Krabi Thailand

Cheryl said:

We stayed at the Railay village and really liked it. 

http://www.railayvillagekrabi.com 

I think I stayed at the Sheraton when Deborah and I went climbing and it was really nice.

Here are a few Jessie recommended:

http://www.anyaveetubkaekbeachresort.com/
http://www.amari.com/vogue/

MALAYSIA - Kuala Lumpur

LOCO (mexican bar and restaurant)

locokl.com

DRIFT (Australian Asian fusion, excellent food,not really kid friendly)

driftdining.com

MICHAELANGELOS (Authentic Italian, woman moved there from Sicily to open it).

http://michelangelos-restaurants.com/about.asp

HOTEL

Loved Intercontinental b/c of great location and it's LOVELY.

We stayed in cheaper U-pac hotel one night, clean and totally find if you just need a place to sleep.





Batu caves are great. The tour of the twin towers is awesome.  You have to go early ( like 6 or 7) and q to get tickets for later in the dray.

the science museum is so much fun!  One if the best we have ever been too.  The beginning is deceiving but once you get inside it will blow your mind.  There's an f1 simulator, slides, and lots to do,
And it's super cheap!! Prepare to spend hours there.  We went two plus hours before the tower tour then walked over .. Not far from each other!   It is located in this high end mall-- there is  also a great waffle kiosk inside the mall-- buy some as they are so so good!! In the evening at tgT same high end mall there is a wAter and laser show outside... Pretty good.  There is a huge play ground close by that mall that you could check out as well.  All walking distance... Easy easy.

 But to be honest... Kidzania wAs the favorite.  We planned on one whole day, wound up staying an extra day-- 2 whole days there.  The kids loved it!  Bring envelopes or something for them to secure their play money they earn and spend there.  There is a mall across from kidzania that had good rest.  After it closes go over there and grab dinner.  We even stayed in a hotel there when we extended a day.  Can't remember the hotel name. But it had a great family suite! It was connected to the mall.

We went for a dinner swim at the grand Hyatt (?) the second night before kidzania. I think that was it and the pool was fun and American food good.   So much fun, one of our favorite trips and the drive is easy.  Don't leave during peak hours-- terrible traffic!!!

Have a great trip and happy early birthday to you!!!  Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Michelle

Chicago IL

We visited Wilfred and Linsey in Chicago.

We loved everything!  Highlights were:

American Girl Doll

Giardhelli ice cream shop

Chicago Pier - food, shops, rides

Millenial Park - we did take out pizza there from Girabaldi's.

The Science Museum took our card from Singapore!

Charlotte NC, USA - Side trip to Kiawah/Seabrook and Charleston, Savannah

Notes for when we visit Howard and Sharon:

Kids said to remember we need to go to that animal pet place.
Quinn recommended the USA river rafting Center.
We loved the Discovery Center and use our Science Ctr card from Singapore.

Krispy Kreme has hot donuts from 8.30 to 10.30am

Trader Joes and Great Harvest Bread and Frozen Yoghurt in same area

Need to try Tupelo Cafe next time.

We really liked Mo's BBQ. We would like to return to Hunter's cheap taco place.

Cheesecake Factory at SouthPark! (check out Lily Pulitzer dresses there)

Zoe's was a great mediterranean place I liked a lot that Molly likes.

Cook Out - we love the burgers and the milkshakes there.

Remember to stock up on SNACKS at Costco to bring back to Sing.

Where I got all my photos scanned and put on a disk

Records Reduction
2032 F Independence
Commerce Drive
Matthews NC 28105
tel 866 793 7226

CHARLESTON

We were impressed with the food at Magnolia's!
We love the candy store Moon Pie.
Hunter loves Pralines at the candy shop a few shops further.
Taking the taxi boat tour for $10 was really fun.
Delicious cupcakes at SUGAR bake shop

Charleston Restaurants:

From a magazine - so we have never been:

Burbage's Grocery
157 Broad Street, Charleston
Quaint corner store, mom and pop BBQ, fresh sausage muffins, pimiento cheese sandiwch.

Scotts BBQ
2734 Hemingway Hwy, Hemingway
Two hours NE of Charleston, pitmaster BBQ, whole hogs slow smoked cooked based with pepper vinegar mop.  Skin of the hog is delish.

