I havent been to Singapore, but you previously mentioned you wanted to visit other places while in Asia.
What are your interests?
That will help with giving you advice of places to see & avoid.
Knowing if you are going to chase tail or see historical sites will help.
Shanghai is overrated and overpriced, although worth a weekend trip. Plenty to see there, but not much different than being in NYC other than the race of the citizens. Plenty of expats living in Shanghai.
Xian is a must see for historical sites and overall culture experience. It was the center of many past Chinese empires.
I enjoyed Beijing (historical sites) and Guangdong province in southern China (best place to chase women).
Hong Kong worth a few weekend getaways. Hotels are expensive there, but plenty to see. They drive on left side of road so be careful crossing streets when bar hopping.
Going to Vietnam later this spring. Nearly every expat I have spoken with in Asia has given great reports about Vietnam.
When planning trips within Asia, use websites and/or travel agents based in Singapore and/or HK for they are very affordable.
:toast:
What are your interests?
That will help with giving you advice of places to see & avoid.
Knowing if you are going to chase tail or see historical sites will help.
Shanghai is overrated and overpriced, although worth a weekend trip. Plenty to see there, but not much different than being in NYC other than the race of the citizens. Plenty of expats living in Shanghai.
Xian is a must see for historical sites and overall culture experience. It was the center of many past Chinese empires.
I enjoyed Beijing (historical sites) and Guangdong province in southern China (best place to chase women).
Hong Kong worth a few weekend getaways. Hotels are expensive there, but plenty to see. They drive on left side of road so be careful crossing streets when bar hopping.
Going to Vietnam later this spring. Nearly every expat I have spoken with in Asia has given great reports about Vietnam.
When planning trips within Asia, use websites and/or travel agents based in Singapore and/or HK for they are very affordable.
:toast:
Thanks for the input guys. An ex-coworker has been to Singapore and said that it's only a 45 minute plane ride from Singapore to Bangkok so I'll probably go there during one weekend if I can get away.
WOOF, I'm looking for photo opportunities so I've been wanting to go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It's a large temple in the jungle. Your reviews of China sound nice too so maybe I'll try to go to Xian or Beijing.
I'm not going to chase any professional tail but I wouldn't mind getting to know a few of the local non-pro lovelies. WildBill said he enjoyed Vietnam so I think I'll look into seeing what it will take to visit. If not this time, maybe next time I'm in the area.
WOOF, I'm looking for photo opportunities so I've been wanting to go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It's a large temple in the jungle. Your reviews of China sound nice too so maybe I'll try to go to Xian or Beijing.
I'm not going to chase any professional tail but I wouldn't mind getting to know a few of the local non-pro lovelies. WildBill said he enjoyed Vietnam so I think I'll look into seeing what it will take to visit. If not this time, maybe next time I'm in the area.
Southern China---Many great cities are near together here, which included:
Hong Kong, one of the greatest city in the world; Shenzhen, Miles away from HK, and a beautiful city but a lot cheaper than HK, and money means women here, and a lot more cities, which I don't think you can explore them all on your time limit...
Zhuhai, beautiful green city, and it's also miles away for Macau, if you don't know what Macau has offer, do a bit of research, they're the "east Las Vegas", which will surpass Las Vegas's gambling revenue in a year two, and the craziest, biggest gambler are all here. Within the few year, Las Vegas company includes sands, Wynn, and MGM are planning to invest up to 10 billions in the tiny insland of southern China, and they're also planing to build the world's first underwater casino in the ocean.........Also, it was reported that they just sold a license for 900 Million, yes, near a BILLION for just a freaking license. Just think about this, China has over 1 billion people, and with their booming economy, and Macau being the only place legal to gamble there, you can imagine how crazy it is, and this tiny island are located in probably the richest port area of China too.
Tokyo---Again, one great city, a lot to see, but you gota be ready to bring a lot more money than you expected, because things are hell of expensive here, it's the out of control...however, they have a lot of interesting things to see, which includes fashion, technology, and Jap porn.......
Hong Kong, one of the greatest city in the world; Shenzhen, Miles away from HK, and a beautiful city but a lot cheaper than HK, and money means women here, and a lot more cities, which I don't think you can explore them all on your time limit...
