Posts by Eiger

Il me semble que le Kawah ijen avec des jeunes enfants, ce soit compliqué, pour ça que je ne l'envisage pas.

oui pas top avec de jeunes enfants mais je ne savais pas !

Après, pour le Sulawesi, je ne pense pas que ce soit une bonne idée d'ajouter une autre ile...

je confirme ce que j'ai dit : garde Sulawesi pour un voyage complet

En 6 jours sur Java, effectivement, ce sera du très classique, mais en même temps, le temps manquera, donc logique.

oui mais très classique ne veut pas dire moche ! Yogya, Prambanan, Borobodur (si c'est pas plein de monde), Bromo (bp de monde mais pour admirer le paysage c'est acceptable) valent vraiment le détour

Je note pour Ubud que c'est compliqué l'été... On pourrait comparer aux plages de la côte d'azur ? Du coup, je me demande si ce trip n'est pas mieux à faire en avril/mai (si bonne condition, s'il faut beau et chaud).

Ubud est blindé tout le temps mais probablement pire en été Coté météo, le temps ne change pas bp entre la saison des pluies (décembre-mars) et la saison sèche à Bali. Mai est un bon mois

Hello

Only 6 nights in Java is way too few, even without adding stops to what’s already planned.

It’s never enough anyway.

True, no matter how long the trip, it’s always too short🤪. So you’ve gotta make choices: spend your whole vacation in Java or split it between Java and Bali, or even Singapore.

Keeping your original route, here’s a very classic proposal: - Flight JKT-Yogyakarta - Java: Day 1-3 in Yogya, Day 2 travel to Bromo... and you won’t be alone😛. Day 4 morning at Bromo, then drive to Kawa Ijen (Sempol village in the middle of coffee plantations). Day 5 morning hike up Kawa, then drive to Ketapang where your driver drops you off at the ferry to Bali (Gilimanuk). From Gilimanuk, you reach Lovina in northern Bali in 1.5 hours by bus (or pick up your car). You’ve got 1 day left to use in Java or save for Bali (Nusa Penida, for example—see below).

- Bali: From Lovina, you can head to Amed or Ubud, in whichever order you prefer.

But Ubud isn’t Ubud anymore 😊. I’ve been to Bali several times and really like it, but last time in 2024, I arrived in Ubud one afternoon and left the next morning. This once-quiet little town, the cultural capital of Bali, is now overrun with kebab shops, pizzerias, etc. Buses dump loads of tourists every morning from Kuta and Sanur (the southern beaches) and leave in the evening. I felt all of Ubud’s charm had disappeared.

Amed, on the other hand, is nice—obviously with lots of restaurants, guesthouses, and resorts, but it’s very spread out (a string of small villages) with undeveloped areas between them. Snorkeling isn’t great, though.

There are plenty of beautiful things to see in the countryside between Ubud and Amed. I agree with Djalma: Nusa Penida (Manta Point for manta rays + some viewpoints). Don’t just go for a day trip by speedboat—stay at least 2 days.

I don’t agree with Djalma: don’t go to Sulawesi just for a few days in Toraja country. This stunning, diverse island deserves a trip of its own.

- Singapore (3 days): I get why you’re stopping there—it’s a good idea—but if you’re short on time, 2 days might be enough. Either way, in 2 or 3 days, there’ll still be tons left to see. Just a heads-up: it’s *very* hot and humid, and midday visits can be tough.

Hi there, I don’t think it’s possible to do the Ha Giang loop by bus: there are buses, but they’re small and uncomfortable, very slow because they stop in every village, and none of them complete the full loop, so you’d have to change several times. I don’t think it’s straightforward at all. Plus, you can’t stop at the many viewpoints. Without a motorbike, the easiest (but more expensive) option is to hire a car with a guide.

From Ha Giang to Sapa, there are several direct buses per day (6 to 8 hours journey).

There’s no need to take a night bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang—the daytime bus takes only 5-6 hours.

