Zarina ([info]canadian_turtle) wrote,
@ 2008-05-22 08:48:00
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Entry tags:travel: asia

Who can help me with planning a short trip to Asia?
Mood: || Thoughtful
Tune : We Will Rock You - "Radio Ga Ga"


Hey guys, I am hoping that those of you that either live or have been to Bangkok, Denpasar, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore or Tokyo can give me some advice as I am considering a short trip to one of these cities.

As most of you know I am going backpacking in Australia for a year starting this August and with the ticket I have booked I have the option of a stopover in Asia on the way to Australia as well as on the way back. Until recently I thought it was only on the way back and I planned to go to Tokyo for a week, but having read I can make a second stopover I am now considering if I should take that opportunity as well. However I know absolutely nothing about any of these cities yet. And while the prospect of seeing a place I'll otherwise probably never go to is very exciting, it's also a bit daunting... So this is where I ask you guys for help.

(I can choose from: Bangkok, Denpasar, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo (again, hey can't go wrong with Disneyland), or of course no second stopover at all)

» Which cities are safe for a girl travelling alone? The centre at least, I am not planning to wander off by myself.
» Are they very touristy? As in: are there lots of tourists, are a lot of signs translated into English, do people in stores speak English, etc.
» What is there to see/do when you're only there for 3 days or so?
» Are these cities easy and fast to get to from the international airports? Seeing I'll only be going a few days I don't want to spend all my time travelling to get there.
» Which city/cities would you recommend and why?
» Which city/cities would you not recommend and why?
» Is it easy to get around in these cities (public transport)?
» Any other things you think I should be aware of?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me <3


(for my own reference, x-posted to: _backpackers, student_travel and ljtravel)



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[info]aratama
2008-05-22 07:02 am UTC (link)
Of all those cities I've only been to Tokyo, and that was years ago, but Japan is generally safe. Tokyo is not as bad as the rest of the country, and you can probably find people speaking some English there, but you shouldn't count on it. Public transport, I imagine, would also be a bit difficult, unless you buy a guide in English beforehand, and it won't be made easier by the fact that there's TONS OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE (the Tokyo scenes in Heroes makes it look deserted by comparison). On the plus side, though, there's Disney Land and also Disney Sea! People are generally not unfriendly to foreigners from the West, there's a lot of stuff to do and see both modern and traditional, if you also want to shop (electronics, for example), three days will pass far too soon, and it's generally a modern and very practical town where you won't have to worry about food or sanitary stuff.

But what I came to ask you was actually: can I make an icon out of one of your photos from Eclipse? I'll credit, of course.

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[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 07:08 am UTC (link)
A friend of mine went to Tokyo quite recently and said a lot of signs at least are also translated into English and once I make up my mind I'll obviously do some research beforehand. I am not too interested in shopping for electronics, I'll have enough luggage as it is. Though it'd be cool to go to some stores where they have Disney merch or some local markets type of things if Tokyo has any. Though if I am going to that city I'll probably just go to Disneyland and Disney at Sea for these few days, can never go wrong with that and I'd assume that's very touristy :) Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Yeah, that's fine. Which picture were you thinking of? If you want I can e-mail you the high-res, unwatermarked version tonight.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]aratama, 2008-05-22 07:20 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 07:24 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]aratama, 2008-05-22 07:31 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 07:35 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]aratama, 2008-05-22 07:39 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 07:43 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 09:54 am UTC (Expand)

[info]ronsypooie
2008-05-22 07:13 am UTC (link)
i can only speak for Hong Kong and Shanghai

1. i would say Hong Kong is safer than Shanghai for travelling alone. Hong Kong is very much like New York, in that it's really concentrated and everything you want to see is just a subway ride away. so you'll be amongst other tourists for sure
2. Hong Kong is definitely more English-speaking friendly than Shanghai as it was under British occupancy until 1997. but Shanghai is getting there
3. Hong Kong has lots of shopping, Victoria's Peak for great views of the city, a beach (yup, a beach!), 2 different parts (Kowloon and Hong Kong) to explore, and the first floating restaurant (i think) called Jumbo. Shanghai has AMAZING architecture (TV Tower, Jing Mao Tower both on the Pudong side of Shanghai and buildings on the Bund), one large street (Nanjing Road) famous for shopping, and sketchy places to find fake stuff haha
4. both the centers of Hong Kong and Shanghai are about a 45 min. drive from their respective airports
5. i like Hong Kong better than Shanghai, but that's probably because i identify with it more. i'm half Cantonese which is what they speak in HK. and while Shanghai is a big city too, the people there still didn't make me feel as if it were really a modern city. probably because Shanghai's grown to its status within the past 10 years, still a very new city.
7. both HK and Shanghai have easily accessible taxis and subways

