La petite fille Filipina est élevée dans la conception que la femme doit un total respect à l' homme.
Or celui-ci, qui profite bien de la situation, ne se gêne absolument pas pour avoir non seulement des aventures, mais très souvent, pour avoir deux familles avec femme et enfants. Je dis bien TRES SOUVENT, ce n'est donc nullement une situation d' exception.
La jeune Filipina est donc souvent très vite désabusée de son premier amour. D'autant que si elle ose se plaindre lorsque le mâle rentre dans sa tanière après une virée, elle risque fort de se faire tabasser.
Donc, elle la ferme.....C'est l' origine du TAMPO, cette attitude de la femme Filipina blessée qui se ferme au monde extérieur pour une période plus ou moins longue, allant jusqu' à passer devant vous sans vous voir ( du moins en faisant semblant de ne pas vous voir).
Dans ce pays où le divorce n' existe pas et où l' Eglise combat avec énergie toute forme de contraception, elle se retrouve donc souvent à 20 ou 22 ans, malheureuse en couple, ou plus souvent, seule avec un enfant ( car le monsieur s'est fait la malle ou parce que, ne pouvant supporter ses frasques, elle l'a quitté).
Une fille dans cette situation devient " invendable" si je puis dire, pour les filipinos. Elle ne peut plus se marier, puisqu'elle l'est déjà, très souvent, et l' orgueil de coq du mâle filipino, héritage de la culture espagnole, ne peut s'accomoder d' une partenaire " qui en a déjà vu d'autres".
C'est là qu' intervient la démarche de rechercher un mari ou un partenaire étranger. Les filipinas savent que les étrangers ( pas tous) ont un vrai respect de la Femme, et qu' ils sont en général plus stables et plus loyaux que les hommes du pays ( pas difficile!).
Leur recherche a pour but premier l'accès à une stabilité matérielle qu'elle n' ont aucune chance d' obtenir par elles-mêmes. Dans la plupart des cas, il y a aussi recherche d' une stabilité affective. Si vous interrogez des filipinas et leur demandez quels sont leurs but dans la vie, la réponsé sera : 1) avoir ma propre maison 2) fonder une famille avec un bon mari et des enfants.
REmarquez, aucune ne dit " vivre un grand amour passion éternel". Non, elles veulent fonder une famille. C'est assez différent.
C'est là que les filipinas se démarquent des thaïs, qui sont beaucoup plus orientées " pognon". Toutes les filipinas ne sont pas des anges, mais pourvu qu'elles ne viennent pas d' un milieu douteux ( bars par exemple, qui aurait pu les gâter), la grande majorité d'entre elles sont honnêtes, sincères et loyales. De plus, je le vois bien dans mon entourage, il y a même de nombreuses filles qui sont issues de bars et qui sont parfaitement loyales également. Je ne jetterai donc pas la pierre à aucune de ces jeunes filles qui sont souvent contraintes à faire n' importe quoi pour alimenter la famille.
En comparaison, je pourrais dire " toutes les thaïs ne sont pas des démons, mais la grande majorité d'entre elles sont des chercheuses d' or, menteuses et fourbes".
C'est sans doute le manque de perception de cette différence, et peut-être l' une ou l'autre expérience négative dans son pays d'adoption, qui fait dire à notre ami Bobthai qu' il doute de la profondeur de relations entre des jeunes femmes filipinas et des hommes plus âgés des pays de l' Ouest.
Il y a des milliers de couples mixtes aux Philippines qui vivent parfaitement heureux, sans mésentente et sans tricherie. Il y en a beaucoup moins, par exemple, parmi ceux qui ont " importé" une filipina en Europe ou aux USA.
Car les qualités de coeur des filipinas, tout comme les délicieuses mangues des Philippines, ne sont pas vraiment exportables.
Ces qualités, il faut bien le dire, résultent aussi d' une contrainte culturelle et sociale. Une fois ces contraintes disparies, si la filipina se " westernise", elle risque de perdre ses particularités positives et de devenir...une européenne. Avec toutes les exigences et les ambitions de la femme européenne type. Ces exigences et cette ambition qui ont brisé bien des unions. C'est ce qui risque d'arriver quand les partenaires ne se voient plus comme unis vers l'achèvement d' un but commun, mais plutôt comme des ennemis luttant l' un contre l'autre dans une lutte pour le pouvoir et le vouloir.
En mai 68, nous avons eu le sentiment d'avoir changé à tout jamais la société et d'avoir éliminé les faux-semblants, les tabous et les a-priori de toute sorte.
Les réactions que je lis ici montrent, hélas, qu' il ne reste plus grand chose de l'esprit de 68 dans la société française actuelle.
Décevant.
Mais bon....
IL n'est pas poli de parler des gens pendant leur absence, ok, mon pépére, et encore moins de parler et de juger leur expérience, toujours
ok .
Je te rappelle encore une fois, que j'en ai rien a faire des gens qui se marient avec une Phillipinna, plus jeune et pour X raisons, je n'ai fait que reprendre ton N°1O, car tu indiques cela comme référence pour vendre les Phillippines, et si tu le fais si bien c'est que toi même tu as du être sujet à des réflèxions alors tu as peut-être étè seulement le témoin de propos similaires, notemment sur ce forum comme j'ai pu en lire .
