Southeast Asia

I brought back a cultured pearl necklace from BKK. Is it true that there are farms for them? What does the term "Fresh water" mean? Everyone around me has their own opinion. Thanks for your answers. L30

Hi everyone,

I know you can buy anything in Thailand, but here’s a question you might find a bit odd. Are there plus sizes available? 😛 For example, for shoes, can you easily find sizes 38–40? And XL pants in sports brands????

Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

I’m a bit pressed for time... On one hand, the seller of the land I want to buy is in a hurry, but on the other, I’d have preferred to wait a bit. I’m worried about rushing things...

If any of you own land in Indonesia, could you share: an estimate of notary fees for a transaction under 10,000 € (using the classic local nominee structure), and what annual taxes I’d need to pay?

Also, if anyone knows a good notary in Lombok, I’d love the recommendation!

I’ve read quite a bit in English, but some info in French would be great!

Thanks for your help

Hi there! We’re a group of 4 heading to Indonesia in April. We’d like to visit Sumba and could use some info on the island and the connections between Flores and Sumba—either by plane or ferry. Is it easy to find accommodations, and how’s the safety? Does anyone know a good guide?

Hi there, I’m planning to visit the Raja Ampat Islands next June. It’s pretty tricky to organize. What’s the best gateway to get there? Do you know of any places to stay if I don’t want to go diving? Which agencies can provide information? Thanks so much for your help!

hi everyone 🙂, I’d like to know if any of you have recently—or within the last 2 years—built a house in Thailand and could give me an idea of the all-in price. I’m not looking for luxury, just a comfortable home with 3 bedrooms. I already have the land, which is in the Khorat region for those who know it. I’d really appreciate any info you can share—thanks in advance! Best regards.

Hi there,

We’re heading to Laos in February (2011) with two adults and a 5-year-old. While we’re in Champasak, we’d like to visit a village to see elephants. A few questions:

- The guidebook I was lent mentions two villages: Ban Khiet Ngon and Ban Papho. Has anyone visited these villages before? Which one would you recommend?

- Is it possible to do the trip from Champasak to the village, an elephant ride, and then the journey to Pakse all in the same day?

- What’s the best way to get around for these trips?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Indonesia next August, among other places. I’m looking for beautiful landscapes—jungle, mountains, volcanoes, stunning beaches, etc.—and I’d like to avoid mass tourism as much as possible. I’ve done some research and I’m torn between exploring Flores by motorbike or Sulawesi by bus. Which is better? With three weeks, is it too short to really discover Sulawesi? Are the most beautiful landscapes in Flores or Sulawesi? Which has more tourism—Flores or Sulawesi?

Thanks in advance for your replies! :)

Best regards,

Jonathan.

Hi everyone, we’re a couple in our thirties and we’ve decided to visit northwest Vietnam with AmicaTravel for their "meet-up in Lolo Land" circuit. I’m currently looking at the itinerary with the Lonely Planet and reading the many posts on this site, especially Lansay’s, which are really inspiring. Here are the stages of the circuit: Day 1: Hanoi – arrival Day 2: Hanoi visit Day 3: Hanoi – Thac Ba Day 4: Thac Ba – Luc Yen – Ha Giang Day 5: Ha Giang – Dong Van Day 6: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lac Day 7: Bao Lac – Ba Be Lake Day 8: Ba Be visit Day 9: Ba Be – Cao Bang Day 10: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc – Cao Bang Day 11: Cao Bang – Lang Son Day 12: Lang Son – Halong Bay Day 13: Halong Bay – Hanoi Day 14: Hanoi – departure Otherwise, the period would be from April 21, 2012, to May 5, 2012, but this could vary by a day or two if it’s worth it. I haven’t made the reservation yet because I’m trying to find out if all the stages of the circuit are interesting (thanks to this forum). We’d like to stay with locals as much as possible and maybe spend an extra day in one region to avoid just "passing through"—settle in a bit. We’d also like to do some trekking, and I read in Lansay’s posts that Bac Ha would be a good option for that (this stage isn’t included in the initial circuit), unless other stages of the circuit are just as good for trekking.

Finally, regarding the last stage in Halong Bay, what’s the best way to explore it? It seems very crowded (and I don’t know if the junk boat included in the circuit is designed for a small group or very large groups, which we’d prefer to avoid if possible). I read a post here that I can’t find anymore about a couple who did a stage with a small stay on an island or something like that—it sounded paradise-like.

Generally, we’d like to avoid running into too many tourists (yes, I know it’s a bit paradoxical), but it’s mainly to encourage encounters with locals and maybe with a small group of travelers. If others want to do this circuit, why not... but we’re hoping to travel in a very small group (maximum 6 people).

Otherwise, for the flight, I was thinking of booking with Vietnam Airlines—is that a good choice? Thanks in advance for your great tips.

hi everyone. in the next few days I’m moving to live in Cambodia and I’d like to know if we can get French channels from there with a satellite dish or a cable subscription—is it possible or should I forget about it? thanks for your replies! :)

Hi everyone, I’m heading to Cambodia at the end of the year. I’ll be coming back via Thailand. I’d love to know if there’s a boat from Cambodia to Koh Kut Island. If you’ve done this trip, thanks in advance for shedding some light on it!