hope that helps!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 07:19 am UTC (link)
From the cities mentioned Hong Kong and Tokyo were the only ones that I figured to be touristy in the way that they're relatively easy to get around without speaking the local language, and from what you say Hong Kong is indeed that.

I definitely like the fact that the city in concentrated as well, that way you're always close to a place you know (like the hotel or a certain subway station).

Thanks so much for the info, it's a big help!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]nowhack
2008-05-22 08:27 am UTC (link)
What's really sad is that I've been all over South Korea, yet I've only been to the airport in Narita, Japan, and went to Bangkok on a class trip in high school, so I can't really remember the ride from the hotel to the airport nor tell you specific places to go to.

Still, I recommend going either to Tokyo or Bangkok. From what I've heard, Japan is a pretty expensive country, but there's a 100 Yen store in Tokyo, which I've heard is great. and I thought that Bangkok was excellent for shopping because the prices are very low there, and you can always haggle with the dealers - a lot of them spoke at least some English, IICR. It was easy to walk around to shop, and the tuk-tuks there are pretty cheap (and fun to ride, IMO!)

Bangkok was very tourist-friendly and the people are SO polite there; I think it would be pretty safe for you to go there alone if you wanted to. I could say the same for Tokyo, as my friends have said they like it and they didn't feel nervous at all about being there. If it's anything like Seoul, it'll be easy to get around, both on a transportation (subway, buses, taxis, walking) and English-speaking level.

Wherever you choose to go, I hope you have a lot of fun, and ZOMG BACKPACKING IN AUSTRALIA!! I'm so jealous excited for you!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 08:33 am UTC (link)
That's alright, every bit of information helps, it doesn't need to be a 5 page detailed report (though it can come in handy :P).

I am not planning on spending loads of money. I'd like to see the city and (briefly) experience the completely different culture than what I am used to, so it's alright if a place can be seen as expensive.

Thanks so much for all the info, especially on the English & tourist friendly parts and how to get around. I really don't know the first thing about what to expect and just figured the worst you know?

I am VERY excited too. Just planning everything already is so much fun! ^_^

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]sleepall_day
2008-05-22 09:17 am UTC (link)
Hahahah, I am SO not well traveled enough to be helpful, but I hope you have a great trip! I grew up in Korea and I have actually been to Hong Kong, but nowhere else on the list :( Hong Kong's awesome cause a lot of people speak English :D

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 09:23 am UTC (link)
That's quite alright. Even your note that in Hong Kong a lot of peopel soeak English is helpful :) I am just going to collect all comments and take it from there.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]yemaya29982
2008-05-22 10:27 am UTC (link)
Okay not really much of a help, as I have only really been to Singapore airport on my way to Aus, I have never actually had a longer than 8 hours stopover, but sometimes I think you can tell alot about a place by its airport hehe. And well Singapore is a great airport, they all speak English, plus work in numerous different currencies (always helpful), but I know Singapore itself is one of those places with odd laws, like you can't chew gum in public.
The first time we went through it was during the Olympics, and the airport had their own mini olypics to celebrate! Lol

Damn I wish I was going to Aus again, any chance I could sneak into your luggage Lol :D

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[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 10:54 am UTC (link)
Oh really? :| Well that's good you mention it then, I had absolutely no clue *goes to Google weird laws in Singapore*

I heard it's very clean though so I assume you get fined if you throw gum on the streets, didn't know it went as far as forbidding it alltogether.

When I am going (if I am going there) there is a festival going on actually, should be fun LOL

Sure, I don't mind ^_^ Just meet me at Schiphol airpot on August 17 :P

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]subtle__sarcasm
2008-05-22 11:04 am UTC (link)
i have been to none of those so i'm absolutely no help there.