Que vient faire, ce N°10 au milieu de tout cela, à qui cela s'adresse, Rogerbarthas, te reprend aussi !!
Maintenant fais ta vie avec qui tu veux, mais ne me prend pas la tete avec ce que je n'ai pas dit, relies le post !!! et ma premiére réponse .
et ne fais pas croire que les Phillipines, se démarquent de toute l'Asie !! Pour y avoir vécu, je peux te dire, qu'il y a une corruption puissance milles, si tu y vas pour faire des affaires, cela a étè mon cas, ils te voyent comme une banque, comme en Thailande, mais le sourire y est beaucoup plus sincére à mon gout ...
Prostitution ...à fond, j'ai vécu à Boracay il y a quelques années, comme je l'ai dit, tu veux des noms, des histoires les plus sordides les unes que les autres . ...!
Ce que je dis n'est pas un généralitè, loin de là heureusement, mais à Busuanga, je lui allais visiter un Suisse qui avait investi toutes ses économies, pour construire une guest house, dans un paradis terrestre ...un jour un cyclone a tout dévasté, plus rien de chez rien, seul sur son îles ...pas beaucoup de soutien de la part des indigénes ( peut-etre n'avait -il pas été gentil le m'sieur, vont penser les mauvaises langues ), j'en ai eu la chére de poule quand j'ai vu cette homme, sans plus rien, coupé du monde, plus de passeport plus rien, il a vu son chien crevé parce qu'il ne pouvait pas allé chez le docteur et que l'on lui a pas prété de bateau ....!
C'est trés beau les Phillipines oui, c'est magnifique ! Et loin d'etre tous roses comme partout !! d'ailleurs il se démarque bien avec leur "brown out"
7107 îles, mais combien sont habités ?
Excuse moi, mais tu te poses, en Maître Es Phillipines, dés qu'un forumer n'est pas d'accord avec toi, tu lui rentres dedans ... tu t'ais pris la tête l'autre jour au sujet du choix et des finances qu'ils fallaient pour vivre au Phillippines !! OK, c'est un forume ouvert à tous, on n'est pas chez Getehem, permets nous " la critique ", ok mon poto
<< Expliquer , c'est perdre son temps>> .
Krismamurti
on est tous ici pas du tout a l'abri, des typhons qui dévastent nos resorts maisons ou commerces, malheureusement c'est aussi vrai dans tous les endroits du monde regardes dans le nord de la france cet été!!!
on prends tous le risque, pour conclure avec cette querelle inutile, et qui n'a pas sa place ici, les gens vivent leur vies comme ils l'entendent, pour ce qui est la différence d'age, faut savoir que par exemple en france chez moi au pays basque les anciens se mariaient avec des femmes beaucoup plus jeunes qu"eux de plus de vingts des fois car ils partaient travailler 30 ans aux états unis ou argentine et se mariaient tres tard aves des jeunettes locales !! ca ne froissait personne ! et c'est comme dans certains pays on se mariait par par amour mais pour fonder un foyer si l'amour venait âpres et ben tant mieux il y avait ce respect indissoluble entre le mari et chef de famille et la "femme "comme il l'appelait souvent!
tou t ca pour dire que les phils c'est loin d'etre le paradis mais le paradis existe il ?
si vous rangez de coté vos convictions, vos a prioris, les phils est un bon compromis avec l'aventure humaine et l'exotisme des paysages tant recherchee par nos concitoyens !
voila avant de penser négatif, essayer au moins de relativiser vos propos
certains ici ont fait un pari sur l'avenir pour eux ou leurs enfants, essayer d'etres plus objectifs et plus comprehensifs ;
amicalement yannick
ps pour les renseignements sur le resort il ouvrira ses portes le 15 decembre donc y a pas le feu mais prenez vous a l'avance car y en aura pas pour tout le monde au debut du moins me contacter : y.pengreach@yahoo.fr ou en message privé
ps : je ne voulais en rien facher notre modérateur mais il y a eu des propos d' ecris qui etaient frolaient l' indécence mais bon le modérateur peut pas tout voir non plus sur un forum aussi grand!!
De retour de Mindoro ( Puerto Galera ), j'etais assis à la terrasse d 'un café en compagnie d'un
suisse rencontré sur place . Alors que nous regardions mes photos developpées sur place, quelle surprise de nous voir entourés de tous nos voisins/voisines totalement inconnus qui se sont invités d'eux memes à venir les regarder . Un peu decontenancé tout d'abord par cette "intrusion" dans ma vie privée, finalement j ai trouvé un tel comportement super et naturel aux Phils, et vraiment une grande occasion de faire connaissance avec tout plein de monde .
Grands moments aussi : la traversée en Bangka de Bohol/Panglao jusqu'à la pointe sud de Cebu avec la bangka d'un français marié à une Phillipine de Bohol, Jacques Trottin .
Un banc de dauphins nous avait accompagné pendant une vingtaine de minutes.