Martha Lou's
1068 Morrison Drive, Charleston
Simple, classic soul food, fried chicken, lima beans, cornbread.

KIAWAH/SEABROOK

Loved renting bikes for the week, will definitely do that again.
We like Red's for the flounder sandwiches
The ice cream shop next door has excellent coffee ice cream!


SAVANNAH

Favorite place? Leopold's Ice cream!! It was fabulous!  All-American milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits…possibly the BEST place we have found in America for American ice cream.
212 East Broughton Street, Savannah GA

Pralines at the Riverwalk Sweet Shop.

Best fish tacos - Driftaway Cafe!

Did takeaway one night at Belfords and it WAS excellent food! Would eat there again sit down.

Lady and Sons (Paula Dean's joint) has a buffet, we had fun eating there as a family, but don't need to go back.

I loved Forsythe park, and just walking around ALL the squares/parks/fountains…..and I thought it was cool that DOT was free for the yellow/green boat, and the trolley along riverwalk.

These are my notes from the Driftaway Cafe guy and his recommendations, we should try those when/if we are there again:

Walls BBQ - angels BBQ

Johnny Harris - victory drive

Back in the day bakery - hip

Bakers pride

Shrimp and grits - girabaldis or belfords

I took notes from websites for these restaurants, we didn't have time for them, but the one that interested me the most was:

Joe's homemade Cafe and Bakery (it was closed for a reason when we were there)
5515 B Waters Avenue at 70th Street
Sandwiches and desserts

Lulu's Chocolate Bar looked interesting - 42 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Mrs. Wilke's Dining room sounded good for Southern food, Gicklings said it was good.

I would definitely do take out from SandFly BBQ and as suggested by a local website, to eat it at the Wormstoe Plantation.  Looked like a great place to take the kids, historical reanactments, etc.

Leo

Palawan

AGNES stayed at Pangulasia

Tolks stayed at:

It was El Nido Resorts.  We stayed in the Lagen Island Resort.  It was awesome!!!
 
http://www.elnidoresorts.com/



Hello Sarah! Yes, the long and bumpy van ride is definitely worth it! I think it is around 6 hours only.

They can stay in a hotel or guesthouse in El Nido town. They can then walk around the town and look for tours. These are at standard prices, and there are four package choices: A, B, C and D depending on the locations that will be visited.

Other tourists usually try all the tour packages. But if due to time constraint they need to choose one tour only, opt for the one that includes the Secret Beach in the itinerary.

The Secret Beach is a secluded beach that can be accessed by swimming under and through a very narrow opening/entrance.

The untouched beaches in El Nido are divine. Fine white sand with clear waters displaying shades of blue and green.

It's amazing how snorkeling felt like diving due to the rich marine life you can see at shallow depths.

We haven't been to Sabang.

If they really don't want to travel to El Nido, the beaches and islands near Puerto Princesa are also nice. There are island hopping tours there too! Enjoy!

From ALMA

Hi!

Puerto Princessa: 

At Puerto Princessa, the only hotel with beachfront access is Microtel. We've stayed there, it's great. 

In Puerto Princessa itself, I would recommend the firefly tour, goign to the boardwalk, you can go island hopping in the bay, and then there's a famous seafood restaurant called Badjao. 

Top two hotels are about 1.5 hours from Puerto Princessa, are Daluyon and Sheridan. I know more people who have stayed and liked Daluyon. 

These two hotels are near the Underground River, which I recommend. 

El Nido is 8 hours away by van. About 4 hours away is Port Barton area, I have friends who have stayed there and loved it. It's more secluded. That 4 hour drive is GORGEOUS. You definitely want to island hop from Port Barton (just day trips). We stayed in San Vicente, which was beautiful, it's a very small town- but we werent' thrilled with the hotel we stayed at. We did spend the day at another resort called CAPARI which had a great beach and great island hopping tours. 

Nepal

From David Scruggs

Kathmandu is a crazy city, lots of dirt, people, cars, motorcycles...
but an amazing place. Thamel in particular is awesome but not
necessarily for the faint-hearted (power shedding means electricity is
not always guarantee or available, lots of stray dogs, homeless 10
year olds sniffing glue in the street) but has lot of shops and
restaurants. The temples are all worth visiting keeping in mind that
Pashupatinath is quite moving. We were happy to leave and get back to
Kathmandu.

