South-east Asia - Inspire me

[Guest JTS98]

Hello.

I currently live in South Korea and am right busy with work. Myself and the burd are dragging our heels on booking up our holiday over Christmas because we can't settle on where to go. All we've agreed so far is somewhere in south-east Asia with good weather and possibly some time at the beach. Seoul in winter is freezing, so good weather is vital.

We've got about two and a half weeks over Christmas and new year.

So far we've gone through ideas like KL to Bangkok by train, some Thai islands, overland from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok. Can't settle on anything. Problem is that I used to live in Malaysia and Sri Lanka so have done lots of the region to death. That said, I also know that it's good and most parts of it are an enjoyable holiday.

Someone give me an idea. I'm stuck.

[MONKMAN]

The Bangkok to KL trains are fucking horrendous, get a flight. Go to Bali.

[DiegoDiego]

Stay the f**k away from Bali. Go to Vietnam.

[dirty dingus]

Go east, I spend a lot of time on Koh Chang which has great beaches and loads of activites, can also visit couple of out lying islands of koh mhak and koh kut. it also doesn't have much of the club 18-30 squads that you'll find on the southern islands. I usually stay around Kai bae/klong prao. lonley beach is where you'll find the hippy gap year folk and white sands has a more laddish feel to it. If you are up for it Cambodia is just down the coast and going into koh kong for a couple of nights can be good crack. Everywhere is easily accesible on a scoot. KL to Bangkok train is murder, bumpy and noisy the whole way. Beds arn't up to much either and it's the same price to fly. Isan is good to visit too as very few tourists and a lot cheaper. You can also visit Laos quite easily from here. I visit Thai family in Chaiyaphum for a week not much touristy stuff around but get the true feel of Thai life.

[Tight minge]

Stay the f**k away from Bali. Go to Vietnam.

 

This is the answer. Vietnam.

 

Will be colder up north around Hanoi/Hai Phong (not near as cold as SK of course). Ho Chi Minh for a few days, hire a bike and drive up to Cu Chi tunnels for a day and drive down the Mekong Delta. Head to Nha Trang, Da Nang or even Mui ne for the beaches of fly to Phu Quoc.

 

Alternatively doss around Cambodia.

 

Bali is fine but around the beaches just Ibiza for Australians.

 

 

[hk blues]

The obvious answer is the Philippines.

[Guest JTS98]

 

Cheers for the input folks.

At the moment Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, possibly the Philippines are all in contention. High level negotiations will take place tomorrow to try and nail this down. I'm usually good with sorting out holidays, but I've hit a brick wall here. The burd is the same. Part of the problem is maybe that we've both been to so much of the region that it's becoming hard to pick.

On 9/8/2017 at 19:02, MONKMAN said:

The Bangkok to KL trains are fucking horrendous, get a flight. Go to Bali.

 

I disagree. I did that trip a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. Wouldn't be doing it in one go, but four or five legs. Different strokes.

3 hours ago, hk blues said:

The obvious answer is the Philippines.
 

Where would be good at that time of year?

[Tight minge]

 
Where would be good at that time of year?

He's taking the piss ;-) Mindanao is under Martial law until the end of the year and the rest of the country is under an official 'state of emergency'.

[S7C]

My parents got back from Langkawi and droned on about it for weeks, but probably pricey at that time of year.

[Guest JTS98]

1 hour ago, Tight John McVeigh is a tit said:

 

He's taking the piss ;-) Mindanao is under Martial law until the end of the year and the rest of the country is under an official 'state of emergency'.

 

Ah, missed that. A couple I know went there a few weeks ago, so I thought it might have been serious.

28 minutes ago, S7C said:

My parents got back from Langkawi and droned on about it for weeks, but probably pricey at that time of year.

Langkawi's good, aye. It's a maybe for me. Right cheap bevvy and a good pizza place on the beach. Nice for a few days.

