I know I have yet to blog about Vietnam, my visitors, etc, but this is a hotter topic right now. Hopefully I’ll post about the former in a week or so. Below is a first draft of an itinerary I e-mailed to two friends that are considering joining me on my post HK trip. There is no commitment yet and I’m in search of friends who may be interested in case these two friends (from D.C.) bow out. This itinerary can easily work for yous guys that are from NY and CA, too. This trip is right around the corner, so if any of you are interested, let me know soon! I hope I have some travel buddies… first 2-3 to book tickets win!
1) Flight from NY to HK to NY:
- Nonstop
- Departing on Saturday, 2/26 and arriving on Sunday, 2/27
- Returning on Sunday, 3/13 (departs at 5:25pm and arrives in NY at 9:15pm)
- Approximately $1,100*
*Note: I believe NY will be cheaper. I did not see any direct flights from the DC area.
2) Hong Kong: Monday, 2/28 - Wednesday, 3/3
- I got this
- As far as accommodations go, I may be able to work something out so ya'll can live for free.
- no visa required/your passport must not expire within six months of traveling (i.e. six months clear is required)
3) Singapore: QB Matt Thomas calls an audible at the line after seeing the Defense...
- Flight from HK to Singapore departs at 11:05am, 3/3 and arrives at 2:50pm. = $126**
- no visa required/your passport must not expire within six months of traveling (i.e. six months clear is required)
- Hotel near the airport $129 (on expedia) per night but since we're staying for a few days and I need to do some more research, we can change this. (3 nights = $129 total per person)
- Plan: tbd
**Note: I am adding Singapore in because it has a favorable multi-destination flight from HK to Singapore to Cambodia. The flight total from HK to Singapore to Cambodia is $252, so I just divided it in half to put it in context. I have spent some time trying to make sense of all of this and make it work comfortably, efficiently, and economically...so, I think Laos will be substituted with Singapore instead. So, I have no Singapore content yet because I just made this change (like..now) but I know people who know things and Singapore should be easy since it isn't big. I'm not sure if we can venture into Indonesia, since it's so close, but that would be cool.
4) Cambodia: Sunday, 3/6 - Tuesday, 3/8
- Flight from Singapore to Cambodia on Sunday, 3/6 at 6:00am and arriving in Cambodia at 7:05am = $126** (** explained in note "**" above)
- Hotel: http://bloomguesthouse.com/ .... recommended by a friend and the owner is involved with altruistic activities that I support and the 16 reviews on trip advisor are all good. No more than $30/night (for a shared room). (2 nights = $20 total per person; or we can even get our own rooms and it would be $40 total per person).
- VISA REQUIRED; 6 months clear, two passport sized photos, and the proper documentation. My friends sent me this site: http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/ ... I believe this is how they applied for the visa. In briefly checking the site out, it seems like a place where we can apply for our visa.
- Plan: Siem Reap... there are amazing temples here. This is a summary from a friend:
"Ankor Wat is cool. We did it by tuk-tuk which wasn't that expensive and they drive you to a bunch of the temples and act as a sort of guide. Besides Ankor Wat definitely check out Ankor Thom (which is the one where tomb raider was filmed - if i have the name right). Its gorgeous. If you can do it, get to Ankor Wat for sunrise. You can also do the temples by bike, they're about 20/30 min by tuk tuk out of Siem Reap center, probably an hour bike ride or so. It does get mega hot tho, so hydrate A LOT. "
5) Thailand: Tuesday 3/8 - Sunday 3/13
- Flight from Cambodia to Thailand on Tuesday, 3/8 at 2:25 pm arriving in Bangkok at 3:20pm = $229
- Flight from Bangkok to Phuket*** on Wed, 3/9 at 4:55pm arriving in Phuket at 6:10 pm and returning on Fri, 3/11 at 12:50 pm arriving in Bangkok at 2:10pm. = $83 RT
- Flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong on Sunday, 3/13 at 6:30am (all night of partying and straight to a flight anyone?) and arriving in HK at 10:15am (plenty of time to catch the 5:25pm flight) = $124
- Hotels: In some preliminary searches, I don't think it will cost more than $150/night = (5 nights = no more than $250 total per person; I think we can get lower, though).
- Plan: I have some recommendations from some friends and I think it will be easy to get around these two big cities.
*** Note: I hear Phuket is super touristy and maybe not as cool/nice as some of the other islands but it's big and easy to get to and from.
6) Summary:
- The budget you guys gave me was $3,000. The above sums up to about $2,200. So, we would have about $800 to play with for food, taxis, gifts, etc.
- I still think there could be room for savings with some of the hotel options discussed above depending on location, trip advisor ratings, etc
- I suppose in all places we should be careful about getting ripped off; ya never know.
- The most planning and thought should go into Cambodia since I'm not sure how big Siem Reap is and how well people speak English there. HK, Singapore, and Thailand have a huge western influence.
- I apologize for any mistakes, typos, etc. It's about 2am on Sun morning in HK and I spent at least 3 hours on this.
So, who's coming with me?!
