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.
Trip to the Raja Ampat Islands in June (Indonesia)
by Probichon
Translated into English.
Whoa, I think the end of the world is coming...
My buddy just told me they have nuclear energy offices, and I did a quick Google search and found this:
http://www.batan.go.id/
and this:
http://bapeten.go.id/
I need to explain this a bit more when I have 5 minutes, but it’s definitely the offices of the Indonesian nuclear agency....
Anyway, with all this, one thing’s for sure.
We can’t be accused of working for the Indonesian tourism office because if anyone wants to come after reading this discussion, I take my hat off to them 😏
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Well, we're already here, and we're even on time at that.
And don’t repeat this, but I heard Momo’s back in the homeland and might come in 2014.
More seriously, these days, apart from someone who’s in love with the country and its nature, I don’t see many people for whom it’s worth traveling to this country.
Expensive, lousy service, scams, bigotry—the average tourist is better off traveling elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
It’s no surprise Thailand is swamped—cheaper, better organized, more honest in business. Even Malaysia isn’t more expensive than Indonesia overall. A free 3-month visa, shorter distances, and in the end, the budget is the same, if not lower when comparing East Malaysia and Indonesia.
Sumatra and Java are still okay, and maybe NTB and NTT (it’s been ages since I’ve been there), but the rest of the country is super expensive and chaotic, so really, unless you’re a snorkeling or jungle fanatic, I don’t see any reason to go. Not to mention the gangs of rude young people in cities who mock or insult foreigners. Even culturally, there’s better and more diverse elsewhere...
It's not just nature lovers—it’s still a promised land for guys on the run (with high spending power, though).
But I’ve already said too much; we’re getting into a public discussion here.
BIIIIIIIP
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Who are you talking about?
Nurdin my top?
Or Momo’s buddy named Fred too, who almost got Momo a free stay with the mustachioed guys?
I see we all know a specimen of the kind haha.
The one I’m thinking of caused so much trouble once he was there that there’s a good chance he’s feeding the fish by now. But just in case, I won’t drop any names here.
Not that he deserves it, but oh well.
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Wow, you know some amazing people!
But you’ve either said too much or not enough—Naps is a super curious creature, and you’ve really piqued their interest.
Come on, spill the details!
Or DM me if you prefer. I check my DMs for my contacts, and of course, you’re one of them, sweetheart.
By the way, are you still in Big Durian, or have you moved?
We’re still surrounded by second-hand DJs, but this weekend we’re heading to the mountains to get some fresh air with some friends of my partner—one of them is a freeman but cool, so I think we’ll have a blast…
Alright, I’ll send you the details if it’s just between us. A great story like we love them.
But right now, I’m packing—we’re off to Thailand and coming back for Idul Fitri. I’ll have a little internet session over there while the missus gets a beauty treatment from the Thai ladies.
See ya, and have fun!
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Okay, I'm waiting to hear from you.
Does Mrs. Wolf like Thailand? Funny, my partner does too.
But Indonesia is great, right? :-) Why are you giving your money to the Thais? Do you think you get a better quality-price ratio with less hassle despite the travel cost?
You're leaving at this hour?
Hey, clear my doubt—did we know each other before you were Wolf?
No no, but it’s never too late to do things right.
It’s true that Indonesia often gets overlooked when people see Thailand—there’s plenty to make you think twice...
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Or the buddy of Momo who’s also called Fred and who almost got Momo a free stay with the mustachioed guys?
In reality, I could’ve taken down those cops, but I didn’t know my rights! (And the police chief didn’t know his own rights—or mine, for that matter...) ...
In reality, I could’ve taken down those cops, but I didn’t know my rights! (And the police chief didn’t know his own rights—or mine, for that matter...) ...
Bribing the cops? In Kalimantan?
Uhhh, Momo, I dunno...
Didn’t you know your rights?
What rights? Since when do we have rights with the police or administration in Indonesia as a foreigner? Even as a local, for that matter—unless you’re the son of so-and-so or buddies with some high-up mustachioed guy...
But I’m always ready to change my mind, so go ahead, I’m all ears.
Hey Wolf, you’re in Thailand now, right?
No wonder Indonesians like Thailand—it’s similar to home, and they don’t feel too out of place, but at least there aren’t those bearded, preachy DJs who think they know everything.
Bribe the cops? In Kalimantan?
Uhhh, Momo, I dunno...
Didn’t you know your rights?
What rights? Since when do we have rights with the police or administration in Indonesia as a foreigner? Even as a local, for that matter—unless you’re the son of so-and-so or buddies with some high-up mustachioed guy...
.
Well, my house arrest clearly fell under an "unlawful detention"... I could’ve reported it to the police oversight in Pontianak—a cop gave me the address and even offered to go with me, along with a neighbor who knew me well and was furious about the whole thing. Those days of the little bribe they extort while yelling at you are over... As long as you haven’t broken the law, of course, because then it’s still a nightmare...
Well, my house arrest clearly fell under an "unlawful detention"... I could’ve reported it to the police oversight in Pontianak—a cop gave me the address and even offered to go with me, along with a neighbor who knew me well and was furious about the whole thing. Those days of the little bribe they extort while yelling at you are over... As long as you haven’t broken the law, of course, because then it’s still a nightmare...
