Je tenais a poster un message sur une mesaventure qui m'est arrivee a Vang Vieng (Laos) afin d'eviter que ca n'arrive a trop de voyageurs.
Si Vang Vieng est situe dans un cadre magnifique, au milieu des montagnes entre Vientiane et Luang Prabang, c'est surtout pour son celebre "tubing" que les voyageurs se rendent dans cette petite ville. Le tubing est simplement une descente de la riviere sur une grosse chambre a air de camion. La descente est agrementee de petits bars tout le long avec differentes activites (beach-volley, swing-tarzan depuis une plate-forme pour se jeter dans la riviere, ...) et bien entendu, la consommation d'alcool et de drogues est tres elevee. Le Laos, et Vang Vieng en particulier, est repute pour la facilite a se procurer de la marijuana ainsi que par rapport aux peu de risques encourus par les voyageurs qui consomment des drogues. Malheureusement, et j'en ai fait l'experience, les risques sont toujours bien presents! Voici la petite histoire...
Un ami irlandais et moi fumions tranquillement un joint a l'ecart de la foule, entre 2 bars. Il y avait simplement un guide lao a quelques metres de nous, mais nous ne nous sommes pas inquites car il avait l'equipement parfait d'un guide de kayak et nous venions justement de voir passer des kayaks sur la riviere. A un moment, ce meme guide s'approche et nous demande pour fumer avec nous. Nous lui donnons le joint (qui etait presque fini) et il l'eteint et l'ouvre pour verifier s'il s'agissait bien d'herbe. Du coup, nous mettons vite les voiles et sautons dans la 1ere boue qu'on trouve pour descendre la riviere. Mon ami jete l'herbe qui lui restait mais 3 Lao nous suivent deja sur la riviere. On s'arrete a un 1er bar, les gars s'arretent aussi mais ne viennent pas pres de nous. On continue la descente et le meme scenario se reproduit plusieurs fois, ils nous laissent aller dans les differents bars sans nous arreter. Finalement, 3h plus tard, on nous arrete a un bar ou il n'y avait personne. La raison officielle qu'on apprendra plus tard etait que la police voulait nous eviter l'affron d'etre arreter devant d'autres personnes, la vrai raison est qu'ils veulent etre discrets pour que le moins de monde possible ne soient au courant de leur pratique.
Direction le commissariat ou nous nions tout et refusons de donner nos passeport (que nous n'avions bien entendu pas sur nous). Ils avaient pour seule preuve un minuscule megot detrempe, rien d'autre. Vu notre entetement a nier, ils nous envoient pour la nuit dans la prison locale. Nous passons la nuit avec 6 lao, tous la pour avoir dealer de la drogue. Le plus ancien est la depuis 5 mois, un autre depuis 3 mois. La nuit se passe bien et nous avons sympatiser avec nos compagnons de cellule. Au matin vers 9h on vient nous chercher, retour vers le commissariat. Nouvel interrogatoire, nous reconnaissons finalement avoir fumer le joint. Mais impossible de connaitre la sentence que nous encourons avant d'avoir signer un document (en anglais) ou nous reconnaissons les faits. Ensuite on nous laisse 3 possibilites (qui n'en sont en fait qu'une seule...): soit nous payons 5.000.000 KIP (420euros) chacun et nous sommes libres, soit nous payons 5.000.000 kip et nous devons quitter le payer et interdiction de revenir au Laos durant les 10 ans a venir, soit 5.000.000 kip et un an et demi de prison. Ces propositions sont juste pour nous faire comprendre qu'on doit payer. Finalement nous acceptons de payer et nous sommes relaches.
Il s'agit en fait d'une tres tres grosse arnaque. Nous avons appris par la suite que la police ne pouvait demander aucun argent, que nous aurions du etre transferer vers Vientiane, payer 60 euros chacun et quitter le pays. Mais la police sait que les voyageurs sont mal informes et se livre du coup a des pratiques d'extorsion. Ils savent aussi que personne ne veut rester longtemps en prison, raison pour laquelle ils nous menacaient de 1 an et demi...