Et aussi un match de basket improvisé un soir entre un "cinq " de routards occidentaux face à l'equipe locale . Toute la bourgade etait venue assister à cet evénement .
on est tous ici pas du tout a l'abri, des typhons qui dévastent nos resorts maisons ou commerces, malheureusement c'est aussi vrai dans tous les endroits du monde regardes dans le nord de la france cet été!!!
on prends tous le risque, pour conclure avec cette querelle inutile, et qui n'a pas sa place ici, les gens vivent leur vies comme ils l'entendent, pour ce qui est la différence d'age, faut savoir que par exemple en france chez moi au pays basque les anciens se mariaient avec des femmes beaucoup plus jeunes qu"eux de plus de vingts des fois car ils partaient travailler 30 ans aux états unis ou argentine et se mariaient tres tard aves des jeunettes locales !! ca ne froissait personne ! et c'est comme dans certains pays on se mariait par par amour mais pour fonder un foyer si l'amour venait âpres et ben tant mieux il y avait ce respect indissoluble entre le mari et chef de famille et la "femme "comme il l'appelait souvent!
tou t ca pour dire que les phils c'est loin d'etre le paradis mais le paradis existe il ?
si vous rangez de coté vos convictions, vos a prioris, les phils est un bon compromis avec l'aventure humaine et l'exotisme des paysages tant recherchee par nos concitoyens !
voila avant de penser négatif, essayer au moins de relativiser vos propos
certains ici ont fait un pari sur l'avenir pour eux ou leurs enfants, essayer d'etres plus objectifs et plus comprehensifs ;
amicalement yannick
ps pour les renseignements sur le resort il ouvrira ses portes le 15 decembre donc y a pas le feu mais prenez vous a l'avance car y en aura pas pour tout le monde au debut du moins me contacter : y.pengreach@yahoo.fr ou en message privé
ps : je ne voulais en rien facher notre modérateur mais il y a eu des propos d' ecris qui etaient frolaient l' indécence mais bon le modérateur peut pas tout voir non plus sur un forum aussi grand!!
Bonjour, je suis tout à fait d'accord avec vous, je ne sais pas si vous avez relu ma 1 ére réponse, en aucun cela me dérange, chacun et libre de faire ce qui veut, et il ya des exceptions qui confirment malheureusement la règle ! mais la question n'est pas là !!!!!!!!
Je pense que le fait de notifier : <<" grande tolérance aussi en ce qui concerne les différences d'age dans les couples filipina/etranger ">> incite à relever le débat . Pourquoi, Monsieur, parler de quelque chose de tout à fait normal, n'est-ce -pas . On dirait juste : << et cool les mecs j'ai enfin trouvé un pays ou on prend pas ma femme pour ma fille .....>>.Pour l'anecdote c'est arrivé à un ami qui est venu en thailande avec sa jeune fille et qui avait subi le regard des autres ...!! c'est bizarre quand même que les gens pensent toujours à mal, non?
Chacun fait ce qui veut avec sa conscience et son argent, cela est ma conviction .....réelle ! et je n'ai jamais relevé le débat moi même, je me suis pas permis d'émettre une critique sur la photo de madame comme Avatar, comme un forumer lui a tenu propos !
ET il y a un proverbe Thai qui dit :
" The old cows eat the young grass "
Cordialement
<< Expliquer , c'est perdre son temps>> .
Krismamurti
slt yannick dont worry coll
moi je dis. q'il vaut mieux aller dans d'autres pays dans le monde cause aux phils il n'y à pas azzez d'infratrutures pour recevoir les ppls pas developpe du tout. les transports c'est la galere chers et en mauvaises conditions donc pas surs. les philippins on ne comprend pas ce q'uil disent ils parlent tous l'anglais. c'est dur de les comprendre pour ceux qui comme moi n'ont pas u la chance d'aller à l'ècole. ILS NE SONT PAS OSPITALIERS. pas de securite comme ici sur la cote d'azur. il ne faut pas acheter nice matin sinon tu prends peur tu ne sors plus.
et en plus il n'y à pas les chefs etoiles michelin comme en france on y mange mal. et en plus les femmes philippines ne sont pas belles. les phils sont au milieu du pacifique ca fait loin on y va pas.
CONCLUSION. laissons les phils aux philippins et à quelques good expat qui savent de quoi ils causent.
LES AUTRES ILS EN ONT PAS BESOIN.
PHILS THE BEST 😏 ps au fait yannck je suis au regime à+
2/ le probleme des transports etant plus le temps que le prix
3/ la modernite c'est pas mal, va faire tes achats au landmark ou similaire ce sera mieux qu au robinson
4/ pour la musique c'est vrai qu il y a ce petit cote musique nonchalante des ile pacifiques ou a noel quand les enfants viennent chanter des carrols a ta fenetre, sinon desole pour gethem il est pas trop branche rock n roll
6/ le melange des races je suis pour, j ai 2 enfants mistisso et c'est genial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/ c'est vrai cette grande variete de paysage les montagne alpines de sagada, les riziere en terrasse, les volcans, surprenante bohol, caminguin si proches et si differentes, la jungle de mindanao + la mer omnipresente et cet influence climatique du pacifique : AMIHAN the nord easterly moonson 😏
8/ bien sur la profusion des temples dans l asie boudhique impressionnant mais il sont quand meme loin de la parole du bouddha, une messe dans une petite eglise de province avec toutes ces familles qui viennent endimanche, leur chants, peut bien etre beaucoup plus emouvante
9/politique d immigration, ca ne s adresse pas aux touristes de masse mais au gens qui voudrait s installer quand tu vois les pages et les pages sur les forum d'expat en thailande c'est reposant
pour la bouffe c'est plus difficile quand j ai ammene ma copine thai aux phil elle a trouve ca vraiment crado la bouffe de rue, mais elle a completement craque pour la seafood
pour moi l'affaire est close ! ca arrive a tout le monde de ne pas etre dans un bon jour, ou dire des choses que l'on pense pas au final ! je dis ca pour tout le monde pas que pour toi ou gethem ou moi ou d'autres
nous sommes ici pour parler d'un pays que l'on aime sinon on prendrait pas le risque de s'installer avec sa famille ! ici c'est pas MIAMI on place pas de l'argent pour en gagner a coup sur
ce pays c''est une philosophie a lui tout seul c'est un combat permanent !! je peux vous l'assurer moi qui construit !! mais malgré ca et bien on s'y sent bien c'est comme ca!!