BUT OMFG SO EXCITING!!!!!

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[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 11:09 am UTC (link)
I know right ^_^ It's like an entire world opened to me when I realised I can just go to one of these places! Currently I am leaning most towards Hong Kong and Singapore (because of the info I've gotten), so I am definitely making a second stopover as well :D

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]subtle__sarcasm, 2008-05-22 04:45 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 05:38 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]subtle__sarcasm, 2008-05-24 11:54 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-26 08:02 am UTC (Expand)

[info]lijago
2008-05-22 12:22 pm UTC (link)
Hey I came here from a travel community b/c I was curious! Mainly because your username says "Canadian" - I'm from Canada, though living in Australia!
I haven't actually been to any of those places yet, though I'm headed to Singapore in December. And the rest are on my list!
However, personally I would suggest any but Tokyo - you're already going there! I'm a big fan of seeing as many places as possible, and since you're already spending a week in Tokyo, see something else :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 12:32 pm UTC (link)
Hey there! I don't live in Canada (yet!) but I spent a year traveling there, and I had such a blast! Love the country, met some amazing people and I didn't have a single bad enouncter with anyone (in contrary to the US where I went to for two weeks during that year, such a contrast). Where in Canada are you from if I can be so blunt to ask? And where in Australia are you currently living? :)

I definitely hear you on exploring different cities. I just don't know anything about these places and Disneyland seemed to me the safest bet since it's obviously very touristy. However, from all the replies I've gotten so far Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok also sound great. Especially Singapore although I doubt I can find much "older" culture to explore there, something I really like. Do you know yet what you're going to see/do there?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]lijago, 2008-05-22 12:47 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 01:02 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]lijago, 2008-05-22 01:11 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 01:19 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]lijago, 2008-05-22 01:28 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 02:04 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]lijago, 2008-05-22 02:24 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 02:28 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-22 03:10 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]lijago, 2008-05-24 09:50 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-24 10:04 am UTC (Expand)

[info]cadesama
2008-05-22 12:27 pm UTC (link)
Choose Team Bangkok!

Seriously, I was there this February and it was wonderful. It is quite touristy -- to the point where everything is quite stream lined and caters very specifically to English speaking foreign customers. Close to the airport (about an hour by shuttle bus in from the airport). it's also quite safe, particularly if you stick to the backpacker's district around Khaosan Road and stay in non-skeevy guest houses (of which there are many, and I would particularly recommend Lamphu House).

In Bangkok: definitely go to the Grand Palace. It's beautiful and you can cheaply hire an English speaking guide to tell you the history. Definitely shop on Khaosan Road -- a lot of cool stuff there, as well as great food. You can also take in a show, go to the National Museum (which I liked, but wasn't must see), and hit the Tiger Park or Floating Market outside of time if you have time. No need to worry too much about how to book stuff. You walk into a tour agency, say what you want to do, and they hook you up. For everything.

It's also quite easy to get around. Even if your taxi driver doesn't speak English, a lot of the guide maps come with Thai driving instructions written on them. And plenty of cool stuff is in walking distance anyway.

Additionally, the visa situation is very easy to handle. You just fill out a card on your plane, and then you can stay for ninety days. I'm less sure of the situation for other cities. I didn't get a regular tourist visa when I came to China, and they are changing things a lot in preparation for the Olympics, but I still wouldn't bet on getting a Chinese visa not being a bitch. And, for Shanghai, there isn't actually a lot to do there beyond shopping. Most of the historical districts were torn down after the revolution, and it considers itself a highly modern city -- meaning boring.

Not much other advice, except that as a good backpacker, make sure to have you Lonely Planet handy, or check out their site for whichever city you end up choosing! :D

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 12:39 pm UTC (link)
Wow, you sound so convincing! From all the replies I've gotten (in different communities) my preference lay with Singapore and Hong Kong. Mostly Singapore because it sounds so safe and such, but I am not sure if there's much 'older' culture to explore there and I would kind of like that.

I had almost written off Bangkok, as the most negative comments I´ve gotten describe the city as seedy, full of tourist traps and with a corrupt police force. Would you say then that's highly exaggerated or false?

The fact you mention the Grand Palace and a floating market however sounds so appealing! That's what I think of when I think of Asia you know? The contrast with the culture I am so accostumed to.

