Guys,
I have 12 days off work and I'm looking to get away with the wife (and maybe the daughter) for about a week. We live in Brisbane and we are considering Fiji and the possibility in going on Friday. Of course, we are open to suggestions of better places to go for a week.
Firstly, can anyone recommend Fiji at this time of the year and secondly, where should I start looking for last minute deals?
Many thanks.
yeah I agree. We were disappointed - much better and cheaper to go to Thailand, Vietnam or Malaysia.
Agree
Thanks Skramit for the info. I've absolutely no idea about any of your options, so I appreciate the advice.
The first question now is, Vietnam, Malaysia or Thailand?
Have you been to any of them before? I would highly recommend Vietnam. It's dirt cheap to eat and drink and your dollar goes a long way on everything else. The resorts are stunning, most of them new-ish and the country is awesome to explore for a week and then sit in a resort for a week. if you want to have 12 days away in Vietnam, I'd probably pick either Ho-Chi-Minh or Hanoi and spend a 5 days there, with some day trips out of the city to get some culture in, then pick a resort in any of the resort towns on the east coast and spend 5 days there.
No, we have never been anywhere in SE Asia. Vietnam does sound great but 8 or 9 days is probably the longest I can get away for.
That's probably enough time to grab some culture in 1 of the major cities in Vietnam for a couple of days, then spend 4 or 5 days in a resort.
The pendulum is swinging heavily toward Vietnam right now. I had a Bahn mi a few days ago for the first time and it's was heavenly!
@gasman70: The food is why I went back to Vietnam a second time :) The shopping is great, the people are friendly and welcoming, and I generally felt very safe there.
Depends on your interests but there's a lot of great stuff to see in and around the two major cities Hanoi and HCM, even more so if you like a bit of Vietnam War history.
Nha trang, Phu Quoc, Da Nang and Hoi An all have great resorts and generally cater very well to our western expectations of luxury and service.
@gasman70: if you go to Vietnam go to Hoi An, and if you go to Hoi An get a roll from Banh Mi Phuong in town. Best sandwich I'd ever had, featured on Anthony Bourdain - if you don't eat it you're missing out!
Vietnam is on my list. There and Japan are probably my top two at the moment. I'll most likely do a trip every month from now until Christmas and I'll have time to do some research and organise visas, etc.
Let me just say I've been to Vietnam 8 times and IMO 5 days is too much time in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. 3 days is enough then theres plenty of even more relaxing options in Vietnam as the cities are only great for the culture or war IMO. So do 3 days then a short flight to any of the following: Ha Long Bay (stay on Cat-Ba island at a nice resort and its super cheap), Sapa, Hoi Ann and Phu Quoc just to name a few. I would check the weather before flying to the south of Vietnam or any of the other SEA countries listed since I believe it is getting close to wet season.
Thanks for that advice. I'll certainly travel around and get as much in as I can.
Go to Bali, half the country been there.
Fiji is quite family friendly - I should know for I am from there.
And, it as not as chaotic as the other places.
There's no point going to Fiji if you are going to stay at a resort, it's not cheap and anyway you really should go out to the islands and your family may not fancy that. If you want a resort experience I can recommend Central Vietnam, much more affordable, better food and more interesting than Fiji.
Fiji is off the list. I'll look at Vietnam although the places below do look interesting:
https://www.hootholidays.com.au/Thailand/Phuket/Centara-Gran…
https://www.hootholidays.com.au/Thailand/Phuket/Cape-Panwa/U…
https://www.hootholidays.com.au/Thailand/Phuket/Katathani-Ph…
Phuket is really nice and a good option, but I'm not a party goer so the main strip is unpleasant for me. Luckily there are heaps of resorts and smaller villages all around Phuket that cater for people like me who like a quieter holiday. Also Jetstar and maybe Singapore Airlines fly direct to Phuket which is handy.
I'm glad you said that….we're obviously of similar ilk. My clubbing days are long, long gone and I'd prefer somewhere a bit quieter although I don't mind the racket, it's just that I won't be in the middle of it all.
I hated every part of Phuket except for the scenery. There are much more enjoyable and cheaper places in Thailand to go e.g. Chiang Mai.
This is of course just my opinion. Towns in Phuket were overridden by tourists, tacky, dirty and the whole island is a rip-off (relative of course). I would recommend people only stop there briefly to take in the beauty of the island and moreso the surrounding islands.