Yeah, because you were buddies with some mustachioed guy in the square—see what I wrote above. But even if you had filed a complaint, I don’t know if it would’ve gone far. Don’t forget that, like it or not, you’re a *bule* :-). And even for locals, you know how things work in this country:
"Oh yes, yes, we’ll take care of it, of course, don’t worry!"
And?
And nothing—just empty words, or what my Indonesian textbook called:
"polite phrases meant to put the other person at ease, but not to be taken literally."...
Oh, a friend sent me this article—it talks about the realities of line 6. It’s in English, so you’ll need to read that poor primitive dialect, but despite that, it’s interesting. It covers topics we often discuss, either privately or on this forum, but the guy goes into detail—something we don’t do here. Really insightful for anyone who doesn’t know this country. Wolf will probably say we’re badmouthing the local tourism office, but whatever...
http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/02/17/take-a-train-in-jakarta/
I quite agree, the situation is deteriorating in Indonesia (especially NTT and NTB) (security, organization, mafias, corruption). Bali isn’t any better off and is literally overrun with disrespectful tourists. I saw a debate on TV last night about the "Islamic police" (unofficial, arbitrary parallel police forces not officially recognized by the state) that are popping up everywhere. The debate was heated because they’re highlighting the government’s incompetence (politicians, police, humanitarian organizations, etc.) in dealing with this phenomenon.
Here are a few interesting links on the "penal" situation for tourists in Indonesia: http://catchup.ninemsn.com.au/balithedarksideofparadise/2013/8693430/bali-the-dark-side-of-paradise
http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/article/-/18049168/death-row-confessions/ http://www.optuszoo.com.au/news/top/news-com-au/inside-the-hellhole-of-a-bali-prison/938205
Here are a few interesting links on the "penal" situation for tourists in Indonesia: http://catchup.ninemsn.com.au/balithedarksideofparadise/2013/8693430/bali-the-dark-side-of-paradise
http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/article/-/18049168/death-row-confessions/ http://www.optuszoo.com.au/news/top/news-com-au/inside-the-hellhole-of-a-bali-prison/938205
In my opinion, the situation is far from deteriorating—in fact, quite the opposite. Private militias have long flourished and faded in Indonesia. They always thrive on the alleged inability of public authorities to address various issues more or less covered by the penal code. What’s interesting is observing the population’s reactions toward them, shifting from indifferent sympathy to outrage and then to violent opposition, as happened in Lombok some time ago and very recently in Central Java, where residents of a town violently opposed Islamist groups attempting a *sweeping* operation. Moreover, President SBY’s firm stance—widely praised across the country—against these *ormas* (organizations that defy legality) and his first-ever mention of the FPI in directives to the Kapolri is a real green light for dissolving this group and a stern warning to all others accustomed to breaking the law with impunity. This new governmental stance is a relief for many police officers who were previously disheartened by the government’s hesitant or silent response to these groups’ abuses. All of this is moving in the right direction, and the majority of Indonesians, who are republican at heart, are starting to reject these parallel policing organizations—so this isn’t a deterioration. Right?
toujours bien a la casa
I agree that things have calmed down in Indonesia (you should’ve seen the chaos right after Suharto’s fall!!! Violence in Aceh, Poso, Maluku, Kalimantan, Banyuwangi, etc.). However, this isn’t the first time SBY has threatened to dissolve the FPI. Every time, it’s the same thing: just words, nothing more… The irony, considering he’s a former military man and everyone knows about the rivalries between the army and the bearded guys. That said, I hope the future proves me wrong!
Well, today things heated up for them, and for once I was glad that damn TV was on.
There was a segment about how people are fed up seeing ormas taking justice into their own hands, and then the FPI monkeys facing off with more evolved guys.
The more evolved ones talked about the FPI's excesses, the FPI leader said it wasn't true and there was no proof, with obvious bad faith. Bad luck for him—it looked like the move had been prepared, but it's clear the monkeys are predictable—at his words, they showed him a video proving exactly what he denied. The head monkey denied it, saying the video was tampered with. But he wasn’t credible; it was blatantly obvious, and even though he kept going with his mouth full of lies, he’d lost control and discredited himself in everyone’s eyes.
A bit earlier, a high-ranking official had been interviewed, and he was really worked up against the FPI. Others also said the FPI hadn’t respected the president. I’ll skip the details, but now there are only two options:
1—the tension dies down in a few days once the victims are buried, and the FPI can keep up its nonsense;
2—the government realizes these monkeys have gotten too big for their boots—or in other words, that the puppet wants to be independent from its creator—and that in the long run, it could become a threat, so they ban the Indonesian frontists.
Time will tell, but I agree with Lombokfan—things are boiling over in the country. Though it’s been boiling for years, and it’s not any hotter in 2013 than it was in, say, 2008. We’ll just have to see when, or if, it’s going to explode...
hello Naps
I found this on the Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/07/22/central-java-muslim-clerics-condemn-fpi-clashes-with-locals.html
My girlfriend lives there, in Sukoharjo (a few kilometers from Purwokerto at the foot of Mount Slamet), where I ran into a group of Pemuda Pancasila thugs.