Zhuhai, beautiful green city, and it's also miles away for Macau, if you don't know what Macau has offer, do a bit of research, they're the "east Las Vegas", which will surpass Las Vegas's gambling revenue in a year two, and the craziest, biggest gambler are all here. Within the few year, Las Vegas company includes sands, Wynn, and MGM are planning to invest up to 10 billions in the tiny insland of southern China, and they're also planing to build the world's first underwater casino in the ocean.........Also, it was reported that they just sold a license for 900 Million, yes, near a BILLION for just a freaking license. Just think about this, China has over 1 billion people, and with their booming economy, and Macau being the only place legal to gamble there, you can imagine how crazy it is, and this tiny island are located in probably the richest port area of China too.
Tokyo---Again, one great city, a lot to see, but you gota be ready to bring a lot more money than you expected, because things are hell of expensive here, it's the out of control...however, they have a lot of interesting things to see, which includes fashion, technology, and Jap porn.......
I will be in Thailand on August 1st and then will continue to the Bash.
Thailand has excellent golf courses and you can play them for around 30 dollars along with women caddies for between 5 and 7 dollars. The nite life
is fantastic...maybe better than costa rica. You can get a 4 star hotel for around 35 to 50 dollars a nite. Any questions feel free to ask.
Thailand has excellent golf courses and you can play them for around 30 dollars along with women caddies for between 5 and 7 dollars. The nite life
is fantastic...maybe better than costa rica. You can get a 4 star hotel for around 35 to 50 dollars a nite. Any questions feel free to ask.
for my money, thailand is the best value in the world! with argentina probably a close 2nd.
thailand has 5-star facilities at 2-star prices! phuket island and ko samui are 2 of the most beautiful places in the world! and at 3rd world prices!!!
singapore is nice...superclean and safe...but nothing in asia (or the rest of the world, really) can compare to thailand as far as tropical uxury AND value!
thailand has 5-star facilities at 2-star prices! phuket island and ko samui are 2 of the most beautiful places in the world! and at 3rd world prices!!!
singapore is nice...superclean and safe...but nothing in asia (or the rest of the world, really) can compare to thailand as far as tropical uxury AND value!
in thailand it depends where you go...
if you got to bangkok, there is only 1 option, and i mean ONE FREAKING OPTION...
stay at the peninsula hotel in bangkok. yes, it's a world-class 5-star hotel, but is hands down the best value 5-star on the planet! it's $138/night but it is the BEST hotel in the country...
how many $138/night hotels are world class 5-star hotels and are consistantly rated the best hotel in the country?
actually, the peninsula has been rated as asia's best hotel by a few travel magazines too.
in phuket island, stay at the baan sukhothai hotel (spelling?) in patong beach. it's right on the main street that has all the nightlife and is about a 90 second walk from your front door to the beach. it's the perfect location and a kick-ass little hotel.
it was about $35/night when i was there last year.
patong beach is very touristy, compared to other parts of phuket, but i love the rowdy nightlife, so for me it's the only place to stay on phuket island.
if you want something quieter then stay anywhere BUT patong beach, phuket
if you got to bangkok, there is only 1 option, and i mean ONE FREAKING OPTION...
stay at the peninsula hotel in bangkok. yes, it's a world-class 5-star hotel, but is hands down the best value 5-star on the planet! it's $138/night but it is the BEST hotel in the country...
how many $138/night hotels are world class 5-star hotels and are consistantly rated the best hotel in the country?
actually, the peninsula has been rated as asia's best hotel by a few travel magazines too.
in phuket island, stay at the baan sukhothai hotel (spelling?) in patong beach. it's right on the main street that has all the nightlife and is about a 90 second walk from your front door to the beach. it's the perfect location and a kick-ass little hotel.
it was about $35/night when i was there last year.
patong beach is very touristy, compared to other parts of phuket, but i love the rowdy nightlife, so for me it's the only place to stay on phuket island.
if you want something quieter then stay anywhere BUT patong beach, phuket
I have never been, but here are the extensive thoughts of a friend of mine, an ethnically Chinese girl that has lived there all of her 30 or so years. She reminds you that English is universally spoken there, but very much not in the neighboring countries except in touristy areas and places where people are selling things (markets) so be sure to take a language guide.