My travel journal: Northern Mountains to the Mekong Delta

Fruit bought at a market in Bajawa on the island of Flores (Indonesia): I don’t know its Indonesian name or its French name (if it has one). Pretty good with a creamy texture and a yogurt-like taste! We even ate it with a small spoon.

All kinds of dried fish at the Kota Kinabalu night market (Borneo).



The smell of durians is so delightful 😏 that they have their own separate market with dozens of different stalls, all just as pungent... which doesn’t stop me from eating them—as long as they’re not too ripe! :)

Since we're in the Thailand section, I assumed we could only post photos of Thai markets

Yeah, that's true, but I didn't notice we were in Thailand because I always check the "Southeast Asia" section, not just "Thailand," so for me, it was all of Southeast Asia 😛 I even wondered if the markets could come from other continents.

Philippebrg's reply to follow: Thailand, Southeast Asia, or all continents?

Hello

I suggest you post your market photos....

Like you, I love markets, and since you’re suggesting we post photos, here are a few from Laos to Tanzania, passing through Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and others.

Paotere Market in Sulawesi (Indonesia)... plus, I don’t like bananas 😕



Buffalo Market in Bolu, Sulawesi



Few buyers in the tropical rain at this Cambodian market:



Another Cambodian market, this time without the rain:



Luang Prabang Market (Laos): bon appétit 😛



A rural market in Laos:



Flower seller (in a food market) in Kalaw (Myanmar)

Nyaung-U (Myanmar... before the return of dictatorship). The women wear thanaka, a plant-based cosmetic paste. Besides its cosmetic use, thanaka provides a cooling sensation.

Hi there,

Is it worth taking a slow boat for a trip on the Mekong, and if so, which route?

From Huay Xai to Luang Prabang in 2 days with an overnight in Pakbeng is relaxing, cheap, and you won’t get bored watching the scenery with stops in all the villages to pick up and drop off locals. Take the local slow boat and definitely not a speedboat (noisy, uncomfortable, dangerous). But do check: at certain times, the Mekong’s water level is too low.

For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking and Agoda or look when we arrive?

You’ll easily find guesthouses on the spot without booking.

Are mosquitoes vicious in Laos, and do we need malaria treatment?

Yes for malaria treatment, but I didn’t find the mosquitoes too bad 😉

Is renting scooters a good option to visit the cities, and if so, which ones?

Yes in small towns (meaning everywhere!!! except maybe Vientiane and Pakse). I rented one in Luang Prabang to explore the countryside around—hardly any traffic. The city itself is walkable, but there’s not much traffic anyway.

Thank you so much for this report—I reread it with pleasure. Do you remember how many days you spent on this trip to the Moluccas?

I should be the one thanking you for your interest in my story! :)

We were away for 25 days, but only 18 of those were in the Moluccas because of travel days and time lost on transfers between Jakarta-Ambon and the return from Ternate, plus a 3-day stopover in Singapore on the way back.

I’m still available if you have any questions.

a bit pricier: a great place for 130 to 140 RM (29 €) in a prime location with a lovely pool, charming accommodation (an old girls' school spread across several buildings)

A name would help, right? 😉 Even though I mention it in my travel journal linked above: Marian boutique lodging house

Hi there,

I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching

You’ll find some on page 2 of my travel journal from Borneo in September 2025 here.

Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and budget-friendly? No dorms, please.

A little pricier but worth it: a great spot for 130 to 140 RM (29 €) in a prime location with a lovely pool and charming rooms (it’s an old girls’ school spread across several buildings).

Does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?

It rains year-round in Borneo—hot and humid one minute, then torrential downpours, followed by sunshine again.

Seeing orangutans at Semenggoh isn’t as magical as spotting them in the wild (though it took me 2 days in the jungle to see just 3 or 4, and even that’s not guaranteed). At Semenggoh, you’re not guaranteed sightings either, but since fruit is left in a clearing twice a day, they often come to feed. The catch? When there’s plenty of fruit in the forest, they’re less likely to show up.