Nous avons egalement appris que le jour meme dans beaucoup de bars, les gens fumaient en publique, avec leurs paquets d'herbe poses sur les tables. Le staff des bars connaissent les gars de la police et avertissent les clients si la police est la et finalement, il est plus sur de fumer dans un bar qu'a l'ecart.
Je tenais egalement a vous informer qu'une guest house appelee "Tony's guesthouse" a ete ouverte grace a l'argent extorque aux voyageurs. Je ne vous recommande donc pas cette guest house!!!
Pour finir, je ne peux que vous recommander d'etre tres vigilant, car il n'y a pas vraiment de regle generale. Cette histoire nous est arrivee, comme un tas d'autres histoires sont arrivees a plein de gens. Mais dans tous les cas, si vous avez le moindre doute sur quelqu'un, evitez de fumer...
Le Laos reste un pays magnifique tout de meme et je ne peux que vous le conseiller! Alors bon voyage, et restez prudents!
si vous avez le moindre doute sur quelqu'un, evitez de fumer...
Ben, même sans aucun doute, je dirais la même chose : la drogue, c'est de la merde ...
Si vous avez compris tout ce que je viens de vous dire, c'est que j'ai dû faire une erreur quelque part. - Alan Greenspan
Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme - Rabelais
et bien entendu, la consommation d'alcool et de drogues est tres elevee.
Nous avons egalement appris que le jour meme dans beaucoup de bars, les gens fumaient en publique
recit courageux de ta part, juste qq remarques:
tu as du remarquer comme je l ai fait qu il y a un peut partout des pancartes: drogues interdites.
j en avait postees sur le forum sur un autre post,
donc les controles inopines c est comme pour le port du casque en Thailande,
tu conduit des semaines sans, et puis un jour:
crac ! controle, PV, officiel ou pas la n est pas le probleme,
faut assumer d avoir passer outre a l interdiction
Le but de mon message n'est pas de porter un jugement sur l'usage de drogues mais de mettre en garde les voyageurs qui se rendent dans certains endroits sensibles comme l'est Vang Vieng. Qu'on aime ou qu'on aime pas, la consommation de drogue y est tres presente, c'est un fait, et si mon temoignage peut eviter a d'autres que l'histoire ne se reproduise pas, tant mieux.
Bien entendu je reconnais mon tort et je n'essaye pas de le remettre sur le dos de la police locale. La seule chose derangeante dans cette histoire est que la police locale utilise des methodes toutes aussi illegales que l'utilisation de drogues pour faire rentrer des grosses sommes d'argent dans leur poche. Qu'est ce qui est pire? Avoir partage UN joint avec un ami, ou bien utiliser son metier et son pouvoir pour excroquer les voyageurs de passage, tout au long de l'annee, ce qui a la fin d'une annee doit faire une tres belle somme d'argent?
La seule chose derangeante dans cette histoire est que la police locale utilise des methodes toutes aussi illegales que l'utilisation de drogues pour faire rentrer des grosses sommes d'argent dans leur poche.
Je comprends ton raisonnement, mais dis-toi que tu en verras bien d'autres si tu viens en ASE pour une longue periode. Pour rester zen, pense que c'est un mode de fonctionnement generalise et que, meme si on espere que ca changera un jour, ce n'est pas pour demain.
Bonne mise en garde !!!
Il est bon de rappeler qu'un joint en Taïlande, en Indo ou même au Laos peut coûter beaucoup plus cher qu'en Belgique, en Suisse ou que dans notre douce France...
J'éspère que ton message servira à en refroidir certains. 😮
De toute façon, comme le dit si souvent Monsieur Garisson (conseiller pédagogique à l'école maternelle de Southpark - Colorado):
"La drogue c'est mal, vous voyez..."
