Got a few weeks off ... let's have some inspiration where you guys are heading, and some info.

 

I've done the usual Singapore, Malaysia, Seoul, Taiwan, Shanghai, etc  some good, some bad - most major metropolosis cities unfortunately in Asia are all looking the same. 

 

Looking for something different. Now i'm getting older i actually prefer more slower type places, rather than hectic cities. 

 

One country i didn't quite enjoy was Japan. I know alot of hipsters go on about it, but i found it rather unremarkable. 

 

Where you all heading this year ?

Haven't been, but Bhutan is on my bucket list.

But they do charge daily fees of 100USD to minimize tourism. 

 

Pattaya is calling you…the draft dodging russians, sex pest indians and benidorm brits will be waiting for your return

11 hours ago, hotsun said:

Pattaya is calling you…the draft dodging russians, sex pest indians and benidorm brits will be waiting for your return

 

Exactly.

Instead of changing locations, just change the escort tyoe. Go for Russian or Ukranian escorts.

They will only charge you 8,000 baht to spend an hour with you on your yacht. 

 

 

Crete

Siem Reap might fit you.

Hanoi or Luang Prabang. However same seasons as Thailand so wait until the rains kick in and give it a month to cool. Indonesia, by the way, has reverse seasons, something to consider if wanting to skip the hot/smoke season here.  Air Asia has a convenient Bangkok Bali flight. Not a fan of Bali but it serves as an easy stepping stone to the archipelago. 

Dread air travel, and had my fill of long flights, as anything over 2hrs.  Add the hassle of to and from, along with hours needed to arrive early for check ins ... NO THANKS

 

We stay local, 1 country, as 15+ year of plane travel was enough, and most before 9/11 security BS.   Only flew international 2X since 9/11, and what a nightmare, 3+ hours from arrival at airport to take off.  Crap services now, and silly pricing.  Limited allowed checked & carry on luggage.

 

No place, now, is worthy of the hassles of air travel to visit, for me.  Aside from the expense, as airfare alone, to & from is more than we'd usually speed for our week long outings locally.  The added convenience of self driving vs more hassles of hired car or relying on public trans ... again, NO THANKS

 

ENJOY whatever & where ever, just int'l travel isn't for us.

 

HAPPY TRAVELS

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Dread air travel,

Agree.  It sucks more then ever.

6 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Got a few weeks off ... let's have some inspiration where you guys are heading, and some info.

 

I've done the usual Singapore, Malaysia, Seoul, Taiwan, Shanghai, etc  some good, some bad - most major metropolosis cities unfortunately in Asia are all looking the same. 

 

Looking for something different. Now i'm getting older i actually prefer more slower type places, rather than hectic cities. 

 

One country i didn't quite enjoy was Japan. I know alot of hipsters go on about it, but i found it rather unremarkable. 

 

Where you all heading this year ?

Really enjoyed Kyoto. Tokyo Osaka ok.

 

Ladakh - best time of year mid June to mid Aug. I might do a trip with wife depending on visa hassles.

 

Myanmar is out, shame.

 

China

 

Maldives

 

Snorkeling in Indonesia - good time of year around Malakus, Flores, Spring, Sulawesi

 

Philippines - weather ok now, monsoon approaching

 

Koh Tao - good weather

 

Pass: Taiwan, Vietnam

Indonesia / Bali

Dili , Timor Leste

 

 

 

The place to go now is Phu Quoc in Vietnam. They built a dream tourist  island, a la Nusa Dua, but a whole island.

 

 

47 minutes ago, BenCrew said:

Indonesia / Bali

With all the Aussie bogans !

No thanks , cant stand them !!! 

14 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

The place to go now is Phu Quoc in Vietnam. They built a dream tourist  island, a la Nusa Dua, but a whole island.

 

 

No need for swearing !!!

Am thinking of 2 weeks in South Korea for my next holiday.

Pichit. No farangs.

2 hours ago, Dcheech said:

Hanoi or Luang Prabang.

Be careful with LP. Ever since the railway went in it's absolutely swarming with those from the north.