For singapore...cultural... must eat as much of local food as possible, try the indian curries, malay nasi padang, nasi-lemak, chinese chicken rice (maxwell market)
For sights, go to the waterfront and see the "durian" or the esplanade theatre and get a drink in the famous Raffles Hotel. In town...local stuff...go to east coast, rollar blade, bike or rent a kayak. If you're into bicycling, join one of the local groups and pretend you are the tour de france, racing down the roads with the traffic. Locals go jogging on weekends to botanic gardens, macRichie reservoir or east coast. For touristy things definitely night safari (don't pay for the train, it's better to walk). Go to little india, china town. If you're morbid check out the memorial cemetry for ww2, bird park is not too bad...actually there are old temples around...they are interesting but i don't know their names off the top.
For outside Singapore: outdoors trekking in borneo, or go for lovely beaches in langkawi, or scuba diving in Redang. Takes 3 hours to get to Redang in Malaysia, but well worth the trip. For Thailand...ko sumai for full moon festival...phuket for spas and splurging...national parks in thailand...ancient city outside of bangkok forgot the name...bangkok for cheap shopping
Flight to Bangkok is about 2.5 hrs...and travel tip...it's cheaper then malaysia because of all the aggressive competition among airlines...malaysia has restricted airspace so they don't have to worry about price. For Bangkok you can get budget airlines for approximately SGD150-200. Basically watch the newspapers if you're planning there are usually some airfare promotion...
For singapore...cultural... must eat as much of local food as possible, try the indian curries, malay nasi padang, nasi-lemak, chinese chicken rice (maxwell market)
For sights, go to the waterfront and see the "durian" or the esplanade theatre and get a drink in the famous Raffles Hotel. In town...local stuff...go to east coast, rollar blade, bike or rent a kayak. If you're into bicycling, join one of the local groups and pretend you are the tour de france, racing down the roads with the traffic. Locals go jogging on weekends to botanic gardens, macRichie reservoir or east coast. For touristy things definitely night safari (don't pay for the train, it's better to walk). Go to little india, china town. If you're morbid check out the memorial cemetry for ww2, bird park is not too bad...actually there are old temples around...they are interesting but i don't know their names off the top.
For outside Singapore: outdoors trekking in borneo, or go for lovely beaches in langkawi, or scuba diving in Redang. Takes 3 hours to get to Redang in Malaysia, but well worth the trip. For Thailand...ko sumai for full moon festival...phuket for spas and splurging...national parks in thailand...ancient city outside of bangkok forgot the name...bangkok for cheap shopping
Flight to Bangkok is about 2.5 hrs...and travel tip...it's cheaper then malaysia because of all the aggressive competition among airlines...malaysia has restricted airspace so they don't have to worry about price. For Bangkok you can get budget airlines for approximately SGD150-200. Basically watch the newspapers if you're planning there are usually some airfare promotion...
Well QL
Cant go wrong with Bangkok. I was there a few times and the options of things to do are endless, cant have enough time to do the things you would want to do. Eg. visiting the temples, going on the taxi boats, going North to Chiang Mai or South to the beaches on Samui etc.
Not sure how old you are and if youre looking for parties and beaches or looking to experience the culture and people. I stayed in a family ran hotel for 2 weeks in Chiang Mai and got some good tips on places to see and do. In Bangkok going to see the Temple of the Jade Buddah is a must and riding in the tuk-tuk around town or the water taxi's is a blast.
I was like 25 when i went, so i was doing the long stay (3 months) cheap accomendations and alot of partying
Katmandu was a little cold when i was there in Dec. Views are unreal.
The two things i would do is A. Go north for a trek B. South to Chitwan National Park
A few links i found quick
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldgui...asia/thailand/
http://www.asiatravelling.net/nepal/...u/katmandu.htm
http://nepalkaze.com/subcat.php?id=72
GL
Coop
<!-- / message -->
Cant go wrong with Bangkok. I was there a few times and the options of things to do are endless, cant have enough time to do the things you would want to do. Eg. visiting the temples, going on the taxi boats, going North to Chiang Mai or South to the beaches on Samui etc.
Not sure how old you are and if youre looking for parties and beaches or looking to experience the culture and people. I stayed in a family ran hotel for 2 weeks in Chiang Mai and got some good tips on places to see and do. In Bangkok going to see the Temple of the Jade Buddah is a must and riding in the tuk-tuk around town or the water taxi's is a blast.
