Andy04 Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 I agree with Malaysia (go to Penang or Kota Kinabalu but stay away from KL). Malaysia is cheap, still very culturally strong and has plenty of things to do. Try climbing Mt Kinabalu or diving Sipadan? Alternatively go to Bali and see how deplorable young Australian's can behave once they discover very cheap beer.
thecrowder Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 You guys are making me hungry... there's a great Malaysian "street food" restaurant in Seattle, awesome food! The only one I ever tried was Satay in Wallingford, and while decent, the food in Malaysia is so much better! Curry Mee for breakfast--life doesn't get any better! 1
AlohaStyle Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 The only one I ever tried was Satay in Wallingford, and while decent, the food in Malaysia is so much better! Curry Mee for breakfast--life doesn't get any better! That's the one I'm talking about. And yes, I imagine the food is much better in country, but for Seattle, I'll take it. lol
Ken Gargett Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 What was weird about Sri Landa, out of curiosity? to be honest, a great deal of it i would not put in writing. but to give you an idea, within an hour of arriving (i was on a food/wine trip presenting for a major hotel with a chef mate of mine), we had both had to take our phones off the hook for the rest of the trip as we'd been offered everything from men, women, children, dogs, goats and even an elephant. and any other sick thing you could imagine. a lot must have been coming from workers within the hotel or some 'organised' chain. bizarre.
Fuzz Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 The only one I ever tried was Satay in Wallingford, and while decent, the food in Malaysia is so much better! Curry Mee for breakfast--life doesn't get any better! Ahh, my favourite breakfast meal whenever I'm in Malaysia, siu yuk kari mai fun mee!
AlohaStyle Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 we'd been offered everything from men, women, children, dogs, goats and even an elephant. and any other sick thing you could imagine. a lot must have been coming from workers within the hotel or some 'organised' chain. bizarre. So what did you choose Ken?!?
ZinZan Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 I'd throw Myanmar for something off the beaten track. It's a beautiful country, I didn't get travel much besides work something I regret though. But in the short time I was there so much great nature potential. 1
CBL Posted July 11, 2014 Posted July 11, 2014 Bali and Malaysia are fun, but they're no Taiwan. I've never heard of anyone not falling in love with Taiwan after their first visit. Plus it's still somewhat unspoiled by rowdy tourists, unlike Bali. Also Taiwan has a very diverse landscape. Night market street food in Taiwan is second to non if you're an adventurous eater. Btw. Taiwan has been named the second safest country in the world, with only Japan being safer. 1
kittipong Posted July 12, 2014 Posted July 12, 2014 Bangkok is great fun, never sleep as Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Phuket. If you like beautiful sea sand and sun, go to Phuket or Krabi or Koh Samui. Now it's long holiday in Thailand, I am here in Ao Nang - Krabi. From Thailand you can easily go to Laos and Cambodia. If you come to Bangkok, drop me PM then we can herf some cigar at a very funny bar in town. 1
Bill Hayes Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 I have been to Bali, Thailand and Vietnam. Having a holiday based around getting your dive ticket can be restrictive. You need to do quite a few written tests etc and would probably take about 4 or 5 days to get your PADI Open Water ticket. From the 3 countries mentioned Thailand would give you the best option for this plus be able to include other adventures in the mix IMHO. I would consider the island of Koh Tao. I have dived there. It's the most northern island above Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan.... The current is different up there and the water is clearer. I dived the east side from Tanote Bay and got cliff accommodation there overlooking the bay which was great. About 10 years ago though. That part of the world is seasonal. The monsoon season determines which side of the actual Thai Peninsula you dive. The Pi Pi side or the Koh Samui side. Sail Rock on the east of Koh Tao is a great dive and I saw a whale shark. In Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan the water is milky green for the most part but they are good islands to party etc. I tried scuba in Vietnam but it seemed pretty baron. That's not to say there's some areas that are good there. Vietnam is interesting for food, markets, war history, street bars that literally spill onto the street where you sit on little plastic chairs and drink big glasses of icy cold beer and eat the best roasted peanuts you've tasted and watch the world go by while smoking a cigar. Lots of variety from Saigon to Hanoi. I have been to Bali quite a while ago and hear it has changed dramatically from when I went so can't really comment there. All the best. PS. If I was to go scuba diving overseas I would choose the Solomons again but that's the south pacific...or maybe Tonga to dive with whales or maybe.....doh! 1
Ken Gargett Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Btw. Taiwan has been named the second safest country in the world, with only Japan being safer. i enjoyed taiwan but got serious food poisoning. i can remember meeting up with a couple of lawyers and how truly stunned they were to learn that in some parts of the world, you could actually drink water direct from the tap (and no, that wasn't how i got it). interesting re the safest country bit. was in finland recently and they assured me that it is the safest place. given i'd ask things like - it is two in the morning and i have to walk back to my hotel. is there anywhere i shouldn't go? they'd look at me like i was mad and ask why. no problem going anywhere at any time. as far as i could tell, even in helsinki, no one locks cars or houses.
malba2366 Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 India...so many beautiful sights like the Taj Mahal, Jaipur Lake Palace, rajasthan safaris. Nightlife in Mumbai is pretty impressive, and out of this world in Goa! Pretty safe as well, as the Muslim equation is kept in pretty good check in India!
cigarbreak Posted July 15, 2014 Posted July 15, 2014 Go to Philippines, specifically either Bohol or Panglawan. The former I have been to a couple years ago and saw amazing unique things like the Chocolate Hills (Limestone formations that are really astounding to see in person and on the internet lol) I also got to visit a 15th Century church made completely with coral dragged in from the sea by slaves of the Spaniards, as well as these furry little creatures only found in may two places in the world called Tarsiers. Creepy looking things the size of your palms but with eyes the size of large coins. The food is amazing if you stay at one of the hotels in Bohol as the beach restaurants after 5 pm all bring out a table to sell by wieght all the fresh catch of the day which they then cook and serve you. Unforgettable experience. Would definitely do it again. Panglawan is another story which I have yet to visit but the main attraction is the underground river which by all accounts is also a bucketlist/remember for the rest of your life kinda trip.
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