I read that these fascists killed a young woman. They just keep poisoning Indonesian society, but successive governments bear a large part of the responsibility by letting them operate freely. They exploit the idleness and ignorance of a marginalized part of the population, and they have money to recruit the unemployed.
Yeah, I was in Java when people stood up to them and kicked them out of a meeting they were trying to crash.
I found this on the Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/07/22/central-java-muslim-clerics-condemn-fpi-clashes-with-locals.html
My girlfriend lives there, in Sukoharjo (a few kilometers from Purwokerto at the foot of Mount Slamet), where I ran into a group of Pemuda Pancasila thugs.
I read that these fascists killed a young woman. They just keep poisoning Indonesian society, but successive governments bear a large part of the responsibility by letting them operate freely. They exploit the idleness and ignorance of a marginalized part of the population, and they have money to recruit the unemployed.
Yeah, I was in Java when people stood up to them and kicked them out of a meeting they were trying to crash.
another one
it’s reacting
http://www.thejakartapost.com/...hes-with-locals.html
another more detailed one that also points out the police’s inaction http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/police-vow-crackdown-as-fpi-apologizes/
let’s hope it doesn’t go unanswered.
another more detailed one that also points out the police’s inaction http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/police-vow-crackdown-as-fpi-apologizes/
let’s hope it doesn’t go unanswered.
Yes, on one hand, the FPI gets criticized, but on the other, the cops have never done anything to stop them from carrying out their raids.
The big problem is that there are politicians pulling the FPI's strings, because first, it channels the violence of certain groups (as long as they're attacking Christians or so-called "bad" Muslims, they won't go after the government and the corruption that are really responsible for the country's unrest), and second, it keeps the people in check through fear and religion/the "opium of the people." Because the FPI is nothing more than a militia of losers who play at being good Muslims and defenders of Islam, but carefully avoid fixing what *really* needs to be fixed in Indonesia. But now it seems like they want to break free from their masters, and they’ve outright insulted the president.
Unfortunately, I fear this won’t go far—the president didn’t even react to the insult, whereas if it had come from someone else, it wouldn’t have been the same. It’s very possible all of this will fade into the oblivion of the big post-Ramadan celebrations...
2-the government understands that these monkeys have gotten too big for their boots, or in other words, that the puppet wants to be independent from its creator, which in the long run could pose a threat to it, and issues the ban on Indonesian Frontists.
...
You missed some episodes, Naps: the government has been in the FPI’s crosshairs for a while, but it’s not easy to dissolve those lunatics... Back in the BBM era, when they wanted to raise prices in 2012, the FPI was already very critical of SBY’s government, even calling for its dissolution over corruption! Of course, at that time, you were goofing around on beaches in India!! And look at the Lady Gaga affair: their (the FPI’s) shows of force were terrifying! The question is whether, in the event of a dissolution, law enforcement is ready—or willing—to crack down hard on the protests that will follow. If they just use a few tear gas canisters, they’ll be at it for a while!
PS/ The thread about the scammer in Flores just got censored because of some huge fascist a**hole who doesn’t get that for those who fight extremists here, the FN, identitarians, and other far-right movements all belong in the same bag (one weighted with big rocks and thrown into the sea)
You missed some episodes, Naps: the government has been in the FPI’s crosshairs for a while, but it’s not easy to dissolve those lunatics... Back in the BBM era, when they wanted to raise prices in 2012, the FPI was already very critical of SBY’s government, even calling for its dissolution over corruption! Of course, at that time, you were goofing around on beaches in India!! And look at the Lady Gaga affair: their (the FPI’s) shows of force were terrifying! The question is whether, in the event of a dissolution, law enforcement is ready—or willing—to crack down hard on the protests that will follow. If they just use a few tear gas canisters, they’ll be at it for a while!
PS/ The thread about the scammer in Flores just got censored because of some huge fascist a**hole who doesn’t get that for those who fight extremists here, the FN, identitarians, and other far-right movements all belong in the same bag (one weighted with big rocks and thrown into the sea)
Ah, India—yeah, we really loved it there, far from all those mustachioed and bearded idiots...
But we still kept up with the news, like that whole Lady Whatever thing—we thought it was a shame that the FPI morons (I won’t call them monkeys anymore, it’s not fair to actual monkeys, who are better than them) could just impose their views like that.
That said, it’s obvious that if they get dissolved, they’ll take it badly and try to cause chaos, but don’t tell me the army wouldn’t be happy to open fire and rack up a body count? They’d just be waiting for the green light from that obese president, and then—boom, let’s take down the FPI!!
On the other hand, I didn’t know their independence moves against their puppet master had already surfaced during last year’s BBM affair, but either way, it backs up what I was saying: the government needs to put its foot down.
Of course, there’s no guarantee they’ll do it right, but how many of those FPI hotheads are there, really? They’re bitter and stubborn, sure, but they’re just a handful—or two at most.
