Southeast Asia (Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Burma/Myanmar, etc)

[PJ]

This area, SE Asia, is one of my favorites in the world.
I know that I will go there one day to see its wonders and connect with the people.

One thing that I found lacking in China is spiritualism.
I've been to a lot of temples, but it seems they're just tourist traps.
I would love to go to a place that is truly dedicated to the cultivation of spiritual enlightenment.

[Tom]

I would love to go to a place that is truly dedicated to the cultivation of spiritual enlightenment.

Shaolin is the right place for you, my friend.

[PJ]

Shaolin is the right place for you, my friend.

Not sure.
I heard they're just in existence for tourist profit now
(as many Mainland establishments have become).

[Thor]

This area, SE Asia, is one of my favorites in the world.
I know that I will go there one day to see its wonders and connect with the people.

One thing that I found lacking in China is spiritualism.
I've been to a lot of temples, but it seems they're just tourist traps.
I would love to go to a place that is truly dedicated to the cultivation of spiritual enlightenment.

If you do visit Brunei, you must go across to Sarawak to visit the Niah caves. In these caves they found human remains dated 40,000 years old.
You must also try to meet some locals and stay in a Longhouse.

These are must do as you will have bragging rights and stories of these adventure to tell for the rest of your life.

[HuangYushi]

If you do visit Brunei, you must go across to Sarawak to visit the Niah caves. In these caves they found human remains dated 40,000 years old.
You must also try to meet some locals and stay in a Longhouse.

These are must do as you will have bragging rights and stories of these adventure to tell for the rest of your life.

And when you're in Sarawak, you might as well go to Sabah and climb Kinabalu. The climb is short but the sunrise is absolute wonderful. Then, go to Sipadan and see the fish (scuba-dive).

[sunnysnow]

I would love to travel Mainland SEA one day and visit all the beautiful sites, shrines and coastal areas of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma etc.

Im not that familiar with the religion part but i think they've historically been influenced alot by Animism, Hinduism and Buddhism, though the religions are localized and hence not the type you find in India or China. Also why their religious temples and shrines are of very different architecture.

[dgfds01]

Not sure.
I heard they're just in existence for tourist profit now
(as many Mainland establishments have become).

Yep. Shaolin's super-commercialised. To even get to the temple itself, you'll have to pass countless kungfu schools, souvenir shops (brand spanking new buildings in traditional design), ticket gates, THE Shaolin kungfu school (complete with merchandise), and other souvenir sellers at the main entrance itself. There're plenty of 'monks' around, but I seriously doubt the live anywhere around the temple grounds. Their duties = collect tourist dollars selling charms, joss-sticks etc.

Though once you get pass the ticket gates, it's quite a pleasant walk to the temple itself. And the Pagoda Forest is worth a look.

[Hoju!]

And when you're in Sarawak, you might as well go to Sabah and climb Kinabalu. The climb is short but the sunrise is absolute wonderful. Then, go to Sipadan and see the fish (scuba-dive).

HYS (or anyone else), have you dived at Sipadan? I am trying to plan a trip there in mid-October. Would you have any recommendations on how many days of boat-diving I should plan for? I'm thinking 5 days, but will it be overkill with 3 dives a day?

I plan on going to KL and Singapore for a couple of days each at the end of the trip, but there's 5-6 days of free time in between that and Sipadan. Anyone have any idea whether Pulau Tioman would still have good diving conditions in the last week of Oct? (I know it's getting close to monsoon season around that time.) Or should I plan for some time in Sabah instead?

Thanks all for your help.

[beansprouts]

SE Asia is my favourite place in the world... er, I live here

Go to Cambodia and see Angkor Wat, it's a spectacular place. Don't just visit the main temple but travel around and see the other temples in the area, which in my opinion are even more interesting. The unfortunate thing is that the place is not as well kept as tourist destinations in other countries. Then again you get the more rustic feel to the temples without all the fake restoration and locals at every corner shoving souvenirs in your face.



Oh yes, come to Singapore too, it's one big shopping centre.

[HuangYushi]

HYS (or anyone else), have you dived at Sipadan? I am trying to plan a trip there in mid-October. Would you have any recommendations on how many days of boat-diving I should plan for? I'm thinking 5 days, but will it be overkill with 3 dives a day?