faut pas concurrencer avec la thailande ou tout est programmé a grande echelle pour le touriste, si je devais comparer, je dirai que les phils c'est un peu l'algerie contre le maroc ! l'un attire le touriste a outrance et se modernise dans ce sens et l'autre patauge dans ces problemes intérieurs mais il existe des beautes en termes de paysages qui sont epoustouflantes en algérie, mais c'est comme aux phils c'est mal vendu!!
avec un tourisme de masse se crée une education de recevoir le touriste, bonne ou a outrance chacun le jugera, ici non seul l'hospitalité regne!
j'ai pas dis que le phils n'avait pas l'envie d'arnaquer le touriste!! si c'est vrai ! certains s'en sont fais une occupation ! mais c'est une minorité!!
voila juste pour dire que venir aux phils est un choix délibéré et pas un un doigt montrer au hasard sur une carte du monde ;
Bonjour,
mon mari et moi voulions partir trois semaine en février en Asie et nous pensions aux Philippines, seulement rares sont les informations qui circulent sur ces iles et de plus en recherchant un peu sur le net nous avons cru comprendre que la culture philippines était beaucoup moins présente ds ce pays que dans les autres pays d'Asie..loin de moi l'idée de critiquer vu que je ne connais pas...J'aurais voulu savoir, si les visites culturelles ne sont pas à prévoir si nous nous décidons pour cette déstination...où si tout simplement nous sommens en manque d'info de ce côté du globe...
pourriez vous me dire aussi si le cout de la vie est plus élévé qu'en Malaisie par exemple ou qu'en Thailande (Pays que je connais).
merci beaucoup..
Complétement d'accord avec toi!Perso les Philippines c'est vraiment pour des personnes qui veulent vivre un peu d'autenticité et qui fuient les ambiances "Thailande, Bali etc" avec son flot de touristes européens.J'ai rencontré plusieurs personnes européens qui passaient une partie de l'année là bas car justement c'était encore "authentique".Et qu'ils ne voyaient pas les touristes "caricatures".
Perso les Philippines c'est pas trop mon truc, j'espere y retourner pour me perfectionner dans leur art martial.Mais on ne peut pas vraiment comparer les Philippines et la Thailande ou tous est balisé.
En préparant bien son voyage, y a certainement des coins sympas à découvrir...(éviter Manille)
On assiste ici a un deballage d'avis emanant d'une majorite de personne qui n'ont jamais mis les pieds aux Philippines. C'est pas possible autrement.
Les Vissayas, ce chapelet d'iles paradisiaques est encore a l'etat presque vierge pour certaines.
Et c'est ce qui fait sa beaute et sa rarete.
Meme si on n'y trouve pas les infrastructures de Bali, faut pas exagerer, on se deplace facilement, on trouve de bons hotels et la vie n'a rien d'une croisiere survie.
Et pour la gentillesse quasi surnaturelle (clin d'oeil a Getehem) de ses habitants, pour nous ca reste le parlmares numero 1 en Asie. Et d'autre grands voyageurs l'ont dit avant moi.
Mais ce qui me choque ar dessus tout, c'est les jugements hatifs concernant la jeune epouse de Getehem.
Voila un homme qui avec son acolyte Pinoy vous renseigne, vous donne les bons plans en toute generosite et depuis longtemps sur ce forum et c'est quoi le retour ?
A partir d'une simple photo d'avatar (au demeurant plus humoristique que choquante), on se permet de dire que le sieur en question fait une apologie du tourisme sexuel.
La les bras m'en tombent. Il suffit de lire l'historique de ses messages pour voir que ca ne correspond pas vraiment au personnage.
Porter ces accusations graves a l'egard d'une personne que l'on ne connait pas, c'est quand meme limite.
Getehem aime les Philippines. Profondement. Passionement. Et il a tout simplement envie de vous faire partager sa passion.
Il se trouve qu'il aime aussi une filipina (qui n'a pas l'air de vivre l'enfer), et son petit garcon, dont il n'est pas le pere mais s'occupe en tant que tel.
Il ne s'en cache pas et je ne vois pas au non de quel obscurantisme il le ferait.
On est tres loin du scenario du jeune occidental qui vient liquider son 13 eme mois dans bordels de Phuket.
Le voyage, c'est sense ouvrir l'esprit, et peut etre rendre moins cons. Pour certains je constate que l'ascenseur de la tolerance est reste bloque au sous-sol.
Sunhae
" Veux tu vivre heureux ? Voyages avec 2 sacs. L'un pour donner, l'autre pour recevoir."