What happened with that Flores scammer thread? And how do you know it was a fascist who got it censored? That post had already faded into obscurity for a while, right?
You're underestimating the FPI—they're numerous, and in some cities they have support. For example, in Pontianak, their leader is a notable figure. So when there were clashes with the Dayaks, you also had all the Malay gangsters on the streets. Even the guys from the villages, who came down in large numbers and armed (the kind you saw at that chaotic football match near Madame's place—not exactly weaklings), were outmatched...
As for the military, the ties between the armed forces and the FPI might be closer than we think. According to my soldier buddies from the Moluccas or NTT, there are even Christian members of the FPI!!!!!!!!! Don’t forget that at its core, the FPI is a gang—Islamism is just an excuse. Not so long ago, you could pay them to leave your brothel alone during Ramadan. This was exposed publicly, and they cleaned up their act around late 2011, if I remember correctly.
Now, about those Christian bearded guys—that’s something to verify. But my buddy Chris is *very* well-informed about all this (he’s one of those soldiers who rents out his muscle to gangs outside of work hours). What *has* been confirmed multiple times, though, is that the FPI recruits from criminals...
And those days of shooting into crowds in Indonesia are over. Look—every time there are a few deaths, even in some remote area, it causes a scandal. If there were protests, they’d happen under the spotlight. I can’t see the government ordering a massacre! Further proof: the president’s inaction has made him a laughingstock for a long time. He contradicts himself in his statements instead of taking action...
The only ones who’d happily take down the bearded guys are the cowboys from Densus 88!
But let’s hope this well-worn scenario ends soon and that I’m wrong!
As for the military, the ties between the armed forces and the FPI might be closer than we think. According to my soldier buddies from the Moluccas or NTT, there are even Christian members of the FPI!!!!!!!!! Don’t forget that at its core, the FPI is a gang—Islamism is just an excuse. Not so long ago, you could pay them to leave your brothel alone during Ramadan. This was exposed publicly, and they cleaned up their act around late 2011, if I remember correctly.
Now, about those Christian bearded guys—that’s something to verify. But my buddy Chris is *very* well-informed about all this (he’s one of those soldiers who rents out his muscle to gangs outside of work hours). What *has* been confirmed multiple times, though, is that the FPI recruits from criminals...
And those days of shooting into crowds in Indonesia are over. Look—every time there are a few deaths, even in some remote area, it causes a scandal. If there were protests, they’d happen under the spotlight. I can’t see the government ordering a massacre! Further proof: the president’s inaction has made him a laughingstock for a long time. He contradicts himself in his statements instead of taking action...
The only ones who’d happily take down the bearded guys are the cowboys from Densus 88!
But let’s hope this well-worn scenario ends soon and that I’m wrong!
Still, I wonder if the government realizes just how much it's putting itself at risk through its inaction, because the country's fragile unity is ultimately threatened. For now, they're playing it cool in Papua, but if all the non-Muslim communities decide they've had enough, that's a huge territory to control. Can you imagine if Papua, Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Maluku, etc., decide the republican contract has been broken? It could turn into quite the mess... Those bearded Javanese would look pretty foolish on their overpopulated island with their dairy cows turning their backs on them. And then, the peaceful Muslims who've been keeping quiet would know exactly who to blame.
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Oh, I know they have support, but still—if there were real political will, it wouldn’t be hard to stop them.
All it takes is to paint them as terrorists, stir up a scandal or two, run a good media campaign, and then bring in the army. The Indonesian thugs are used to it—between East Timor, Aceh, and Papua, they’re even experts.
But according to my wife, the FPI has high-level political backing because, as she says, there are people in the government funding them.
You see, Wiranto is a scumbag and he’s wanted by the international tribunal for crimes against humanity, but sometimes I think if he won the elections next year, it might actually do the country some good—a strongman who’ll crack down. It’s tough to talk like this, and tough to admit that this kind of guy is what the country needs, but when you compare him to that oaf SBY, you start to think it might be the only solution.
Anyway, the more I think about it, the more I realize SBY won’t do anything—he’s a loser...
But you didn’t answer my question about Flores...
@Wolf:
Back during the religious war in the Moluccas, the bearded guys sent the ancestor of the FPI, the Laskar Jihad, to attack Christians.
Because the problem is that in Java, there are 120 million people, and even if most are peaceful, statistically, that still leaves a lot of idiots—and definitely more than in the Moluccas or Papua (Papuans are only 3 million). That’s actually how they invaded the Moluccas and forced them to join their banana republic back in the days of that other moron, Sukarno...
hi
Yeah, I totally agree with you—the government’s playing with fire by acting like reckless apprentices. The balance is fragile. Naps: Berta’s right, I’m convinced they’ve got high-level backing to do what they’ve been doing with total impunity for a while now. They feel untouchable. If people hadn’t pushed back because they’re finally fed up with these lunatics, it would’ve been swept under the rug.
