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[kec4]

I am currently studying in Cha-am, Thailand (2.5 hours south of Bangkok) and am trying to decide what to do over my fall break. I have ten consecutive days, which is great, but there are so many places I want to go that I can't really decide. I was thinking it would be best to take this time for Cambodia and Vietnam.

Anyway, I am trying to find the best, and cheapest, way to get to these places.

Vietnam and Cambodia are two of the many places I want to visit while I am here. I am also interested in Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia which is why it is hard for me to decide where to go. I'm going back and forth deciding which ones would be best for weekend(3-4 day) excursions and which would be better for my break. If you have experience traveling in these areas I would greatly appreciate your help :-)

[ScottWoz]

Hi,

What sort of things do you like? What sort of things do you like to see, and do? How do you like to travel? Are you fussy about food, cleanliness or getting off the beaten track?

If you can tell us a little more about what sort of things interest you I'm sure you'll get a much better response that will help you plan a better trip.

Cheers

[kec4]

Hi,

What sort of things do you like? What sort of things do you like to see, and do? How do you like to travel? Are you fussy about food, cleanliness or getting off the beaten track?

If you can tell us a little more about what sort of things interest you I'm sure you'll get a much better response that will help you plan a better trip.

Cheers

I like things from white water rafting to relaxing on a beach. I love adventure and getting off the beaten track, if I haven't tried something before I am willing to give it a chance. I am interested in seeing the history and culture...museums are nice, but unless it is a must see or really captivating I get a bit bored. In Cambodia I definitely want to visit Angkor Wat. When it comes to traveling I don't want to be on a bus for 18 hours, unless that is the only way to go. I'm all about going the budget friendly route, but if I can get there in half the time without spending an arm and a leg I would be willing. Cleanliness...(haha) I figure I can't really be too picky with that to be honest. I don't know if I could really prepare myself enough before I actually go. I mean I don't want to be sleeping on a dirt floor, but if that's my only option I'll have to learn to make do! I want to experience as much as I can with the time that I have, which is why I am not too demanding about everything. I have already been faced with being completely out of my comfort zone, so I'm pretty much going with everything now.

Thanks for the response! Hopefully mine helps :-)

[barsie]

As time is a factor, i'd suggest you head up to BKK and use airasia to get quickly and cheaply to another destination.

You've got Phnom Penh and Kuala Lumpur within 2 hour flight distance. PP and KL both have plenty to do to fill 3-4 days and see a new place.

I'd suggest you have too little time to go for the more unusual destinations as they do require a lot longer travel time.

You could get down to the Islands for a beach weekend. Not sure what you've done before but categories are roughly:

Touristy/ built up: Phucket, Samui.

Party: Pha ngan, Phi Phi

Chill out: Tao, Lanta, Chang

[belkinhouse]

I am currently studying in Cha-am, Thailand (2.5 hours south of Bangkok) and am trying to decide what to do over my fall break. I have ten consecutive days, which is great, but there are so many places I want to go that I can't really decide. I was thinking it would be best to take this time for Cambodia and Vietnam.

Anyway, I am trying to find the best, and cheapest, way to get to these places.

Vietnam and Cambodia are two of the many places I want to visit while I am here. I am also interested in Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia which is why it is hard for me to decide where to go. I'm going back and forth deciding which ones would be best for weekend(3-4 day) excursions and which would be better for my break. If you have experience traveling in these areas I would greatly appreciate your help :-)

Hi,
My name is Warren O'Hara and I'm a retired 71 y.o. world traveller (22 countries so far and counting). I live in North Vancouver, BC Canada. My next 'biggie' trip will start in Feb./11 when I'm going to spend 2 mos. travelling in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & Korea. Previously I've visited Thailand (two trips), Malaysia and Singapore. Although I haven't been to Vietnam I have done extensive research on the country and I think it would be one good consideration for you. My intention is to spend time in HCMC, Hoi Ann and Hanoi and stay in some highly reviewed hostels- a couple of examples, The Drift Backpackers Hostel or Hanoi Rendevous Hostel (both in Hanoi). Both are reasoable and have private rooms avail. w/ WiFi and score high in every category, incl. location and cleanliness. My view, from all my reading, would suggest that VN has a fair edge over Cambodia & Laos in terms of security and good, clean, reasonable accom. to choose from. I've found Vietnam Air has very low prices on flights within the country with numerous flights to choose from. My plan is to travel from HCMC to Na Trang by 'S' train and then bus it to Hoi Ann from there. I will then fly to Hanoi (about C$45.) and then fly back to HCMC (about C$100.) Hanoi to HCMC is a 2 hr. flight so that price is HOT!!

Re Cambodia, upon studying countless hostel reviews for Phnom Penh (where I plan to spend about 4 days as I over-land into Thailand), there are many negative comments from travellers, incl cleanliness issues and countless other problems. Friends of mine have visited Ankor Wat and this is a definite 'must-see' if you are going to Cambodia. Other than bus travel between Siem Reap & Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh & Poipet (heading west to Thai border) and Phnom Penh & HCMC in Vietnam, it sounds like the roads and bus transport throughout the rest of the country are a bit of a disaster.