I plan on going to KL and Singapore for a couple of days each at the end of the trip, but there's 5-6 days of free time in between that and Sipadan. Anyone have any idea whether Pulau Tioman would still have good diving conditions in the last week of Oct? (I know it's getting close to monsoon season around that time.) Or should I plan for some time in Sabah instead?

Thanks all for your help.

I haven't dived at Sipadan yet, but it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. It would be wise to consult a seasoned dive operator (and book the corresponding services), since they would be more familiar with the weather as well as the best underwater locations for the time of your visit. They'd also probably be able to advise you on the frequency of dives.

I wouldn't advise Tioman in late October, so you could consider spending time in Sabah (since it's just a short hop from Sipadan). The forest reserves are worth visiting if you like wildlife, and if you are the sort that enjoys homestays (stay-overs) with tribal peoples, you could find a tour operator who would be able to arrange short 2-day 1-night visits or similar.

But whatever you finally decide on, it is important to get experienced operators for any tour/activity.

If you don't mind, where are you from?

HYS

[Hoju!]

I haven't dived at Sipadan yet, but it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. It would be wise to consult a seasoned dive operator (and book the corresponding services), since they would be more familiar with the weather as well as the best underwater locations for the time of your visit. They'd also probably be able to advise you on the frequency of dives.

I wouldn't advise Tioman in late October, so you could consider spending time in Sabah (since it's just a short hop from Sipadan). The forest reserves are worth visiting if you like wildlife, and if you are the sort that enjoys homestays (stay-overs) with tribal peoples, you could find a tour operator who would be able to arrange short 2-day 1-night visits or similar.

But whatever you finally decide on, it is important to get experienced operators for any tour/activity.

If you don't mind, where are you from?

HYS

Thanks for your reply and recommendations, HYS.

I have narrowed the Sipadan dive down to two dive resorts and both seem to be highly recommended by many. From the pictures and what I've read, Sipadan looks and sounds amazing.

And many thanks for your recommendation on Tioman. I was hoping to sneak a few more dives in but had been wary of the weather conditions that I might encounter. Sabah it is!

I am interested in a few things in Sabah - the forest reserves and orangutans, the caves, and Turtle Island. 5 days is not a lot of time, so unfortunately, we're going to have to pick and choose. We are still trying to find a tour operator, but I'm not very good at "roughing it."

I'm from Canada.

[atlantean0208]

Thanks for your reply and recommendations, HYS.

I have narrowed the Sipadan dive down to two dive resorts and both seem to be highly recommended by many. From the pictures and what I've read, Sipadan looks and sounds amazing.

And many thanks for your recommendation on Tioman. I was hoping to sneak a few more dives in but had been wary of the weather conditions that I might encounter. Sabah it is!

I am interested in a few things in Sabah - the forest reserves and orangutans, the caves, and Turtle Island. 5 days is not a lot of time, so unfortunately, we're going to have to pick and choose. We are still trying to find a tour operator, but I'm not very good at "roughing it."

I'm from Canada.

Orangutans (Sepilok)/Turtle Island (Selingan Island) is in Sandakan while Sipadan is in Tawau. Yours truly is actually born and bred in Tawau before relocated to the southern part of Malaysian Peninsular. From KL need to fly to KK then fly to Sandakan then fly again to Tawau. So lots of flying, very tiring. Ground transportation is not that good/pleasant in Sabah and very far in between. The road is not that good compare to the one in peninsular. So must have good time management.

To go to Sipadan, need to go to this town called Semporna then using boat going to Mabol Island. This is where all the divers staying. No accomodation is allowed at Sipadan island to preserve the environment/coral. So in the morning a boat will bring the divers to Sipadan from Mabol and back in the afternoon. So you got to visit to 2 beautiful islands for the visit.

In Semporna you can also visit the floating restaurant where you can choose (seafood) what you want to eat which are still living/swimming around the floating restaurant hehehe. If you're lucky you can find Nemo there - j/k . Well that is if you're into seafood or can eat them (colorful fish big and small, squid, big squid, prawn, crab etc). Just ask your tour guide about this when you're in Semporna. But beware they don't fillet the fish, so take care when eating them hehe. Usually the fish stomach will be removed and the fish cook/fried/grilled as whole which include the head (my favorite hehe - well in Malaysia, fish head is a delicacy especially the big one).

