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Bali, Borneo, or elsewhere in December...?

firsttimer

newbie
Posts: 1

Hiya
I'm just planning a 3 month trip starting in mid October and have come a bit unstuck! This is my first time travelling along so would appreciate any help.
I plan to fly to Bangkok, have 10 days on the islands (east or west depending on the weather...?!) then am taking a 30 day tour of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos with Gapadventures.
I then have 2 weeks from the end of November before flying to Cairns, and don't know what to do with them!! I really want to go to Bali/Lombok/Komodo/Flores islands but have heard the weather could be terrible. Has anyone been at this time before and know what to expect? I've considered Borneo instead but am worried about going there alone, it might be a bit 'too adventurous' for me too. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'd like to chill out, dive, explore and meet other travellers...
Any tips greatfully received!

#1 Posted: 9/9/2009 - 02:33
somtam2000

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mahout
Posts: 5862
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December is smack bang in the middle of the wet season in Bali -- but I wouldn't say it means the weather is terrible. Wet - yes, expect some rain most days, but it isn't as bad as it sounds.

On the up side, there's less tourists here then -- which is fabulous as far as I'm concerned!

Lombok and the Gilis have more of a "traveller scene" than Bali does (outside of Kuta) but generally you won't have too many problems meeting up with other travellers.

#2 Posted: 9/9/2009 - 07:07

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BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
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firsttimer

May I suggest that at this stage, you plan NOT to do anything with that time.

My hunch is that after a 30 day tour (especially if it is this one - look here ), you'll be really ready to slow down, take it easy, and especially have your own space. A month with the same people on a really fast trip around SE Asia can be quite taxing.

That said, in those 2 weeks or so, you can choose just to veg somewhere, or go and spend time at one or more of the places you've visited (ie, fly there back).

For example, you may have liked Chiang Mai , and not spent enough time to explore the region around Chiang Mai at your pace - eg, trekking at Chiang Dao, or elephant riding & veging out at Pai.

Or a quick excursion to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok.

The flights from Bangkok via low cost carriers such as AirAsia mean that you can choose if/where/when to go then, not now.

Cheers

#3 Posted: 9/9/2009 - 13:53

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