Christian FPI! I’m sure there are extremists among them, but how do they react when others burn churches like what happened in Bekasi... Maybe a nice fat sum helps smooth things over...
good night
Yeah, I totally agree with you—the government’s playing with fire by acting like reckless apprentices. The balance is fragile. Naps: Berta’s right, I’m convinced they’ve got high-level backing to do what they’ve been doing with total impunity for a while now. They feel untouchable. If people hadn’t pushed back because they’re finally fed up with these lunatics, it would’ve been swept under the rug.
Christian FPI! I’m sure there are extremists among them, but how do they react when others burn churches like what happened in Bekasi... Maybe a nice fat sum helps smooth things over...
good night
Hey Éric.
Yeah, Indonesia is a completely artificial creation and only exists because people are willing to go along with it. Things have already seriously deteriorated, and everyone’s fighting for their own piece of the pie without caring about the common good—normal with a corrupt government that confuses democracy with the dictatorship of the majority.
If there were rebellions everywhere, it wouldn’t be easy to suppress everyone. Times have changed—anyone can film something on their phone and share it online, and the sleight-of-hand of the so-called democracy-fighting executioners is starting to wear thin.
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
There's no Indonesia, Wolfy!
There's Javanesia, which that clever little Soekarno had the intelligence to call Indonesia, just to sugar-coat it and make people forget that it's Java grabbing the other islands.
Then some good propaganda, anthems memorized from school (they'd be better off learning what a school is supposed to teach, but hey, you can't do everything), a good brainwashing, and voilà...
Do you know the lyrics of the national anthem? And the principles of Pancasila?
The Papuans call it *panca salah*, or as they say:
*orang indonesia bilang A, buat B. Yang salah dibenarkan, yang benar disalahkan.*
This country is artificial, and it might well split one day. Besides, the bigwigs in Jakarta are terrified it'll happen, but for now, it's not on the horizon.
However, if it did happen, I don’t know how they’d manage to become the world’s number 6 (source: Lolo and Momo)...
Still, I wonder if the government realizes just how much it’s putting itself at risk with its inaction—because in the long run, it’s the country’s fragile unity that’s threatened.
Totally!!! In Pontianak back in 2012, things nearly got really ugly! The Dayaks had come down into the city, and on their protest route, they were throwing stones at Muslim schools, etc. Luckily, they didn’t go as far as burning a mosque—otherwise, we’d have had a replay of the Moluccas!! At that level! No one, except the people there who were terrified, seemed to notice! Over there, the FPI is horrendous: for Chinese New Year, those idiots had plastered posters all over Singkawang (the first city for Indonesians of Chinese origin) reminding Muslims that attending the festivities was a sin (talk about tact—I can just imagine the reverse, "Christians, don’t attend or take part in Eid celebrations!"—it’d be war!). Some people had torn them down, the FPI came back at it, and the army had to step in 🏴☠️ A few weeks before all that, SBY’s dad had literally declared, "Next time the FPI makes headlines, I’ll dissolve them!!" ... A year and a half later (and how many more incidents later), still nothing!!!!!! What a total wimp—this guy’s useless, leading a party that’s ultra-corrupt !
Totally!!! In Pontianak back in 2012, things nearly got really ugly! The Dayaks had come down into the city, and on their protest route, they were throwing stones at Muslim schools, etc. Luckily, they didn’t go as far as burning a mosque—otherwise, we’d have had a replay of the Moluccas!! At that level! No one, except the people there who were terrified, seemed to notice! Over there, the FPI is horrendous: for Chinese New Year, those idiots had plastered posters all over Singkawang (the first city for Indonesians of Chinese origin) reminding Muslims that attending the festivities was a sin (talk about tact—I can just imagine the reverse, "Christians, don’t attend or take part in Eid celebrations!"—it’d be war!). Some people had torn them down, the FPI came back at it, and the army had to step in 🏴☠️ A few weeks before all that, SBY’s dad had literally declared, "Next time the FPI makes headlines, I’ll dissolve them!!" ... A year and a half later (and how many more incidents later), still nothing!!!!!! What a total wimp—this guy’s useless, leading a party that’s ultra-corrupt !
The Papuans call it *panca salah*, or as they say:
orang indonesia bilang A, buat B. Yang salah dibenarkan, yang benar disalahkan.
)...
It sounds like the lyrics from the band MARJINAL (from Jakarta) about TV: "yg pinter dibodohi, yg bodoh dibudayakan"!! ("what’s smart is made to look stupid, what’s stupid is turned into culture!" ... Well said! !
It sounds like the lyrics from the band MARJINAL (from Jakarta) about TV: "yg pinter dibodohi, yg bodoh dibudayakan"!! ("what’s smart is made to look stupid, what’s stupid is turned into culture!" ... Well said! !
Did you see that SBY went to New York a few weeks ago to receive an award for his work promoting religious diversity?🏴☠️
And why not the Nobel Peace Prize while we're at it.
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
the guys who gave it that award are really off the mark!!
Wow, Obama really got that Nobel Peace Prize, despite the two wars he was waging and his support for Israel, no matter what he said.
SBY’s a total pushover—back in Pak Harto’s day, stuff like this wouldn’t have happened. Those FPI idiots would’ve been torched with flamethrowers.
And in ’98 when he stepped down, all the bearded troublemakers who’d been hiding out in Malaysia came back in a flash.