Sans vouloir polémiquer sur la fumette ou pas, juste un petit conseil, donné par expérience, (mais pas à cause de drogue je précise, j'ai juste jeté une clope dans un caniveau à Bangkok), un flic a surgit de je ne sais pas ou, me menaçant de prison, d'expulsion, forte amende etc... car j'avais jeté au sol un mégot (lorsque l'on voit la saleté de certains quartiers ou des klongs.....) voulait que je signe du document, établi en thai, avec au verso sa traduction en anglais, que je paieTHB 1'000.--, avec en prime une annotation au niveau des douanes, ce qui signifierait que toute nouvelle entrée en Thailande me serait interdite... Si j'ai bien entendu accepté de verser la somme demandée, j'ai refusé de signé ce document, car rien ne me prouvait que le verso en anglais signifiait la même chose que le recto en thai, (d'autre part je ne suis pas juriste et des termes restaient plus que flous pour moi), au bout de 5 mn de discussion ne pouvant ou ne voulant me faire comprendre par le flic j'ai sorti mon carnet d'adresses, mon téléphone cellulaire et ait commencé à composer le numéro de mon ambassade. A mon mari qui me demandait qui j'appelais j'ai simplement dit "l'ambassade". Immédiatement le policier m'a rendu les THB 1'000.-- et a déchiré le rapport en me disant : No Embassy Madam....
A chaque fois que nous passons à cet endroit, ma fille, âgée à ce moment là de 9 ans, me dit : Tu te souviens maman, c'est là que nous avons faillit devoir aller acheter des oranges pour te visiter au Bangkok Hilton...
Alors un seul reflexe qui peut tout changer... appelez votre ambassade ou faites mine de le faire.
J'espère pour toi que bientôt les beaux et bons souvenirs prendront le dessus de cette mésaventure... onéreuse😉
...guest house appelee "Tony guest house" a ete ouverte grace a l'argent ...
Ah bon ? M'etonne pas vu le batiment tape a l'oeil et de mauvais gout ! Dommage que tu n'a pas continuer deux cent metres a l'oppose du centre, pris la ruelle non goudronnee apres le temple, et tu aurais vu la difference avec Moukdavanh guest house !
La premiere fois que je suis alle a Vang Vieng, en 1997, dans la nuit, des gamins sur le pas de leurs portes proposaient de fumer de l'opium ! Bon, il y avait que 5/6 gh, c'etait tranquille. Avant d'y retourner l'anne derniere, j'avais passe 3 jours en 2006 et constater les changements. En discutant avec un lao qui tenait un bar, dont la soeur est la plus jolie fille de V.V, mais en meme temps c'est son frere aussi -il/elle est toujours en activite-, il m'a appris qu'il y avait plus de 60/70 gh ! Et d'apres ce que j'ai vu au mois d'aout, les constructions qui s'empilent les unes sur les autres au bord de la riviere (ah ce qu'on est bien chez Moukda !), ces chiffres doivent etre allegrement depasser ! Je lui ai parle de la drogue en 1997, et il m'a raconte, que l'annee precedente, un article du magazine Times vantait V.V. comme le paradis de la drogue, du coup, branle bas de combat, gros nettoyage, mais...on pouvait toujours fumer ! Mais il fallait etre prudent et bien s'assurer du vendeur...ce qui me laissa completement froid vu que je ne voyais aucun interet a depenser mes kips pour quelque chose qui part en fumee !
Tu as bien compris ton erreur : il fallait rester dans un endroit ou le patron n'y voyait aucun inconvenient !
Voyager c'est découvrir que tout le monde a tort.
Aldous Huxley
Bonne mise en garde !!!
Il est bon de rappeler qu'un joint en Taïlande, en Indo ou même au Laos peut coûter beaucoup plus cher qu'en Belgique, en Suisse ou que dans notre douce France...
J'éspère que ton message servira à en refroidir certains. 😮
De toute façon, comme le dit si souvent Monsieur Garisson (conseiller pédagogique à l'école maternelle de Southpark - Colorado):
"La drogue c'est mal, vous voyez..."
Très humble de ta part de raconter ton histoire, c'est vrai que Vang Vieng tout comme Kao san rd, est le repère de ceux qui se la jouent cool 😠 Le cadre est bien(V.V), mais l'image défaillante(les 2) est promu par certains occidentaux 😕
Par chance tu n'as pas pris les crepes aux champignons magiques 😏
Merci pour ton témoignage!
Je partage ton point de vue sur la police... Je connais (de plus ou moins près) pas mal de monde qui a passé du temps à l'ombre pour un joint ou une petite pochette d'herbe... comme quoi, ça n'arrive pas qu'aux autres, et il ne faut attendre aucune compréhension de la part des flics locaux et des juges!
Bonne continuation à toi!
