C'est avec émotion, que je lis les com sur les philipinnes, il est vrais que c'est un pays hors du commun, avec des habitans extraordinaires de gentillesse. La 1 ere fois que j'ai atterris à Manille, il n'y avait pas encore l'aéroport internationnal de finit, c'était début des années 80. Se rendre à Batanga était une petite aventure, un seul bateau pour Puerto Gallera, qu'on a raté évidement la nuit à Manille avait été trop fatiguante, le traversée en banca, et arrivée direct à Saban beatch pas de tel, pas d'elect, pas d'eau, rien, le paradis quoi. Maintenant ils ont internet. Le soir à Saban avec un transistor à piles pour la musique on buvait de grands brocs en plastiques de coca mélangé avec des petites bt de 33 cl de leur gin local avec les pêcheurs du village et parfois c'est presque le village entier qui nous rejoignait, quelle ambiance. Je stop là j'en aurais trop à raconter et puis je sens que ça commence a vous go..... Proffitaient les mecs et les filles bien sur, même 30 ans aprês je suis sûr que cela vaut le coup, pour moi c'est cuit depuis 2005 je suis handi.
j'etais a sabang en decembre 1983 !! j'ai connu tout ca aussi , j'ai même dormi chez l'habitant sur la plage de tamaraw a quelques kilometres mais les gens peuvent encore vivre ca , sur des petites iles , il y a de quoi faire , j'ai retrouve un peu ca a balicasag a bohol quand je suis arrive ici il y a 3 ans , mais ca evolue vers le tourisme classique de plus en plus , tu sais quand les gens n'ont rien ou si peu tu vas pas leur reprocher de vouloir gagner un peu d'argent en vendant des colliers bidons ou leur poisson au prix fort !!
il te reste ces souvenirs imperissables et ca personne peut te les prendre l'ami !!
Figure -toi qu'en 83 je faisais connaissance avec alona, qui, à l'époque était également relativement vierge.
Celà en compagnie de Vince, plongeur au Nipa, et qui, depuis, a fait un parcours politique je crois.
C'était une belle époque, mais, effectivement, on retrouve encore ces ambiances là à de multiples endroits.
A bientôt, je passerai peut-être dans deux semaines avec Eric.
« La nostalgie, camarade » comme chantait Ginsbard ! 😉
Nous étions descendus, mon ami Philippe et moi, jusqu’à Siquijor où nous avions passé plusieurs jours à pêcher en apnée (quelques mois avant je m’ais plutôt baladé dans Luzon). Nous couchions dans une école et nous étions bien copains avec une femme-guérisseuse. Je me rappelle les petites maisons entourées de pots de fleurs et de plantes, bien proprettes, dans les chemins sableux, c’était d’un calme !
Depuis, je me suis orienté vers d’autres horizons, ainsi va la vie.
Puisque vous êtes des « Philippins », peut-être l’un de vous connaît mon ami Philippe, que je n’ai plus vu depuis, qui avait fini par se marier avec une filipina et s’installer sur une plage quelque part au nord des Visayas ?
J’ai oublié de préciser. Mon ami Philippe est un petit gaillard, fou de voile, avec un nom de l’est de la France à rester coucher dehors. Il a vécu quelques années à Hanoi avant de se rediriger vers Tahiti, toujours fidèle à la mission qu’il s’était donné tôt dans sa vie de « ne pas s’emm$% »*^ » !
je pensais passer aussi la haut , en week end bientot , envoies moi par prive la route a suivre exactement les horaires de ferry et les plans van de cebu a moins que je monte avec le mien et que je passe par argao
salut jean-paul
mais non, tu ne nous go... abs pas
mais non, ce n' est pas forcément cuit pour toi...
as-tu suivi les actu, le weekend dernier ?
l' UTMB, ultra trail mont blanc a eu lieu, sorte de marathon , l' une des épreuves d' endurance les + dures au monde du côté de Chamonix, avec des centaines (+de 2000 en tout) de participants venant de la planète entière.....participants parmi lesquels figuraient des handi...., dont un groupe venu spécialement de la Réunion, avec accompagnateurs, kiné, medecin...
D' autre part, l' APF organise chaque année en France, en Europe, dans le monde entier des voyages pour personnes en fauteuil....il y a 2 ans, figurait à leur programme un voyage aux Philippines...pour lequel j' ai failli être accompagnateur...mais ce périple n' a pas eu lieu finalement, faute de participants, je crois...(.ce voyage revenait cher, même aux personnes toûchant des AAH et ayant droit à bcp d' aides ici et là)......
mais il y a plein d' autres possibilités.....connais-tu Run Handi Move ? ou les Roulards sans frontières ? Visite leurs sites web....il y a aussi, depuis peu, un guide du Routard handicap, si je ne m' abuse.....
Mais iL y a ausssi le voyage immobile.....à côté du voyage géographique, physique, horizontal, il y a ce que j' appelle voyage vertical, non pas transcendental à cause des connotations mystiques, mais spirituel. qd m....
si, à présent, il t' est difficile de rendre hommage à Mère Nature en allant la visiter, pourquoi ne pas tâcher de s' intéresser à la Beauté en général (celle qui va sauver le monde, comme dirait Dostoievski)
la contemplation, l' admiration des arts plastiques, par ex, ou la lecture de Belles Lettres,
la fréquentation de la Beauté en général est l' un des + beaux voyages, selon moi, dont on émerge avec la sensation d' avoir vécu intensément, un peu comme si l' on avait été Ailleurs...
Best Regards
Philippe
.....
Best Regards
Ton post ne me gonfle pas et evoque plein de souvenirs personnels :
Printemps 1982 premiere mission à Hong Kong pour ma boite en France .
