlike in many touristy countries. On the other hand, the food, though generally cheap, wasn’t exceptional.
Since this country is so vast, we might return in the near future.
Though I’m not a specialist on this destination, I’m happy to answer your questions based on my experience.
So, my flight tickets have just been booked for a trip to Cambodia from November 4th to 27th, 2025.
I’ll be traveling solo and want to explore this amazing country while getting a bit off the beaten path.
I’m arriving in Phnom Penh and also departing from Phnom Penh.
My goal is to travel as much as possible by bus and scooter.
What itinerary would you recommend?
What are the must-do things?
I’m open to all tips and info.
Thanks in advance for your help and responses.
We got back enchanted from a 6-week trip to Cambodia!
Our itinerary: Kampot - Kampong Chhnang - Battambang - Siem Reap - Kampong Cham - Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri) - Banlung (Ratanakiri) - Kratie - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh.
We traveled by bus, minivan, boat (between Battambang and Siem Reap), overnight bus, scooter, tuk-tuk, and rickshaw for shorter distances. We stayed in guesthouses, homestays, and even in the jungle during a trek.
While the Angkor temples are fabulous, it’s the people you should visit Cambodia for—the "Land of Smiles" truly lives up to its nickname! Tourists gather in Angkor but are quite rare elsewhere, even though the country is easy to travel around.
I won’t describe our trip in detail but instead highlight a few favorite moments.
From Kampot, don’t hesitate to head out around 6 AM to see the fishermen return and their wives selling their catch (just 10 minutes away by the coast). Guaranteed picturesque!
In Battambang, known for its food scene, we discovered a cooking class with Smokin’ Pot (authentic Khmer cooking class). They pick you up from your guesthouse to shop for ingredients (we made fish amok and beef lok lak) at their village market, then cook and eat together. A private class—just the two of us! They also send the recipes via WhatsApp as a PDF. +855 12 821 400
In Siem Reap, I can recommend a francophone tuk-tuk driver who was very attentive to our wishes. We visited tourist spots but also more remote villages and local grilled-pork restaurants with him. He’s a wealth of information about local life, and chatting with him was a real pleasure—we left with regret! You can reach him on WhatsApp: Vung Hem, +855 96 614 0146.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Mondulkiri. Don’t expect a super dense jungle—it looks more like a forest similar to ours. But Nara, our Bunong ethnic guide, made the experience adventurous and ultimately very immersive! WhatsApp +855 86 630 489
Bee Bee’s Chalets homestay: If you pass through Banlung in Ratanakiri, we *loved* this family and their budget-friendly bungalows. Playing Uno, enjoying Nita’s cooking (ask for her fish amok—amazing!), it was a true homestay experience! Contact Nita on WhatsApp: +855 88 818 5525.
In Kratie, rent a scooter and follow the Mekong north for 40 km at your own pace. Being so close to the locals was a treat! Same goes for heading south if you have time.
Kampong Thom: Head 25 km out to visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. Around a hundred monuments spread across three sites… and hardly anyone there!
A few practical tips:
Though prices are often listed in dollars, you can always pay in riels (1 USD = 4000 riels), which is what we preferred.
PassApp: An app to book tuk-tuks or rickshaws (and most importantly, know the price upfront).
Virak Buntham: A bus company connecting several cities, bookable online.
Feel free to ask me questions about places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our 5- and 7-year-olds.
On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
This time, I’m thinking of spending 7 days on the islands. I was considering Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. We’d like some scenery, snorkeling right from the beach, and a bit of atmosphere—but not too much (just enough to grab dinner in the evening).
For the other part of the trip, we’re torn between Chiang Mai and Khao Sok. One or the other… or both? We don’t want to rush, but we’re really nature-focused, so we won’t be hitting too many temples…
Hi there, I’ll be on vacation in Malaysia in November and plan to spend 5 days in Penang. After that, I’d like to visit some temples and places in Butterworth or nearby, and also explore the city. Since I usually get around on foot, which neighborhood would be best for me—meaning within a 30-minute walk of attractions, street food stalls, bus lines, etc.? Thanks in advance for your help!
Françoise
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
