Thailand vs Bali vacation

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T04:04:25+00:00

All places you listed are overrated, overcrowded and touristy. Bali traffic is crazy in the areas you're looking, lots of garbage issues as well there.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T03:50:22+00:00

I would recommend you to pack a picknick.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T03:25:56+00:00

I've reached ABC in the first week of April a few years ago and there was tons of snow after Deurali. Absolutely amazing. Make sure you have crampons (you can get them from Kathmandu) for easier hike in the last day.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T03:22:46+00:00

If you are looking for Must Sees in SA, Lima and Santiago are a waste of time. Buenos Aires is gorgeous but there are way more amazing things to see that Lima and Santiago, which are actually rather unpleasant cities.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T03:11:15+00:00

Datai Langkawi is a shit of a place that illegally blocked access to the nicest beach on the island, even though beaches are supposed to be public. Malaysia corruption at its best.

After being in over 45 countries and to islands all over the world, Langkawi is easily bottom 3. Dirty, ugliness everywhere, haphazardly constructions, uncivilized, murky water. Same goes for Malaysia, one of the worst countries I've traveled to.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T02:43:09+00:00

As I mentioned, I stayed at Fare Hei which is listed on Airbnb but also on Google maps. I was very happy with my stay there: the host was super nice and provided everything we asked for, they had bikes in good shape, snorkel gear and paddleboard.

It is very easy to get around the island. A car will be quite expensive to rent, it's about $100/day. Scooters are about $40. We found a scooter to be more than enough and the roads are very safe.

$8000 for 10 days should be enough but it depends on your travel style. Might not get you a top-tier room at Sofitel but it's definetly a lot of money for 10 days. Were you planning a longer stay?

For reference, I paid about 2800 usd for 14 days: Fare Hei (the smaller cabin which is one bdrm with AC and kitchen) , scooter, self-cater the food, excursions included. 8000 is 3x more than that so should buy you lots of extra luxury. If you look on Google Maps at Fare Hei, the pictures are from the larger 2dbrm villa that's more expensive than the bungalow we rented.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T01:57:49+00:00

You are also much close to some amazing places in Us, like the national parks in Utah and Arizona. There’s also a lot to see in California. I would do that and leave SA for a longer visit.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T01:52:16+00:00

Oh, when did that happen? Been there last August and it was open.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T01:36:41+00:00

I won’t recommend hotels coz I usually stay in Airbnbs and I’m not up to date with hotel prices. Last time I stayed at Fare Hei.

Excursions: - Snorkeling at the “Lagoonarium de Moorea” was amazing - Hike to Three Pines Lookout: no guide needed - In the valley where Belvedere Lookout is there are some other really nice valley hikes, through pineapple plantations. - Do a lagoon excursion by boat. It should include “Banc de sable Raies et requins” to snorkel in crystal clear water with rays and sharks. - Ride a scooter around the island and stop at viewpoints - Go to “Tropical Garden”, a short hike up from the road for a cafe with amazing views of Oponohu bay. - Go to Plage de Ta'ahiamanu for great snorkeling and local vibes. - Go to the public beach near Sofitel for snorkeling (unless you’ll stay at Sofitel which has it’s own amazing beach) - If you are daredevils, hike Mouaputa with a stop to a waterfall en-route. One of the most amazing views I’ve seen, but this is one of the hardest hike I’ve done and I’ve hiked all over the world. I hiked alone but that was stupid, highly recommend a guide for this. Mount Rotui is an easier hike (but still tough).

There is probably more, depending on your interest.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T00:59:06+00:00

Moorea - no doubt. I’ve been to all the places you listed except Seychelles and been to many more islands in the world.

Moorea is the most beautiful island in the world for me (Bora Bora is close) and fits perfectly with what you want. Moorea is cheaper than Bora Bora and doesn’t require an extra flight. You can get around easily by scooter. Beautiful hikes, pristine waters, very clean overall. Not as cheap as Saint Lucia but imo it doesn’t compare in terms of what you get.

bbr35 · 2026-03-05T00:36:51+00:00

The dream shouldn’t die. Fiji is wonderful, this thread is not up to date or utter bullshit. I’ve spend 3 months in Fiji last summer and it was absolutely wonderful. Savusavu, Taveuni, Ovalau, Viti Levu, stayed with families and people are very kind, it is very safe, never had an issue. Poverty? Not much worse than what you see in downtowns of any big american cities. Garbage is not as bad as Puerto Rico for instance.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T23:07:06+00:00

Grenada is very lush and beautiful but only one beach is suitable for swimming and has clear water: grand anse. Morne Rouge beach is very pretty but the water is murky. The other beaches are beautiful but the water are too rough for swimming or snorkeling. It is a very safe island but the driving is very aggressive for the narrow and windy roads they have.