I used to criticize Suharto a lot because, back then, I had my stupid Western biases about democracy and all that, but I’ve come to realize that’s the kind of leader these countries need. That’s why I’m voting for Wiranto next year—lol.
Right now, you see posters and stickers everywhere with Suharto’s face and him saying:
*piye kabare? Enak zaman ku, to?*
(How’s it going? Things were better in my time, right?)
It’s sad, because he wasn’t a democrat, but he was still the best president they’ve ever had. Sure, he was corrupt, but so were the ones who came after him—the difference is, under his rule, the country ran smoothly...
Let’s just say that for a democracy to be valid, you first need an education system that holds up—otherwise, at best, it’s a dictatorship with a carnival mask, and at worst, a "dumbocracy" like the one we’ve got...
But in the current state of things, a general respected by his troops could actually be progress.
Even if under Harto, Indonesians suffered less, the body count is still way too high to miss him—just look at the purge of leftists when he took power. Next to him, even Pinochet looks like a choirboy.
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
It's true that Harto wasn't exactly a saint, but he was already out of the picture by the time of the big massacres in Timor. And let's be real—those who followed him are just the same: Aceh, Papua, it's all burning, looting, raping, and killing. Not exactly saints either.
Yeah, Indonesia still isn’t a democracy. They make people think they are, but all they can do is change the face of the top crook every five years—nothing more.
It’s not just a proper education system they need, but also healthcare, infrastructure, and so on.
That won’t happen anytime soon, and the problem is that even though the country still isn’t a democracy, the post-Suharto governments have all been pushovers when it comes to the bearded extremists. At least Suharto kept them in check.
If there had been any social progress, we could’ve said the extremists were the lesser evil, but nope—no progress at all.
So, dictatorship for dictatorship, corruption for corruption, poverty for poverty, no public services for no public services, human rights violations for human rights violations—might as well have a government that cracks down on the extremists and troublemakers.
According to my pro contact (Suharto’s son-in-law), he’s better than Wiranto. He’s also got military ties but is tougher, more effective, and has some strong-arm actions under his belt. According to her, he’d have the guts to clean up the mess left by the FPI and their affiliates...
Long live Indonesia—just 8 more days until Ramadan is over, and I think this year I’ll celebrate its end like they do, but not for the same reasons!!!
Yeah, Indonesia still isn’t a democracy. They make people think they are, but all they can do is change the face of the top crook every five years—nothing more.
It’s not just a proper education system they need, but also healthcare, infrastructure, and so on.
That won’t happen anytime soon, and the problem is that even though the country still isn’t a democracy, the post-Suharto governments have all been pushovers when it comes to the bearded extremists. At least Suharto kept them in check.
If there had been any social progress, we could’ve said the extremists were the lesser evil, but nope—no progress at all.
So, dictatorship for dictatorship, corruption for corruption, poverty for poverty, no public services for no public services, human rights violations for human rights violations—might as well have a government that cracks down on the extremists and troublemakers.
According to my pro contact (Suharto’s son-in-law), he’s better than Wiranto. He’s also got military ties but is tougher, more effective, and has some strong-arm actions under his belt. According to her, he’d have the guts to clean up the mess left by the FPI and their affiliates...
Long live Indonesia—just 8 more days until Ramadan is over, and I think this year I’ll celebrate its end like they do, but not for the same reasons!!!
Are the Raja Ampat Islands doable in November? Are they just about diving, or can you also go hiking?
Thanks
November—who knows, maybe it’ll rain, maybe it won’t...
You *can* hike, but you’ve gotta know what you’re doing. Because nothing’s organized, and if you run into trouble, don’t count on the authorities or anyone else to help you. You need your own gear, the ability to plan this kind of trip, speak at least some Indonesian, etc.
A buddy of mine who lives in the area and is super experienced with this stuff nearly died from a severe malaria attack in the jungle of one of the archipelago’s big islands just two months ago.
Luckily, he had meds, a satellite phone, and money—that’s what saved him. But barely, because even with all that, he came *this* close to kicking the bucket.
So, if you’re used to hiking in general and in this kind of humid environment in particular (this "green hell" as the pros call it), if you know about malaria and how to treat it, if you’ve got the right gear, and if you’re in good physical and mental shape, then the answer is yes.
Otherwise, well… it’s not a yes. :-)
We’re not gonna debate this for 10 years (nobody cares, and I’m pretty sure we’re just annoying everyone by going off-topic like this!!), but I won’t follow you in your apology for the horrible Suharto: too many massacres, too many horrors (’99 in Timor was his right-hand man Habibie and, above all, the culmination of his ultra-nationalist system)... Not all Indonesians need a good beating—you’ve got plenty of sensible, honest, enlightened people (especially in Yogya, where you are right now). It’s them we should be listening to, not the nationalists in khaki or, worse, the idiots on TV...
It’s clear they need (in my humble opinion) a strong leader (man or woman) to enforce the rules and really fight corruption. It’s true that change won’t happen anytime soon (unfortunately), but that’s no reason to wish for the return (or to miss) a military dictator as brutal as the one who inspired the Burmese regime and was the founding father of the "politik suap" (corruption system) and, more generally, everything that’s wrong in Indonesia today (like the rather weak education system) 🤪...