Bako: decent but nothing extraordinary. Since I’d already hiked in the jungle with a guide in Sabah, I found Bako’s trails a bit dull. You can explore them solo without a guide, though. On the other hand, spotting proboscis monkeys is pretty much a sure thing.

You’ll still have a great day (or two if you book accommodation).

Here are two suggestions (+2 more if you reverse the route), with or without Taman Negara, based on your latest itinerary but reordering the stops to finish with the Perhentian Islands.

Option 1

Day 1 – Kuala Lumpur overnight

Day 2-5 – KL / Kuching (4 nights including Bako): Semenggoh, Bako, Iban village (Annah Rais, Batang Ai, or another), quick visit to Kuching’s old Chinese quarter and waterfront, beach (apparently there are some nice ones near Kuching like Sandabang, but I haven’t tried them), etc.

Day 6 – Flight Kuching -> Sandakan with a layover in Kota Kinabalu (no direct flight) I haven’t tried the RainForest Skywalk, but after going up 40 m into the canopy in Brunei, it’s an experience worth the detour.

Day 7 – You can add a day for an excursion (arrange it locally through an agency or from Kuching) to a dream island (even more beautiful than the Perhentians) in the Sandakan archipelago—either Turtle Island for the kids or another for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. Otherwise, add this day wherever you prefer to avoid a too-hectic pace.

Day 8-10 – Kinabatangan (3 nights)

Day 11 – Sandakan-KL-Kota Bharu (stopover in KL is mandatory🤪)

Day 12-18 – Perhentian Islands

Then: - Option A: * Depart Besar on Day 18 around 3 or 4 PM to catch an overnight VIP bus from Jerteh (8 km from Kuala Besut): great comfort with bunks, freezing AC (keep your clothes on), book a few days ahead from Besar (despite my 6’3" height, I’ve always had enough legroom in VIP buses). * Day 19-20 – Day and overnight in KL * Day 21 – Return to France

- Option B: * Flight on Day 18 from Kota Bharu. Leave Besar in the morning (45 min boat, 1.5-hour drive, plus 2.5 hours before the flight at the airport). * Overnight in KL on Day 19 and 20.

Day 21 – Return to France

Option 2 with Taman Negara

Day 1 – Kuala Lumpur overnight

Day 2-5 – KL / Kuching (4 nights including Bako): same as above

Day 6 – Kuching -> Sandakan via KK, overnight in Sepilok

Day 7-9 – Kinabatangan (3 nights)

Day 10 – Sandakan-KL-Taman Negara

Day 11-12 – Taman Negara

Day 13 – Taman Negara to Perhentian (this will take most of the day)

Day 14-19 – Perhentian Islands

Then: same as above

Options 3 and 4: same as 1 and 2 but starting with Taman Negara, then Perhentian, then Kuching via KL.

In both options, you can spend just one night in KL at the end—there’s little chance the sea will be rough two days in a row in summer or that a flight will be canceled without another one within two days. You could also spend a night in KK since you have to change planes there between Kuching and Sandakan. This would let you visit the stunning turquoise and green islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Swim and relax. Snorkeling is disappointing. In this case, take a flight from Kuching in the late afternoon on Day 5, then on Day 6, go to the jetty in the morning (e.g., 9 AM) where you buy tickets for the islands (small boats run frequently). You’ll need to choose how many islands to visit (1 to 5—2 or 3 is enough; we did 3 and it was great). See the names and photos in my travel journal. Returning around 2-3 PM gives you time to catch a flight to Sandakan. You’ll need to remove a day somewhere (KL, Kuching, Perhentian, or the Sandakan archipelago?).

If you’d like to tweak anything, I’ll try to help😎. For example, swapping the order between Kuching and Sandakan.

Here are my answers to your questions and a few suggestions:

Day 1 – Kuala Lumpur

Depending on your arrival time (and budget), a hotel with a pool to relax can be nice.

Day 16 – Sepilok (1 night) ... * Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre ....

If you see orangutans at Semenggoh (Kuching), it might feel redundant... and less impressive since it’s less wild.