Thanks for mentioning the visa thing, that's definitely something to keep in mind and I'll sort that out before making my final descision on a city.

And I go to bed with my Lonely Planet, seriously it was SO much help in Canada.

Thanks a LOT for all the help if I eventually do pick Bangkok is it okay I ask you some more questions if I have any?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]cadesama, 2008-05-22 12:53 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 01:12 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]cadesama, 2008-05-22 01:21 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 02:40 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]cadesama, 2008-05-22 02:47 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]stacyanne09
2008-05-22 12:41 pm UTC (link)
I just got back from three weeks in Shanghai and Japan 4 days ago. Hehe. I went with my hubby, and in Shanghai we stayed with his sister who lives there, and in Japan we stayed in Yokohama (next to Tokyo) with my host family from when I studied there.

Japan has added a lot of English since I studied there 7 years ago. If you are comfortable riding public transportation anywhere else, you can do it in Japan which really has the most amazing train system I have ever seen. We had a Tokyo train map that not only had the lines, but also had the major tourist destinations and how to get there, plus the back page had English tips for riding the train - how to buy tickets, where to enter the platform, etc.

People in tourist areas speak basic English. You'll always get farther if you learn your basic "Thank you" and "Please" in the language. If you're not Japanese, they'll know you're foreign and don't expect you to speak the language anyway, so pointing and holding up fingers can get you far. My dad lived there for 3 years and barely speaks any Japanese, and he did fine! Japan is also very safe. There are often police kiosks (called koban) all over. It is very expensive, though. Cab rides start at $6-7 USD and are clean. Train tickets start at just over $1 US and go up depending on the distance. A bottle of Coke is just over $1 US. Museum admissions are about $10. You can eat street food, it is safe, and cheaper than a lot of restaurants.

In Tokyo, there are a lot of neighborhoods that are great for free sight-seeing (Harajuku, Akihabara, Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park, Ginza, Asakusa), and my husband said it was even worth getting up at 5am to see the Tsukiji Wholesale Market. Kamakura, Hakone, or Nikko are beautiful day trips.

We were in Shanghai for a week, and it's definitely one of the most expensive places in China. Their Metro tickets are less than $1. It's $1.50 to flag a cab, just watch the meter and get a receipt. An hour-long foot massage will run $3-4, full-body $10-15. Decent restaurants can be a little expensive, but I wouldn't eat cheap food just to save money and ruin a day or more of travel!

The Shanghai Museum at the Peoples' Park was great (and free since March!). We also hit the Jade Buddha Temple, the fabric market, Museum of Contemporary Art, Urban Planning Exhibition Centre... We took a wonderful day trip to Suzhou (about $5 each way for a 45-minute high-speed train ride in first-class). My sister-in-law speaks Chinese which was helpful in many situations, but not imperative. The most helpful times were giving street names or addresses to taxi drivers (pronunciation is tricky and you can end up in the wrong place easily), and haggling at the market. We easily took the Metro by ourselves, and we could've ridden the train ourselves but would have allowed more time to navigate the station.

Wow, that was long. I hope that gives you something! Those are the only two I have been to, myself. And I've not been to either Disney. =\ Let me know if you want details on anything!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 12:56 pm UTC (link)
Thank you so much for your reply, it definitely helps a lot :D

It's really helpful you've added prices for a bunch of things as well to give me an idea what to expect. I'll only be going shortly (though probably a few days longer than the 3 days I mentioned, I am just getting so excited about the trip now!) so I won't spend too much money, but it's nice to have an indication. I am from Europe actually and with the Euro everything is currently really expensive here. So the prices you mentioned are very decent :)

The Tokyo train (and the map!) sound truly excellent. I can manage the subway easily by myself in NYC, London or Paris so I am now quite a bit reassured I'll be able to get around reasonably easy in Tokyo as well.

I hadn't really considered Shanghai yet, but it sounds really wonderful with the temple, museums, etc. I mainly swayed towards Singapore and Hong Kong (because they sound safe from the replies I've gotten, and there's lots of English there) but I am not so sure I'll be able to truly find the 'older' culture I am hoping to see a glimpse of as with what you've described for Shanghai.

