Phuket or malaysia in may

[ksmm]

Help!!! We are going on our first real family holiday in may. Me hubby dd4 and ds3. We are going to singapore 15th may and return 30th may. from 19th to 23rd may we want to add a beach destination and have been advised to go to phuket. But doesn't it rain then? we only have 4 days so want to make the most of another destination. Phuket seems like a good option because of the fantesea show and elephant rekking. Also we don't want to spen too much time travelling, so thought phuket was a good option.

Malaysia seems ok but i don't know too much about where to stay and what to do Help!!!! need to book by friday.

ps: we may also add Bintan to the last 2 days of singapore to reeeeeally chill out b4 we had back to london and the school run!

We are going to Malaysia at about the same time - with DS(3yrs) and DS(5mths). We are having one week on the beach - up in the NorthEast, off the coast of Khota Baru - look up the Perhentian Islands.

They are idyllic. May or may not be your thing. The smaller island (Kecil) is more for travellers, the bigger (Besar) seems to cater a little more for families. Both have a selection of places to stay from very basic huts, to European/Western standard hotels.

I went to Kecil as a student, doing the travelling thing, and we're now going back as a family. No doubt there will be a bit more going on than then, but by all accounts it is still very quiet, no roads, gorgeous beaches, snorkelling possibilities, diving (if you're into that), but mostly just relaxing and letting the little ones enjoy the sand and crystal clear waters (stay shallow for a long time in many bits)- and the peace and quiet. There is not masses to do.

You can fly into Khota Baru, then get 45min taxi to the jetty Kuala Besut, and a fast boat that takes another 40mins (also fishing boats you can take, but take twice as long)... Sounds ominous, but would not be too bad a journey, and I think, definitely worth it :0)
Look at the website for Anjung Holidays - bit cheap and cheerful, but gives a good summary of the accomodation. Also Wikipedia has a good write up on the Perhentian Islands.

Anyway, just a thought. I am VERY much looking forward to it.

(There is also Pulau Tioman, which is a bigger island, SouthEast, probably has more to do, but is not nearly as beautiful. Still clear waters etc.... but I rate Perhentians MUCH higher - Tioman does have its own domestic mini airport too, so maybe easier to get to)

.....the food is all grilled fish, what is caught that day, and based around what they can get to the islands on the little boats on a daily basis- lots of noodles and rice of course.
Common to see some poor sod dragging an enormous block of ice up the beach for example, to go and keep the freezer cold(!) :0)

And a lot of the smaller places 'boast' of having 12hrs of electricity :0)

Route: Singapore => Jerteh => Kuala Besut
Distances: 505km
Just found this ---- now lost the bloomin' website(!)

Journey: 8-9 hours
Singapore (Lavender Street/ Kallang Bahru Junction)
+65-62947034 /5 or
Johor Bahru (Larkin Bus Terminal)
Transnasional runs 3 daily services between Singapore and Kuala Terengganu. Transnasional is the only coach operator that have a permit from Singapore Transport Authority and Malaysia Authority to operate express services between Singapore and Kuala Terengganu/ Kota Bahru. Transnasional only sell one class ticket but the coach can be from 24 seater to a 36 seater. Transnasional Express ticket office and departure point located at junction of Lavender Street and Kallang Bahru roads.

Tel : +65-62947034 / 5.

Penang is lovely - same sort of deal as Phuket, really. You can fly direct from SG. I've been to both and would probably vote for Phuket - it's marginally better set up for tourists and in particular children.

On the other hand if you go to Kota Kinabalu (another short direct flight) they have the orangutan sanctuary, which should enthrall your children.

Thank u for all ur help guys. Thats really nice of you. You went to alot of trouble bergentulip

The decision made by time constraints (as we only have about 4 days) is going to be Phuket.

ninedragons, where did u stay? I'm looking at Lagoon beach resort in Bang Tao. But have been looking at trip advisor and Holiday Inn Patong seems to be liked more! However I'm not sure Patong is the ideal place for the kids and a quiet holiday?

Ooh! Hi there.... we're doing something very similar (Leaving LHR on 22nd, returning from KL on 31st). DH working there the preceding week. Last year we spent 5 days in Langkawi (an hour's flight from KL, and AirAsia do cheapest flights) which was lovely. Waterfalls, cable car up mountain, deserted beaches etc... ) but Andaman sea a bit more green than the South China Sea on the other side near Kota Bahru and Terrenganu (Sp?) where DH was working.
So this year, we're flying up to Phuket too, on the Sunday. Just trawling the internet to find suitable plpaces to stay. Dcs are 11 and 9. Found anything yet? I think Patong is a bit more touristy, so wanted a hotel right on the beach but quieter though not too far from life. And possibly of Eastern design, not concrete jungle. Fussy? Moi?

No trouble at all. Just cut & paste really, and I am myself still in the middle of finalising things, so all at my fingertips.

Can see that 4days might be a bit short for the trek all the way from Singapore. Have a great time! That whole part of the world is gorgeous, with so much to discover!

Have fun!!