The idea is to have a fairly balanced trip:

jungle → beaches/snorkeling → Borneo forest → wildlife

We deliberately limited Kuala Lumpur and skipped Malacca, as we’re much more drawn to nature than cities.

We also hesitated to include more of Borneo, particularly Kinabatangan, and to remove Taman Negara to avoid too many transfers. For now, we’ve kept both because we think the experiences are quite different.

Malacca is nice, I get it with kids, but 2 days in KL at the end might be necessary for a smooth return (more on that later). Taman Negara: The experiences *might* be different, but it does add another transfer.

Your questions:

* Does this itinerary seem coherent with 3 kids aged 6–8?

Not too many cities and lots of nature, so it should appeal to them—but I don’t know them! There are still quite a few transfers, though.

* Is Taman Negara really worth the detour when we’re already doing Bako and Kinabatangan?

I haven’t been to Taman Negara, but it might feel redundant with Kinabatangan—less so with Bako, which is less wild and less vast.

* Do 8 nights at the Perhentians seem too long, or ideal with kids?

8 nights might feel a bit long, but why not if you want to relax and swim? As I mentioned, the snorkeling is nice but not exceptional, though I don’t think you’ll get bored in 8 nights! Young kids can see fish right from the shore and play in the sand in front of Coral View (more on that later).

Should we include them earlier in the trip?

Personally, I always prefer beach/snorkeling breaks at the end to relax before heading home. But always keep some buffer time in case of flight cancellations, rough seas, etc. So, 2 days in KL afterward is a good safety net with a few things to do.

* Is Perhentian Besar the best choice for our search for calm/nature?

I prefer Besar—it’s more family-friendly than party-centric, and maybe better for snorkeling.

* Small family-run chalet/guesthouse rather than a resort

There are plenty of small chalet options, but Coral View is a great pick because it’s right between two beaches—one on the west side facing Kecil village and another 100m north where you can see turtles feeding. There’s a beautiful sandy beach 100m away (the PIR one). You can choose a chalet right on the beach, slightly set back if the sea-view ones are full, or one on the hill (I don’t like those).

* Is Kuching + Semenggoh + Bako worth 4 nights?

3 nights should be enough: 1 night in Bako (book early—there aren’t many accommodations) for hiking, proboscis monkeys, other monkeys, tropical forest, and coastal scenery. Spend the first day in the park and return the next morning to explore old Kuching (+ the Borneo Museum), then 2 nights in Kuching to visit Semenggoh in the morning (be there by 8:30) followed by an Iban village with a longhouse.

* For Kinabatangan, are 3 nights enough to maximize wildlife sightings?

The thing about the jungle is you never know—you might see orangutans, elephants, and proboscis monkeys in an hour, or nothing in 3 days! So the longer you stay, the better your chances, but also the higher the risk of disappointment if you don’t see anything.

* Lastly, do you have any family-friendly guesthouses/homestays to recommend for these stops?

In Kuching: Marian Boutique Lodging House. It’s a former girls’ boarding school from the colonial era, beautifully restored with lovely furniture and several lounges. There’s a nice pool, and it’s perfectly located at the entrance of the old Chinese quarter, 100m from the river. 52 € for two with breakfast last September (2025).

In KL, every time we’ve gone, I’ve waited until the last minute to snag last-minute discounts. There are plenty of hotels—just avoid the big Malaysian chains.

At Perhentian Besar, Coral View as mentioned above. Some beaches are hard to access at low tide (e.g., Flora Bay).

* Is there a stop you’d remove or replace? * Conversely, is there a must-do experience we’ve missed?

I’ll send you a message tonight with some itinerary tweaks—I’m out of time!!!😊

Hi there, The boats leave around 8:30-9:00 AM from the Houexey pier and arrive around 3-4 PM in Pakbeng (with many stops in villages along the way). The number of boats depends on how many travelers are present—tourists and lots of locals heading to villages along the Mekong, most of which can only be reached by boat.

What I don’t know is the water level of the Mekong in November. In September, we had no issues (just a few minor scrapes here and there).

Tickets are bought on-site at the counter, and they’ll tell you which boat to take.

