Where to go in Asia??

[blackjacknz]

Ok...a very broad title i know!...We have booked flights from Perth to Kuala Lumpur return in Oct/Nov this year...we have 14 days...at this stage no accomodation is booked.

We are looking to the fly to another destination...(or 2) in the area as there are very cheap flights...eg KL to Ho Chi Minh $23 AUD each!

As we dont know the area that well...we wondered if anyone has ideas on where to go...looking obviously for great photo op's/area's to visit.....

The cheap flights are to Cambodia, China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore

We are not looking for the normal touristy stuff....the less tourists the better....

Any ideas anyone??...

[origamione]

If you're gonna stop by Kuala Lumpur, make sure you visit these places.

1. KLCC / Petronas Twin Towers - you can capture some spectacular shots of the exterior architecture, best time to shoot is at dusk.

2. Batu Caves - A sacred Hindu temple built at the rocky hill (year 1892) with 272 steps of staircase to climb.

3. Cameron Highland - If you like nature, this is the place to visit.

4. Malacca - A Historical City, about 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Outisde of Malaysia:

5. Koh Phi Phi Island, Thailand. - I'm sure you've watched the movie called The Beach by Leonardo Dicaprio.

6. Angkor Wat, Cambodia - You can capture some stunning photographs there. Saw some photos taken at the Angkor Wat, a silhouette Angkor Wat shot at sunrise. Simply stunning!

I think that should get you covered for 14 days.

[Brutus123]

I have spent 2 months over the past 2 years in Malaysia and we are booked to fly to Thailand in March. Really looking forward to that!!!
In Malaysia, I would recommend;
1. a visit at night to the Sky Bar on top of Traders Hotel at KLCC for fantastic views of the Petronis Towers;
2. A roam around Chow Kit - wonderful spot for some "interesting " people shots
3. Malacca is a city steeped in history and a facinating place to visit (fast bus service from KL),
Rather than go into the more touristy aes of SEA, why not consider a trip to Borneo? Kuching is a great spot as well as Kota Kinabalu and then Sandakan (connections with POW camp and death marchs to Ranau in WW11). Wondreful people, beautiful scenery with lots of natural features, resorts to stay at if you wish and not a busy as other parts of SEA.

Which ever you choose, I'm sure you will enjoy the trip. I'm happy to post some pics if that assists.

[blackjacknz]

Thanks for the advise :)

Weve decided on 7 days in KL...then 7 days in bangkok:rolleyes:...i know i said we wanted to get away from the tourist stuff...but we decided we'll do that next trip...air fars are so cheap from here in Perth to Asia..

All up for 2 adults is costing approx $450 australian (@ $315 USD) for the return flights to KL and Bangkok..incl all taxes.....

cant complain about that....we had to book by the 15th feb as the special was only on for 5 days...now we have about 8 months to book accomodation and plan what to see.

Any ideas now we have narrowed it down......already noted the advise from origamione & Brutus 123...much appreciated!

[origamione]

I have spent 2 months over the past 2 years in Malaysia and we are booked to fly to Thailand in March. Really looking forward to that!!!
In Malaysia, I would recommend;
1. a visit at night to the Sky Bar on top of Traders Hotel at KLCC for fantastic views of the Petronis Towers;
2. A roam around Chow Kit - wonderful spot for some "interesting " people shots
3. Malacca is a city steeped in history and a facinating place to visit (fast bus service from KL),
Rather than go into the more touristy aes of SEA, why not consider a trip to Borneo? Kuching is a great spot as well as Kota Kinabalu and then Sandakan (connections with POW camp and death marchs to Ranau in WW11). Wondreful people, beautiful scenery with lots of natural features, resorts to stay at if you wish and not a busy as other parts of SEA.

Which ever you choose, I'm sure you will enjoy the trip. I'm happy to post some pics if that assists.

Kuching is where i'm currently reside.
blackjacknz, if you do drop by, I'll be happy to be your tour guide.