[Tight minge]

I have a pantomime hatred of The Philippines (although it's based on some horrendous experiences while living there and the current political climate). I'm back and forth on business there about every month and every month there are issues and problems (mostly minor, illogical inconveniences, but some very serious). It is generally a horrendous place. But HK Blues, who currently lives there and being from Dundee, finds the environment of murder kidnappings, thievery etc a higher standard of living than he is used to.

In fairness, where I lived and currently travel to and the fact I'm conducting business puts me closer to the idiotic side of The Philippines whereas HK Blues is settled in a more rural area which is pretty much untouched by the ongoing issues, and having experienced that side of the Philippines before I know where he is coming from, but dont tell him that.

The drawback right now is the ongoing 'war on drugs' and the free for all murder that it allows, which has escalated recently when a young boy was murdered under the guise of the 'WOD' and police reports suggested a gun battle but cctv showed an execution.

They are also own going issues with fighting muslim separatists some of whom have attached themselves to ISIS and the government are making a mess of that. There is an on going warning not to travel to certain areas including Palawan which is one of the key tourist places and in fact most western countries advise against going at all just now. Kidnapping of foreigners has increased again recently.

[hk blues]

14 hours ago, JTS98 said:

 

Cheers for the input folks.

At the moment Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, possibly the Philippines are all in contention. High level negotiations will take place tomorrow to try and nail this down. I'm usually good with sorting out holidays, but I've hit a brick wall here. The burd is the same. Part of the problem is maybe that we've both been to so much of the region that it's becoming hard to pick.

 

I disagree. I did that trip a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. Wouldn't be doing it in one go, but four or five legs. Different strokes.

Where would be good at that time of year?

I was, as astutely pointed out, taking the piss.

Seriously though, there are a few good spots here, and it's not necessarily as dangerous as being portrayed in the media.  It's just the simple fact that there are countless better options that don't have the baggage that you'll get here in the Philippines.

[hk blues]

6 hours ago, Tight John McVeigh is a tit said:

I have a pantomime hatred of The Philippines (although it's based on some horrendous experiences while living there and the current political climate). I'm back and forth on business there about every month and every month there are issues and problems (mostly minor, illogical inconveniences, but some very serious). It is generally a horrendous place. But HK Blues, who currently lives there and being from Dundee, finds the environment of murder kidnappings, thievery etc a higher standard of living than he is used to.

In fairness, where I lived and currently travel to and the fact I'm conducting business puts me closer to the idiotic side of The Philippines whereas HK Blues is settled in a more rural area which is pretty much untouched by the ongoing issues, and having experienced that side of the Philippines before I know where he is coming from, but dont tell him that.

The drawback right now is the ongoing 'war on drugs' and the free for all murder that it allows, which has escalated recently when a young boy was murdered under the guise of the 'WOD' and police reports suggested a gun battle but cctv showed an execution.

They are also own going issues with fighting muslim separatists some of whom have attached themselves to ISIS and the government are making a mess of that. There is an on going warning not to travel to certain areas including Palawan which is one of the key tourist places and in fact most western countries advise against going at all just now. Kidnapping of foreigners has increased again recently.

Wouldn't disagree with any of that - well, maybe the Dundee bit - I don't think you emphasised the gap between the two sufficiently!

As we've discussed before, the exposure we both have paints two completely different pictures. I'm well below the radar, not interacting much with the locals and almost not at all with business people or Government departments - to be honest, the negative publicity is kinda up my street as it puts back development here to a certain extent which keeps things cheap and cheerful for me living far from the madness.  Selfish - totally.

I've got a buddy whose in Palawan at the moment with a friend from the US. I'm not sure if he realises how dangerous it CAN be, it takes a wee bit digging to get a more accurate picture of what is going on, and what's not.

[Tight minge]

Wouldn't disagree with any of that - well, maybe the Dundee bit - I don't think you emphasised the gap between the two sufficiently!
As we've discussed before, the exposure we both have paints two completely different pictures. I'm well below the radar, not interacting much with the locals and almost not at all with business people or Government departments - to be honest, the negative publicity is kinda up my street as it puts back development here to a certain extent which keeps things cheap and cheerful for me living far from the madness.  Selfish - totally.
I've got a buddy whose in Palawan at the moment with a friend from the US. I'm not sure if he realises how dangerous it CAN be, it takes a wee bit digging to get a more accurate picture of what is going on, and what's not.