You'll always get farther if you learn your basic "Thank you" and "Please" in the language
Yeah I agree. I always like to speak a little of the language, show the effort, but to me Japanese looks like abracadabra :|

In Tokyo, there are a lot of neighborhoods that are great for free sight-seeing (Harajuku, Akihabara, Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park, Ginza, Asakusa)
This sounds really cool, which of the neighbourhoods did you like best? And what did you see/do there? :)

and my husband said it was even worth getting up at 5am to see the Tsukiji Wholesale Market.
I'd love to see that, thanks for the tip!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]stacyanne09, 2008-05-22 03:59 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 09:25 am UTC (Expand)

[info]gossy16
2008-05-22 02:06 pm UTC (link)
That all sounds so exciting! I've never been to Asia, so all of those sound interesting, but if I were you I wouldn't go to Tokyo both times. You might regret it later, y'know? Even if Tokyo is AWESOMESAUCE (which I have no doubt it WILL be :D :D), when are you going to get another chance to see Bangkok, Hong-Kong, Shanghai or Singapore (just going by the most popular responses you've gotten)?

It sounds like a difficult choice to make, so good luck! I'm sure you'll enjoy any time spent wherever you end up going. :D

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 02:12 pm UTC (link)
Tokyo, and than one of the Disney's in particular was just the safest bet ;) You know the.. if all else fails, I'll go there option.|

Anyway, it all definitaly sounds interesting. My initial thought when I read that in the letter was OMG I AM GETTING A CHANCE TO SEE A PLACE I'LL NEVER GO TO AGAIN! It's exciting, and overwhelming, but also scary. I mean I am so biased with my Western views on Asian cities: that it's all unsafe (for a girl. alone), that they don't speak English, etc. I don't know how much of it is true, ya know?

From all the replies I've gotten here and on communities Singapore is by far the safest option to go: clean city, easy to navigate, English is the official second language, great metro system, etc.

Except, IF I am gonna do this I'd like to see something 'different'. Like temples, or palaces or those markets ya know? Stuff we'll never see here. And Singapore has none of that.

Ahhh choices...

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]gossy16, 2008-05-22 02:36 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 02:41 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]gossy16, 2008-05-22 04:27 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 05:57 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]gossy16, 2008-05-23 11:19 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-26 08:02 am UTC (Expand)

[info]whimsywinx
2008-05-22 02:17 pm UTC (link)
I know my mom really liked Hong Kong when she went there, and as it used to be a British territory, I'd expect a lot of English speakers.

I think she's also been to Singapore which she also liked. I'll have to ask her.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 02:18 pm UTC (link)
Those are the two cities I've so far (from all replies here and elsewhere) gotten the impression of it's easiest to get around with just knowing English. But if you can ask her if she liked the place in general that'd be great! Thanks ^_^

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]chanelcoco
2008-05-22 03:05 pm UTC (link)
BABE, I'M SINGAPOREAN XD

+ I've been to Hong Kong about 3 times now so I can answer you a little about that too (:

» Which cities are safe for a girl travelling alone? The centre at least, I am not planning to wander off by myself.

Singapore is VERY, VERY SAFE. Trust me on this. Tokyo/HK are relatively okay too, except for that one time we walked into a wrong alley in Tokyo and it was sort of a red-light district with yakuza cars around. O__O and it was kind of in the city. O_O

» Are they very touristy? As in: are there lots of tourists, are a lot of signs translated into English, do people in stores speak English, etc.

Lots of tourists, yes. Plus we all speak English (or Singlish, which will sound funny to you, but it's better than in Japan where the majority of the people aren't really proficient in English - info from abt 5 years back...I was there in '03). Signs are all in English.... errr. Yeah. O_O It's our main language.

I honestly don't know about English in HK though... but they should be relatively okay with it (: They generally speak Cantonese, one of the Chinese dialects.

» What is there to see/do when you're only there for 3 days or so?

LOTS. The best part about Singapore is the fact that part of our economy thrives on tourism, so you can be sure that in the little cultural enclaves we still have around the island (e.g. Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam)... it's all very much catered to tourists. There's also a Night Safari, museums (e.g. Asian Civilization), several known landmarks around the CBD area, street shopping (it's a small night market), and of course, the FOOD.