[Brutus123]

Hi Steve,
You should think about taking up the offer from "origamione". The air fares are very cheap and as I said in a previous post, Kuching (the cat City) is a place worth a couple of days visit!
If you like seafood, don't miss the Seafood King on top of the car park across from the Holiday Inn and up the hill 200metres or so. I garantee the best foods at an incredible price. All the better washed down with a Tiger or 2. On the last visit, my wife found a wonderful fabric shop and spent a fortune - she assures me that the fabric is at least twice the price in Oz. For great coffee, there is a wonderful spot on the main street (unfortunately I can't remember the name) but it is easily found and about 60mtrs from the intersection with the Chinese temple.

This is beginning to sound more like a travel blog!! I can post some photos of the areas if you would like, but can assure you that both KL and Kuching are wonderful spots for a holiday.
Within KL there is a multitude of places to see and visit (other than those that I have listed before). The Orchid gardens and Bird park are great. As are a tour around the old parts of KL by a reputable driver.

As far as shopping goes (if that is your thing)there is a wide choice of options. Suggest that you might visit this sight to check out the options via www.tripadvisor.com.

KL (an Kuching) are great places to visit and I am sure that the 7 days will fly!! Enjoy the Hols.

[blackjacknz]

origamione...thanks for the generous offer....dont know if we'll make it there....with a week in KL and then the next week in Bangkok....i think trying to put another city in there we will be trying to cram too much in?

Will definitly be coming back to see different areas......so much to see!

Im originally from New Zealand...and only been to Australia...so for me this is the first time i'll be in a really different culture...cant wait!

Thanks for the tips.....and post pics if you have them..we want to try and make this trip memorable.....

[origamione]

Hi blackjacknz,

The flight from KL to Kuching is only 95min. I've just checked airsia.com, the return ticket from KL to Kuching is only NZD32 per person (Oct's flight). They're having zero fair promotion right now, pay only administration fee and airport tax. I thought it's quite a steal.

Here's some photos i took today at the waterfall.

http://www.wired.my/matang/IMG_3586.jpg

http://www.wired.my/matang/IMG_3619.jpg

[petris]

We are not looking for the normal touristy stuff....the less tourists the better....

Any ideas anyone??...

Only one country fill you requirements...Burma.

[p4olom]

How about the Philippines?
I would recommend the Northern part of the region

[yogestee]

Steve,, Laos is the final frontier in SE Asia.. Easy to get into and Vientiane is only an hour away from all main capital cities in the region.. Sparsely populated and drop dead beautiful especially up in the north.. October/November the wet has finished but everything is still lush.. If you are into eco-trekking Laos is the place but take a guide,,still heaps of UXOs lying around.. Check out the mountain tribes in the North,,wonderful photography..

Great people, food and the best beer brewed in Asia.. Nip across the border into Cambodia to Siem Reap and spend a few days at Angkor Wat area,,photographer's paradise..

See Laos before it goes like Thailand and Vietnam..

[yogestee]

Only one country fill you requirements...Burma.

Nah,,Laos.. Still wild and sparsely populated especially in the North..

Myanmar (Burma) there are too many restrictions for foreigners..

[ivanramin]

I had been to Malaysia and the best place to go there is the Genting Highlands, it is a Theme park at the top of the mountain where you can ride a cable car to get there, there could be a lot of subject, because you will run through the rain forest. You can also go to Batu caves, it is about hundred steps going up and also Petronas Tower at night, it is so nice to get a picture of the tower at night and the people around.

Then, I recommend a trip to the Philippine Islands (via Air Asia around $200 or less), there's too much to see, like Chocolate Hills in Bohol, different beaches like Boracay and Puerto Gallera, another is the beach in Camarines Sur and Bantayan, Cebu, spectacular place you will love. You can also check the Rice Terraces in Banaue (cordillera region) and also Taal Volcano in Tagaytay, you can check the images of the place in Google before you go. Have fun!