I'm back over again next week, usual jaunt, Cavite, Manila, Laguna with the usual nonsense. I was over at short notice about 3 weeks ago and couldn't book Philippine Airlines as I usually do, so came over Singapore Airlines meaning into t3. Went to pick the car up at the 'in terminal pick up' to find that the company arent there. It took two hours to get to t1, pick the car up and on the way with a lot of shouting as customer service doesnt exist. Company said return the car to t3 and we will meet you there. Did they hell. Nearly missed my flight home and many phone calls to get it sorted with the police and security involved as they seen an empty car abandoned outside the terminal building as a security risk, funny that under the circumstances. Ended up just abandoning the car to catch my flight. Fair play to the car rental agent, they investigated it and refunded my money.

Time before I had a puncture in cavite and went to change the spare to find out balder than a jeepneys tyre. Of course trying to get that sorted followed the usual, what do I get to make it worth my while from the car hire employees.

Time before that was the 'lock in' in the hotel when the loonet went on the rampage in the casino.

Come to think of it, is not the Philippines, it's me!

Palawan, is not a place of go right now, to much 'evidence' pointing to a kidnapping got spot, although this are maybe calming down a little.

Think I'll need to go to Cebu, before the end of the year, one day I'll head to the jungle for a beer with you.

[hk blues]

 

I'm back over again next week, usual jaunt, Cavite, Manila, Laguna with the usual nonsense. I was over at short notice about 3 weeks ago and couldn't book Philippine Airlines as I usually do, so came over Singapore Airlines meaning into t3. Went to pick the car up at the 'in terminal pick up' to find that the company arent there. It took two hours to get to t1, pick the car up and on the way with a lot of shouting as customer service doesnt exist. Company said return the car to t3 and we will meet you there. Did they hell. Nearly missed my flight home and many phone calls to get it sorted with the police and security involved as they seen an empty car abandoned outside the terminal building as a security risk, funny that under the circumstances. Ended up just abandoning the car to catch my flight. Fair play to the car rental agent, they investigated it and refunded my money.

 

Time before I had a puncture in cavite and went to change the spare to find out balder than a jeepneys tyre. Of course trying to get that sorted followed the usual, what do I get to make it worth my while from the car hire employees.

 

Time before that was the 'lock in' in the hotel when the loonet went on the rampage in the casino.

 

Come to think of it, is not the Philippines, it's me!

 

Palawan, is not a place of go right now, to much 'evidence' pointing to a kidnapping got spot, although this are maybe calming down a little.

 

Think I'll need to go to Cebu, before the end of the year, one day I'll head to the jungle for a beer with you.

 

It's the perfect country...until you need someone to do something i.e.their job. As long as i don't need to interact with locals, I'm doing fine!

 

2 incidents the past week 1- numerous staff in SM City appliances yet could I entice one to serve me? And when I collared one you'd think I'd murdered her family (would consider it!) by asking her to get the appliance. Then 3 separate queues to get the thing. Pay-Wrap-Security! 2- Needed my rear wall waterproofed. Waited almost 21/2 months, bloke did it yesterday. The side wall that is! Now they will need to paint the rear wall AND the side wall - not a small job.

 

I guess the Philippines is the perfect example of a great country being fucked up by its people.

 

P.S. yep, if you're heading out of civilisation let me know and we'll grab a San Mig or three.

 

[Tight minge]

It's the perfect country...until you need someone to do something i.e.their job. As long as i don't need to interact with locals, I'm doing fine!
 
2 incidents the past week 1- numerous staff in SM City appliances yet could I entice one to serve me? And when I collared one you'd think I'd murdered her family (would consider it!) by asking her to get the appliance. Then 3 separate queues to get the thing. Pay-Wrap-Security! 2- Needed my rear wall waterproofed. Waited almost 21/2 months, bloke did it yesterday. The side wall that is! Now they will need to paint the rear wall AND the side wall - not a small job.
 
