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Updated 18 April 2002

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introduction

Beautiful sunset over Indonesia   Southeast Asia offers the traveller a multitude of choices, from world-famous beach resorts to big cities to quiet secluded islands. The beauty of it all is, you don't need to spend a lot of time or money - the places we list below can be a weekend getaway for as little as S$100, or less if you intend to drive.

What's in this section:

Pulau Ubin
Yes, it may be just a small island that harks back to yesteryear but it's appearance is likely to change forever soon - modernising plans are well-advanced and if you want to see it in its original state, better visit soon!

Driving Up North: Driving to Malaysia and Thailand
   This section is largely contributed by one of our readers, David Thomson, who has driven all the way up to Thailand and shares his invaluable knowledge and experience.

Malaysia
   If you are looking for a short vacation or day trip, Malaysia is the cheapest place to visit. You can choose a city holiday, a resort getaway, or even a drive up by car. The attractions are myriad. The beaches of Desaru on the eastern coast or the town of Melaka on the western side are just two hours away by car. Johor Bahru (JB) is a popular daytrip destination for Singaporeans taking advantage of the cheap shopping and food, while the capital, Kuala Lumpur is only four hours away door-to-door on a non-working day.

Thailand
   Thailand is equally well known for both its beach resorts and the shopping and nightlife of its busy cities. Popular destinations include the capital Bangkok, Chiangmai, and the resorts in Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya. There are daily flights out of Singapore, as well as several cruises that sail out to Phuket and back. At present, most packages to Thailand should not cost you more than S$400 for a 3-day/2-night stay, inclusive of a return air ticket.  Check out this special write-up on the lovely Phuket by one of our regular correspondants or this one on Pimalai, a brand new resort on Lanta Island.

Cambodia 

One of the most unspoilt countries in South East Asia, Cambodia is a fascinating mix of breathtaking scenery, simple cultures and traditions, stunning ancient temples, order, chaos, genuine friendliness and more...... Ravaged by recent wars, Cambodia has only recently become accessible to the foreign traveller, enabling each visit to be a true "adventure".

Indonesia
  golfer teeing off at one of Bintan Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia and is best known for its numerous island resorts peppered across the archipelago. Of these, Bali, Lombok and Bintan are the most popular. It is not uncommon for local golfers to take a quick ferry to either Bintan or Batam to enjoy the golf courses there, or for families to escape to these places for a weekend. Also check out the write-up on one of the lesser known destinations, Ujung Pandang and the write-up on Bali written by one of our readers.

Mae Hong Son, Mountain City in The Mists 
We feature a fascinating destination - Mae Hong Son in Thailand - The improved accessibility has thrust Mae Hong Son into prominence as a new destination for tourists seeking adventure and tranquil beauty. You can go trekking, rafting or elephant riding, combining these activities with visits to hilltribe villages. At least two villages of a rather unique nature can be visited within a half day’s trip on the back of an elephant or by longtail motorboat. Try this unique adventure! 

Myanmar
the famous Reclining Buddha in Yangon   The country formerly known as Burma has lots to offer in terms of natural beauty, fantastic architecture and a rich 5,000-year old history. You can also read a first-hand account of Myanmar's many attractions, submitted by one of our lucky draw winners.

Vietnam
   While Vietnam may not exactly be the most popular holiday choice yet, people who have been there come back with great stories about the low prices, the exotic food and the mystic temples.The 2 main cities are the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Five-star hotels cost only about US$70 per night while budget travellers can stay at guest houses for as little as US$15 a night.

Taking your family to Angkor Wat

Other Regional Destinations
   We've got information on Sydney and Kunming, China, including their attractions and accommodation details.  Read an account of Sydney submitted by one of our lucky draw winners.  We also cover Hong Kong in some detail, thanks to our partnership with ZingAsia.

Singapore - the world’s biggest departure lounge
   A cynical label given by some maybe, but it’s also very true. By its very location, Singapore is a gateway to parts of the world many can only dream of visiting. So for Expats posted here, one of the biggest pluses is the opportunity it throws up to travel. But how to make arrangements? How to find the cheapest flights, the best deals and more importantly, how to avoid an end-to-end trudge of Orchard Road? Here, Claire Porter takes a look at booking flights online and puts the main players to the test.

Tips for Travellers
   To ensure that your vacation is memorable for all the right reasons, we have compiled a list of tips and reminders about travelling in this part of the world. We also include information on flight times and flight schedules.

 


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