To spend the night in Pakbeng, you can choose your homestay upon arrival. There are several along the street leading up from the pier, but often they’re offered to you on the boat—obviously with a commission, but given the price of the night, it won’t make much of a difference! The boat fare is around 150,000 LAK (about 15 €) per day. You’ll need to buy another ticket in Pakbeng for the second day.

Hello

Here are a few answers and some suggestions:

- The Kinabatangan River cruise lets you enjoy jungle landscapes and atmosphere (without really venturing into it) and try to spot wildlife: orangutans, proboscis monkeys, birds, Borneo pygmy elephants, various monkey species... But keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed—you might not see anything at all.

- An alternative is to spend a few days in the Kuching region in southwest Sarawak, which is closer to KL (though the 1-hour flight difference isn’t huge!) and has many daily flights. Staying in Kuching, you can:

Go to Semenggoh, another orangutan sanctuary that’s supposedly wilder than Sepilok (I’ve only been to Semenggoh). It’s a 1-hour free bus ride or taxi away. Head to Bako National Park, reached in 1 hour by road and then a 45-minute boat ride, to see lots of proboscis monkeys in particular, and hike one of the many trails (in sweltering humidity 😕) that mostly lead to beautiful beaches... though no swimming due to saltwater crocodile risk 😠. Explore Kuching’s city center, which has plenty of charm. Visit a village made up of longhouses, the traditional Iban homes that can house an entire village. Spend a night in Teluk Melano National Park: coral reefs, white-sand beaches (no crocodiles 😉), and sometimes sea turtles nesting.

- The Perhentians:

No hiking possible—the jungle is too dense outside the two trails connecting two beaches on Besar. I don’t think there are trails on Kecil. Deserted beaches: Don’t count on it—the beaches are stunning but very few in number. Outside of summer, they’re not deserted but barely visited. In summer, though, I imagine it gets busier (I haven’t been in July-August), but it should still be manageable. For truly deserted white-sand beaches, head north of Kota Kinabalu in Borneo. Snorkeling: On Besar, it’s generally good but nothing extraordinary. On Kecil, I’m not sure snorkeling is possible from the main east-coast beach where almost all accommodations are clustered. You can reach a few spots by water taxi on other islets. Day 8 should be added to your trip because it takes 1 hour from Kota Bharu to Kuala Besut (the departure port) plus a 45-minute crossing, so you’ll arrive before noon. That means you can drop day 13 and use it elsewhere.

- I haven’t been to Taman Negara, but since you’re going to Borneo, plan to stay in the jungle instead—it’s everywhere in places not yet replaced by oil palm plantations (thankfully still many, despite the ongoing devastation, which is heartbreaking to see). That’ll save you another trip.

- KL: I love the contrasts in this city, where historic neighborhoods sit next to modern districts (including the Petronas Towers), mosques and veils coexist with miniskirts worn by young Chinese women, and bars are plentiful in certain areas 😮. Visiting the Petronas Towers won’t take more than 2 hours (not a full day as you mentioned). Two days in KL can be enough (though 3 works too!).

- Finally, it’s a shame to skip beautiful Malacca. FYI, we traveled from the Perhentians to Malacca by a very comfortable overnight bus (departing Jerrteh around 9–10 PM, 8 km from Kuala Besut, arriving around 7–8 AM the next day), which saves a day of travel. From there, you can explore in 1 day plus a morning before taking one of the many buses to KL (a 2-hour highway ride).

My travel journal for the Borneo section, "Borneo: A Nature Paradise," is here (I haven’t done one for the peninsula, where I’ve been twice).

In Flores, we’ll be staying for a full 15 days, including Labuan Bajo and Komodo. When I read other travelers’ trip reports, the length of our itinerary from Moni to LB seems pretty standard, but maybe I’m wrong...

15 days is great. You can always stay longer, but you’ve gotta make choices if you don’t have months of vacation 😏

Flights from Bali to Ende are super early in the morning.

Agree with Songsam: stay in Jimbaran right next to the airport.