And you can’t compare the current political atmosphere to the one under Suharto! Criticizing Indonesia’s current democracy is fine, but come back to France for a bit—you’ll put things in perspective... ...
It’s clear they need (in my humble opinion) a strong leader (man or woman) to enforce the rules and really fight corruption. It’s true that change won’t happen anytime soon (unfortunately), but that’s no reason to wish for the return (or to miss) a military dictator as brutal as the one who inspired the Burmese regime and was the founding father of the "politik suap" (corruption system) and, more generally, everything that’s wrong in Indonesia today (like the rather weak education system) 🤪...
And you can’t compare the current political atmosphere to the one under Suharto! Criticizing Indonesia’s current democracy is fine, but come back to France for a bit—you’ll put things in perspective... ...
According to my pro source (Suharto’s son-in-law), he’s better than Wiranto. He also has ties with the military, but he’s tougher, just better overall. He’s got some strong-arm actions under his belt, and according to her, he’d have the guts to clean up the mess left by the FPI and their affiliates...
!!!
Yeah, he’s got one of his guys in place: Jokowi, the super likable (no irony here—the guy’s even a heavy metal fan!!) governor of Jakarta who’s repeatedly stood up to the bearded extremists and the bigwigs, and fought corruption really effectively when he was mayor of Solo/Surakarta...
Yeah, he’s got one of his guys in place: Jokowi, the super likable (no irony here—the guy’s even a heavy metal fan!!) governor of Jakarta who’s repeatedly stood up to the bearded extremists and the bigwigs, and fought corruption really effectively when he was mayor of Solo/Surakarta...
hey everyone
"Did you see that SBY a few weeks ago went to New York to receive an award for his work promoting religious diversity?🏴☠️ Why not the Nobel Peace Prize while we're at it."
yeah, it's just staggering. Just recently, Shia refugees (who have been refugees since July 2012 after fleeing their villages in Madura, attacked by a mob of religious fanatics—homes destroyed and burned, murders) the police did nothing to protect them. As for the government of religious diversity (sic), the only thing they told them was that if they wanted to return to their villages in Sampang (Madura Island), they had to convert to Sunnism.
I hope the new government and the one Fred and Naps are talking about will take steps to protect all these minorities, otherwise things are going to flare up because in the medium term, they’ll be outflanked by these gangs
"Did you see that SBY a few weeks ago went to New York to receive an award for his work promoting religious diversity?🏴☠️ Why not the Nobel Peace Prize while we're at it."
yeah, it's just staggering. Just recently, Shia refugees (who have been refugees since July 2012 after fleeing their villages in Madura, attacked by a mob of religious fanatics—homes destroyed and burned, murders) the police did nothing to protect them. As for the government of religious diversity (sic), the only thing they told them was that if they wanted to return to their villages in Sampang (Madura Island), they had to convert to Sunnism.
I hope the new government and the one Fred and Naps are talking about will take steps to protect all these minorities, otherwise things are going to flare up because in the medium term, they’ll be outflanked by these gangs
for sure!!!
to prepare a trip around here, none of these discussions interest anyone...........and they don’t bring anything concrete.
I didn’t think this kind of forum was for that—what a shame
Momo, I'm the one who's not following you here.
You're gonna tell me that in terms of human rights there's been a change in the post-Suharto era?
Nope, there hasn't been.
Has there been less corruption?
Nope, not that either.
Did Suharto create the corruption system?
No, it was Sukarno who created it, and the Dutch before him.
Is SBY nicer than Suharto?
My eye, he also has blood on his hands, and not just a little—he took part in the genocide in East Timor when he was in the army.
That genocide, by the way, was in '99, and Suharto was already out of the picture. And the current genocide in Papua, who's orchestrating that?
Should we let the moderates have a voice?
Because you think the bearded guys are gonna let them speak? Look at what's happening in Egypt and Tunisia...
Plus, even if a majority of people don’t agree with these flaws, the problem is that in Indonesia there’s no mobilization—everyone couldn’t care less about everyone else. The only chance the moderates have to be heard is if they organize and gain popular support, but it doesn’t seem to be heading that way.
So between the Suharto era and the post-Suharto era, the only difference I see is that the bearded guys now have a public presence and are causing trouble. Other than that, nothing’s changed—neither in terms of human rights (and let’s not even talk about women’s rights, children’s rights, the rights of Indonesian Chinese, or worse, the rights of foreigners), nor corruption, nor anything else.
You’re annoying people, you say?
Well, if they’re not happy, they can just not read it, like Mr. Toulouse, who instead of saying thanks after I took the time to answer his oh-so-interesting question about whether you can hike on an island, comes here to lecture.
On this forum, there are tons of discussions that don’t interest me—the weather in Thailand or Bali, stories about Thai prostitutes in Pattaya, etc.—and I don’t read them, that’s all.
That said, I’m sure there are plenty of people who are still interested in our discussion because it lets them learn things about the darker side of Indonesia that they won’t read in their Lonely Planet, and if this discussion were really so out of place, the mods would’ve buried it a long time ago.
