We're going to be traveling around Asia while we're in the Philippines. I've only been to Korea and mr bee has only been to Japan. We will definitely visit both again as we have family there. But there are so many other wonderful destinations! Which would you recommend or where do you most want to visit?
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Thailand! Bangkok is definitely worth spending a few days and then go south to the beach. We went to Ko Lanta last time.
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All of it? I really want to see Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. And Hong Kong!
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Kuala Lumpur! Such amazing food.
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We loved Thailand! Although unlike @lamariniere: we would definitely avoid Bangkok next time around, especially with LOs now.
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Definitely Vietnam! And Laos was very much a favorite of mine to visit.
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@MenagerieMama: we took DS when he was 2 and it was fine. But I have a lot of family there, so we had some help with getting around. Bangkok has fabulous shopping, which would be a perk for the Bees since they are so isolated.
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@lamariniere: Good point on the shopping! And having family would definitely help. We went while there were riots and the country was in a state of emergency last year and we just also couldn't get over all the pollution! But I think if we had help from locals it would have been way better. Especially help interpreting all the street vendors that looked delicious but I was too scared to try and order anything! Ate lots of pad Thai and mangos
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My very favorite places for a holiday were Boracay and Cebu....but since you have gorgeous beaches covered already, I'd say:
Skiing in Japan (Nozawa Onsen) combined with a trip to Tokyo
Elephant experience of some sort in Thailand - there are some cool "luxury camps" you can stay at that rehabilitate elephants, or some resorts in Phuket/Hua Hin/ other beach towns keep a few on property.
I didn't love the cities in Vietnam particularly with kids, but did a cool river cruise that would be fun with kids....and the food is so good!
Combining a trip to Beijing for historical site seeing with s stopover in Hong Kong (great food, shopping, hiking, horse races...) would also be fun.
Taipei is also easy for a short weekend trip.
You have so many amazing choices!
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@MenagerieMama: oh man, that's unlucky that you were there during the riots. My dad was born and raised in Thailand but he immigrated to the US when he was 19. We were with him the last time and he didn't even know what some of the street food was!
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Siem Reap, Cambodia!
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Thailand is amazing. Bangkok has incredible food - both high end and street food. Koh Phi Phi is gorgeous. Koh Lanta had good diving but not as gorgeous as other islands in that region.
Angkor Wat is a must-see. Siem Reap is surprisingly easy to travel to/around and the food is also soooo good. Please do not leave Asia without seeing this place. You can easily spend two-four days wandering around the Angkor Wat complex and surrounding temples. I'd get a guide one day and then go it alone after that to just soak it in.
Bali is gorgeous, but it does get a bit overrun on the weekends. It is a quick weekend getaway for the Aussies so it can have a bit of that "Australia North" feel. Perhaps that's only annoying if you've trekked through 4 airports for two days to get there (from North America). But Ubud is magical beyond belief either way. Do not miss Ubud.
If you're willing to head off the beaten track to a relatively "undiscovered" place, do whatever you can to get to Raja Ampat (in West Papua, Indonesia). There is currently one eco-hotel but the really magical way to see this place is aboard a boat for a week-long sail or motor around the archipelago. Google it. The image search is totally accurate. That place is the most mind-blowingly beautiful place I've ever been and is, right now, even moreso because it is undeveloped. I've traveled to over 40 countries all over the world and this place tops my list, seriously.
Singapore is a fun long weekend city destination - again, great food. Cool architecture. Insane shopping.
Finally, India is not exactly close for you, but it's far closer than it was from NYC! And it is incredible. Not to be missed in this lifetime.
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All of it! I spent the summer living in Singapore and I love everywhere I traveled to around Southeast Asia.
Places I Travelled To:
Singapore / Pulau Ubin
Hong Kong
Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi tunnels)
Malaysia (KL, JB, Putrajaya, Penang)
Cambodia (Siem Reap / Angkor Wat)
Thailand (Phuket)And while not as close to where you are, I have seen some stunning photos from friends who have traveled to Mongolia. It is definitely a new bucket list location for me!
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I loved Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. I was meh about Vietnam.
I want to see India and the Caucuses...
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@stratosphere: Just googled Raja Ampat -- WOW, it looks stunning!
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HIGHLY recommend Thailand (Chiang Mai and Koh Lanta were our favorite places) and Siem Reap/Angkor Wat. If you can, go to Chiang Mai in November for the Loi Krathong/Yi Peng lantern festival. Completely phenomenal.
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Thailand and Cambodia.
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@MrsSCB: Yes, Raja Ampat is insanely beautiful. And almost all of the islands are completely uninhabited, so it truly feels like Robinson Crusoe to sail up to some random idyllic isle with no humans in sight. It is crazy remote--you have to fly into Jakarta and then to Makkassar and then finally to Sorong, and set sail from there. It took us basically 2 full days travel to get there from Singapore, but oh so worth it. There is not really a faster way to get there quite yet but I think that will all change soon as it gets discovered.
And if you dive or surf it has both in spades. Many of the commercial charters that run in that region are primarily liveaboard dive boats.
It is definitely a destination to add to your bucket list!
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Hong Kong! My travel experience is limited, but I had a great time there and cannot wait to go back again. A lot of fun activities for kids too!
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Check out Jenna sue design blog. She just spent a few months traveling all over south east Asia and actually went to where you now live!! Her pictures are stunning!
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@stratosphere: wow, I am completely jealous and in awe of your travels!! I googled raja ampat - insane! Would love to get there some day, and to Asia in general.
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There are so many beautiful places in the Philippines! We went to Coron, Boracay, Bohol and Cebu City. Bali is also amazing, specifically ubud and Jimbaran.
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Yet another vote for Thailand and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
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We are heading to our first trip to Tokyo in April but I eventually want to check out Taiwan and/or Hong Kong. And Korea at some point. Oh and I have been to Beijing 3x for work related reasons so I guess I don't associate it with leisure travel.
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- Malaysia for the food! So so good! We only went to KL, but they have some gorgeous beaches we want to go back and visit (but may be a little redundant for you?).
- Taiwan and Hong Kong are amazing for food as well!
- Cambodia (Angkor Wat) would be incredible for the whole family, the kids would have so much fun climbing the temples. We went with a 5 year old!I loved reading about this family's travels as well - they did a very extensive Asia trip with 2 toddlers! http://www.wheressharon.com/asia/
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I vote Hong Kong b/c that's my birth place and it has awesome food
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