Chitwan was great... the people are lovely and the region is
beautiful, but you can admittedly get through it in a few days. This
is where Lauren and I did volunteer work so we stayed about a week,
but other than riding elephants or jeep through the National Park
(which you can walk through with a guide) there is not a lot to do...
there is a Tharu Cultural Museum that has a show which is definitely
worth the visit
(http://www.chitwanadventureresort.com/article-tharuculture_dance).

We rented a driver and a car to get from Chitwan to Pokhara and
stopped by Bandipur which was a very cool little town perched on a
mountain top. Worth stopping there for lunch and a walkabout.

Pokhara was great... lot more tourists than anywhere else we visited
but still wonderful. Has a beautiful lake that you could not pay me
enough to swim in and is at the foot of the Annapurna range of the
Himalayas. There is a lesser know museum on mountaineering which is
definitely worth a visit. http://www.internationalmountainmuseum.org/

We didn't have time for any trekking when we were out there so I can't
comment on that, but I know that you can't really go wrong, and it
worth the little money it would cost to hire a guide. You should also
parapente off the Sarangkot :-)

I sent a mail to Phil, a friend who works at the volunteer agency I
worked through in Kathmandu to see if he or his fiance would be
interested in showing people around the temples in Kathmandu. His
fiancee is Nepalese from Kathmandu and I am sure they could use a
little extra money as they are getting married soon. She showed Lauren
and myself around the temples and took great care of us (even managed
to shove us in a micro-bus, another must experience).

Phil is a great contact to have on the ground in Nepal. He can help
organize pretty much anything Jonna needs. His email is:
phil@ehn-nepal.org

and if you are at all interested, the volunteer site is:
http://www.ehn-nepal.org

AUSTRALIA - Kakadu

• Jacinta Stones I visited in mid September, it was lovely. Not wet so able to access most areas.

  February 15 at 7:33am · Unlike · 1
• 

  Megan D'Arcy I went in April towards the end of wet season. It is true you can not drive to some area but the wet season is beautiful in other ways. Instead of driving to see the Arnhem land escarpment you take a boat. In dry season you can actually drive to see th...See More

  February 15 at 8:02am · Unlike · 1
• 

  Karelle Laurent I would do it in October.

  February 15 at 8:03am · Unlike · 1
• 

  Sarah De Guzman Furner Jacinta Stones Megan D'ArcyKarelle Laurent THANK YOU!

  February 16 at 6:11am · Like · 1
• 

  Joanne O'Toole Hi, we used to live in the NT. It would be safer to book in October, as it can be quite wet and hot in March. If you go early October, you will still get to go to the famous Mindil Beach markets in Darwin. Cooinda is a great place to stay in Kakadu (where the yellow waters cruises depart from). If you have any other questions, please let me know.

  February 16 at 7:02am · Unlike · 1
• 

  Sarah De Guzman Furner Joanne Thanks so much for these recommendations, we have booked for October. Cheers!

KYOTO

We got the best recommendations from Jon Brodd's friend, Chris Rowthorn.

http://www.insidekyoto.com

Love his itineraries and we followed his food guides too.

He doesn't go to all the typical/normal places.

We loved the restaurant chain I think OMEN - KODAJI tel 075 541 5007

(there is also OMEN-GINKAKUJI)

Everyone loves Nishiki Market

We LOVED the Flea Market that is on certain days only near one of the major temples.

Bike tour recommendation was a highlight.






From ILONA:

Kyoto - OMG - it's one of my favourite places! I know you didn't ask, but I can't help sending you these teeny tiny tips ;)

Favourite things we did (in 3 days) that we loved: 

Night walking tour of the Gion area. We did the Gieko/Mieko tour (spotting the Geisha of the Kyoto region). Our guide was the best! I think she's what made the tour so good. It was so much fun.

Nishiki markets - visually divine. 