Johann Wolfang Von Goethe
tu reves un peu quand meme, ni la thailande ni les philippines ne sont des paradis ou nous profitons surtout du taux de change
pour moi les philippines c'est beaucoup de gens qui bossent dans des conditions pas faciles
alors pourquoi pas penser a un developpement touristique bien organise sur certaines zones en tout cas cela ferait des devises pour un pays qui en a besoin et du travail pour des philippins il y quand meme des exemples ou le tourisme n'est pas si mal je donne ques exemples, comme phuket, la corse, la grande barierre de corail au queensland etc.............. surtout quand on voit la position centrale en asie et les atouts naturels des philippines
pour getehem, j aime bien ses interventions mais je pense qu il avait peut etre tord d utiliser sa femme en avatar un peu comme un trophee, le nouvel avatar est bien plus marrant comme pied de nez car sur internet i y a aussi qques frustres
sinon sur tout les forums il y toujours des gens qui pensent que seul leur vision du pays est la bonne, les autres ne conaissant pas "leur" pays, surtout sur l asie du sud est qui est parfois entetante voir ensorcelante
Bonjour jean
pourquoi veux tu éviter boracay et palawan,
boracay a sans doute bien changé ( j y suis passé en 1990) mais palawan ( el nido) en 2003 était vraiment top
d’accord avec toi pour puerto galera - ça ma foutu la trouille quand j'y suis retourné en 2003
j ai envi de refaire un voyage au philippine et surtout dans le nord de luçon .
j avais bien aimé Cebu - rencontré pas mal de gens sympa comme a Palawan et de toutes les nationalités
bon voyage
je pars en Malaisie ds 15 jrs
bye bye
Tous les gens devront porter une protection en plastique devant le visage en plus du masque dans les magasins.J'attends les miens que j'ai commandes hier.
A compter du 28 octobre 2018 une nouvelle liaison aerienne quotidienne (semble t'il) va etre mise en place par Philippine Airlines entre Clark et San vicente…
Juste pour info; ça se passe de commentaires; prudence à ceux qui prévoient un voyage sur mindanao il y a 1 heure 27 min LEXPRESS.fr 21 personnes au moins ont…
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Asie du Sud-Est › Philippines / Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée · 8 replies
Je prépare un tdm et je me pose une question. La question est la suivante. Est-il possible de rallier la nouvelle-guinée des philippines en bateau? Ensuite je…
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
Hi,
From Malacca to get to Jerantut, is it better to go back to KL and take a bus from there, or take a bus to Tampin and then a train? Any feedback on the "Jungle Train"? (duration, price, comfort, etc.). Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Flores and then Bali at the end of September.
We’ve already visited both but this time, once we’re in Labuan Bajo, we’d like to take a boat to the Komodo Islands to see the famous Komodo dragons.
I don’t want to sleep on the boat—just a day trip would be perfect.
Does anyone know a reliable and friendly provider to recommend?
Thanks in advance, and have a great summer!
Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali.
And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people!
So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...
Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops):
- 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud
2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa)
1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...)
- 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces)
- 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai
- 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed)
- 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island)
- 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan)
- 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).
Accommodations in homestays or hotels.
Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?)
Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?)
Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)
Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...
After reading and researching, we're planning the following stops in Cambodia in January 2027:
- Phnom Penh
- Kampong Cham
- Kratie
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Kampot (round trip)
I'm wondering about the direction of these stops, which could also influence our international flights.
Either a round trip from Phnom Penh in the order above.
Or landing in Siem Reap with the following order:
This second option would save us the Battambang - PP - Kampot trip but means doing a round trip to Battambang from Siem Reap and placing the "highlight of the trip" (Angkor) at the beginning of our stay.
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
However, I’m not quite sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still some walks and/or things to see in Kampong Thom?
Hi there,
We’re planning to travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang next November.
We’d like to take a slow boat from Chiang Khong—or rather from Huay Xai in Laos—with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.
Could you let us know if the boat still leaves Huay Xai in the late morning? If so, what time roughly, and what’s the price for the trip?
Thanks for your help!
Alod
We (3 adults: 68, 65, and 25 years old) are just back from a short trip to the Philippines, and I’d like to share a little summary of our journey. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum about this destination and answers the questions of those who aren’t familiar with it. I should also mention that my comments are personal and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions. Since I don’t have any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the sights, hotels, and restaurants.
Preparations:
We chose this destination in December and quickly booked our flight tickets (540 € with Turkish Airlines) for a departure on February 16 and return on March 5, 2019. We then contacted two French-speaking tour operators based in Manila, asking them to put together an itinerary based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and our budget. We wanted to see the rice terraces in northern Luzon, the hanging coffins in Sagada, before flying to the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, etc.), and the Taal Volcano, while limiting our nights in Manila as much as possible. In the end, we opted for Alize, whose itinerary and quote matched our request almost perfectly. Our exchanges helped us refine our circuit.
International flights:
The round-trip flights went smoothly. Turkish Airlines, while not at the level of Asian or Gulf airlines, does the job just fine.
Day 1:
We landed on time (6:15 PM) on Monday, February 16, at Terminal 3. We exchanged our euros (near the car rental counters), and I can confirm the exchange rate was very good. On the way to the St. Giles Hotel (decent and affordable for a transit night), we got our first glimpse of Manila’s dense traffic. The Makati district, where our hotel was located, offers a wide choice of restaurants, so we grabbed a quick bite to recover from the trip.