Bravo aller dans un pays etranger et utuliser de la drogue
fumez, droguez vous en France mais jamais en vacance, vous etes vulnerable
et vous connaisez pas les lois
sauf si vous voulez les apprendre les lois et aussi la langue du pais
dans sertaine pays c'est des dealers qui vend les tourist a la police
ça raporte deux fois
Bravo aller dans un pays etranger et utuliser de la drogue
fumez, droguez vous en France mais jamais en vacance, vous etes vulnerable
et vous connaisez pas les lois
sauf si vous voulez les apprendre les lois et aussi la langue du pais
dans sertaine pays c'est des dealers qui vend les tourist a la police
ça raporte deux fois
Je me souviens fort bien du panneau montrant une potence au passage de frontière avec la Malaysie, avec une indication de ce qui attend les "drug-offenders" !
Je pense que ceux qui en ont doivent se débarasser de leur m... plutôt que de "tenter le coup" ...
Si vous avez compris tout ce que je viens de vous dire, c'est que j'ai dû faire une erreur quelque part. - Alan Greenspan
Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme - Rabelais
Bien sur nous voulions appeler l'ambassade. Mais vu que nous etions sur la riviere, nous n'avions pas de telephone, et au commissariat la police ne nous a pas autoriser a appeler. De toute facon dans le cas d'usage de drogue les ambassades ne font rien du tout. Et la police locale, specialiste dans ces cas, le sait donc ca ne les effraye pas.
Oh, rien d'exeptionnel... Un minimum de culture générale ne fait de mal à personne. 😉
Par contre, je pense sincèrement que les cours de Monsieur Garisson devraient être rendus obligatoires (en visio-conférence bien sûre...) pour nos petits chérubains...
Ce cher Monsieur Garisson... Il me semble bien l'avoir reconnu dans un p'tit bar de Patpong. Probablement en train de propager son enseignement...
L'ambiance semblait, en tous cas, très "gaie"... 😛
...après ça fait des "Mickaël Blanc" en prison, qui nous les brisent en pleurnichant, une fois s'être fait serré😠...
Ouais... enfin je te rappelle que ce dernier va passer le reste de sa vie entre 4 murs à Denpasar pour 1800 "malheureux" grammes de shit... et pendant que d'autres feront 5 ans pour avoir tué quelqu'un...
Alors coupable ou non, je trouve tes propos "quelque peu" sévères.
Mais bon, que Dieu te pardonne. Enfin lui ou un autre...
Il faut se plier à la législation des pays que tu visites mon cher.
C'est pas parce que la France est un vaste foutoir où l'on peut venir chier lorsqu'on est un étranger, que les autres pays doivent suivre le même chemin...
1800g de trop pour le MB, qui aurait pu prendre la peine de mort.
Maintenant, est ce que la vie est préférable dans ces conditions, c'est une autre question, à laquelle il devait penser avant de faire ses conneries.
Je te trouve bien intolèrant. En quoi ceal te gène -t-il toi personnellement ("qui nous les brisent en pleurnichant").
Tes propos me semblent extrémistes, si tu vois ce que je veux dire ("la France est un vaste foutoir où l'on peut venir chier lorsqu'on est un étranger"). J'aime pas ces réflexions simplistes et racistes.
Ouais... enfin je te rappelle que ce dernier va passer le reste de sa vie entre 4 murs à Denpasar pour 1800 "malheureux" grammes de shit... et pendant que d'autres feront 5 ans pour avoir tué quelqu'un...
Juste pour le plasir d'ajouter une citation de South Park : "La vie est injuste gamin, il faudra que tu t'y fasses." C'est à mon avis la première morale qu'on peut tirer de ces expériences. Je veux bien comprendre qu'on puisse être tenté de fumer a Vang Vieng étant donné que c'est comme ça que ça se passe, que tous les menus des bars proposent des magic pizzas et quelques grames d'opium (bref, on finit par se demander si ce n'est pas tout à fait légal). Finalement, si on se fait attraper, on s'en sort avec une bonne (grosse) leçon. Ceci dit-il, il y a des calculs à faire. Dans des pays comme la Thaïlande, j'ai du mal a cerner qu'on puisse croire le calcul raisonnable : fumer un joint durant trois minutes avec la possibilité de passer plusieurs années en prison, le plaisir que cela procure étant en réalité tout relatif. Par exemple (1), j'ai toujours pas compris que des mecs qui logaient dans le même hôtel que moi pendant mon échange d'université à Bangkok aient continué de fumer après que leur dealeuse régulière ait chopé 2 ans de taule à cause de ça. Par exemple (2), je comprends pas non plus qu'avec la paranoïa ambiante (qui n'a pas entendu des histoire de petites copines Thaïes qui vous dénnoncent, ou de vendeurs de drogue à la full moon qui vous donnent rendez-vous devant le 7-Eleven pour y retrouver la police...), les gens continuent à consommer de la beuh.