Peu de temps apres les chinois m'annoncent qu'ils fermeront pour 7 jours et que je peux rentrer et revenir
plus tard . Ma boite me dit de rester plutot en Asie et me suggére d'aller me ballader .
Les Hong Kongais me deconseillent TaiWan et me suggére les Phils anglophones .
Et là je tombe sur une population amicale , simple , sympa en montant jusqu'à Baguio.
Rien à voir avec la froide mentalité business de HK .
Apres 6 jours retour à HK finir ma mission .
je demande à ma boite si je peux rester dans la region pour prendre 15 jours de congés payés . Accordé .
retour aux Phils ! et je prends le bus jusqu'à Batangas puis bateau pour Puerto Galera et Sabang beach : Le paradis , la cocoteraie avec bungalows pieds dans l'eau du lagon , meme pas 10m à faire
pour se baigner dans une eau cristalline.
Habitants chaleureux , bien accueilli .Que du bonheur à vivre parmi eux .
Je retournerai au meme endroit (Sabang ) quelques années plus tard : Consternation .La cocoteraie au bord du lagon a quasi disparu , les batiments sont serrés les uns sur les autres .
Je fuis et gagne une autre plage tranquille mais pas aussi belle. ( C'etait quelques mois apres la tragedie
ou un ferry etait entré en collision avec un tanker causant une catastrophe maritime pire que le Titanic )
Impossible de manger du poisson frais , les phillipins craignant que les poissons n aient avalé les ames des
morts .
Un petit mot pour te remercier de nous faire partager tes beaux souvenirs.
Je ne connais pas les Philippines, "pas encore", mais on dit ça de tellement de pays merveilleux !
Les années passent pour nous tous, et pour toi ce n'est pas cuit du tout. Outre des possibilités de voyager (AVF par ex), tu as aussi accès au monde virtuel. Photos, musiques, récits, langues étrangères, géographie, histoire, discussions, etc, que de choses à portée de main quand on n'est plus mobile comme avant.
T'attendent 1,4 milliard de pages répertoriées par Google ... et des centaines de blogs de voyage extraordinaires.
Alors, bonne continuation sur VF, et les autres !
Cordialement
Merci à tous pour vos messages, je vais regarder tous les sites que vous m'avez donnés.
Qelqu'un a t il connu le bowling situé à Hermita je crois ou c'étais des jeunes qui replacaient les quoilles entre deux boules et dont on voyait juste la tête au bout de la piste, quand je l'évoque ici les gens sonseptiques.
Puisque j'en suis aux questions une autre y a t il toujours a RIZAL parc cette terasse de bar ou ce n'était que des malentendants et sourds qui assuraient le service et nous tengaient un carnet et styllo pour qu'on note la commande ?
Bon je joins 3/4 photos qu'il me reste: la plage de Saban en 82, une soirée la bas dans le seul endroit ou on servait à boire qui faisait épicerie, RIZAL parc aves mes potes, et une à MANILLE ou le prix de 3 PHP est affiché dans mon dos je supose que c'est le prix d'une biere mais en faisant la conversion en euro je trouve 0.0520 € cela me parait invraisemblabe, je dois me gourré.
tu ne te trompes pas pour les prix.
Dans un petit sari-sari, c'était le prix pour une smb.
Il faut dire qu'à l'époque la parité n'était pas la même que maintenant
1 peso faisait à peu près 1 franc français.
L'inflation et des dévaluations ont fait le reste.
bonjour JP
j' ai bel et bien été boire un pot à une terrasse sur Rizal Park, où mon amie a passé la commande de vive voix en tagalog, mais il y avait d' autres terrasses, peut-être l' une d' entre elles était celle dont tu parles.....
(excuse-moi de te citer en étant doucement ironique, je ne puis m' en empêcher mais c' est gentil....)
Nous sommes tous à la recherche du "Paradis Perdu" (de Milton) et l' ordinateur peut nous y aider....
Tu es (nous sommes) capitaine (s) d' un vaisseau cyber-féerique, magique, il suffit de taper sur un clavier le nom d' un endroit pour s' y retrouver....
ainsi, je t' invite, pour continuer sur la lancée de mon précédent post, où je te suggérais de visionner des oeuvres d' art (par ex, sinon bcp d' autres possibilités, comme souligné par mon homonyme phil99)
va sur www.dailymotion.com/video/x38176_jeanmichelbasquiat
super diaporama, musical de +...
et si ça te plait, va + loin dans cette direction....avec l' aide de ton co-pilote-navigateur Google, commence par explorer les sîtes web de
(là encore, le père oquet que je suis ne peut s' empêcher de citer le début des Tristes Tropiques de Claude Levi-Strauss :
Quand on connait la somme des voyages, explorations du célèbre anthropologue, on ne peut s' empêcher de le plaindre du fond du coeur)
vois donc les sites web d' Andy Warhol, Robert Crumb, Marc Chagall, Matisse, Macke, Klee, Kandinsky, Schiele, Klimt, Gauguin, Picasso, etc. etc.
Et, si tu y prends goût, fais des recherches thématiques par genre ou style, vois le Cavalier Bleu, die Brücke, l' expressionnisme abstrait
(et dis-moi ce que tu penses de Jackson Pollock),
ou par lieu , musée, le Louvre, Hermitage, Guggenheim, Rijksmuseum etc
Have good fun !
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
Has anyone traveled with the Laos travel agency ADV ?
I’m planning a trip to Laos and have received several quotes. Among them, this agency’s seem very reasonable, and so far, the interactions have been positive.
I’ve found a few positive reviews online, but I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve actually booked with them: how’s the organization, guide quality, accommodations, on-the-ground responsiveness, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
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...
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 fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
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!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Vietnam in February, specifically Da Nang and Hoi An.
Does anyone know a French-speaking guide in the area?
Thanks for your help
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