When I'm in the UK studying, the fishmonger always fillet the fish (Salmon) and throw away the head. I always buy them cheap, around 15 pence per-head, extremely cheap.

Also if you're in KK, you also can ask your guide to visit the Mount Kinabalu National Park, very nice environment, cold weather (well if you missed your Canadian weather that is ) and you can check out the Rafflesia flower.

[Hoju!]

Thanks HYS and atlantean (long time no talk, btw) for the help.

I'd been hoping my next post would tell you about the fabulous days in Sabah I had booked, but unfortunately timing is not working no matter how hard I try. Sipadan is a must and I have nearly got that secured (Kapalai... looks gorgeous!), but I think we may end up going to Georgetown instead of doing all the cool rainforest trekking on Sabah.

Since we have only 5 days or so after I leave Sipadan, I'm debating whether I should go to KK and Mt Kinablu Park before Georgetown. I'd love to see the Rafflesia flower! But I thought I read that they're very rare in their natural environment?

Thanks for the tip about seafood in Semporna. I can't wait for that!

[atlantean0208]

Thanks HYS and atlantean (long time no talk, btw) for the help.

I'd been hoping my next post would tell you about the fabulous days in Sabah I had booked, but unfortunately timing is not working no matter how hard I try. Sipadan is a must and I have nearly got that secured (Kapalai... looks gorgeous!), but I think we may end up going to Georgetown instead of doing all the cool rainforest trekking on Sabah.

Since we have only 5 days or so after I leave Sipadan, I'm debating whether I should go to KK and Mt Kinablu Park before Georgetown. I'd love to see the Rafflesia flower! But I thought I read that they're very rare in their natural environment?

Thanks for the tip about seafood in Semporna. I can't wait for that!

Georgetown, you mean Penang Island yeh? That's a very nice island that still maintain it's colonial heritage (British). The UNESCO even declared Georgetown as a world heritage site this year (and also Malacca which you should also visit if you got the time). Don't forget to visit Tg Bungah, Bt. Feringghi and Gurney Drive went you go to Penang.

Hope you enjoy your visit to Malaysia, or maybe you're done already with the travel, are you?

[Happy Kadaw]

SE Asia is my favourite place in the world... er, I live here

Go to Cambodia and see Angkor Wat, it's a spectacular place. Don't just visit the main temple but travel around and see the other temples in the area, which in my opinion are even more interesting. The unfortunate thing is that the place is not as well kept as tourist destinations in other countries. Then again you get the more rustic feel to the temples without all the fake restoration and locals at every corner shoving souvenirs in your face.



Oh yes, come to Singapore too, it's one big shopping centre.

I'm planning to visit Cambodia next year and Angkor Wat is definitely on my list. Not sure if I'm planning to stay in the village with relatives, or in the city. I heard lots of good and bad stories from my customers visiting there.

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Awesome shot of Angkor Wat.

[resident:alien]

Just remember. . .once you get into Shaolin, don't try to leave Shaolin! You'll need to reach the peak of perfection in the Luohan Quan, the 72 Supreme Arts, and master the weapon arts of saber and staff to get past the 36 Chambers and then 18 Bronze Men. . .

On a serious note, if you ever drop into SEA, you'll need to go to LAOS and visit the PLAIN OF JARS. . .

[flamer]

How about Singapore? They worship money there.

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[Hoju!]

I haven't dived at Sipadan yet, but it's one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Hi HYS,
Just wanted to say thanks again for the help. I'm back from the trip, and you are right - Sipadan is amazing. I've uploaded some pictures we took in an album in my profile if you're interested in taking a look.

[Guo Xiang]

How about Singapore? They worship money there.

True, but not appreciated nonetheless.

[jsamador]

Slightly OT guys, but if anyone of you have pictures of Southeast Asian countries that you own can you PM me if you'd like it to be included in a coffeetable book, the agency where I work will publish? it's a non-commercial commemorative book with no compensation except for acknowledgment.