Day 2:
This day was dedicated to transferring to Banaue. Fortunately, we had a comfortable van and an excellent driver for this journey, which took all day (8 to 9 hours with stops). We got a taste of driving in the Philippines—and it’s terrifying. You wouldn’t want to drive on these roads. The first thing that struck us was the relatively good condition of the roads and the cleanliness (a change from other Southeast Asian countries). This impression lasted throughout our trip. Around 6 PM, we checked into our room at the Banaue Hotel (large, charm-free, but with a beautiful view of the rice terraces).
Day 3:
With the help of a local guide, we took a jeepney to Batad. And then—wow! The rice terraces form an amphitheater overlooking the small village. Under the sun, it’s simply spectacular and breathtaking! Even though we’re familiar with rice terraces (Sapa, Bali, Thailand, etc.), we were dazzled by so much beauty. We spent the day walking along the terrace walls. This place is timeless and fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, we returned to the hotel exhausted (due to our ages and lack of exercise). We had dinner with our driver at the Las Vegas restaurant in the center of Banaue. The meal was decent, cheap, and the Filipino owner played the guitar to accompany our dinner.
Day 4:
Today, our driver took us to Sagada. The mountain road offered spectacular landscapes (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Along the way, we stopped in Bontoc to visit the small but interesting anthropological museum. It features old photos and various objects from the Ifugao tribes, as well as a reconstruction of primitive dwellings.
We then went on a short hike in Sagada with a very friendly local guide who explained the region’s funeral rites. The walk started at the communal cemetery before reaching “Echo Valley,” where we saw the first coffins hanging on the cliff. We continued to the “Underground River” and a small waterfall, ending our journey in the “Lumiang Cave” burial cave. All in all, this day was very interesting. On the way back, we made a few photo stops.
In the evening, on our driver’s recommendation, we ate at the “Bistro,” a French enclave in the center of Banaue (good pizza, roasted quail, homemade fries).
Day 5:
Today was a transfer day. To limit fatigue and nights in Manila, our tour operator arranged a flight from Clark to Tagbilaran (Bohol), saving us 2 to 3 hours of driving. But to catch our flight, we had to leave very early: 5:30 AM. Our kind driver dropped us off on time at the airport. To use it, we had to pay a 150 PHP tax per person. The Philippine Airlines flight (15 minutes) left early and was far from full. Upon arrival, we were taken to the Loboc River Hotel, on the banks of the river of the same name. A very charming lodge lost in a tropical garden. We stayed in a stilt cottage overlooking the river. We relaxed a bit in the lovely pool. This place is really great—the staff is charming, and the food is excellent for a reasonable price.
Day 6:
This day was dedicated to exploring Bohol. The program was classic, starting with the tarsier sanctuary. We saw a few specimens in a small garden, each pointed out by a staff member. It was both good and disappointing because the animals were in pseudo-freedom in a small enclosure. Then we went to the “Chocolate Hills” and climbed 240 steps to admire the panoramic view of the hills—but by 10 AM, it was crowded. On the way back, we stopped at the butterfly garden, which was uninteresting: tiny, with few butterflies. We consoled ourselves by photographing beautiful flowers. To please our teen, we stopped at the Loboc Eco Tourism Adventure Park and crossed the river lying down, suspended from a steel cable (300 PHP). Finally, we had the traditional lunch-cruise on the Loboc River. It was a factory-like experience, and the meal was unremarkable. The only good thing was the singer on each boat and the lush vegetation. Afterward, we visited colonial churches and the cathedral, remnants of the Spanish presence, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved dip in the pool. Note that for those interested, there’s an arena near the hotel where cockfights are held every Sunday—something Filipinos are passionate (if not obsessed) about.
Day 8:
Very early departure for the port. We boarded a *banca* in search of dolphins. After about an hour of sailing, we were lucky enough to spot around a hundred dolphins. Our boat then headed to the small and charming island of Pamilacan. After a walk through the little village, we came across locals traditionally building a boat. They told us it takes about a month to finish their outrigger boat. Then we had to choose our snorkeling spot between the coral garden, the fish park, and the turtle enclosure. Note that a fee is charged for each spot: 150 PHP per place and per person. It felt a bit like we were being ripped off, especially since the spots weren’t amazing—we’d see much better on Apo for much less. We had lunch on the island at one of the many small eateries (350 PHP per person).
Days 9 and 10:
On our return, we were taken to the Bohol Sea Resort on Panglao Island, where we stayed for 2 nights. It’s a small, recent establishment in a quiet corner of the island. It’s relaxing—maybe a bit too much. It has a nice pool and access to Danao Beach, but the view is blocked by a flotilla of boats. We didn’t try their diving school. The meals were good. If we had to do it again, we’d skip this stop to spend more time in Negros.
Days 11 and 12:
We took a fast ferry (Ocean Jet) from Tagbilaran port to Dumaguete and were taken to the Thalatta Resort, about 20 km away near Zamboanguita. We stayed there for 2 nights. Let’s just say it was our favorite. It’s a small place facing Apo Island. The rooms are simple, and the pool, nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, is fantastic. The staff is friendly, and the meals are very good. The hotel has its own diving center (snorkeling gear provided) and its own boats. We booked the Apo Island excursion: 1,350 PHP per person, including lunch. It was incredible: magnificent corals, colorful fish, and turtles of all sizes. The crew was endlessly kind and didn’t hesitate to dive to guide us to the best spots. In short, a perfect day. This site is ranked among the top 5 diving spots in the Philippines.
