Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,358
2 nights in Singapore is probably about the right length of time
Visiting Asia
- Thread starter Skint Gull
- Start date
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I have travelled quite a bit in South East Asia - as others have said you haven't got time to go to that many places if you can only afford two weeks.
Thailand - Worth spending a few days in Bangkok, there's lots to see and then head north to Chiang Mai to see the hilltribes. If you want beach life Phi Phi and Krabi are nice.
Malaysia - KL is ok for a couple of days. I really liked Penang - loads of places to see there. Not been to Langkawi but heard good reports.
Malaysian Borneo - Well worth the effort of the extra journey. Not that much in KK but good as a base to go up Mount Kinabalu (I didn't make it to the top, far too old and unfit though you don't need to be *that* fit!). If you make it to Borneo though you should head north to Sandakan and take a trip down the Kinabatangan River which is absolutely amazing as ELS has said, as is the whole area around there. Well worth spending a few days up there. You can see so much wildlife at really close quarters.
Singapore - I didn't really think that much of Singapore, some nice stuff to see but nothing 'real' somehow. Nighlife ok around the Clark's Quay area with loads of bars and restaurants.
Next year I'm planning Vietnam and Cambodia and maybe Laos if I can fit it in, just thought it might be a bit too much of a culture shock for Junior Bion this year.
There's some quite good fares to be had on Singapore Air and their cheap airline Silk Air, their website is quite good for getting a detailed quote including all the short hops you want to make. As others have said, Air Asia is cheap too and can be booked online.
Thailand - Worth spending a few days in Bangkok, there's lots to see and then head north to Chiang Mai to see the hilltribes. If you want beach life Phi Phi and Krabi are nice.
Malaysia - KL is ok for a couple of days. I really liked Penang - loads of places to see there. Not been to Langkawi but heard good reports.
Malaysian Borneo - Well worth the effort of the extra journey. Not that much in KK but good as a base to go up Mount Kinabalu (I didn't make it to the top, far too old and unfit though you don't need to be *that* fit!). If you make it to Borneo though you should head north to Sandakan and take a trip down the Kinabatangan River which is absolutely amazing as ELS has said, as is the whole area around there. Well worth spending a few days up there. You can see so much wildlife at really close quarters.
Singapore - I didn't really think that much of Singapore, some nice stuff to see but nothing 'real' somehow. Nighlife ok around the Clark's Quay area with loads of bars and restaurants.
Next year I'm planning Vietnam and Cambodia and maybe Laos if I can fit it in, just thought it might be a bit too much of a culture shock for Junior Bion this year.
There's some quite good fares to be had on Singapore Air and their cheap airline Silk Air, their website is quite good for getting a detailed quote including all the short hops you want to make. As others have said, Air Asia is cheap too and can be booked online.
London Pompous
Active member
- Feb 16, 2008
- 660
I'm off to Honk Kong in the New Year for a week, any tips?
Half Time Pies
Well-known member
My mate who is a pilot and spends a lot of time in Hong wrote the following excellent suggestions of things to do out for us when we went there:
Attractions:
“The Peak”- Victoria Peak is on Hong Kong Island. Get a Taxi up to the top and then the Peak Tram on the way down. There are shops, bars and restaurants. I would recommend Café Deco for an evening meal. The peak walk is a 45 min stroll around the top with 360 degrees views of the island, take your camera!! To find it come out of the shopping center and walk across to the other building to the left of this is a road follow that for 20 metres. The pathway is on the right and is signposted, take the path and enjoy the views.
“The Budda” The largest in the world, it’s on Lan Tai Island.
“Ladies Market” Just off Edgeware road in TST near your hotel, just ask for directions, everyone knows it.. you can buy anything there, but don’t forget to barter cos you will get ripped off if you don’t…. simple rule is to quarter their initial price and add a little bit depending on how much you want it!
“The Islands” My favourite two are Lama island and Cheung Chau island, they are both beautiful and very authentic with great seafood restaurants, you don’t need a menu just pick it out from the water tanks! The best way to get there is by taking the Star Ferry from Kowloon across to Hong Kong Central Ferry port for about 20p (5mins) then from there get a ferry out to one of the islands for about 2 quid (45mins)!
“TST” Tsim Sha Tsui is the commercial center of Kowloon. Nathan Road is the main street and you have several avenues spurring off it, so to navigate just ask for Nathan Road and start from there. The Red Taxis are very cheap so just use them and get a card with the name of your Hotel because most of the Cabbies don’t speak English. Ask the Concierge to write in Chinese all the places you want to go, this will save you going round in circles with the Taxi.
“The Lights show” Every night at 8pm there is a cool Laser and light display viewed from Kowloon Harbour across to the Island. All the sky line lights up in sequence. It lasts for about 15 mins and is free, it’s a bit cheesy but a nice start to the evening.
Restaurants:
“Peninsula Hotel”: Go and walk around it inside….has very nice afternoon tea! Right on the top floor is the “Felix bar”. This has great cocktails and nice views. There is also a very nice restaurant there too. Also you must visit the toilets up there… the best views you’ll ever get with your pants down….. Well almost??!!
“Peking Gardens”: Great Chinese food, good service and prices. Its on the 3rd floor (I think) in Star House right by Kowloon Harbour.
“Café Deco” Up on the peak, its my favourite place to eat…. Try the “Tom Yum Kung” Soup. Amazing views and a fantastic menu with different types of food from all over the world and a great atmosphere.
Bars:
Go to Hong Kong Island for a good night out!