And you, Toulouse, who are you to say what should and shouldn’t be on this forum? If you’re not interested in the political, social, cultural, and religious considerations of a country, that’s your right. If all you care about is your own trip, that’s your right too. But it’s also our right to have other interests—this forum doesn’t revolve around you and your desires.
Tolerance, you’ve got us there...
Sorry if I’m annoying you, Toulouse, but at the same time, look at how old this post is.
We can’t exactly say we’re hijacking breaking news.
No
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
I wasn’t actually defending Suharto, I just meant he was the best president they’ve had—but that doesn’t mean he was good. He was the least bad of the bunch, or as the Brits say: the best of a bad bunch!
As for the people who are supposed to be educated in Indonesia, sadly I see very few, even in Jogja. Brainwashing starts from early childhood—salute the flag here, fear God there—it leaves its mark. The only ones who are somewhat educated are those with money who’ve seen what’s going on outside the country, but they’re not the majority...
There’s the new generation, though—some are pretty aware, but they’re a minority of young people, mostly Javanese, who’ve had some schooling. And they don’t dare speak up in front of their parents about things like religious schizophrenia and hypocrisy (I know what I’m talking about, and you know why, but let’s avoid personal stuff on this forum). In the rest of the country, it’s a disaster: *hello mister punya banyak uang kontol besar, islam agama paling mulia bla bla!!!*
Thanks
Gus Dur was a pretty decent guy who still tried to lift his country up. He just lacked a bit of firmness and had no control over the army.
Otherwise, keep an eye on Jokowi... everyone in JKT says he's "memang baik" (truly good), and they're all afraid he'll run for president and give up his position as governor of Jakarta.
Il y a trois sortes d’hommes : les vivants,
les morts, et ceux qui vont sur la mer.
Aristote (parait il)
Yeah, I dunno, but don’t expect miracles either when you see the state of Jakarta.
Anyway, as long as he keeps the bearded guys in check, it’s all good...
Here’s an article Mekong sent me. It’s in English, unfortunately, and you’ll need to be able to stomach reading that awful dialect with no depth, but it’s really informative (the article, not the English). *Racism and sexual violence in Indonesia*—just a heads-up, it’s pretty heavy, especially since it only describes the harsh reality of this so-called wonderful country:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/05/10/racism-and-sexual-violence-in-indonesia/
Personally, I find this discussion fascinating. Especially since it's led by people who know Indonesia really well and give us a behind-the-scenes look through this in-depth conversation. Even if the viewpoints remain subjective and often contradictory, they shed light on the country in a different way. It offers a perspective that might not be very cheerful about the destination, but who said we should only talk about things that make us dream? Or that we shouldn’t criticize anything if we’re not at home? Being clear-eyed doesn’t stop you from traveling...
For example, I can mention Alexandra David-Néel—a great traveler and a deeply insightful person, yet extremely critical.
To find out if you can have a picnic in Raja Ampat in November, you can check here
For example, I can mention Alexandra David-Néel—a great traveler and a deeply insightful person, yet extremely critical.
To find out if you can have a picnic in Raja Ampat in November, you can check here
"Nous, on a le temps
Vous, vous avez l'heure"
dixit un chamelier dans le désert...
thanks for the info
Log in first, then come back to this page.
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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?
Thanks, PS: My trip is planned for November
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?
Thanks, PS: My trip is planned for November
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 everyone, I’m back on the forum.
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!
Thanks so much!
Marsyork
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!
Thanks so much!
Marsyork
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! 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
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!
Hello,
I’m planning a trip to Laos in early 2027. Does anyone know the dates for the Vat Phou festival in Champasak? Thanks!
I’m planning a trip to Laos in early 2027. Does anyone know the dates for the Vat Phou festival in Champasak? Thanks!
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
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.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
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.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
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.
Thanks for your feedback! Best regards, Aurélien
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.
Thanks for your feedback! Best regards, Aurélien
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?
Hi there,
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?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hey everyone,
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.
Thanks! 🙂
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.
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...
Thanks, friends, if you’ve got any suggestions.
Thanks, friends, if you’ve got any suggestions.
Hi everyone,
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.
Thanks
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.
Thanks
Hi,
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.
Thanks
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.
Thanks
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,
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.
Days 15 and 16: Taman Negara.
Day 17: Return to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 18: Visit the Petronas Towers or Batu Caves
Day 19: Free day.
Day 20: Return flight.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Baptiste
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.
Days 15 and 16: Taman Negara.
Day 17: Return to Kuala Lumpur.
Day 18: Visit the Petronas Towers or Batu Caves
Day 19: Free day.
Day 20: Return flight.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Baptiste
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!
Time to hit the road again!
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...
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...
Hello,
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:
- Battambang (round trip) - Siem Reap / Angkor - Kratie - Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh - Kampot (round trip)
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.
What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Have a great Sunday
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:
- Battambang (round trip) - Siem Reap / Angkor - Kratie - Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh - Kampot (round trip)
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.
What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Have a great Sunday
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
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.
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.