I was like 25 when i went, so i was doing the long stay (3 months) cheap accomendations and alot of partying
Katmandu was a little cold when i was there in Dec. Views are unreal.
The two things i would do is A. Go north for a trek B. South to Chitwan National Park
A few links i found quick
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldgui...asia/thailand/
http://www.asiatravelling.net/nepal/...u/katmandu.htm
http://nepalkaze.com/subcat.php?id=72
GL
Coop
<!-- / message -->
Blue Marine Resort in Phuket was a nice place I stayed with a female friend earlier this year.
However, if going to Phuket alone, I would probably choose a different resort among the more lively resorts in the area. However, it was a nice place for couples.
Nightlife in Thailand is more lively than China. However, keep in mind that the hotel star system in Thailand is a bit lower than other parts of world. 3 star hotels should probably be avoided. 4 stars are reasonably priced and 5 star hotels are easily affordable for most budgets.
If you are planning to take hookers or otherwise willing women you meet in bars to your hotel, keep in mind SOMETIMES 5 star hotels in Asia do not allow that or will require a small bribe to door personnel.
Shenzhen, a one hour ferry ride from HK, is a good place to party in Southern China, but not much more. Shekou area of Shenzhen is best place to find bars and working girls. Nan Hai hotel in Shenzhen (about $70 for a balcony water view room) is less than 5 minutes walking distance from the nightlife.
Shenzhen is a fun spot for nightlife and working girls, but you wont enjoy much Chinese culture there. Plenty of expats there, Starbucks, McD, KFC and the like. Ride the bus to other cities where you will be a distinct minority and enjoy taking in what locals are doing.
Can ride a bus (about 8-12 usd one way) from Shenzhen to Guangzhou, Zhongshan, or any other cities in Guangdong province.
Not available in Shekou/Shenzhen, but in other cities, use motorcycle taxis for local transportation if not raining. Much more exciting, cheaper, and absolutely comical having birds-eye view how the Chinese people drive. Usually 6-10 RMB ($.75-1.50) will get you across town (the distance of downtown LV to end of strip hotels).
If you ride automobile taxis in China, make sure the driver starts the meter and have an idea from door personnel what fare should cost because most cabbies do not speak English. No need to tip taxi drivers, for it isnt custom or expected. However, of course its appreciated if you choose to tip if driver is nice and fare should be at most a few bucks if you arent going more than 10 miles to destination.
Also, be sure to eat at local restaurants away from the beaten paths. Live fish, snakes, frogs, etc are available. You choose your meal, the chef prepares it from there which is different than here. About 2 USD for lunch type meal and no more than 5 USD for dinner. If you get a totally local place, the live weight of the soon-to-be meal will determine the price, but as I said it will be very inexpensive.
Eventhough most educated people in China speak English, knowing a few basic phrases of Mandarin will go a long way to meeting local women who arent prostitutes. Im sure its the same way in other countries in the region.
I recently read that a bus trip exists that goes north from Ho Chi Minh through Hanoi and to Beijing and that passengers may exit/enter the bus trip as they please. Sounds like a great way to see some sights and take in culture for a reasonable price. I will be going back to Barnes & Noble to buy the book this week and will post more about it then.
Asian hotels are always open for business and reservations are not necessary, but of course better to have if possible.
Enjoy your trip in Asia.
I have several Asian travel websites...once I find them, I will post.
:niceass:
However, if going to Phuket alone, I would probably choose a different resort among the more lively resorts in the area. However, it was a nice place for couples.
Nightlife in Thailand is more lively than China. However, keep in mind that the hotel star system in Thailand is a bit lower than other parts of world. 3 star hotels should probably be avoided. 4 stars are reasonably priced and 5 star hotels are easily affordable for most budgets.
If you are planning to take hookers or otherwise willing women you meet in bars to your hotel, keep in mind SOMETIMES 5 star hotels in Asia do not allow that or will require a small bribe to door personnel.
Shenzhen, a one hour ferry ride from HK, is a good place to party in Southern China, but not much more. Shekou area of Shenzhen is best place to find bars and working girls. Nan Hai hotel in Shenzhen (about $70 for a balcony water view room) is less than 5 minutes walking distance from the nightlife.
