To Malaysia... and beyond!

amictus

Thanks once again for your help Doshwaster.


The indirect options (via Kuala Lumpur) I'm considering are...

Air Asia - 08:15 > 09:05 / 10:40 - 11:40 (£45)
Air Asia - 08:15 > 09:05 / 11:30 - 12:40 (£45)
Air Asia - 10:50 > 11:50 / 13:40 - 14:45 (£45)
Malaysia Airlines - 09:00 > 09:55 / 12:20 - 13:25 (£55)

Doshwaster wrote: »

Air Asia certainly wouldn't transfer your bags - they aree a point to point airline like Eayjet or Ryanair (just better). Malaysian should transfer your bags.

In this case, I guess the preferred indirect option would be Malaysia Airlines.

Doshwaster wrote: »

I'm sure you are aware that Malaysian use the main KUL airport but Air Asia use the LCTT (low cost carrier terminal. Everything in KL is known by initials!) which is miles away from the main airport. There is a bus service but I wouldn't like to use it if I had a tight connection. From central KL there is an excellent, and cheap, bus service to LCTT run by Air Asia: http://www.skybus.com.my/

If flying back to KL to catch an onward international flight I would always fly Malaysian to avoid the terminal transfer and the hassle with the baggage.

I was actually not aware of this, so thanks for pointing it out. However, if I were to book an indirect flight via Kuala Lumpur with Air Asia, I would book both legs of the journey with them, so I don't think I wouldn't need to transfer to the main airport.

Doshwaster wrote: »

Delays are possible due to the unpredictable nature of the Malaysian weather so if the fares are reasonable then I would probably fly direct.

Reasonably priced direct flights are available but the times are not particularly convenient...

Thai Air - 08:10 > 08:50 (£80)
Air Asia - 17:05 > 17:45 (£45)

I would prefer to fly in the morning to avoid hanging around all day for an afternoon flight. However, the Thai Air flight would probably mean getting up a bit too early for comfort!

Doshwaster wrote: »

I've found that the luggage charges for Air Asia and Malaysian to be very reasonable.

Air Asia were offering 30kg for about £10 which is very reasonable. With Malaysia Airlines I couldn't work out a way of adding extra weight to the basic fare... the only way I could get the allowance to 25kg is by selecting the premium fare (£190!). I couldn't work out how to specify baggage allowance with the Thai Air flight either!


All considered, it looks as though the direct afternoon flight with Air Asia is the obvious choice. Is there anything else I should be considering?

Doshwaster

owains wrote: »

Air Asia - 17:05 > 17:45 (£45)

That looks like the perfect flight. It still gives you time to do a trip or something on your last day in Penang and get into Bangkok at a reasonable time.

There's nothing worse than having your last night somewhere ruined by knowing you have to get up early the next morning. The night-life in Penang may not be as..err.. "lively" as Bangkok (nowhere in the world is) but there are still good times to be had.

amictus

Doshwaster wrote: »

That looks like the perfect flight. It still gives you time to do a trip or something on your last day in Penang and get into Bangkok at a reasonable time.

There's nothing worse than having your last night somewhere ruined by knowing you have to get up early the next morning. The night-life in Penang may not be as..err.. "lively" as Bangkok (nowhere in the world is) but there are still good times to be had.

Agreed... I think I will probably get this flight booked this weekend.

When I went through the booking steps on the website, they offered seat reservation for a few pounds... is this necessary?

Doshwaster

owains wrote: »

Agreed... I think I will probably get this flight booked this weekend.

When I went through the booking steps on the website, they offered seat reservation for a few pounds... is this necessary?