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

Ladakh - best time of year mid June to mid Aug. I might do a trip with wife depending on visa hassles.

Zero hassles. Apply for an e visa and you will receive an 'Electronic Travel Authorization' within 48 hours. Print it out and present at check in on arrival India (If using Delhi there are dedicated channels for e visa just follow the lines) and your visa will be stamped in your passport.

 

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

 

Don't go for the 30 day option just in case your dates change. 

 

 

8 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Haven't been, but Bhutan is on my bucket list.

But they do charge daily fees of 100USD to minimize tourism. 

 

 

Imagine if Thailand did that. Would be a dream. 

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Siem Reap might fit you.

 

In what way ? Have you been ? 

2 hours ago, BenCrew said:

Indonesia / Bali

 

Why does Bali get such a bad rep?

 

Is it full of Benidorm Brits and cheap australians ?

9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Haven't been, but Bhutan is on my bucket list.

But they do charge daily fees of 100USD to minimize tourism. 

Whoa ... had to google that, and that's per person 

 

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Whoa ... had to google that, and that's per person 

 

 

Wait ... Indians are exempt? WTF how did they come up with that logic with their 'wanting to be enviromentaly sustainable' excuse for the charge and to deter tourists ?

13 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Agree.  It sucks more then ever.

are you serious?

for a couple hundred bucks, you're catapulted to a different culture in two hours or less.

who cares if there are some inconveniences?

 

13 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

are you serious?

for a couple hundred bucks, you're catapulted to a different culture in two hours or less.

who cares if there are some inconveniences?

 

Where are coming from and going to ?

 

In the Americas, yes, a few hours to other countries on a flight is good.   Though it takes just as long to check in now.  PHL to MEX is a few hours, and a few hours for check in 🙄

 

Europe, at least 8 hrs flight & 3 hr check, for an expensive holiday...nah.

 

Unless a long holiday, not worth the trip for me.   USA to Asia, that's 12 hrs  (+ 1 day) & silly priced, and that's from west coast.   Use to take 30 hrs, PHL, DTW or MEM to Phuket, and even required an overnight, so 4 or 5 days travel, and silly price, IF, having to pay.  Myself, ex airline employee, so almost free for FC.

 

From TH, takes too long to go anywhere, out of that Asian flare area.  Then to a western vibe, that I left ...

... NO THANKS

 

Not when I can drive less than 1 day, get a bungalow on the beach, or a hilltop.  All at a fraction of the cost of most other places.

 

Without the 3 hr check in, or exiting through immigrations, both directions.   Time & money, better spent just chillin' here, or a day away.

24 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

Why does Bali get such a bad rep?

 

Is it full of Benidorm Brits and cheap australians ?

Bali is a horror show

 

Culture decades gone

39 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

Why does Bali get such a bad rep?

 

Is it full of Benidorm Brits and cheap australians ?

Bali is beautiful if you go to the right places ..tourists are widespread but the Kuta Legian bit is where it gets the bad reputation. Go to Bali - then Lombok and see a much more beautiful Kuta Beach and the spectacular Mt Rinjani and dark sand beaches in the north then go to Sumba and Komodo for the dragons  and Flores for the picturesque forests and waters and portuguese influence then to Timor for a look and then to Darwin an hour by air and see Kakadu. 

1 hour ago, Mahseer said:

Be careful with LP. Ever since the railway went in it's absolutely swarming with those from the north.

 

Last there December 2019, just before Wuhan flu, & before the rail link opened. With all the other news, never hear much about it recently. LP packed with Chinese tourists (sigh). When were you last there? Any comments or further observations? 

10 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Got a few weeks off ... let's have some inspiration where you guys are heading, and some info.

 

I've done the usual Singapore, Malaysia, Seoul, Taiwan, Shanghai, etc  some good, some bad - most major metropolosis cities unfortunately in Asia are all looking the same. 

 

Looking for something different. Now i'm getting older i actually prefer more slower type places, rather than hectic cities. 

 

One country i didn't quite enjoy was Japan. I know alot of hipsters go on about it, but i found it rather unremarkable. 

 

Where you all heading this year ?

Probably Bali. Not the capital but up country.