...........if you come here I'll definitely bring you around to try our food *_* We have no chewing gum, of course, but it's okay. I like my streets gumless :D

Ooh yeah I just remembered! I think they recently revamped one of the museums :D and even I like it! I'm not sure if it's the National museum's History section or the History museum... or something. Damn, I'm bad with names.

» Are these cities easy and fast to get to from the international airports? Seeing I'll only be going a few days I don't want to spend all my time travelling to get there.

My island is so small; the airport is relatively near from the city centre compared to the other countries I've been to. (It's 20 mins from my house and I live approx. in the middle of the island.)

HK has a very efficient train system from the airport to the city centre, but I can't rmbr the duration.

» Which city/cities would you recommend and why?

Mine :D I actually found this place boring until I did part-time tour guiding last year for Japanese students on an exchange programme and I brought them around Singapore for a day each time and I realised that there's really a lot of things to do and see and because our society's very multicultural, you get a taste of different cultures from just one destination.

H/e, if you're looking for someplace not so... westernised, this probably isn't the place for you. Mm, I'd say Hong Kong would be a nice place to go to, but there might be a couple of problems: the people can be quite rude and snappy, the traffic's very messy...... but then again, the nightlife is fantastic. :D The stores open late and close late. The Disneyland is really small though, but it is quite English-friendly.

I don't remember much about Tokyo now (except that Disneyland was almost entirely in Japanese ;_;) so I can't comment much on that, but randomly, I AM DYING TO GO THERE ;_; I remember the ramen though - best noodles I've ever eaten. I might be biased on this though; am sort of a japanophile ._.

(Reply to this) (Thread)(Expand)
cont'd
[info]chanelcoco
2008-05-22 03:06 pm UTC (link)
» Is it easy to get around in these cities (public transport)?

Singapore's public transport is v.good, imo. Buses come around approximately every 15 minutes, and the trains (MRTS) cover quite a lot of places. Our taxis are also reasonably priced in case you get lost or something. And there's this bus you can take that will bring you around to the major tourist attractions.

As for Hong Kong, the MTR (their trains) is very well organized as well, but I've never taken their buses before so I don't know about it. O_O From what I've seen of their driving though; it's pretty reckless. & I think it's not v. organized either. As for the taxis, they tend to rip tourists off, so you have to be careful about that.

Japan... I was 11 when I went there so I don't remember much, but I know that their buses ALWAYS arrive on time (they have signs at each bus stop indicating arrival times). The taxis are REALLY EXPENSIVE. Mm, their trains are okay... just try to avoid them during peak hours. I still remember this time when my whole family stood at the platform and stared at this old lady who squeezed herself into the train and the doors closed and her face was kinda squashed on to the glass. She saw us ogling and then she grinned. O_O

» Any other things you think I should be aware of?

Singapore's really, really warm. The weather sucks. Depending on the time of year you'll be here though... right now it's terrible, but at the later parts of the year it gets more bearable. Since we're in the tropic's it's summer all year round, and the only other season we get is the rainy season. So I think you should probably look up about that and cross-check it with your schedule... rain really dampens the city ):

Out of Japan, Singapore, and HK, Hong Kong is the cheapest place to go to (provided you don't get ripped off) and Japan's the most expensive, imo.

Mmm... I'm dying to watch Gossip Girl soon so I'll end it off here, but if you've any questions about Singapore feel free to ask me :D

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(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-22 03:28 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 06:16 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 12:08 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 12:10 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 12:26 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 01:38 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 02:22 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 02:48 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 03:52 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 04:09 pm UTC (Expand)
Re: cont'd - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 06:10 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 12:24 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 12:29 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 01:41 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-22 06:07 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 12:17 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 12:24 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 01:56 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 02:26 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 02:57 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 03:55 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-23 05:02 pm UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-26 08:03 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]chanelcoco, 2008-05-26 11:20 am UTC (Expand)

[info]kinopion
2008-05-22 04:16 pm UTC (link)
Tokyo is very safe for a girl travelling alone. I was there for 5 weeks a few years back. I'm a boy, but my friend who is a girl was there alone and she said she felt very safe. It's also very easy to navigate, the trains take a LITTLE getting used to, but I was very surprised about just how quickly I figured them out, and I don't think I ever got lost either. Most of the signs are translated into english and if you get a guide book finding things is quite easy. It's about a fourty minute train ride, and if you message me I can give you some info about hostels and such. As i've said, trains are super easy to navigate, and also can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. It's actually not as touristy as you might think, but at the same time quite a few people speak english there and japanese folks are VERY helpful. I once was having trouble finding a place, and asked a japanese women. Not only did she stop her gardening to give me detailed directions, she then took me to the bus stop, got on the bus with me, and took me the whole way to my destination!