It's such a short flight I wouldn't bother but you way want to secure a window seat to enjoy the view.

slinga

A few comments on some of the above.
Don't want to violently disagree with anyone as it's a personal thing/choice anyway.
First CNY in Singapore can be quite boring.
It's a 3 day holiday and things shut down from about 5pm on CNY Eve.
Because it is family oriented then not much happens elsewhere.
Get to China town before it closes for the holiday.
Best to be laying on a beach somewhere over CNY IMO.
Hotel 81 are generally considered knocking shops although they look quite nice externally.
Been very wet here recently http://app2.nea.gov.sg/3hnowcast.aspx but don't wear a plastic raincoat as you'll get just as wet from perspiration inside it. Just use a large umbrella. Not expensive here, one per person.
On Penang then this place shouldn't be missed http://www.penang-hotels.com/cheongfatttze/ they do a very nice tour there around the place and you can stay in one of their rooms.
Try this place for a nice evening meal. Both local and international menus and the waiters are worth the visit.
http://www.what2seeonline.com/2009/08/bagan-bar-and-restaurant-penang/ We always go there. It's not snobbish there I always wear shorts, no problem.

Oh yeah Penang Hill railway gives great views as long as it is working.
Don't use a taxi to drive around Penag unless you do it off the meter. Too expensive, but ask a price from a taxi driver if you want.
It's easy to drive but if not better to hire a car.
Three or four hours to drive around the island non stop but you can see batik 'factories', butterfly farms, durian farms, herb nurseries and on the west side a few old world towns. Well worth doing with the drive over the central 'mountains' being very interesting.
There is a bus which will take you around the Heritage Trail in Georgetown and you can get off where you want and then re join the next bus after having looked around.
3 full days in KL is a waste imo.
Get down to Malacca for at least a night. You know it makes sense.

And although I said I didn't want to violently disagree with anyone I have to say Red Garden night market in Penang is a disappointment. Especially if you go to Newton Circus in Singapore. many will say Newton is a tout's paradise but if you go with Singapore friends you'll be OK and there are more varied dishes at Newton than at the Red market. You can try them both and let us know your thoughts.

Oh yeah desiman asked about Aldy Hotel Stadthuys in Malacca.
Well it's in a very good position and the rooms look fine from their site. Price is good as well. It looks slightly more grotty from the outside in real life and although they have a restaurant on the ground floor we've never tried it. But having now seen their site we might well try it when we are off back up there in a few weeks to buy some paintings which we liked last time we were there.

amictus

Doshwaster wrote: »

It's such a short flight I wouldn't bother but you way want to secure a window seat to enjoy the view.

Well for the sake a few pounds I'll probably do just that. I guess this is how these budget airlines make their money!

slinga wrote: »

Been very wet here recently http://app2.nea.gov.sg/3hnowcast.aspx but don't wear a plastic raincoat as you'll get just as wet from perspiration inside it. Just use a large umbrella.

Hadn't thought of this... umbrella it is!

slinga wrote: »

On Penang then this place shouldn't be missed http://www.penang-hotels.com/cheongfatttze/ they do a very nice tour there around the place and you can stay in one of their rooms.

Yeah this definitely on the "to visit" list. I did a quick price check but, as a solo traveller, the prices are too much for me to stay overnight. I'll just have to cope with an afternoon tea one day

For accommodation in Penang, I've decided I'm going to going to follow earlier recommendations and give Hutton Lodge a go. I was hoping to book today... so, if you have any comments, please speak up now! I was planning to book using Hostelworld rather than using the booking form on their independent website, as I thought this might be a more secure option. I would probably send off an email to confirm my booking. Would there be any reason to book direct?

slinga wrote: »

Try this place for a nice evening meal. Both local and international menus and the waiters are worth the visit.
http://www.what2seeonline.com/2009/08/bagan-bar-and-restaurant-penang/ We always go there. It's not snobbish there I always wear shorts, no problem.

Thanks for the recommendation. I must admit, this looks a little bit classier than the kind of places I had in mind, but I'll keep it in mind in case I want to treat myself to something a bit fancy

slinga wrote: »

3 full days in KL is a waste imo.
Get down to Malacca for at least a night. You know it makes sense.

After doing some more thinking I decided on 2 days in Kuala Lumpur. I'll still be skipping out Melaka, but I'll have more time in Penang to get out of Georgetown on day trips.

slinga wrote: »

Don't use a taxi to drive around Penag unless you do it off the meter. Too expensive, but ask a price from a taxi driver if you want.
It's easy to drive but if not better to hire a car.
Three or four hours to drive around the island non stop but you can see batik 'factories', butterfly farms, durian farms, herb nurseries and on the west side a few old world towns. Well worth doing with the drive over the central 'mountains' being very interesting.

Thanks for the tip. As I said, with a bit more time in Penang, I should be able to explore the island a bit. Not yet sure how I'll get from place to place yet, but I guess I'll consider hiring a car.

slinga wrote: »

And although I said I didn't want to violently disagree with anyone I have to say Red Garden night market in Penang is a disappointment. Especially if you go to Newton Circus in Singapore. many will say Newton is a tout's paradise but if you go with Singapore friends you'll be OK and there are more varied dishes at Newton than at the Red market. You can try them both and let us know your thoughts.

OK, in that case, I'll definitely request a visit to Newton Circus when with my friend in Singapore. With a few evenings to spend in Penang, I may well visit the Red Garden market too!

Doshwaster

slinga wrote: »

And although I said I didn't want to violently disagree with anyone I have to say Red Garden night market in Penang is a disappointment. Especially if you go to Newton Circus in Singapore. many will say Newton is a tout's paradise but if you go with Singapore friends you'll be OK and there are more varied dishes at Newton than at the Red market. You can try them both and let us know your thoughts.

I suppose with these hawker food markets there is a balance between being authentic and tourist friendly. It must be great to visit with locals otherwise they can be bewildering places with so many choices. Red garden may not be the most authentic of places but I found it easy to use and friendly.

Another good area for food is Jalan Alor in KL (near the Bukit Bintang monorail stop) which has loads of outside food stalls as well as plenty of bars: http://www.malaysiasite.nl/jalanaloreng.htm - it's easy to spend a whole evening drifting from stall to stall trying their specialities.

amictus

Doshwaster wrote: »

I suppose with these hawker food markets there is a balance between being authentic and tourist friendly. It must be great to visit with locals otherwise they can be bewildering places with so many choices. Red garden may not be the most authentic of places but I found it easy to use and friendly.

Another good area for food is Jalan Alor in KL (near the Bukit Bintang monorail stop) which has loads of outside food stalls as well as plenty of bars: http://www.malaysiasite.nl/jalanaloreng.htm - it's easy to spend a whole evening drifting from stall to stall trying their specialities.

Thanks for the tip. These food markets sound like a lot of fun... it looks as though I'm going to spend a lot of my time just eating!

slinga

If you are in Sing and fancy some seafood then ask your friends to take you to the East Coast Food Centre.
Lots of places for seafood in Sing but imo this is the best. Maybe 8 seafood restaurants there.
Also Race Course Rd, either Muthu's or the Banana Leaf for a great Fish Head Curry. Not to be missed.

Malaysia including Penang can be a bit off putting for hawker food as it's not the cleanest environment.
But seldom get gut rot from it.

If you are in the Batu Feringhee/Tanjong Bungah area of Penang then look out for the Crab House Restaurant, worth taking the time to find.
Great prawns and crabs dry fried and ask them to point out the height the water reached during the Tsunami.
And right next door there is a hawker centre where 'pratta ice cream and banana dish' is a great dessert after the Crab House.

Doshwaster

owains wrote: »

Thanks for the tip. These food markets sound like a lot of fun... it looks as though I'm going to spend a lot of my time just eating!

There are certainly worse ways to spend your time...

I hope that when you come back you give us a comprehensive trip report. Going from Singapore to KL to Bangkok you are going to see three very different cities - though Penang will surely be the highlight.

I'm sure you will have a fantastic time. Malaysia really is a undiscovered country for British holiday makers. Unlike certain parts of Thailand it hasn't yet been spoiled by mass tourism so now is a good time to go (well, a few years ago was even better when the exchange rate was much more favourable!)