We also did a 6 hour guided bike tour. It was just me and Ben and our guide. It was the best thing! We saw bamboo forests, the golden temple, the emperor's palace as well as a flee market in one temple's grounds and had lunch is a quaint little ryokan. It wouldn't have been the same without a guide. 

FYI: One ryokan that was recommended to us, but was all booked out (we left it too late!) was: http://www.kikokuso.com/english.html

Fredrik Cederroth sent me these tips before i went:

For some general information about travel in Japan

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

THE MIHO MUSEUM

The Miho museum is maybe one hour away from Kyoto but is fascinating. A rich old woman hired the architect who designed the Louvre. The building and the setting is more interesting than the collection however.

http://www.miho.jp/english/index.htm

Travel Bucket List

From Nick Sowards

 Highway 1 road trip was DOPE. Open road, gorgeous scenery, tasty eats, the simple novelty of driving (no really! 7 years since I owned a car), and a hilariously inept/charming public radio station cranking funky Xmas tunes...tough to beat. If you guys ever have the chance, that stretch from Monterey to Hearst Castle is just fantastic. 

Koh Lippi Thailand / Langkawi

KOH LIPPI

From Sarah Lau

 What I found is Air Asia, tiger and Silk Air (on certain days) had the cheapest flights to Langkawi. I recommend to stay near the airport as its not as crowded and closer to the Ferry Terminal then at Cenang Beach-the main drag. Cenang has loads of accommodations and you can just show up and find a place or book online.

If they've never been, stay a night or 2 there and rent a car at the airport and explore the island. There is a lot to see and the waterfalls, canopy walk and the mangrove boat tour of the bat cave and sea eagles is fun.

The Ferry goes  2 x a day and you book online at Bundhaya Speed Ferry www.bundhayaspeedboat.com or Telega- Terminal.com. It takes 1 hour to get to Koh Lipe in a fast boat. The terminal is small so just get there 1 hour before not 2 hours like they recommend.

There are a lot of 2 star chalets on Koh Lipe that don't have internet that you can book when you are there. But we stayed in Wapi resort run by a French man and his Thai wife. www.wapiresortkohlipe.com (it was a little more expensive but really clean and right on the beach) Other places we liked: Castaway, Lipe Beach, Varin Village, Viewpoint, There are a couple larger resorts so it depends on what they want but the island is so beautiful that you won't want to stay inside much. I found the few places listed on Agoda gets booked out fast but you can go directly to the resort's sites.

Stay on Sunrise beach or Sunset beach-so peaceful and beautiful. Pattaya beach where you land. Is really busy and noisy-all the ferry boats come and go there. The island is small and you can walk from Pattaya beach to Sunrise in 15 minutes on Walking street where all the restaurants and shops are.  Bring a snorkel and mask as there are little reefs scattered about and you can see lots of tropical fish but you MUST rent a boat and go to bigger reefs and a picnic on the next island Koh Adang (There are a few nice resorts there but nothing else). We took a kayak with the kids to Koh Kra a tiny island off Sunrise beach.  

From Missi Dunham

Ok.  So this is one of those trips where getting there was half the adventure.  Flight to Langkawi, then directly to the ferry that we had already booked and had to have the print out (unless you want to slow you way up), then walk over to immigration and then back to the boat.   Then the ferry ride to a longtail transfer that took us to shore.  Yes, then we hopped out, went to immigration then dragged our suitcases along the sand to the taxi.  LOL, lessons learned.   Becky's were don't wear long pants and sneakers, mine was backpack or duffel would have been plenty and much easier. 

We stayed at The Wapi.

It's was very  simple. 

But easy to walk to "walking street".  Erika just walked out on the beach and asked a guy to take us out snorkeling on the long tail boat.  I'll send you pictures of the best spots from a map.  Also the restaurants we liked I can send pics.  Can't remember the name without accessing them on my computer.  We just borrowed the hotels fins and flipper which he was not too too thrilled about but let us.  They have two rooms that are directly on the beach and in the second row they have a "family" room.  Still very small and simple. 

We found a great massage place 300THBT per hour and went often.  We love the street coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell.  Also a restaurant had great mango stick rice so we also could that to go on the street.  That was really it.  you can veg on the beach, take a longtail, walk down the walking street road with souvenir shops and restaurant, or get massages.  It was perfect for us.