I think I’ll actually add one night in Riung.

Perfect 😎

Our LB/Jakarta flight is the day before our return flight to France. We’ll spend one night in Jakarta.

Normally, one buffer night should be enough. If the flight’s canceled, you should be able to find another one pretty easily. I’ve had flights canceled several times, and I’ve always been able to rebook—except once when I was coming back from Papua, where there were only two flights a day. So when one was canceled, I was worried the other would be full.

Do you know the Pom Pom Mussah Poteh Resort on Pom Pom?

No, I don’t know it :-

Thanks, do you have any ideas for accommodations near the islands around Borneo? Thanks

On the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park facing Kota Kinabalu, there’s a luxurious resort on Manukan Island (Balinese-style villas) along a beautiful beach, but avoid weekends. The turquoise sea is stunning, but I was disappointed by the lack of wildlife compared to what I’d read.

In the Semporna archipelago, there’s a luxury resort on the dreamy Pom Pom Island. On Pulau Mabul (the departure point for Sipadan), there are 2 or 3 luxury overwater resorts and about twenty guesthouses in all categories, from basic to upscale—a great selection.

On Pulau Mabul, we stayed at Mabul Paradise Lodge, but you can find better for not much more money.

Avoid staying in Semporna—you’d have nightmares🙁

I just reread your travel journal about Flores. I'm starting to wonder if the Komodo cruise is worth it... We had planned 2 nights on board. I'm having second thoughts. Maybe arriving in Maumere (instead of Ende) makes more sense. Here's what we have planned so far:

Arrival in Ende 2 nights in Moni 2 nights in Riung 3 nights in Bajawa 1 night in Ruteng then Labuan Bajo with the famous cruise and 2 nights/3 days, followed by (maybe) Pirate Island.

If we add 2 nights in Maumere, we lose them in Labuan Bajo. At the same time, I've read quite a few comments on other forums mentioning cancellations or significant delays for flights to Maumere...

Hello

If it's to go directly to Moni, it's better to land in Ende—it's closer than Maumere. Many taxis wait to take you to Moni for a modest fee.

2 nights in Riung is too few: if you're coming from Moni, you'll arrive in the evening, so that's only one full day there. Given the travel time to get to and from Riung, you should stay 3 nights. So you'll need to remove one night from Moni or somewhere else.

Yes, a Komodo cruise is a must if you're into diving or snorkeling. Again, you need 3 nights because the last day involves a morning return, so 2 nights means only 1.5 days there—too little to enjoy the many amazing spots. However, don’t do this cruise without diving or snorkeling. Agencies offer high prices on fancy boats, but if you go to the port, you can find cheap cruises on basic but perfectly fine boats.

I’d skip Maumere and add 3 nights in Riung and 3 nights on the cruise.

Hi there,

... then head to Borneo and finish with an island for snorkeling. For those who’ve been before, what are your must-sees?

I assume you’re talking about Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) and not Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan). It really depends on how long your trip is: I spent 3 weeks in Sabah and Sarawak last September, but you could easily stay longer.

Here’s my travel journal: Borneo, a nature paradise on VoyageForum.

The main attractions are mostly nature, forests, and wildlife, with a bit of city (Kuching) and ethnological sites (Sarawak’s interior): Kuching and its surrounding area (several national parks), the Kapit region, Gunung Mulu National Park, the Brunei coast up north, around Mount Kinabalu, all of eastern Sabah, and the Semporna archipelago for diving or snorkeling.

You could also spend 2 days in the Sultanate of Brunei (two stunning mosques, Ulu Temburong National Park). Don’t go to Borneo for less than 2 weeks—the distances are huge.

We were thinking of spending the last 3 days on the Perhentian Islands, unless you’ve got a closer island to recommend near Borneo,

For the Perhentian Islands, it depends on the season: summer gets crowded, and January–February is monsoon season (no boats, places closed). September–October–November is ideal. But if you’re already in Borneo, it’d be a shame to go to the Perhentians—you could stay on one of the islands around Semporna, where Sipadan offers some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling.