Help with travel destination in asia...

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Disrespective

1925 posts

Uber Geek

#214086 27-Apr-2017 11:47

My Father in law travels extensively with singapore airlines and has graciously offered my family and I the use of some of his airpoints for a holiday at the end of the year, however I have no idea where we should go.

The airpoints are with singapore airlines who really only fly in the asian region. Their destinations are here: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/plan-travel/destinations/

We have two small boys and don't relish the idea of holidaying in an urban environment so beaches are pretty high on the preference list but neither my wife or I have done any travel in asia at all so really don't know where we should start to look. We thought the Maldives (Male) might be fun (we'll never go back), but a brief look at where to stay made my sphincter pucker.

Have any of you traveled in asia enough to know where might be nice to go and relax, that is kid friendly, without having to fill my boogie board bag with weed to pay off the CC bills when we return?

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4243 posts

Uber Geek

#1771187 27-Apr-2017 12:02

have you looked at Club Med, they have some nice resorts in Asia, kid friendly and all inclusive and they are having sales at the moment.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

alliao

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1771201 27-Apr-2017 12:18

End of the year means it's going to be winter there!

There're many tiny islands that'd be great, but I don't think Singapore Air would fly out to them...

Big islands like Taiwan might suit you, but then it's going to be cold in winter. Around 25 degrees :)

I'd recommend staying in places like this

It'd be quite a fun bullet train ride from the airport, takes about 2-3hours I'm not sure. But Taiwan's not big, 350km or so in length. And train's fast.

On the east coast, there's an insane hotel where racing tracks are built for kids to play.

</shameless plug>

I was born there hence the plug haha, I've travelled in South Korea/Japan/Singapore/Thailand and for what you're aiming for, Thailand/Bali would be pretty decent too. But then you can't brag about holidaying in a country that's not a country! I think you will find people are generally helpful and friendly in Asia.

English works in tourist hot spots, as well as in ultra urban cities like Singapore/Hong Kong. And yes, no weed anywhere near Singapore. They do death penalties over there, ain't worth it.

Have fun~!

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#1771212 27-Apr-2017 12:30

I would go to Phuket. You can fly to Singapore with SA and then jump on a cheap flight to Phuket (Air asia/Tigerair/Jet star). Hundreds of resorts including branded ones. Do not stay in Patong, or limit it to a day or two, its like a city on a beach, and is touristy as hell. Great place to visit, but equally its a great place to leave and get back to the quiet beaches.

Personally I like the quieter locations, but remote = not as much to do. Have stayed north of Phuket as well in an area called Khao Lak. We stayed at the Mariott during the earl peak time (November) and that was great. Lots of local resteraunts, water sports, little towns nearby. My brother went to Khao Lak on our recommendation after some city time in Bangkok and stayed at the Pullman with a private pool for less than $200 a night.

Have also stayed in Mai Khao beach in Phuket, its north of the airport. For a budget conscious traveller you could stay at the Holiday Inn resort there its very nice, and 4 star in Thailand is like 5 star here. Your looking at $200ish NZD a night for two roomsin October, seasonal prices go up late October. All big resorts have kids activities, the HI for example has separate children play areas and kids pool. In fact heading back to Mai Khao this year for a week.

If you were going to put holidays on a spectrum the Maldives would be one of the single most expensive places to holiday, so your puckering does not surprise me ;)

timmmay

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#1771227 27-Apr-2017 13:01

Thailand is great, I've been twice, including a few years ago for my honeymoon. My favorite place was Koh Samui. There are busy towns, but we stayed at a nice resort close to a small town, it was super relaxing. I haven't been to Phuket, I think it's a bit busier.

A big hotel / resort with a kids club sounds like a good idea.

floydbloke

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#1771243 27-Apr-2017 13:45

Another vote for Thailand here. haven't been to Phuket but Koh Samui is fantastic.

We didn't do the resort thing, instead opted for a rental car and to rent a house on the other side of the island up in the hilss a bit. A 3 bedroom house for the 4 of us so the kids got a room each, and a private pool shared with one other house that just happened to be unoccupied while we were there.

If you do go there a trip to Angthong marine reserve is a must.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

Batman

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#1771288 27-Apr-2017 14:26

I prefer Malaysia, slightly more civilized for the un-adventurous like me. The economy is crap so the exchange rate is extremely favorable. [And you don't have crooks at every corner trying to get you to part with your money (Thailand). But Thailand is much cheaper.]

There is an island that is little known, not hoarded by tourists ... called Tioman Island. Is like the Maldives. I don't know how you get there though. Or how kid friendly. Check out firefly airline - it might take you there. Uber is very easy to use in Malaysia, reliable.

The other places in Malaysia would be Pangkor Laut resort. I have stayed there and if you can get a local to book for you - even cheaper. Not hoarded by tourists.

I have heard of Langkawi Island but have never been there. It would be very touristy I would think.

I don't recommend driving in Malaysia or Thailand unless you have driven there before. Road rules are more like a guide. Lanes are optional.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#1771407 27-Apr-2017 16:14

joker97:

I prefer Malaysia, slightly more civilized for the un-adventurous like me.

But there's no bacon*!!!!

*Pork is the only real bacon in life

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nakedmolerat

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#1771411 27-Apr-2017 16:25

itxtme:
joker97:

I prefer Malaysia, slightly more civilized for the un-adventurous like me.

But there's no bacon*!!!!

*Pork is the only real bacon in life

Obviously you have never been to Malaysia.... There are countless stalls selling pork in the city. Malaysia is a multiracial country. Heck I even met a few Indians here that went to Batu Caves for Hindu celebration - apparently the temple is well known in the Hindu community.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#1771448 27-Apr-2017 17:39

^ Nah been to most places in SE Asia including Malaysia. It was a joke about the hotels not serving bacon at their amazing breakfast buffets.

Batman

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#1771472 27-Apr-2017 18:23

itxtme:
joker97:

I prefer Malaysia, slightly more civilized for the un-adventurous like me.

But there's no bacon*!!!!

*Pork is the only real bacon in life

It has every vice you can name, and yes pork in abundance. If you travel halfway around the world to eat bacon, well maybe you should stay put in Gore...

UHD

655 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1771494 27-Apr-2017 19:31

itxtme:

^ Nah been to most places in SE Asia including Malaysia. It was a joke about the hotels not serving bacon at their amazing breakfast buffets.

I just got back from msia a month ago and I think I have a photo of a bacon mountain in a large serving bowl from one of my hotel breakfast buffets.

Disrespective

1925 posts

Uber Geek

#1771600 27-Apr-2017 22:17

Thanks guys. My research now has some direction which is good. I'll no doubt have more questions!

Amosnz

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#1771601 27-Apr-2017 22:31

floydbloke:

Another vote for Thailand here. haven't been to Phuket but Koh Samui is fantastic.

We didn't do the resort thing, instead opted for a rental car and to rent a house on the other side of the island up in the hilss a bit. A 3 bedroom house for the 4 of us so the kids got a room each, and a private pool shared with one other house that just happened to be unoccupied while we were there.

If you do go there a trip to Angthong marine reserve is a must.

Another vote for Thailand. I've been to Phuket and Koh Samui (Samui twice). Samui is much more family friendly than Phuket. Phuket is more orientated those keen on drinking to excess and lying on the beach all day, its also very commercialized since the floods.

We also went to Chang Mai (north end of Thailand so no beach). Its very family friendly, and the main transport around town is a tuk tuk (samui it's best to rent a car and drive yourself).

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Nimma

98 posts

Master Geek

#1771690 28-Apr-2017 09:54

Great topic, I'm planning on holidaying with my wife, 5yo and 3yo boys somewhere between August and November. Did Fiji last year and Raro the year before and resorts we perfect for their ages and our relaxation. I'm an explorer at heart but it's a horses for courses thing. We're thinking about upping the flight time now and Phuket is what I'm looking at right now. Might start looking at Koh Samui based on some of the recommendations here - thanks.

Batman

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#1771761 28-Apr-2017 11:14

Bali? Never been there - just throwing it in as I suddenly recall it.

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