Tokyo is amazing, I would really suggest checking it out. :)

Again, feel free to message me if you want some info about the place!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-22 06:00 pm UTC (link)
I hoped so :D I am definitely going to Tokyo at the end of my trip (which isn't until August 2009), but I was considering maybe going twice as it seemed the safest option from all the cities I could pick from.

A 40 minute train ride sounds really great!! Closer to the city center than someone else mentioned before. I'd definitely be interested in tips on hostels, though as I said I'll likely won't go until 1.25 years from now :\

That story about the woman who helped you out is amazing though, how friendly!

From all the info I've gotten so far I figured there are a few other cities that sound really interesting and seeing this is a chance I won't likely get again, I'll probably want to visit two different cities instead of the same one twice.

Thanks again for all the info though, very reassuring! :D

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(no subject) - [info]kinopion, 2008-05-27 02:38 am UTC (Expand)

[info]br33n
2008-05-22 08:29 pm UTC (link)
I definitely don't suggest you go anywhere in India by yourself, especially as your a female. I'm Indian myself, and my Dad wouldn't let me out of his sight the time I went there. It's a dangerous place for a girl.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]br33n
2008-05-22 08:36 pm UTC (link)
Sorry, just realized that maybe I should expand on that a bit!

I'm generalizing obviously, but most of India is full of poverty, and people will con you out of money there, charging you ridiculous prices, following you around because you are a tourist, etc. The police there are not very...police-y. At all. My brother just went there last month, to the biggest tourist place in India (Goa), and the police beat him and took all his money, for no reason. They are crooked and really can't be trusted.

Obviously, if you go with someone else who knows India, it is a beautiful country. But the locals will really take advantage of you because your foreign. It's kinda every man out for himself down there.

On the other hand, Tokyo is amazing!

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(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-23 07:05 am UTC (Expand)

[info]never_evil
2008-05-22 08:43 pm UTC (link)
just a quick note before I rush to class...

When we stopped over at Hong Kong and wanted to look outside the airport - well we got lost and couldn't find anyone who spoke English. It was hard getting back to the airport without a map and barely an English speaking person. But that was 6 years ago so things might have changed.

As for India...well definitely there are a lot of English signs (barely any hindi ones I'd say) and practically everyone speaks English. BUT I have never been to Mumbai in particular so I don't know much about it. It is a huge city (read dodgy city :p so I can't say it is safe for girls alone...). Also if you visit India - if you haven't travelled to third world countries before I think you need to prepare yourself for a huge culture shock. Yes there are lots of gorgeous temples and other places but A. You would need to know where to go beforehand or have access to someone who knows B. It is so crowded there you might just get lost.

So haha sounds like I am putting you off visiting my mother country but really it is just because you're gonna be alone there and I think it might be a bit panic inducing.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-23 07:13 am UTC (link)
I keep hearing that they do speak a lot of English in Hong Kong (though not as much as in Singapore, but still a lot)... I'll have to look into that closer then, see if that's because it chanegd since you've been there.

Thanks for the info on India, it's pretty much as the other comments I've gotten and I decided to scrap that one of the list for sure :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]themis_euterpe
2008-05-23 05:43 pm UTC (link)
Hello!

I am from Singapore, and I visited Hong Kong and Denpasar last year, and Bangkok the year before - so hopefully this can be helpful.

Singapore - it is probably the safest of all the potential destinations on your list. It is the kind of place you can stay out till 3 am in the morning and not feel insecure. A bit sanitised but with interesting quirks and a comfortable transition place. The museums are worth going for - the latest is the Peranakan Museum, and there is a bar at the National Museum that is quite cool. Little India, Arab Street, Bugis are great for some culture sight-seeing and Changi Village is a nice hideaway for nature lovers. Great food, taxis are metered, and everyone speaks English.

