Just got back from SE Asia.  Singapore is a most impressive city--21st century in a garden setting, and great food in the food courts. Plenty to see.  Georgetown, in Penang, Malaysia is quaint with old buildings; Gurney Plaza area has a great food court for great food.  Kuching in Borneo is very charming and good place to see the cultural center, orangetan preserve, and Bako National Park for animals and trekking; stay at the Hilton and request high floor with river view. Nearby is Topspot, a huge food court with great food; Hilton Chinese restaurant is also excellent. Stayed in Jogyakarta, Indonesia to see Borobudor temples and Hindu temples; recommend Phoenix hotel, and if you can afford it, Losari Coffee Plantation.

Posted Sep 21, 2011

If it was me, I would just go to Thailand for that intervening week. There is plenty to see and do. Spend a couple of days in Bangkok to see the main sights like the Grand Palace and Wat Po.

I hear Loy Krathong in CM is quite nice. I did Loy Krathong in Sukhothai a couple of years ago and it was totally amazing. It's where the whole festival originated so they have several days of events, a big "light and sound" show at the ruins, fireworks, krathong competitions, release of krathongs on a little lake, release of those balloon things that you light on fire. It's pretty spectacular. Likely even better than CM, but I would guess hotels are full there by now anyway.

There are several large national parks in the center of Thailand. We visited one near Phitsanulok that was good for a hike with some pretty outstanding views. There are some big waterfalls in the area as well.

As for old temples, they are all over the place. You can take day trips from CM to Lampang and Lamphun both of which have interesting old temples.

You could also spend a couple of days in Isaan. There is a giant old Khmer temple at Phimai which I really liked. And there is also Phnom Rung over in Buriram province close to the Cambodian border.

From Bangkok you can do day trips to Ayutthaya (one of the previous capitals) or Lop Buri with its famous old Khmer temple inhabited by monkeys. The palace museum there is quite interesting as well.

Unless you REALLY have a strong desire to see Indonesia I think you would be better off maximizing your time in country rather than spending so much time traveling between places. Stick to mainland SE Asia. You could also go to Angkor which is an easy jump to CM. Near Siem Reap there is Phnom Kulen which has a popular waterfall.

Obviously there is lots to do. I have been spending a month in SE Asia for the last 5 years and feel like I can keep doing that for years and not run out of stuff to do.

Posted Sep 20, 2011

I agree -- save indonesia for another trip. (Or, if you MUST, then go to Java or Sumatra from Singapore).

Plenty to do in Thailand, and you could take the opportunity to veer into Cambodia (Siem Reap) to see Angkor Wat for a few days -- you could fly to Siem REap from Bangkok, and then fly on the Chang Mai.

Lots to do.

Have fun.

Posted Sep 20, 2011

Hate to be negative, but think you are planning/hoping for too much. Singapore is just one the most fantastic places in the world. Sophisticated, multiple-cultural, and easily traversed, it offers the best, most reasonable food, exotic neighborhoods, with complete safety and security of any place on the planet. Chang Mai if fun, with lots to do. The festival is exciting and well worth your time. The elephant park, likewise, is unforgettable! I would extend my Singapore time, and go to the otherwise of the island to the zoo. It's unlike any zoo you've ever seen---no cages--yep, I said no cages! Go on the night walk and get the bejezzus scared out of you!! Then spend at least 5 days in Bangkok! See the Wats, Royal Place, night markets, long-tail boat rides on the klongs, etc. Fabulous!!!

Posted Sep 20, 2011

I would spend less time in Singapore and Chang Mai and make time for BOTH Bangkok and Luang Prabang, Laos, which can be reached by a one hour flight from Chang Mai.  The Elephant Nature Park in Chang Mai is "Disneyland" compared to the authentic Elephant Village in Luang Prabang. Please read my articles: http://travelpenandpalate.com/2011/02/21/mahout-for-a-day/, http://travelpenandpalate.com/2011/03/02/city-of-smoke-and-mirrors-–-luang-prabang-laos/, http://travelpenandpalate.com/2011/03/07/monk-chat-at-the-silver-ubosoth-chiang-mai/ and you'll see numerous other articles on the region. Enjoy

Posted Sep 20, 2011

My husband and I did something similar about a month ago - we had 2.5 weeks in SE Asia.  Our trip was as follows:
Days 1-5 - Singapore (Would have cut this down to about 3 days, but we were there for a wedding.  The hawker food was yummy and the city was a good introduction to the region as it feels the most like home.)
Days 6-8 - Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia - MUCH different feel of a city, but once you get used to it, some of the best food we've ever had.  I wish I had bought samosas in bulk.
Days 7-10 - Chiang Mai, Thailand.  This was a must do for me as well.  Doi Suthrep was about a half day trip, and we'd HIGHLY recommend Patara Elephant Farm for your elephant experience!  This was the only place we wished we had more time  to just relax and explore the city and surrounds.  Smart planning to give yourselves a few extra days here!
Days 11-14 - Siem Reap/Angkor Wat, Cambodia - our trip was tied between 2 for favorites - the Patara Elephant Farm and all of the ruins in Angkor Wat.  If you have extra time, it's not to be missed!  (The flight from Chiang Mai - BKK - Siem Reap was an easy one!)

At that point, we decided to head back to Singapore for our return flight via Phnom Phen (1 night) and Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights), traveling to each by bus (Mekong Express).  

Long story short - since you mentioned you were excited about food, consider a night or two in Penang (it's known for it's food!), check out the alternative elephant experience (they aren't kidding when they say you 'train' your own elephant for the day!), and spend any extra time in Angkor Wat!  