^ this. I just returned from Phuket. Stayed in Karon Beach. I've been there 5 or 6 times, and won't be going again. Absolutely no one speaks English. Locals are crooks and retards, customer service is non-existent, no public transport, tuk-tuk is a rip-off, 10$ for a 3 min ride along the beach. Crappy local beer is dearer than the same in Australia - Leo/Chang/Singha 7-8$ 0.66 in a modest bar/restaraunt.
If you go to another beach, your mileage may vary.
For 8 days you could base yourself in Hoi An (very touristy but still delectable) or Da Nang and have a great time touring, cycling, sampling the food, or just lazing. See this recent article:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/apr/26/top-10-things…
Do you think it's worth going through an agent to book a trip for me? If so, can you please point me in the right direction of a reputable company that can help?
Thanks.
@gasman70: Nah, easy to do it all yourself. Go to tripadvisor, read the reviews, select the establishment you like and use a booking company (Agoda, Booking, Expedia, etc) to make the booking. Also double check first if it's cheaper directly with the establishment if they have their own website. Easy peasy.
@gasman70:
OzB members are your travel agents, book online yourself following *expert recommendations.
Plenty of help to be had here! Some of us are well versed on certain countries.
Definitely our next trip…..unless Phuket puts the wife off SE Asia for the rest of her life.
Seriously Phuket is the sewer of Thailand, AVOID!!!!! I live in Thailand and it's great but you couldn't pay me enough to go back to that festered ses pit of shitty tourists, sexpats, Malaysian scammers, taxi mafia, corrupt police and everything else that isn't in the brochure.
Thanks for the advice but as you well know, I'm going to the 'sewer of Thailand'. Better take some loo roll and air freshener.
Japan could be an option… $605 return, or Bangkok, etc
http://adioso.com/au/ool-to-asia-between-apr-28-and-may-1-re…
(play with the parameters, chose OOL as low cost carriers depart there - you'll pay considerably more to depart BNE)
Japan is one place that I've always wanted to visit. I did think about a week in Tokyo and it's still an option.
Hey mate- definitely consider going Japan. always deals around $300 return, and use airbnb. 1 week is not enough to do everything in Japan so every time you go there's always something you'd want to try out.
Definitely one for the future. I'm considering waiting for the rugby World Cup in 2019.
@gasman70: 100%!!
Also I mentioned airbnb because hotels in Japan can get quite costly. Other big bonuses include free wifi in most places, and some also come with free pocket wifi (major plus when you travel and need internet for help)!!! Make sure to book airbnb early, around 2 months before you travel, as you don't want to miss out on the really good and cheap places to stay :) prices probably won't fluctuate due to certain events, but fingers crossed it won't for 2019 World Cup..
Thanks for the info but I think the Japan World Cup will be well attended. I'll book well in advance.
If you like big cities (NYC, shanghai sorta thing where you go for the night life, shopping, food) then Tokyo is an okay option.
If you wanna do more touristy stuff, I'd stay away. There are cheaper options where you can see much more of the cultural things i.e. osaka, kyoto, hiroshima, nagano. Also, the places I mentioned are still very much urban so you can still do quite a bit of night life events and shopping. The third option is rural japan in either a resort or DIY with some airbnb/websites and a rent a car, I've been told this is amazing too, especially given how friendly the Japanese are.
Thanks all. I'd better start looking for a hotel and flights.
So, Hoi An is the preferred place?
My brother went to Hoi An and loved it. my brother in law went to Phu Quoc and loved it. I've been to Da Nang and Nha Trang and loved them.
So……….take your pick. It probably depends more on logistics of flights etc and if you want to see other parts of Vietnam in the same trip.
Da Nang it is!
if I recall correctly, Da Nang is the more 'established' resort town as it was the first major one to emerge as a destination for western tourists post war.
Flight times are anywhere between 16 and 20 hours. I think I can cross Da Nang off the list!
I think Tokyo and Singapore is less time in the sky?
Yeah you would have to go via HCM or Hanoi to get to any of the resort towns I would think. Thats why it usually makes sense to fly in to HCM or Hanoi for a couple days, then fly internally to da nang or another resort town, then fly back and out of HCm/Hanoi again on the way home.