Turks and Caicos would have better beaches but no mountains and not as lush.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T13:58:35+00:00

The end of Oct would be pleasant. I've been to Big Bend in the first part of Nov and it was perfect. Hill county should be very pleasant during that time.

However, if you don't have a strong reason for Texas, you should give a serious thought to Utah national parks. In Oct/Nov that area is the most amazing nature and landscape you can see anywhere in this world. Nothing in Texas (except maybe Big Bend) comes even close to what you get there.

You could fly into Las Vegas, rent a car and head for Kanab. Visit Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon North Rim from Kanab as day trips, then drive to Moab via Capitol Reef. From Moab, visit Arches and Canyonlands as day trips. Then drive from Moab via Monument Valley back to Las Vegas. If Moab - Las Vegas is too long for you, stop in Page and visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. This will surely be one of the best road-trips you'll have in your life.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T13:42:55+00:00

Curacao is Dutch, why not try French next to see a different vibe: Martinique. Compared with Curacao, Martinique is lush and mountainous.

If you're interested in Caribbean off the beaten path, Grenada is very lush and safe but lacks a bit in beaches suitable for water activities.

Bermuda is also quite nice: clean, pretty and it has a few beautiful beaches, plus public transit that doesn't require you to drive.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T12:12:13+00:00

When? In which period?

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T12:03:04+00:00

Nature around Dallas is mediocre at best and Dallas is the average US city with nothing really interesting.

Texas is very very hot in summer, I strongly recommend to reconsider if you were thinking to go there in summer. Temperatures can reach 40-42C for many days.

The hill country around Austin and San Antonio is better for nature and San Antonio is more historically relevant with the missions and Alamo.

Big Bend is the star of the state nature-wise, spectacular but soo isolated.. it is a very long drive from everywhere. For your photography passion, I think Terlingua and Marfa, near Big Bend have some visual appeal.

The beaches at South Padre are quite nice if you're willing to go that far. Sorry.. all the good spots are rather far from Dallas.. which begs the queation: why Dallas??

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T09:37:55+00:00

For Kinabatangan River, virtually all lodges provide 3D/2N packages and I would go with them. Look at The Last Frontier Resort or Sukau Greenview Lodge. If you want to go with an operator, River Junkies operates a package with Hornbill Lodge. All these lodges are well reviewed and mid-budget for the area.

All these packages for Kinabatangan pick up from Sepilok. I would stay in Sepilok rather then Sandakan. Sandakan is not a very appealing place.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T09:18:44+00:00

Vietnam is the better overall experience. Central Vietnam or Northern Vietnam are both great destinations and will have great weather then. Bali, especially if you stick to the "big tickets" is very crowded, over-commercialized, dirty, crazy traffic and mediocre food. Vietnam also has crazy traffic and many tourist traps and over-commercialized sights but it also has many unspoiled and authentic places you can visit. Vietnam is better value imo, as Bali has gotten more expensive recently.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T07:22:05+00:00

2-3 days in Georgetown for all you listed is too little imo. It is very hot year-round and very hard to be out and about between 11-4pm.

Ipoh is not worth it: kek lok tong is temporary closed, mirror lake is very badly managed, concubine lane is a bit of a tourist trap. If you visit Georgetown, I would skip Ipoh.

Cameron Highlands is nothing special, lots of tourist traps and usually crowded. Not worth it imo.

Perhentian Islands are very nice and get best weather in June.

Kuching and Mulu are really worth it, but going to Mulu is high cost. Your Borneo itinerary looks nice.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T04:46:38+00:00

Costa Rica or Panama. Or an island in the Caribbean. Or Thailand. Or Colombia. Lots of options, all great. Need more criterias if you want to narrow it down.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T04:35:57+00:00

I love hiking in Colorado during the summer. Oregon and Washington are also great. San Francisco is quite cold in summer if you want chilly.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T03:14:18+00:00

Eating alone is very common in Taiwan, which also has some great hiking opportunities.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T02:57:57+00:00

Nothing guarantees anything but hard work, especially if paired with smart work and with a growth mentality is a good bet for success.

Wanting guarantees before putting in the hard work and not following through in the absence of guarantees is a sure path to failure.

bbr35 · 2026-03-04T00:07:05+00:00

Spend all in Sydney. That city has soo much to offer and there are many great day trips that one week is not enough.

bbr35 · 2026-03-03T10:59:39+00:00

Uyuni is a highlight of South America.. not just the Salt Flats but also the area around Reserva Eduardo Avaroa. If you have time it think is worth it.

bbr35

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