“The Feather Boa” My favourite bar in all of Hong Kong. Very hard to find but well worth it! Its completely unmarked and is supposed to be a private club but no one ever checks. Get to 38 Staunton Street in Soho, Central and just keep asking the locals around there. When you eventually find it order the Chocolate Strawberry Daquiri and also the chocolate Martini with Maltesa’s. Its closed on Sundays.
“The Sahara Bar” Just round the corner from the Feather Boa in Soho. Very chilled place to enjoy a nice drink and a smoke from the many sheesha’s they have available.
“ Lan kwai Fong” (sounds like like “lick my thong”). This is where it all gets going. Many live bands and DJ bars and clubs. Go to Balaliker bar for an ice cold Vodka wearing a fur coat with a temp of –20 degrees. Its at the top of the hill on the 2nd floor.
Finish the night off in “Wan Chai” just down the road, it is the red light district but a must see! Some good fun bars are : Carnegies, Joe Bananas and Dusk till Dawn. It is compulsory to go to Ebaneezers and get a Chicken Tikka Kebab. They are the best you will ever taste and the only way to end the night off…… or begin the next day! Things wind up about 5 to 6 am although “The Bridge Bar” is open is open till midday.
manilaseagull
Used to be Swindonseagull
If you are on a budget dont use the bars and restaurants suggested in the previous post. Unless you like paying about a tenner for a drink.
Dont forget as a pilot he will be on allowances/ expences packeage, money no option.
WANCHAI has some good bars without drinking poncey chocolate strawberry dhakiri....very gay
just walk around Wanch go in any bar if you dont like it walk out..
My favourites are
Laguna.....lots of Filipino maids but only b4 10pm opens and kicks off at midday...the girls like to party all day on the day off...if you buy them drinks they do get a commission, its nothing sinister. After 10pm the professional hookers appear..
Joe Bananas
Sticky fingers ...great live bands
Peak tram dont use a taxi take the tram both ways.
markets, knock the asking price down by 2/3 then bater ie if the price ia 100 offer 30,
Stanley night market is a must see.
Cross the harbour on the ferry
if you like it cheesy do a night cruise/ meal in the harbour on a junk...again ask for discount on the tickey price.
If you buy electronic gear check it before you walk away as most guarantees are not valid...even if they say they are. Try and use cash NOT a credit card as they are often copied.
Get the west island line to the new territories
Go to a travel agents and get a Visa for Schenczen City (china proper) go there on the train just for a day...the border crossing is something else!!!!
everything is cheaper in schenczen but the same as Hong Kong a lot is fake (very very good fakes)
If you want any more info PM me...remember HK can be done on the cheap as not everyone is on pilots wages..
AW
Dont forget as a pilot he will be on allowances/ expences packeage, money no option.
WANCHAI has some good bars without drinking poncey chocolate strawberry dhakiri....very gay
just walk around Wanch go in any bar if you dont like it walk out..
My favourites are
Laguna.....lots of Filipino maids but only b4 10pm opens and kicks off at midday...the girls like to party all day on the day off...if you buy them drinks they do get a commission, its nothing sinister. After 10pm the professional hookers appear..
Joe Bananas
Sticky fingers ...great live bands
Peak tram dont use a taxi take the tram both ways.
markets, knock the asking price down by 2/3 then bater ie if the price ia 100 offer 30,
Stanley night market is a must see.
Cross the harbour on the ferry
if you like it cheesy do a night cruise/ meal in the harbour on a junk...again ask for discount on the tickey price.
If you buy electronic gear check it before you walk away as most guarantees are not valid...even if they say they are. Try and use cash NOT a credit card as they are often copied.
Get the west island line to the new territories
Go to a travel agents and get a Visa for Schenczen City (china proper) go there on the train just for a day...the border crossing is something else!!!!
everything is cheaper in schenczen but the same as Hong Kong a lot is fake (very very good fakes)
If you want any more info PM me...remember HK can be done on the cheap as not everyone is on pilots wages..
AW
Last edited:
manilaseagull
Used to be Swindonseagull
I dont want to live in the UK ....does that make it bad?
cheeseroll
New member
Pretty much spot on but Laguna is populated mainly by Indo maids these days though the professionals from Phillipines come in later.
Don't forget Amazonia, two very good bands on in there, the second band - Icebox play exceptional covers of some pretty good songs (Supergrass, Chilly peppers, Nirvana and even Stone Roses).
Half Time Pies
Well-known member
Don't think he mentioned anything about being on a budget?!
Im not on Pilots wages but didn't find any of the suggestions (with the exception of the peninsula hotel) excessively expensive. Certainly if you are used to London prices then you won't be in for a shock.
- Jul 8, 2003
- 1,586
Thats about right. I spent a month there and it's just too man made and sterile.
I'm off to China next week for work but I won't have any free time
maybe 1/2 day in Hong Kong on way home.
Trufflehound
Re-enfranchised
manilaseagull
Used to be Swindonseagull
You really are a sad f***....a typical tourist who has been here for a few weeks, formed your own opinion...obviously molded by your girlfriend and now you think you know it all?
Please when you are in Mnaila next time feel free to ask any of the 240 staff in our office if we are exploiting them.
I will give you a personal tour so you can ask.
Until then Shut the f*** up you opinionated little muppet....OR show me the evidence of ME exploiting Filipinos.
GNF on Tour
Registered Twunt
Don't go to Phiket, its not the fantastic place it once was. Best beach in Thailand is Railay Beach near Krabi, buts it s not a party scene, not much of one anyway. Ko Samet is nice as well. I always like Bangkok, place is bonkers and I get a buzz out of that, alwayts do a trawl through MBK for dodgy DVD's and electronics and Siam Paragon for designer gear and low low prices.