Since we literally just did this trip 1.5 months ago, all our planning is fresh in my head - feel free to contact me with any specific questions.   

Posted Sep 20, 2011

Obviously this is an area of the world that creates a lot of opinions for traveling to it.  If you want to see animals as you say, you probably want to go to Indonesia.  Even with all the cutting of the rain forests going on, it still is a great place to get out in the wild/jungle.  Especially with the cutting going on, these places and animals may be extinct before you get back in the area...  

Luckily for you, AirAsia and other discount airways here, makes flying around VERY cheap, from Bangkok, KL or Singapore to much of Indonesia may be as little as $50 RT.  For example, I have a flight from Borneo to KL in Dec that cost me $20 USD.  I would google around and choose your islands (with the animals you want to see), and price it out.  While in Chiang Mai, look at Thai Farm's cooking school, my wife wrote a review here: http://www.livingif.com/a-day-on-the-farm/

You have plenty of time to hop around, a lot of people do it.  We recently spent 6 months in SE Asia and met many people who were enjoyably flying from place to place to see what interested them.  If it helps, you can see out photos and info at http://www.livingif.com/destinations/

Posted Sep 20, 2011

Not to turn the discussion into a "battle of the elephant camps," but I hope you'll consider the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, outside of Lampang (http://www.changthai.com/).  After reviewing your very cool website, I think Malaysian Borneo would be a good choice.  It will satisfy your desire for adventure and wildlife (monkeys galore) and, when you decide to leave the river and head to the ocean, some terrific marine life. 

Posted Sep 21, 2011

Wow!  Slow down, take your time in each place or you may as well just buy the postcards!  Sounds like you have a good focus on what interests you, make some choices for a 'must do list' and leave some time for life to happen!  You could be pleasantly surprised!    

Posted Sep 21, 2011

I'd take the train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, spend a few days there, and then head to Taman Negara, which is absolutely amazing.  Wandering through Taman Negara and sleeping in one of their "tree houses" to experience the jungle at night was just jaw-droppingly crazy, in the best way.  I also loved Kuching (a great city with an organgutan reserve a short bus ride away) and Bako National Park (where you can see tons of monkeys, including the very goofy looking Probocis monkey).  If you only have a week, I'd either do KL/Taman Negara or Kuching/Borneo, but don't rush t hrough both. 

If you stay on mainland Malaysia, Penang and the Perhentian Islands are also major highlights. 

Posted Sep 22, 2011

I recommend cutting the time in Singapore to as little as possible -- it's just a giant modern city (although the food is great, I prefer the hawker food in KL). I second the motion for visiting Thai Elephant Conservation Center -- go EARLY and you get to see the mahouts bathing the elephants (lots of them) in the lake -- one of the best things I have ever seen, anywhere! Also check out Sepilok, an orangutan center in the Borneo jungle. Stay over one night so you can see the apes with a much smaller crowd in the afternoon. You can easily get to Sepilok from Sandikan. While in East Malaysia, you should visit Kuching (a wonderful small city) and Kinabalu Park (a World Heritage Site). 

Posted Sep 25, 2011

Hello Cat,

Living in Asia now for 5 years and being a teacher, I usually only have a week or two to travel and I must agree with a lot of the people  above.  You need to make a decision.  Do you want to stay in one place or see several places.  As beautiful as Taman Nagara and Kao Sok are, you will get bored there after a few days.  Perhaps some of the islands in South Island followed by Khao Sok or Taman Nagara followed by Penang or KL.  Sumatra or Borneo would be great places to see wildlife especially if you could find a place to stay with wild Orangs.  Please note that Borneo and Sumatra are much bigger than you may realize and travel in these countries takes quite a lot of time unless you plan on flying within the island. Although Bali is small and doesn't have the wildlife as some of the other islands, you definitely won't get bored in a week.  Don't try to do two islands in one week - pick one if you go to Indonesia!
Just be warned that I think you will be a little dissapointed if you want to see Tarsier, bear, etc....  I've been all around Asia and haven't seen any of those yet.  I got lucky and saw a wild elephant in Khao Sok and wild deer in Taman but other than that, mostly primates.  So, don't pick the parks based on the fact that you will see those animals.  Not saying you won't, but probably not.
BTW: in CM during Loi Kratong, there is a field outside of the city with a small wat where thousands of people go.  Forget the name but if you ask, the locals may know.  You will have to pay a song teaw or tuk-tuk driver to drive you out there and then stay there until the end where they will take you back to CM.

Good luck.

Posted Oct 01, 2011

The cooking classes in Chang Mai were awesome - definitely do at least one! I love how they took you to the markets to do all the shopping beforehand. The town of Pai outside Chang Mai was a neat little town, and I could have spent more time there. If I did it again, I would head over to Cambodia and Laos rather than go south in Thailand. Luang Prabang is gorgeous; great waterfalls, you can get up early and watch the monks' receiving alms (which was really beautiful) and the elephant village outside Luang Prabang is beautiful and well taken care of. We spent two days there and it was so much fun. Cambodia is an amazing country; I learned so much while travelling around there. Angkor Wat is so impressive; you can't miss it. Bangkok is so-so; I could take it or leave it; interesting to take in for a day I suppose. Cheap flights out of Bangkok though. Vietnam was my favorite SE Asian country. Definitely head to the North if you get the opportunity; Halong Bay, Hanoi and the jungles in the North of Vietnam are amazing. 

Posted Oct 04, 2011