@Skramit:
Da Nang was Brisbane to Singapore and then Singapore to Da Nang.
In fact, it seems that there are no direct flights to Vietnam from Brisbane….or that's what Skyscanner seems to imply.
Hoi An is just 20km from Da Nang and you can get a transfer from Da Nang airport.
@gasman70: Another possibility is Air Asia OOL to KUL, then KUL to DAD. About 6 hour layover in KL each way I think. 8 hours to KL, 6 hour layover, then 3 hours to Da Nang.
From Brisbane, my best bets are Ho Chi Min, Da Nang and Hanoi. Any one stand out?
HCMC and Hanoi are hectic places, also not near beaches. You might want a gentler introduction to VN. Da Nang's Visa on Arrival is a breeze. You can always go again.
BTW are you going soon? You'll need to allow at least a couple of days to get the VoA letter online. Search for that thread for the details.
Hi, I just got back from Vietnam and Cambodia on Monday. My kids and i loved both countries. My top til for Vietnam is to get a sim on arrival at the airport and set up Uber. Makes life easier.
Vietnam, definitely go.
While I was there I saw people use an Uber workalike: Grabcar.
Yeah, grab is apparently slightly cheaper. I used uber in India in march so I stuck with that. They also have Uber+Grab motorcycles as well
Grab is just a service for booking and tracking regular taxis whereas Uber is people working for themselves outside of the taxi cartels. Both are good to have and use as needed..
Vietnam is definitely somewhere I want to go sometime in the future, along with Japan. Maybe next month.
I think I'll do vietnam another time with some prior planning. We are looking at going somewhere tomorrow or Saturday so things are a bit of a rush.
I've had a quote for two us for a week in Fiji (Outrigger Fiji Resort in a Deluxe Ocean View Room) with flights with V Australia from Brisbane for $5600. I think I could get the deal about $1K cheaper by doing it myself.
That said, green possum has put me off Fiji!
Did you investigate Phuket?
+1 There are direct flights and you don't need a visa.
There doesn't seem to be any direct flights from Brisbane or GC. :(
No, I'd dropped that one. Better look again!
Right, it's Phuket. Now we cannot decide which hotel!!
Can anyone give their thoughts on any of the deals in the search below?? Preferably under $2K per person.
consider Khao Lak, particularly Ramada & Chongfah… beware of Sands & Mai, look good, but they are too far north (unless being captive in hotel is your thing)
but it depends on what you prefer doing, your age bracket, etc
also your budget… 2k pp includes flights I presume?
and you are definitely departing BNE not OOL?
I'm 15 mins from BNE but OOL is OK.
Yeah, I was north of 3K p/p but I cant justify 6K for a last minute, seven day break…..I've got my eye on an OLED TV for sale in JBHifi!
Looks like <3k total:
$950 each airfares (Singapore/Silk Air via Singapore)
Then accommodation of your liking.
$700 return from Gold Coast with Asia Air. Just need decent digs.
i could get negged for this.
I've had co workers use this site for no fuss good experience.
agree, no fuss, but often can be DIY built for less.
I have used them in the past, but in true OzB style purchased them second hand at a healthy discount ;)
Try airbnb for accommodation (select "entire place" property type). Most of the places are run by professional property management companies so it's more like a hotel stay than staying in someone's private apartment. You can get excellent quality apartments for under $50 per night. If you are a new user you can also sign up using a referral code for an extra $50 off your booking.
I recommend staying at Patong Beach simply because it is the easiest logistically. This is where the largest number of restaurants, shopping malls, transportation, bars, etc. are and also where most of the tours for islands/activities leave from. On your first visit to the country you will want to see/do all of these things, leave the resorts in the isolated locations for next time once you are over all the touristy parts. Word of warning; do all the activities you like except for jetskis as they are a major scam.
Are transfers from Phuket International to Patong Beach easy enough to get at the airport or do you recommend booking before we leave?
@gasman70: Yes, very easy. Just go to the taxi stand and pay the fixed fare. The savings from catching the bus aren't worth it in my opinion if you are traveling with another person as the bus charges per person and takes far longer to get to your destination.
It's usually a rip-off ~ 1000-1300 THB. I suggest to book online. I personally prefer "followmephuket" - just enter that in google. Used that guy 8 times, paid 800 THB one way in April 2017.