Have you been to Pattaya or Surat Thani? If so, any comments? I am tentatively planning about 4 days in Pattaya and 2 days in Surat Thani as I bus it down to Phuket. After my couple of weeks in Thailand I will be flying out of Phuket, via BKK and on to Seoul to finish up my trip with 2 weeks touring Korea.

Thailand and Ireland are my 2 favorite countires (next to Canada, of course) that I have travelled to so far. I have been to Ireland 7 times and I've had a total of 8 weeks in Thailand in my 2 trips there. My first trip to Thailand was immediately after the Dec./04 tsunami when I spent all my time in Phuket doing relief work at a fishing village on the SE coast of the island. The second trip there was in Oct./06 when I visited Chiang Mai, Kanchanburi, Bangkok and Phuket. Just love that country. How fortunate for you to be studying there.

Hope I've been a little help to you.

Cheers,

Warren

[kec4]

Warren,

Thank you so much for your wonderful advice! I am planning on going to Cambodia for Angkor Wat and Vietnam - I'm not sure exactly where yet, but your research will really help me! I recently went to Krabi and Phuket, but haven't done much of the islands because I was told to hold off until rainy season is over. If I make it to Surat Thani and/or Pattaya I will let you know any information. Thanks again for your help.

-Katie

[youngatheart]

Your comments re s.e.asia are very interesting...As a just 60 I am interested in your mature approach...a little deference to comfort and hygiene etc.

I would like to hear more..Did you end up doing the trip? .do you have a travel blog?? I will do some research myself but have a little trouble with this site..

Thankyou again...

I am currently studying in Cha-am, Thailand (2.5 hours south of Bangkok) and am trying to decide what to do over my fall break. I have ten consecutive days, which is great, but there are so many places I want to go that I can't really decide. I was thinking it would be best to take this time for Cambodia and Vietnam.

Anyway, I am trying to find the best, and cheapest, way to get to these places.

Vietnam and Cambodia are two of the many places I want to visit while I am here. I am also interested in Laos, Indonesia, and Malaysia which is why it is hard for me to decide where to go. I'm going back and forth deciding which ones would be best for weekend(3-4 day) excursions and which would be better for my break. If you have experience traveling in these areas I would greatly appreciate your help :-)

Hi,
My name is Warren O'Hara and I'm a retired 71 y.o. world traveller (22 countries so far and counting). I live in North Vancouver, BC Canada. My next 'biggie' trip will start in Feb./11 when I'm going to spend 2 mos. travelling in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand & Korea. Previously I've visited Thailand (two trips), Malaysia and Singapore. Although I haven't been to Vietnam I have done extensive research on the country and I think it would be one good consideration for you. My intention is to spend time in HCMC, Hoi Ann and Hanoi and stay in some highly reviewed hostels- a couple of examples, The Drift Backpackers Hostel or Hanoi Rendevous Hostel (both in Hanoi). Both are reasoable and have private rooms avail. w/ WiFi and score high in every category, incl. location and cleanliness. My view, from all my reading, would suggest that VN has a fair edge over Cambodia & Laos in terms of security and good, clean, reasonable accom. to choose from. I've found Vietnam Air has very low prices on flights within the country with numerous flights to choose from. My plan is to travel from HCMC to Na Trang by 'S' train and then bus it to Hoi Ann from there. I will then fly to Hanoi (about C$45.) and then fly back to HCMC (about C$100.) Hanoi to HCMC is a 2 hr. flight so that price is HOT!!

Re Cambodia, upon studying countless hostel reviews for Phnom Penh (where I plan to spend about 4 days as I over-land into Thailand), there are many negative comments from travellers, incl cleanliness issues and countless other problems. Friends of mine have visited Ankor Wat and this is a definite 'must-see' if you are going to Cambodia. Other than bus travel between Siem Reap & Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh & Poipet (heading west to Thai border) and Phnom Penh & HCMC in Vietnam, it sounds like the roads and bus transport throughout the rest of the country are a bit of a disaster.

Have you been to Pattaya or Surat Thani? If so, any comments? I am tentatively planning about 4 days in Pattaya and 2 days in Surat Thani as I bus it down to Phuket. After my couple of weeks in Thailand I will be flying out of Phuket, via BKK and on to Seoul to finish up my trip with 2 weeks touring Korea.

Thailand and Ireland are my 2 favorite countires (next to Canada, of course) that I have travelled to so far. I have been to Ireland 7 times and I've had a total of 8 weeks in Thailand in my 2 trips there. My first trip to Thailand was immediately after the Dec./04 tsunami when I spent all my time in Phuket doing relief work at a fishing village on the SE coast of the island. The second trip there was in Oct./06 when I visited Chiang Mai, Kanchanburi, Bangkok and Phuket. Just love that country. How fortunate for you to be studying there.

Hope I've been a little help to you.

Cheers,

Warren

[hue.kute.9]

hi, I'm a Vietnamese lady in i'm happy that u like to come to vIetnam. You really should come and see cozz our country is amazing. You may find the ancient beaty in Hue - Our old capital and Hanoi - our capital now. If you wan to go sightseeing then it will be great to visit Halong Bay or Phu Quoc island. About cuisine you shouldn't miss