Bangkok - much cheaper than Singapore and generally safe. However, when I was there, I do make it a point to get back to the hotel before it gets dark (my usual practice in a strange country by myself). The shopping is great, the food is good and the people are generally nice and friendly and most speak some English.

Denpensar - you probably wun stay there for the full 2 to 3 days, but will move down to Kuta or Ubud. I have to Bali twice, and each time I just flew to Denpensar and then moved on to Kuta and other places to stay. Ubud is great for culture, and makes a nice relaxing stopover but tends to be expensive (at least for the Asian traveller). The prices can be on the high side. On the other hand, due to the very developed tourist sector, most people you meet will speak some English. As for how safe the place is - it seems better than Bangkok, cos it is so laid-back, but again, I'll recommend going back to your hotel before it gets too dark and spend the evening sipping cocktails by the poolside.

Hong Kong - I LOVE Hong Kong - the shopping is great, the food is great and the whole place is just full of energy! If you The downside is that Cantonese is really their lingua franca, and increasingly Mandarin. English has a strong presence but not as much as you expect. Also probably not safe to stay out too late - we (2 guys and 1 gal) stayed out till past midnight once and there were some rather iffy looking people on the streets. Definitely a place I'll recommend you either stick in places like Lan Kwai Fang if you want to stay late and from there catch a cab back to your hotel. And if you are going in August you would have missed their sale!!!

Hope this helps!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-26 07:48 am UTC (link)
Wow, thanks so much for all the info, it's extremely helpful! I am 99% sure I'm going to Singapore now, but all the info is great and I am very tempted now to go to one of the other places in the future as well.

What's your opinion on the safeness of Little India btw? Because I had my eye on a hostel there but a friend of mine said the area is a bit run down... Changi Village sounds great too, I'd have to see what I can find about ti online ^_^ And if you think of any other things that might be worth seeing/doing, please let me know :D

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(no subject) - [info]themis_euterpe, 2008-05-26 04:13 pm UTC (Expand)

[info]ctheinvisible17
2008-05-23 11:48 pm UTC (link)
I'm not able to help you, but I hope you get everything worked out. :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-26 07:45 am UTC (link)
Thanks hun! ^_^

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]chrryblssmninja
2008-05-24 10:01 pm UTC (link)
I went to Tokyo when I was five. My mom, baby brother-in-a-stroller and I were fine walking streets alone. Don't remember where exactly, though.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-26 07:44 am UTC (link)
That's alright :) Too bad you were only 5, you wouldn't remember much :(

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(no subject) - [info]chrryblssmninja, 2008-05-26 08:23 am UTC (Expand)
(no subject) - [info]canadian_turtle, 2008-05-26 08:24 am UTC (Expand)

[info]damedbx
2008-05-24 10:01 pm UTC (link)
ASIA NO WAY! :D lol I hope someone here can help you! :D

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]canadian_turtle
2008-05-26 07:44 am UTC (link)
Yup, the replies so far have been extremely helpful :D

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)(Expand)
(no subject) - [info]damedbx, 2008-06-04 10:29 pm UTC (Expand)

(Anonymous)
2008-06-06 10:20 am UTC (link)
I live in Singapore (just zooming through peoples LJs, don't worry, I'm not a stalker) so I can safely say that Singapore is a very safe place. I've been to most of the places on your list (Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore obviously) and I think that it would be easiest if you chose Singapore. We all speak English here, and it is VERY safe. You won't be kidnapped, groped or wolf-whistled at. They are some nice places to see, like the Esplanade, the Singapore Flyer, etc, but it isn't that great. (but the zoo is! :D) Orchard road is a good place to shop. You can defintly do most of the stuff within 3 days. Changi Airport is very modern, clean and very popular. However do not bring any gum, be prepared for a small place and to spend a lot.

(Reply to this)


(Anonymous)
2008-06-06 10:25 am UTC (link)
This is the same person as before, I forgot to mention the public transport.
The MRTs are good, but can be crowded during rush hour and a bit vague. The bus service, I don't even know I just know which bus goes to my house. @.@ Don't try to decode it. I suggest taking taxis around Singapore, because they know where they are going, most of the time. But always put your seatbelt, they are crazy fast. Oh, who knows, you might get the karaoke taxi driver! I've never gotten him.

(Reply to this)

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