To Malaysia... and beyond!

PompeyPete

I see you've mentioned Yangon (Rangoon).
Myanmar (Burma) is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world.
But to get any benefit from the country you really need a couple of weeks at least, and if you are only planning an overnighter then it's hardly worth bothering getting a visa.

skid112

do the train from Singapore to KL great and easy way to travel

jammin_2

skid112 wrote: »

do the train from Singapore to KL great and easy way to travel

But 2.4 times the price. To be MSE would be to take a bus to JB then KTM to KL.

On the other hand, Emperor Lee and his disciples are soon to close the Tanjong Pagar railway station when they take ownership from Malaysia, so maybe you want to experience it before then. Note, chop on Malaysia white card, not in passport.

The only problem with Singapore is the Chinese. Too many. Raffles would be turning in his grave. Bloody William Farquhar.

amictus

PompeyPete wrote: »

I see you've mentioned Yangon (Rangoon).
Myanmar (Burma) is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world.
But to get any benefit from the country you really need a couple of weeks at least, and if you are only planning an overnighter then it's hardly worth bothering getting a visa.

Well I was thinking of Yangoon or Bangkok as a possible places to spend my last week if I decide to leave Malaysia. I realise I wouldn't be able to see a great deal, just thought it might be possible to get an impression. I certainly plan to return to this part of the world to explore more thoroughly... I just don't know when I will be able to!

skid112 wrote: »

do the train from Singapore to KL great and easy way to travel

jammin wrote: »

But 2.4 times the price. To be MSE would be to take a bus to JB then KTM to KL.

On the other hand, Emperor Lee and his disciples are soon to close the Tanjong Pagar railway station when they take ownership from Malaysia, so maybe you want to experience it before then. Note, chop on Malaysia white card, not in passport.

The only problem with Singapore is the Chinese. Too many. Raffles would be turning in his grave. Bloody William Farquhar.

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will certainly try the overnight train to Kuala Lumpur. If I decide to visit Taman Nagara (from Jerantut) it sounds as though the journey is an experience in itself, and so would probably travel during the day.

macdady

Try to get to Perhentian Islands if you can, Awesome place.

PompeyPete

owains wrote: »

Well I was thinking of Yangoon or Bangkok as a possible places to spend my last week if I decide to leave Malaysia. I realise I wouldn't be able to see a great deal, just thought it might be possible to get an impression. I certainly plan to return to this part of the world to explore more thoroughly... I just don't know when I will be able to!

A week in Myanmar would be a minimum, and you could definately get an impression of part of the country. You could have 3 days in Yangon, and then you'd have to decide whether to fly up to places like Bagan or Inle Lake, or stay in the south and hire a driver/guide for a few days.
We visited Myanmar for 3 weeks last February, and hired a taxi/driver/guide for 2 weeks. The taxi cost US$ 800 inclusive of petrol, tolls, and the drivers accommodation/food. It was an adventure as a lot of the roads are primitive, and the taxi was a 20 year old beat-up toyota saloon. Right hand drive (they drive on the right - or are supposed to!), no seat belts or A/C! All standard sort of stuff for Myanmar, but great fun, beautiful country and fantastic people.
If I were you I'd go onto the Myanmar Trip Advisor forum, and get an idea of what other people do. The local forum experts are very knowledgeable.
Don't discount Cambodia either for a few days.

Alcmene

I love Singapore, you will have a great time.

As has been mentioned, check Singapore Airlines, they will do free stopovers in Singapore, plus they are the best airline I have flown with.

It might be an idea to have a chat with a broker, I have used Dial-a-Flight several times before and they have always been super helpful.

Janie2008

You could fly into Singapore and out of KL if you went with say Emirates which might save some time.

The islands off the East coast are fantastic, just look at some pictures on the net and April would be a good month to visit. The beaches in Penang are not up to much.

You could fly to Borneo instead of going to Taman Negara and the Cameron highlands. Have a good look at Air Asia. You can fly for instance KL to Kuching and back to Penang or Singapore to Kuching and back to KL. Kuching is great, you can visit Bako national park and the Orangutan sanctuary.

Kl is not that different to Singapore, I prefer Singapore so I wouldn't spend to long there. Melaka is great, last year we went direct from KL airport by taxi to Melaka.

There are so many possible itineries I'm sure you will have a great time whatever you decide.

Doshwaster

owains wrote: »

Alternatively, how feasible would it be to get an outward flight to Singapore, with a return flight from, say, Bangkok? Is this much more expensive than getting a return flight?

What you are looking for is an "open jaw" ticket. They are usually no more expensive - and sometimes even cheaper - than a single return. That you need is an airline which serves both SIN and BKK. BA is one choice but I would suggest looking at Emirates via Dubai.

Malaysia and Thailand are both fantastic - it's just a shame the exchange rate has fallen off a cliff over the last few years.

KL is interesting enough but 2-3 days is usually enough for most people.

My favourite place in Malaysia is Georgetown, Penang. It's a fantastic melting pot of Malay, Thai, Indian, Chinese and Colonial influences and has some of the best food anywhere in the world.

The beaches of Penang aren't great but you can take the ferry to Langkawi which is your perfect tropical island where nothing ever happens. One of the best places in the world for doing absolutely nothing.

In Thailand, Phuket is expensive and over developed but is a great base for exploring the area including islands such as Phi-Phi.

Everyone has a love-hate relationship with Bangkok. For 2 days it's one of the most exciting cities on the planet but after that most people want to get the hell out of the place in search of some peace and quiet. My most recent discovery has been Northern Thailand where the scenery is fantastic and the cost of living much lower.

I tend to go for short 10-14 day breaks to SE Asia (can't get any longer off work!) so I usually fly around as I don't have time for the train - but I'd love to do Singapore to Bangkok one day. Air Asia are simply fantastic in terms of destinations, services and pricing but there are other low cost airlines springing up,

PompeyPete

Janie2008 wrote: »

Kuching is great, you can visit Bako national park and the Orangutan sanctuary.

Got attacked by a troup of macaques in Bako National Park. Little !!!!!!s nicked our breakfast!