I would like to know how it was.? Share your experience !
Will do.
Dropping the daughter off at the kennel before departing?
She's old enough to look after herself. I was at 9.
Keep in mind.. you do need a VISA for Vietnam.
Bula!!!
Fiji plane ticket is cheap but once you reach there everything (food, alcohol, cost of expenditure as a tourist) is expensive as fark! And I find Fiji a really boring place, something like Bali whereby you basically just chill at your resort + watersport but there is not much sightseeing. I highly recommend going to Asia instead. Personally, I would do Thailand, Vietnam or Japan. Vietnam needs Visa but that can be obtained through travel agent websites in about 2 business days or in less than 24hr express service for about US$20.
Right, flight booked tomorrow night with Thai Airways from Brisbane to Phuket with one stop on the way.
Looked at AirBnB and there are some nice places on there but the Holiday Inn Express looks decent enough, has great reviews, is near the beach and is cheap. I think I will pull the trigger on it.
Thanks guys for all of your advice. I'll let you know how I get on.
Have a great time. Let us know how you enjoyed it when you get back. Try not to get into the news. :) E.g. shouting "OzBargain rocks" might sound like a royal insult in Thai.
We stayed at Holiday Inn Resort Phuket a few weeks ago. Booked using the friends and family rate at comeonout.org - the rates don't include breakfast, but there are lots of options nearby, or if you want breakfast in the hotel its about $40 per room per day.
I paid through some QANTAS rewards thing and breakfast was included.
The hotel is decent enough? Close to the centre of town and beach?
…and is Phuket really as bad as a few members are suggesting?
as woaxhxd mentioned, rememer to get your visa organised pre-arrival…enjoy your trip.
Nice try :D
According to the latest Vietnam Immigration Regulations issued on 18 JUNE 2015, TAKING EFFECT FROM 01 JULY 2015 TO 31 JUNE 2017, United Kingdom citizens currently living in United Kingdom or in other countries, holding ordinary passport which is valid for at least 6 months more beyond the date of arrival, are in the Vietnam visa exemption list with visa-free length of staying of less than 15 days in Vietnam and single entry/exit. Accordingly:
A. If a United Kingdom citizen’s length of stay in Vietnam is LESS THAN 15 days, Vietnam Visa is EXEMPTED
…….and I am going to Thailand!
Holiday Inn Express?!? Christ - don't expect much. I'm not a big fan of Phuket - if Id seen this earlier I would have suggested Ko Lanta - can be reached by boat from Phuket and it much cleaner, nicer, quieter and generally better than the cesspool that is Phuket.
I guess Phuket is a safe choice for a first time to south east asia but its also some of the worst of what asia has to offer (sex tourism etc).
SE Asia is a beautiful place. Phuket is the only one I swore I wouldn't go back to…
Great, now you tell me!
Edit: Actually you did tell me earlier!
As it's such a shithole and you managed to inform me after I paid for the flight and hotel, can you suggest trips that get me out of Phuket for the day?
Phuket is not a single place. Most of the seediness is concentrated around Patong Town and after dark. If you hang around the resort you won't see any of this. If you are in a couple with a child in tow, the pimps will leave you alone. Don't stay away just because of Patong Town, there is good street food to eat. Also please don't take elephant rides, it's cruel to the animals.
If you want excursions, there are lots of choices to nearby islands and beaches.
You didn't mention money. People recommend the Citibank Plus DC, but in my experience you also get good rates changing AUD to THB, which avoids any ATM charges.
I haven't even considered money but I will certainly get some local currency in the morning. The Citibank Plus card…where can I get one at short notice - I'm off to the airport in 24 hours or so.
I'm staying at the Holiday Inn Express but I am considering cancelling and booking something more resort-like. Of course, I will be penalised but hey ho.
@gasman70: Too late for Citibank but get one for future trips later. Change currency there, not here.
Fiji is not worth it IMO. Most of the resorts in my experience are tired and need major updates. So unless you pay the big $$$ you will likely be disappointed. I suspect most of the hotel promo shots are from 15-20 years ago when they were first built ;)
Better value IMO is going to Asia for a resort holiday - Fiji is ~5 hours by plane, Asia is ~7. Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand are all better options if you want a nice resort to relax, eat and swim at. And cheaper food/drink as well.