Jakarta - pre-travel post

04:30 , 0 Comments


 Jakarta is the largest city. and capital of Indonesia. It has a booming population of 9.7m. The city is often full of traffic, so walking may be your best option most of the time. When we get here Dave will find out that I haven't done my research properly, and we should get here in the height of the wet season, still, at least I've given him a poncho. Temperatures should be in the mid to high 20's, so warm and wet, lovely. Rooms start at around 125000 rupiah.

 A little rain never hurt anyone, so we can still do all these outdoor activities like visiting the Old Town, or Kota Tua. The are of the city has a square in old Dutch colonial style, with cafes and street vendors, and even a good few museums, great for a wander and some photo opportunities (if youve got a waterproof camera). There is also a lovely bridge here called Jembatan Kota Intan, a suspension bridge built in 1628. If you're really feeling the local and cultural vibes, you can get down the gritty stuff by taking a hidden tour of Jakarta. Ronny and Anneke will take you to some local slums and make you sympathise with the people who gross you out with how they live, but you can feel slightly better about yourself knowing that the money you paid for the tour goes to the local people, so you can stop worrying about it now, they're probably rolling in it.

 When you feel like you've done your bit for the world, hit up Jalan Jaksa, a popular place for travellers so naturally where the party is. Also much of the cheap accommodation, food and drinks can be found here.

 But it's not all about architecture and cultural shit, there's something for nature lovers too! Haven't seen all the birds you wanted on a trip to Bird Island? Why not see them all for sale in cages? I know, not nice, but the Bird Market might be worth a quick visit.

 Finally, Jakarta seems to be some kind of musical hub, hosting a vast array of festivals year round. Around about the time we got there (4th - 6th March) is the Jakarta Java Jazz Festival, who doesn't love jazz?

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Crossing the Cambodian-Thai Border

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Transport


Blogs all over the warn of the horrors of crossing the border at Poipet, but MoveToCambodia provides an excellent post on this. They recommend a very cheap option ($11.25) involving a 2 hour mini-bus to Poipet, and a 5-6 hour bus to Bangkok. They do warn however, that this is a trip that will take you all day, and you are advised to leave early. The link above has detailed, step by step instructions on how to get over the border safely.

Visa procedure

If you're staying in Thailand longer than 15 days, you'll need to get a tourist visa in advance from the Thai embassy in Phhnom Penh, or fly in to be granted a 30 day visa exemption (UK citizens).  It seems there is some confusion as to whether you get 30 or 15 days when entering overland, but to be safe we will say 15 day visa exemption when arriving overland.

At the immigration office make sure you get stamped out of Cambodia and then into Thailand, and pay the immigration fee (1000THB) if it exists (only found one mention of it).


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Crossing the Thai-Malaysian Border

08:09 , , , 0 Comments

Transport

 Here we will be taking the easy way out, and saving a full days uncomfortable travelling by taking a 2 hour flight from Krabi to Georgetown for around £40 each. Cop-outs, I know.

 Visa Procedure

 British nationals don't need a visa to enter Malaysia, we are automatically allowed to stay for 3 months. So this may be the easiest border crossing yet.

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Crossing the Malay-Indonesian Border

08:08 , , , 0 Comments

Transport

Here we are travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, a long overland and sea journey. The quickest, simplest and cheapest way to make this journey is to fly, with flights costing around £16.

Visa

UK citizens will be allowed entry on arrival for up to 30 days without a visa.
So our final border crossing is another easy one. :)

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Crossing the Vietnamese-Cambodian Border

08:07 , , , 0 Comments

Transport

Buses from HCMC cost 13-18USD (or up to 35USD for sleeper buses) and takes 6 hours. Mekong Express is the most highly recommended company by other blog users.These buses stop at the border, but no where else, so stock up on your snacks and boredom breakers.

Visa Procedure

At the border you will be asked to get off the bus to sort out your visa, so have your passport photos at the ready! Purchase a Cambodian tourist visa (T-class) for 35USD (payment in USD only, they will not accept their own currency) get stamped out of Vietnam, and stamped into Cambodia, and get your bus the other side.

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Getting Around Malaysia

04:24 , , 0 Comments

Georgetown to Ipoh

There are a number of bus companies covering this route, buses can be booked online or in Georgetown. The journey takes roughly 2 hours with a 20 minute toilet/leg stretch break. It's costs 15-25MYR depending on which bus company you use.

Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur

The old train takes about 4 hours and costs 12MYR, or the new electric train takes just over half the time at twice the cost. So, money or time?


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Getting Around Thailand (2)

07:40 , , 0 Comments

Bangkok to Ko Pha Ngan

 Most travel agents can sell you a bus/ferry combined overnight ticket to Ko Pha Ngan for around 600THB. The journey takes 12-14 hours. Alternatively you can take the government-run route, which is supposed to more comfortable, but will set you back 1000THB.

 Ko Pha Ngan to Khao Sok

 First we take the Lomprayah ferry to Surat Thani for 700THB. There are cheaper options, but this method takes less than half the travel time at 1.5 hours. There are ferries leaving Ko Pha Ngan at 7.00 and 12.00 daily.

 Public buses run from 7.00 leaving Surat Thani every hour, on the hour, or from the train station at 15 minutes past the hour. The  journey takes 2 hours and costs 120THB

 Khao Sok to Krabi

 There is no direct bus from Khao Sak to Krabi, (but this is information from 2013 so will check while I'm there too) so the easiest option is to take a minibus. These cost ~300THB and take 2-3 hours. Buses leave at 8.30, 10.00 and 12.00am. Make sure you ask the driver to drop you in the town centre, or you'll be dropped outside of town and have to make your way back in.

 Krabi to Ko Jum to Ko Phi Phi

 To get to Ko Jum you must catch a ferry from Krabi to Ko Lanta, and get dropped off halfway inbetween, where longtail boats will take you to the shores of Ko Jum. This should cost 400THB, pre-booking is recommended as it is often full.
There is a cheaper, albeit more complicated route, Catch a songthaew to Nua klong for 20 THB (though they may try to charge 50THB for tourists). Then catch another songthaew to Laem Kruat for 50 THB There are ferries leaving throughout the day from Laem Kruat to Ko Jum for ~70THB. It is a 40 minute boat ride.

 There isn't much information on how to get from Ko Jum to Ko Phi Phi, but it seems there are direct ferries running from 8.30am, which can be booked through you guesthouse who will have to ring 081-968-9457 or 085-691-1857 (don't ask me why there's two numbers). I'm not sure on the price. but I will find out better once I'm there.


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Getting Around Cambodia

04:31 , , 0 Comments

Phnom Penh to Battambang

 There is actually a free option here. The old train is free, though it takes a little longer at 13-14 hours, but it is completely free, and a good chance to mingle with locals.

Or for a shorter route, you can take the bus for 24,000 riel and this will only take you 6-7 hours.

Battambang to Siem Reap
Again there are two options; bus or boat. The ferries leave at 7am, taking 6-9 hours, and cost 82000 riel, the bus is a shorter journey at 4-5 hours, and costs only 6250 riel. The boat journey is said to be far more scenic, and the bus journeys are far more frequent, so it's your choice depending on how much money/time you have.

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Two 23 year olds going off backpacking and documenting both the research and (hopefully) traval stages. Maybe it will be helpful to some people? I don't know,