asia travel_11"asia travel" What is the best way to travel Asia frm UK? Order of flights etc ?
Hi,
I'm looking for the best way to visit and travel around Asia etc. It will only be for 2 weeks around next September time.
What would be the best place to fly to from Birmingham, UK and where should I fly to internally once I'm there to get best value for money?
I was thinking along the lines of Birmingham to Hong Kong to Singapore To Bangkok to Phuket to Hong Kong To Birmingham or something along those lines?
Thanks
Gee you are sure cramming loads in to a short time! If you want to get out of it cheaper you could possibly consider going to Kuala Lumpur instead of Singapore. You can get good bargain airfares on Air Asia, but you do not want to be having a same day connection with your main international flight as Air Asia does cancel a lot of flights which means they put you on the next flight or the earlier flight which if connecting the same day could mean you miss your main international flight. Bangkok is a place that you could easily spend 4 days getting to see reasonably well and so is Hong Kong.
You should probably drop one place because you are really going to be on the go the entire time. You could possibly fly in to Hong Kong - Bangkok - Phuket - Bangkok - Hong Kong all on Air Asia. You could maybe go to Chang Mai instead of Phuket. It really depends on what you want out of your trip. The flights will certainly be cheaper not going to Singapore and either leaving that part out all together or go via Kuala Lumpur using Air Asia.
Asia Travel Advice For Visitors From Western Nations
The ordinary Western tourist poking around in Asian cities is usually sorely in need of some Asia travel advice, especially as relates to local laws and customs. Apart from the language, the lack of knowledge about local culture is a big hindrance, and sometimes even a danger. Something that might be very common in New York or London may be a big crime in parts of Asia.
There's no need to get all worked up about it, and neither is there any reason to not enjoy the trip. Actually, it's a selective thing that depends mostly on the destination and country being visited. As an example, let's consider two very popular Asian destinations - Dubai and Thailand. A visitor from a Western nation might be forgiven for mistakenly assuming that the laws and customs would be about the same in both nations.
Maybe it would be better to separate it out into two sections, one for 'Dubai travel advice' and the other one for 'Thailand travel advice.' Let's start with Dubai. In terms of local customs and laws that visitors need to be aware of, the most important ones are related to alcohol, indecent exposure and displays of public affection.
Alcohol consumption is strictly confined to licensed restaurants and clubs in Dubai. Those who buy alcohol from a store should remember to keep it under wraps in paper bags. Driving under the influence is a strict no-no and anyone found driving with even the smallest amount of alcohol in the bloodstream will be fined or locked up.
As for clothing and public affection, it's very easy for tourists to unknowingly cross the line. A day out on the beach where a couple gets frisky is enough to make it a crime, or even making out in a mall or in the car dressed in skimpy attire. This is not just about respecting local customs, but about breaking the law - tourists have been arrested, jailed and hauled up in court for such transgressions.
Thailand, on the other hand, is a whole lot more open and liberal about these things. Tourists have total freedom to go wild and enjoy the urban fleshpots in Bangkok and other beach resorts. But this has its own dangers, especially when tourists go a little bit too far and experiment with drugs. A small quantity for personal use is enough to land a tourist in jail for a long, long time.
Another thing that is illegal is disrespecting the monarch and his image in any and all forms. Tourists should also remember to keep their passports handy because not being able to produce identification is reason enough to get arrested. There are also certain customs that should be respected, such as touching people on the top of the head and not exposing soles of the feet in public.
Tips like these can be listed for every city and country in Asia, but that's not going to be possible here. Just remember that the laws and customs vary a lot, so the best possible Asia travel advice here is to get familiar with the cultural conditions that exist in each place. Asia in general is a lot more friendly and welcoming than most tourists expect, but it falls upon tourists to return the favor by respecting local customs and laws.
