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17 days in SE Asia, where to go?

Posted by on

Hi
I have return flights booked for me and my 21 year old Son in last weeks of September 26 to Singapore with 16 days in-between to travel the nearby locations. I have done Malaysia KL, Penang and Langkawi already so they are out.
We will do several days in Singapore last to ensure we are there for the return flight.
So we’re to go? I’ve looked at Bali but to be honest it looks very messy and ruined? We would like to visit Ubud.
We both love culture, food and nature especially Snorkelling but also a little bit of night life.
I simply cannot decide there’s so many options, Borneo, Lombok, Gili isles, Flores, Palawan islands.
Our ide so far is to immediately travel to Bali 3 days in Ubud, then travel to Flores for 5 or 6 days and then Singapore for 5 days. We could reduce this and fit 2 or 3 days in Lombok to the itinerary but don’t want to lose too much time travelling.

Any experiences and ideas would be great, where have you been, where would you recommend, what’s your thoughts in Bali?

Thanks
Michael

Posted by
1110 posts

The southern part of Bali (including Ubud) is super touristy, with LOTS of traffic. The north is somewhat less touristy, and based on what you've described, you may like Lovina. While it's not my cup if tea (being a cheap holiday destination for Australians, and a quick long weekend spot from Singapore) is have to admit the resorts are nice, and the service and geberal friendliness is great.

I'm not familiar with Flores, but it would certainly be on my list to visit.

You mentioned Borneo. Its divided between Sarawak and Sabah (Malaysia) and Kalimantan (Indonesia). For what you're looking for, you should consider Sabah.

So perhaps Singapore + Sabah?

Posted by
9768 posts

We loved Singapore, did five days there.
Thailand and Malaysia were very nice.
Bali was good, but Indonesia in general wasn't so wonderful.

Posted by
153 posts

We went to Lombok last August, did snorkeling in the secret gilis ( gili sudak. Kedus and tangkong), it was nice not crowded.
Also went for a walk at ricefield with a guide, visited some waterfalls.
Flores is also nice that's my next bucket list. To see komodo national park, snorkling, padar island, etc
Indonesia is more than just Bali.
Try to visit some volcanoes in Java.
You will get tons more info if you post in tripadvisor

Posted by
3208 posts

Maybe consider a side trip to Hong Kong - an easy connection from Singapore. The city itself is fascinating, and there are potential day trips (or tours) over to Macau or across the border to Shenzhen in mainland China.

Posted by
1871 posts

Try to avoid Cambodia, which is now notorious for kidnapping tourists (often from other Asian countries) as agents for cyber crime.
I know that somebody will respond by saying that they were ok in Cambodia, but safety is not a guaranteed thing these days.

Posted by
46 posts

I spent a week in Flores some time ago and I understand the tourist infrastructure is much more developed now- it wasn't at all in the early 90s but that meant there hardly any tourists there. The people are Melanesian and Catholic. There is a sensational mountain-Keli Mutu with 3 different coloured crater lakes. Lovely beaches and beautiful Ikat weaving villages. The roads were dreadful and back then the villagers had to do the labour to build them, under Central Government supervision (Javanese who swaggered around with guns) It was fascinating and I still think of it as one of the most interesting places I have been to.

Posted by
787 posts

Vietnam?
Hanoi and the north; including Ha Giang loop
Saigon and the south; including an island or two.

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