Malaysia/Cambodia in October - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Alchemist · 09-21-2006, 08:17 PM

I will be in landing in KL and be in SE asia for approx 8 days/ 7 nights. I haven't been able to finalize my plans due to the expected rainfall. I hoping that someone here can help me make up my mind.

Some of the questions that I currently have on my mind is...
Looks like its going to be raining in October, does it rule out options on activities such as climbing Mt. Kinabalu, Scuba Diving(I am a certified scuba diver), Jungle trekking, River boating??

Should I stick to the beaches?? or will those be worthless too during the rainy season? what are my options? and is Penang really worth the trip? what are my best options if I am making a trip to one of the neighbouring countries?

Currently my top option among the neighbhouring countries is Cambodia (Siem Reap), I am still looking into Phillipines, Indonesia and might consider Singapore and Thailand as easier alternatives if the other options don't work out.

As for activities, I would have loved to do one or more of the following climb Mt. Kinabalu, go diving, and jungle trekking in Taman Negara. I know under the circumstances, time and weather will be the decisive factor.

I plan to check in my luggae at KL and backpack, and I don't have a set budget. I realise that I threw in a lot of questions, and I really don't expect you guys to take a lot of time and answer back in detail. A brief reply is fine too...any kind of response will be really appreciated.

Thanks!!!

**TheJake** · 09-22-2006, 03:55 AM

I know we have a few malaysia experts around here but the main one is currently studying in china without much internet time... hopefully she'll see this though and help ya out!

**tumblezweedz** · 09-22-2006, 04:35 AM

My only experience in Singapore with the monsoon was at the tail end of the season, in March some years back. At that point, it basically amounted to a two hour downpour every evening, so really didn't interfere dreadfully with my days, but I don't know how it will be in October. Singapore is a fun place to explore for a few days, but quite a different experience to jungle trekking or scuba diving. Very definitely an urban experience.

Alchemist · 09-24-2006, 03:18 PM

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Quote:

My only experience in Singapore with the monsoon was at the tail end of the season, in March some years back. At that point, it basically amounted to a two hour downpour every evening, so really didn't interfere dreadfully with my days, but I don't know how it will be in October. Singapore is a fun place to explore for a few days, but quite a different experience to jungle trekking or scuba diving. Very definitely an urban experience.

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Thanks for your replies. I have got a mixed response from people about the rains there. However all seem to indicate that the west coast is a better place to stick to during this season. I'll thier word for that and head to Langkawi/Penang and maybe visit Singapore too.

Thanks again!!

**freespiritz** · 09-25-2006, 02:15 AM

I just sent you a frazzled PM, and I hope it helps...Chinese cybercafes do strange things to my brain. :P

But it is true that monsoon season does generally mean a 2-hr downpour every afternoon.

Btw, there are daytrips from Langkawi for diving at Pulau Payar but I'm not sure how good the diving is.

Alchemist · 09-28-2006, 09:51 PM

Monsoon=2 hr downpour every day?? I can handle that

Hope it doesn't get worse than that. But I am mentally prepared to make the best of this trip no matter what. I have trekked through torrential rains in leech infested lands before...so if it rains when I am in a hotel..I think I can handle that with a bottle in my hand

This is my first time on TravelPunk, Thanks to everyone who replied (Special thanks to 'freespiritz'). I will keep everyone posted about my Langkawi trip. If I do get to do some dives at Pulau Payar, I will post my review up here.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 09-29-2006, 05:27 AM

I have been in the southern part of Thailand on the West Coast in October (very near Malaysia) and the weather wasn't bad. Cloudy maybe 50-60% of the time, with some rain occassionally, but nothing that impacts a trip, really. In fact, the weather is bit nicer for walking around, the heat is not so oppressive.

Diving was decent, vis is not as good as other times of the year, but it is still perfectly fine, and crowds are less - BIG bonus. Not sure how it works in Malaysia, but in Thailand at this time of year, certain dive sites, like the Similian Islands, are not diveable. However, there were plenty of day trips to other great sites. I would assume Malaysia is the same. Malaysia is supposed to have some absolutely fantastic diving. I wouldn't worry too much about the weather, I think you will be fine, unless your sole goal was to lay in the sun 12 hours a day and bake. Good luck!!