Shenzhen is a fun spot for nightlife and working girls, but you wont enjoy much Chinese culture there. Plenty of expats there, Starbucks, McD, KFC and the like. Ride the bus to other cities where you will be a distinct minority and enjoy taking in what locals are doing.
Can ride a bus (about 8-12 usd one way) from Shenzhen to Guangzhou, Zhongshan, or any other cities in Guangdong province.
Not available in Shekou/Shenzhen, but in other cities, use motorcycle taxis for local transportation if not raining. Much more exciting, cheaper, and absolutely comical having birds-eye view how the Chinese people drive. Usually 6-10 RMB ($.75-1.50) will get you across town (the distance of downtown LV to end of strip hotels).
If you ride automobile taxis in China, make sure the driver starts the meter and have an idea from door personnel what fare should cost because most cabbies do not speak English. No need to tip taxi drivers, for it isnt custom or expected. However, of course its appreciated if you choose to tip if driver is nice and fare should be at most a few bucks if you arent going more than 10 miles to destination.
Also, be sure to eat at local restaurants away from the beaten paths. Live fish, snakes, frogs, etc are available. You choose your meal, the chef prepares it from there which is different than here. About 2 USD for lunch type meal and no more than 5 USD for dinner. If you get a totally local place, the live weight of the soon-to-be meal will determine the price, but as I said it will be very inexpensive.
Eventhough most educated people in China speak English, knowing a few basic phrases of Mandarin will go a long way to meeting local women who arent prostitutes. Im sure its the same way in other countries in the region.
I recently read that a bus trip exists that goes north from Ho Chi Minh through Hanoi and to Beijing and that passengers may exit/enter the bus trip as they please. Sounds like a great way to see some sights and take in culture for a reasonable price. I will be going back to Barnes & Noble to buy the book this week and will post more about it then.
Asian hotels are always open for business and reservations are not necessary, but of course better to have if possible.
Enjoy your trip in Asia.
I have several Asian travel websites...once I find them, I will post.
:niceass:
Another travel tip:
1.) Have a great time and keep posting your plays! (though I'll bet that government has the sites blocked.)
2.) Don't spray grafitti on cars
3.) If you do spray grafitti on cars don't get caught.
4.) If you do get caught after spraying grafitti on cars take the caining rather than jail time.
5.) If you do get cained see if you can still try to get to a computer and post your plays that day.
tulsa
1.) Have a great time and keep posting your plays! (though I'll bet that government has the sites blocked.)
2.) Don't spray grafitti on cars
3.) If you do spray grafitti on cars don't get caught.
4.) If you do get caught after spraying grafitti on cars take the caining rather than jail time.
5.) If you do get cained see if you can still try to get to a computer and post your plays that day.
tulsa
Wow! This is all great advice! Thanks all for the input guys. It seems to me that I will have to return to Asia since I will only be there for 3-5 weeks. I will only have less than a week after my assignment to travel but I hope to travel on weekends if I'm not working.
Christian, I'm seriously thinking about staying at the Peninsula. My company will be paying for my hotels so I won't be paying rent during that time. They won't pay for the hotel I stay at after my assignment but I will have saved up enough money to afford that.
WildBill, I remember you posting a bit about your trip to Vietnam. You said the people were really what made it worth visiting there. Any ideas on places to go there? My boss said that when he went to Vietnam he visited a museum that had old land mines that were meant for US soldiers. He thought it was kind of un-nerving to see those.
Tulsa, I'm guessing the NBA games start at 8am local time so I hope to be able to follow them at work. We'll see.
Christian, I'm seriously thinking about staying at the Peninsula. My company will be paying for my hotels so I won't be paying rent during that time. They won't pay for the hotel I stay at after my assignment but I will have saved up enough money to afford that.
WildBill, I remember you posting a bit about your trip to Vietnam. You said the people were really what made it worth visiting there. Any ideas on places to go there? My boss said that when he went to Vietnam he visited a museum that had old land mines that were meant for US soldiers. He thought it was kind of un-nerving to see those.
Tulsa, I'm guessing the NBA games start at 8am local time so I hope to be able to follow them at work. We'll see.