I guess the Philippines is the perfect example of a great country being fucked up by its people.
 
P.S. yep, if you're heading out of civilisation let me know and we'll grab a San Mig or three.
 

And that's daily life in The Philippines and on the whole they treat each other as bad. I think one of the reasons I get so wound up about the place is it actually could be great. Even the people, they are jekyll and Hyde. Get them good and they are great, but the bad side is damn right evil and spiteful and they are generally, frankly lazy and selfish.

When I lost my internet connection after a typhoon. 3 months of took to get it back on with me shouting at them daily. Never stopped them billing me monthly. Don't of my neighbours never got theres back for 6 months and it was just accepted.

Trying to do business in the country is the most soul destroying thing, but it is years of poor education, religious interference and government corruption.

[hk blues]

And that's daily life in The Philippines and on the whole they treat each other as bad. I think one of the reasons I get so wound up about the place is it actually could be great. Even the people, they are jekyll and Hyde. Get them good and they are great, but the bad side is damn right evil and spiteful and they are generally, frankly lazy and selfish.

When I lost my internet connection after a typhoon. 3 months of took to get it back on with me shouting at them daily. Never stopped them billing me monthly. Don't of my neighbours never got theres back for 6 months and it was just accepted.

Trying to do business in the country is the most soul destroying thing, but it is years of poor education, religious interference and government corruption.

As much as I sympathise with many here, as they say - you get the government you deserve!

[Tight minge]

As much as I sympathise with many here, as they say - you get the government you deserve!

 

They are too few good people, but they are some. But when the whole political sphere is controlled by so few families and the lack of education means you can buy a vote for a t-shirt and a couple of hundred peso, how can the good prevail? Duterte has made a stab at it, but he is making as many screw ups as successes (which could be naivety, or only being able to work with the hand he is dealt).

 

The fact he cannot solve the siege in Mindanao, the police charged with kidnapping, the recent police 'execution' and now his son implicated in the drugs trade he is so much against and of course the state of emergency that is impacting on business investment and tourism.

 

The whole irony is they are good people there, the country has a good manufacturing base and massive tourism potential and a country where English is widely spoken. It really should be a leading light in South East Asia.

 

As I said it's a pantomime hatred I have based on reality, but having lived there so long and so long in South East Asia and my life bring here now, i really hope it can become a success.

 

 

ETA: I'd also say a lot of the issues in The Philippines have not been helped by its great ally, the US who really have killed the country with little in return.

[throbber]

Vietnam is amazing, travelling about is pretty tough going though. I remember getting the bus between Ho Chi Minh and Mui Ne and it wasn't much fun. Ho Chi Minh is pretty in your face and rowdy place to go if you're not used to that sort of thing, me and the Mrs certainly weren't prepared for it and had quite a shock when we go there! Hoi An was the best place to visit there, it was just such a magical town that you can get totally lost in. Hannoi was a very nice city as well and Ha Long Bay is an amazing place to visit, you can get all sorts of boat tours around there and its well worth doing. 

[hk blues]

Vietnam is amazing, travelling about is pretty tough going though. I remember getting the bus between Ho Chi Minh and Mui Ne and it wasn't much fun. Ho Chi Minh is pretty in your face and rowdy place to go if you're not used to that sort of thing, me and the Mrs certainly weren't prepared for it and had quite a shock when we go there! Hoi An was the best place to visit there, it was just such a magical town that you can get totally lost in. Hannoi was a very nice city as well and Ha Long Bay is an amazing place to visit, you can get all sorts of boat tours around there and its well worth doing. 

I loved HCM city...it's certainly in your face but full of activity and energy, the polar opposite of where I am now. The mass of motorcycles/mopeds requires some getting used to when crossing roads but adds to the whole feeling. It reminds me of how Bangkok used to be (and still is in some places)20 or so years ago.