Since we were lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday morning, we explored the surprising Malapay Market, a 10-minute walk from our hotel. You’ll find numerous stalls selling vegetables, fruits, live or dried fish, and handicrafts. Enclosures are set up for selling livestock (calves, zebu, pigs). There are also restaurants. We were lucky to see two pigs roasted traditionally on a spit. There are few Europeans, and the people are warm. A great moment.
We left this beautiful place with regret because we didn’t have time to visit the island or go swimming with whale sharks.
Days 12 to 15:
From Dumaguete port, we took a short crossing (1 hour with Ocean Jet) to Siquijor Island to reach the Coco Grove Beach Resort. A beautiful hotel nestled in a spacious tropical garden. Several restaurants and bars, 4 pools. Despite the size of the place, it remains intimate. You can snorkel (corals and fish) right in front of the beautiful beach. We stayed in a very pleasant duplex suite. For those interested, there’s a spa and a diving center. You can also take the Apo Island excursion (offered at 1,950 PHP).
We spent our days relaxing between the pool and the beach. In the evening, the sunsets over Negros and Apo were stunning.
We booked an island tour with a comfortable tricycle from the hotel (1,500 PHP). The circuit was classic and allowed us to go around the island. We discovered beaches, the famous 400-year-old ficus tree with its enormous roots, and its equally famous foot bath with its cleaning fish. Then we visited the St. Isidore Convent before heading to the Cambugahay waterfalls and their four pools. The setting is idyllic, and the water is surprisingly good—we had a lot of fun swimming. We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the island, where you can see Apo, Cebu, and Negros. In the end, Siquijor turned out to be a real little tropical paradise.
Since the hotel restaurants were expensive, we dined at nearby establishments: Fuego (clean, good—excellent raw fish—and quiet), Chekesch (louder), and the very pleasant Baha Bar, which brews its own beer and offers more refined cuisine.
Days 15 to 16:
We left at dawn to return to Dumaguete and its airport by ferry. We had breakfast at the Coco Grande Hotel, an annex of the previous one. The Philippine Airlines flight went smoothly. A driver took us to the town of Taal. We stayed at Paradores Del Castillo, right in the heart of the old town. It’s a charming old house with only 6 rooms. The various rooms are decorated with antiques—a real little museum. The garden is pleasant and opens onto the town.
It’s an old early 19th-century house converted into a hotel, beautifully arranged with 6 rooms in the heart of the city. The restaurant in the garden is very pleasant and offers a panoramic view.
We visited an old Spanish house before heading to the beautiful Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Philippines. A mass was in progress, allowing us to gauge the Filipinos’ fervor before we could visit. When we left, it was dark, and we could admire the illuminated building. We ended our evening by exploring the night market with its many fruit and skewer stalls. A nice surprise.
In the morning, we were taken to the shores of Taal Lake, an ancient caldera where a second volcano has formed in the middle of the lake, which in turn contains another lake. We boarded a *banca* to reach the island in the middle of the lake. This was followed by an uphill walk, made difficult by the high temperature (36°C) and the dust on the path. The dust was worsened by the many horses carrying (or bringing back) the less courageous. To illustrate the difficulty of the climb, the trail is marked by the Stations of the Cross and its 14 stations. We were panting while our guide trotted far ahead. Our effort was rewarded when we reached the summit and its viewpoints over the inner lake and the surroundings. The wisps of smoke seen here and there confirmed we were on an active volcano. Inside the lake, there are supposedly 45 small volcanoes, one of which emerged during its last eruption in 1911.
On the way back, we had lunch by the lake before returning to Manila and the Bayleaf Hotel, whose main merit is its location in the Intramuros district. In the late afternoon, we walked along the walls of the old city.
We had dinner on the hotel’s panoramic terrace overlooking the city and the bay.
Day 17:
Last day! Our tour operator joined us for a tour of the Intramuros district. He enriched the visit with comments on the history, geopolitics, and economy of the Philippines. We visited the Manila Cathedral, destroyed 7 times in the past (6 earthquakes and the 1945 bombing). It’s beautiful, and its stained glass is magnificent. We couldn’t enter the San Agustin Church, the oldest Catholic building in Manila. We passed by the memorial to the Battle of Manila, which claimed over 100,000 lives. We visited the area around Casa Manila, which was closed on Monday, and had a drink at Barbara’s cabaret, located in a historic house. A very enriching morning.
Then we went to the Mall of Asia, the world’s largest shopping mall, to buy some souvenirs (Kultura store) before being taken to the airport. We exchanged our last pesos at the buying rate right after check-in.
The return flight went smoothly. We regretted not being able to use the facilities of Istanbul’s new airport, as its opening was delayed by another month.
Finances:
In the end, we spent 1,640 € for the international flights, 4,200 € for the stay (hotels, visits, various transports) with the agency (whose professionalism we can only praise), and about 700 € for meals, tips, and souvenirs.
Summary:
Luckily, we had beautiful weather throughout our stay, with temperatures between 26 and 35°C. Discovering the Philippines was a wonderful experience. The diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Filipinos, the cleanliness, and the truly delicious fruits (especially pineapples and mangoes). We were never harassed, unlike in many touristy countries. On the other hand, the food, though generally cheap, wasn’t exceptional.