'C'est pas parce que la France est un vaste foutoir où l'on peut venir chier lorsqu'on est un étranger, que les autres pays doivent suivre le même chemin...'
Ne seriez-vous pas leeeeegerement excessif ?
'1800g de trop pour le MB, qui aurait pu prendre la peine de mort. '
C'est pas parce que la France est un vaste foutoir où l'on peut venir chier lorsqu'on est un étranger, que les autres pays doivent suivre le même chemin...
1800g de trop pour le MB, qui aurait pu prendre la peine de mort.
Maintenant, est ce que la vie est préférable dans ces conditions, c'est une autre question, à laquelle il devait penser avant de faire ses conneries.
ouais... ouais... ouais... 🤪🤪🤪
T'as pas dit grand chose, et j'ai pourtant l'impression que t'en as déjà trop dis...🏴☠️
De plus, je pense que tu manques cruellement d'information pour parler d'un sujet dont, à l'évidence, tu ignores pas mal de choses.
Ah, triste désinformation...😕
Avant de tomber dans le débat stérile et sans fin, où chacun campe sur ses positions, je te propose de laisser place au Noble Silence.😛
Il faut se plier à la législation des pays que tu visites mon cher.
Bon, là franchement, c'est vous qui m'avez l'air de "marcher au plafond" 😉
Si vous avez compris tout ce que je viens de vous dire, c'est que j'ai dû faire une erreur quelque part. - Alan Greenspan
Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme - Rabelais
Si vous avez compris tout ce que je viens de vous dire, c'est que j'ai dû faire une erreur quelque part. - Alan Greenspan
Science sans conscience n'est que ruine de l'âme - Rabelais
Bien sur ca se fait et on aurait probablement pu diminuer l'addition. Mais les choses se sont passes tres vite le matin apres notre nuit en prison et je dois reconnaitre qu'on a pas eu la presence d'esprit de diminuer le prix, la fatigue n'aidant pas et dans cette situation des fois on a juste envie de cloturer cette histoire et de passer a autre chose. Le fait que la veille deja nous n'avions pas ete tres cooperants n'a pas aide non plus...
il n'est pas indispensable de me prendre pour un imbecile au-dela du raisonnable.
Vous crachez a chaque poste sur l'etranger suppose vecteur de desordre, en faisant semblant de ne pas comprendre que les autochtones - y compris francais - n'ont besoin de personne pour ca.
Ecoute tu es encore hors sujet, alors va aux champignons et reviens quand tu auras du bon sens, le sujet est "attention, touristes, ne venez pas fumer au Laos ou vous aurez à faire aux flics véreux laotiens".
Ma traduction est que les étrangers qui se permettent de pleurer après avoir outre passer la législation sur les stupéfiants sur tel ou tel pays qui n'est pas le leur par ailleurs, et qui en plus, prévenus à ce sujet bien avant, viennent critiquer que patati et patata c'est pas juste... Nan mais mdrrrr.
😉
Certes, c'est souvent un piège d'ailleurs, avec des flics juste après la transaction, qui tombent bizarement à pic!😇
Après on peut appliquer ça à plusieurs sujets, la prostitution par exemple.
Alors avec ta théorie, ça serait de la faute des prostitué(e)s, le client étant victime de sa libido...