Hello fellow travelers!!!! I want to warn as many people as possible about what happened to me in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during my trip across Southeast Asia. I know there are already several posts on this forum about this topic, but I think one more won’t hurt—to help stop the activities of this gang of Filipinos operating across Asia. I was extorted out of $4000 after being lured into an underground Black Jack game. They invite you to their place for some innocent reason, drug you, make you play, and then rob you. To my great regret, this bad experience has happened to several people, but I realized it too late. What happened to me is as much my fault as theirs: my naivety and their dishonesty. So, be careful when you travel—don’t trust people too quickly. I hope this post helps. Cambodia remains a magnificent country for me, and most of the people are wonderful. Big up!!!!! Travel safe, Julien

Hello and happy New Year, We’re two friends heading to Thailand for 11 days in February. It’s not much time, so we’re looking for great tips on mid-range accommodations, sights, restaurants, bars, and beautiful beaches in Bangkok. I’m thinking Koh Phangan, probably on the west coast, preferably a bungalow, and we’re still undecided about Koh Samui. So if you’ve got any good addresses, we’re all ears!

Hi everyone! I’ve had a question nagging at me for days, and I can’t find any answers on the site! I’m heading to Java soon, and since I don’t have many days, I’ll be staying in Yogyakarta to visit the temples and, most importantly, take a 3-day/2-night organized tour to Bromo, Kawa Ijen, and its beautiful blue flames... My issue is that on all the itineraries, I see the blue flame tour ending at 9 AM but heading to Bali! However, I’d really like to return to Yogyakarta after visiting Kawa Ijen. Please tell me this is possible—it’s starting to stress me out :-(... If so, how long does it take to get from Kawa Ijen back to Yogyakarta? Thanks so much for your help!

The prime minister has just announced the death of the King of Thailand. RIP

Hello,

We’re planning our trip for October 2017!! (Yes, it’s still far off—but planning it is already like a vacation.) We’re interested in the Ban Gioc Waterfalls, but I can’t quite make up my mind about them. Will there still be water in October? Is this stop worth it? (Even if there’s no water?) Thanks for your replies! Happy travels to everyone, Eric

We’ll be in Siem Reap this coming January and I’m struggling to find a competent French-speaking guide to help us understand and explore the Angkor temples. Anyone have a contact to share?

Hi,

Does anyone know a place at Inle Lake that’s preferably good for a 10-day yoga retreat for beginners?

Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone,

I’m posting this because in about two weeks, my wife and I want to go to Myanmar. Ever since the country opened up, we’ve really wanted to visit. However, I’m wondering if there’s too much hype about it. Everywhere you read that it’s authentic, not too touristy, really different, etc. So I’m worried we might be getting our hopes up too high and risk being disappointed if it’s not the case. Because despite everything, it’s become a very popular destination in Asia, and a lot of tourists are heading there.

I’d love to hear your general thoughts. Were you disappointed? Or was it exactly what you expected?

Because if all this enthusiasm is a bit exaggerated, maybe we’ll choose another country instead.

Thanks in advance! :)

Hi, I’m looking for how to book a tent in Koh Surin to stay for several days. Does anyone know the current booking site?

Hi, is it possible to get to Ko Kut from Kaoh Kong or Khlong Yai without going back up to Trat and transiting via Ko Chang? Thanks for your replies

Hi,

I'm currently in Ho Chi Minh City and was wondering if any ATMs don’t charge fees with a Visa card.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I’m planning to spend about two weeks in Tioman in July 2018. I’m looking for a relaxing trip, more about walks in a small fishing village vibe than beaches and tourists. Anyone have any tips or good spots to recommend? Thanks in advance to all!

I lived in the 1950s at 10 Carnot Boulevard in Hanoi. I don’t know if the house is still there. It seems this street is now the embassy district. Does anyone have info? Thanks

hi, I'm looking for a driver-guide or a guide + driver for a 2-week trip. Must speak French. Anyone have any names to suggest (reliable with good driving)? Thanks

Good evening everyone,

We’d like to travel for 15 days as a couple at the end of January. We’ve been to Thailand before and fell in love with it. We’ve visited Bangkok, Khao Lak, Khao Sok, the Surin and Similan islands, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Kradan, and Railay Beach. We love crystal-clear waters, snorkeling, scenic viewpoints, and exploring—beaches can get boring quickly. We’re looking for quiet spots (hotels) but with some evening life for little restaurants, massages, and shopping...

We always plan our own itinerary, book our flight separately, and improvise while having a rough idea of where we want to go.

We haven’t been to Koh Samet, Koh Chang, Koh Mook, Koh Jum, or Koh Lipe yet... What can you tell us about these islands, and how long should we stay on each? Is Koh Lipe really worth it since it’s so remote?

We’ve never been to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai—what’s particularly worth seeing there? Has anyone already put together an itinerary that could guide us to places we haven’t explored yet? Thanks for your valuable feedback so we can save time and quickly figure out which flight tickets to buy!

Thanks so much!

Hi there,

We’re spending a week in Samui and then two in Phangan in February.

We’re looking to stay in places that aren’t too touristy, close to beautiful beaches and authentic villages... I know Koh Samui is very touristy, but are there any spots that are a bit more off the beaten path? Same for Phangan—what part of the island is the prettiest, most exotic, and authentic?

Thanks in advance...

Still on the same Ngo Van So street, but now at No. 18 (instead of 19) in a stunning, huge French-style house, with a garden, small dining rooms, and an open kitchen. Still just as delicious!

Hi fellow travelers,

I’ll be in Manila on March 9th and plan to head to Banaue on the evening of the 12th with Coda for a 3-day trek. After that, I’d like to go to Sagada and then continue to Vigan.

From what I’ve read, most people go to Sagada first with Coda and then return to Banaue, but I’d prefer to do Banaue-Sagada and then head to Vigan.

I haven’t seen this kind of itinerary on the forum. Does anyone have recommendations on how to do it by bus?

Your suggestions/tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Hello everyone,

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.