Since this country is so vast, we might return in the near future.
Though I’m not a specialist on this destination, I’m happy to answer your questions based on my experience.
So, my flight tickets have just been booked for a trip to Cambodia from November 4th to 27th, 2025.
I’ll be traveling solo and want to explore this amazing country while getting a bit off the beaten path.
I’m arriving in Phnom Penh and also departing from Phnom Penh.
My goal is to travel as much as possible by bus and scooter.
What itinerary would you recommend?
What are the must-do things?
I’m open to all tips and info.
Thanks in advance for your help and responses.
We got back enchanted from a 6-week trip to Cambodia!
Our itinerary: Kampot - Kampong Chhnang - Battambang - Siem Reap - Kampong Cham - Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri) - Banlung (Ratanakiri) - Kratie - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh.
We traveled by bus, minivan, boat (between Battambang and Siem Reap), overnight bus, scooter, tuk-tuk, and rickshaw for shorter distances. We stayed in guesthouses, homestays, and even in the jungle during a trek.
While the Angkor temples are fabulous, it’s the people you should visit Cambodia for—the "Land of Smiles" truly lives up to its nickname! Tourists gather in Angkor but are quite rare elsewhere, even though the country is easy to travel around.
I won’t describe our trip in detail but instead highlight a few favorite moments.
From Kampot, don’t hesitate to head out around 6 AM to see the fishermen return and their wives selling their catch (just 10 minutes away by the coast). Guaranteed picturesque!
In Battambang, known for its food scene, we discovered a cooking class with Smokin’ Pot (authentic Khmer cooking class). They pick you up from your guesthouse to shop for ingredients (we made fish amok and beef lok lak) at their village market, then cook and eat together. A private class—just the two of us! They also send the recipes via WhatsApp as a PDF. +855 12 821 400
In Siem Reap, I can recommend a francophone tuk-tuk driver who was very attentive to our wishes. We visited tourist spots but also more remote villages and local grilled-pork restaurants with him. He’s a wealth of information about local life, and chatting with him was a real pleasure—we left with regret! You can reach him on WhatsApp: Vung Hem, +855 96 614 0146.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Mondulkiri. Don’t expect a super dense jungle—it looks more like a forest similar to ours. But Nara, our Bunong ethnic guide, made the experience adventurous and ultimately very immersive! WhatsApp +855 86 630 489
Bee Bee’s Chalets homestay: If you pass through Banlung in Ratanakiri, we *loved* this family and their budget-friendly bungalows. Playing Uno, enjoying Nita’s cooking (ask for her fish amok—amazing!), it was a true homestay experience! Contact Nita on WhatsApp: +855 88 818 5525.
In Kratie, rent a scooter and follow the Mekong north for 40 km at your own pace. Being so close to the locals was a treat! Same goes for heading south if you have time.
Kampong Thom: Head 25 km out to visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. Around a hundred monuments spread across three sites… and hardly anyone there!
A few practical tips:
Though prices are often listed in dollars, you can always pay in riels (1 USD = 4000 riels), which is what we preferred.
PassApp: An app to book tuk-tuks or rickshaws (and most importantly, know the price upfront).
Virak Buntham: A bus company connecting several cities, bookable online.
Feel free to ask me questions about places, accommodations, etc.—I’d be happy to answer!
We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our 5- and 7-year-olds.
On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
This time, I’m thinking of spending 7 days on the islands. I was considering Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. We’d like some scenery, snorkeling right from the beach, and a bit of atmosphere—but not too much (just enough to grab dinner in the evening).
For the other part of the trip, we’re torn between Chiang Mai and Khao Sok. One or the other… or both? We don’t want to rush, but we’re really nature-focused, so we won’t be hitting too many temples…
Hi there, I’ll be on vacation in Malaysia in November and plan to spend 5 days in Penang. After that, I’d like to visit some temples and places in Butterworth or nearby, and also explore the city. Since I usually get around on foot, which neighborhood would be best for me—meaning within a 30-minute walk of attractions, street food stalls, bus lines, etc.? Thanks in advance for your help!
Françoise
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
I’m planning a trip to Cambodia and was set on visiting the Ratanakiri region, which seemed to match what we love most in terms of landscapes: forests, jungle, greenery...
However, as I started looking into the area, I read that deforestation there is massive, and some of the info on the topic is years old—the situation hasn’t improved since, unfortunately.
So my question is: is Ratanakiri still worth visiting, and does it justify the long travel time and distance to get there?
I’ve seen that jungle treks are possible, but from experience, I know guides sometimes hesitate to venture deep into the forest and stick to shorter walks along the edges of parks.
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there, we’re landing at Hanoi Airport and would like to head straight to Cao Bang without going into Hanoi. Does anyone know if there are buses that go directly from the airport to Cao Bang (especially in the early afternoon)? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027.
10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta.
We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo).
I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself.
But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal...
Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!
hi everyone,
I want to travel in the north for 3 weeks in September-October 2026 to meet ethnic minorities, photograph mountain rice terraces and their harvest, and revisit Halong Bay—but maybe Lan Ha Bay instead. Can you recommend one or more local agencies?
Thanks, and happy holidays!