😐😐😐😐😐😐😐
Sympa ce petit récit. C'est clair qu'au Laos, c assez hypocrite avec l'herbe, A VV tu peux lire que c'est interdit et que tu risques une amende et en même temps tous les restaus t'en proposent dans leur pizza et leur milkshake, quand ce ne sont pas des champignons hallucinogènes ! Moi quand je n'avais plus rien à fumer je faisais un tour dans les cuisines des restaus pour leur en taxer :)
Certes pour qu'il y aient des touristes qui fument, il faut des locaux qui vendent maintenant il est interessant de constater que ce n'est pas dans la culture laotienne de fumer de l'herbe, à l'exception de quelques tribus et encore la plupart en font seulement le commerce. Donc c bien parcequ'il y a des touristes qu'il y a du deal. Fumer de l'herbe, perso, moi c'était seulement dans ma chambre d'hotel et point barre avec de l'encens pour masquer l'odeur.
Le plus gros problème au Laos reste la consommation d'opium et là la responsabilité du touriste est nettement plus engagée en ce sens que son comportement peut influer sur celui des jeunes laotiens qui risquent en voyant des jeunes occidentaux s'éclater vouloir faire de même pour finalement devenir dependant pendant que le touriste lui se la coule douce à paris en racontant ses exploits à la sauce pavot....
Pour finir sur les risques encourus, il est clair que c'est en Thailande que c'est le plus le dangereux, tout depend ensuite du degré de "corruptabilité " du flic thai qui t'arrête. Mais finir en prison à Bangkok pour un joint, ça laisse à réflechir et ça c pas du pipo, ça arrive regulierement.... Sans parler de ta "copine" thai qui se vengera de je ne sais quoi en glissant de la beu dans ton sac pôur après prévenir les flics après, des nombreux flics undercover, des dealers qui partagent l'amende avec les flics etc etc Prudence maximale donc... et méfiance avec les contrôles d'urine dans les bars de BKK : si tu fumes à Paris, prend l'avion le lendemain et débarque à BKK pour aller festoyer mais sans consommer d'herbe, ben tu es bon quand même.... prison.... appel à maman pour qu'elle envoie les euros via Western Union dans le meilleur des cas. Je dis ça, moi j'ai fumé partout en Thailande, mais je connais les risques tout en esperant n'avoir jamais à les assumer....
Non, le plus cool, c'est le Cambodge, sans aucune hésitation, même si là aussi théoriquement, c'est interdit et tout peut arriver avec la si démocratique police cambodgienne... Mais c nettement plus rare les ennuis au cambodge pour ça.
La seule chose qui me gêne dans tes propos c'est qu'à part Mickael Blanc lui-même personne ne sait s'il est vraiment coupable ou pas... Je ne sais pas pour la Thailande, mais en Indo, les plans came dans les bagages, c'est déjà arrivé...
Et même s'il était coupable, même si la plupart des étrangers en taule pour un joint sont peut-être effectivement coupables de ce qu'on leur reproche, il faut peut-être faire preuve d'un peu de compassion. Deux ans derrière les barreaux c'est un peu beaucoup pour un moment d'insouciance. Tu ne trouves pas?...
Apprends à lire les posts des autres toi, ça fait deux fois que tu m'interpelles comme ça, et ça m'énerve. Tu es qui? Un cyber cowboy? Je ne fais pas l'apologie de la drogue ni en France ni ailleurs... 😠
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.
Bonjour, qui serait sur place en ce moment à Flores? d apres des sites internet, tout serait fermé, la situation serait difficile ; notre guide dirait que ça va ; qui croire? nous sommes censés partir le 2 septembre ; merci à celles et ceux qui sont à Flores en ce 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
I’m planning a trip to Cambodia and was set on visiting the Ratanakiri region, which seemed to match what we love most in terms of landscapes: forests, jungle, greenery...
However, as I started looking into the area, I read that deforestation there is massive, and some of the info on the topic is years old—the situation hasn’t improved since, unfortunately.
So my question is: is Ratanakiri still worth visiting, and does it justify the long travel time and distance to get there?
I’ve seen that jungle treks are possible, but from experience, I know guides sometimes hesitate to venture deep into the forest and stick to shorter walks along the edges of parks.
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there, we’re landing at Hanoi Airport and would like to head straight to Cao Bang without going into Hanoi. Does anyone know if there are buses that go directly from the airport to Cao Bang (especially in the early afternoon)? Thanks in advance!
