Advice sought on Kuala Lumpur, KL-Singapore drive, Jakarta, Singapore
holiday.

My wife and I plan to take a 2 week holiday in May, with the intention to
visit Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta.
(We got an extremely cheap fares deal to Singapore  with JetStar's opening
NZ-Singapore service and are building on that.

We have 14 calendar days in the area.

This is necessarily somewhat of a "whistlestop" trip. We could easily spend
the time in one place but would like the chance to see KL and Jakarta and
the Malay peninsular. We've been to Singapore before.

Budget target is "cheap and cheerful". Not desperate-backpackers level but
"hostel twin room, with en suite if available" is entirely adequate.
Focus is on a good cross section glimpse of KL and Jakarta (not the glitzy
stuff) and a look at "real Malaysia" during a quick drive down to Singapore=
..
Appreciated:
Countryside: Forests, wildlife, national parks, views, flora, buildings,
agriculture, people, food. .
City:  views, "authentic" markets, local cuisine (within limits), sights,
smells sounds.
Not especially: Nightlife, pubs, clubs, posh eating.

We'll spend money if it's necessary to see or do extremely worthwhile thing=
s
(national parks, maybe boat rides, day tour, canopy walk whatever) if very
worthwhile. No posh dinners, posh hotels, wine or song (and only 1 woman).
Many photos should be taken.

Present aim is:

Arrive Singapore. Stay 1-2 days.
Fly to Kuala Lumpur.
Look around KL and surrounds for 3-4 days.
Hire car and drive KL-Singapore, stopping en route at 1 or 2 or 3
locations.
Say KL-Singapore 2-4 days.
Fly Singapore - Jakarta.
Few days in Jakarta.
Fly J-Singapore.
Any day or 2 left in Singapore.

If all the above are maximised time slightly exceeds 14 days so times will
be juggled to suit.
My wife wants to see Sentosa butterfly house in Singapore. Other activities
in S as time allows.

I'm looking for a chance to get at least a glance at "real" Malaysia
(whatever that is) probably as we travel down.
Time in KL and driving can be interchanged - 5 to 8 days total say.

This would our first visit to Indonesia and, while I'd be happy to "get out
into the countryside" the 2 or 3 or just maybe 4 days hardly allows it AND
various advice is that that should be undertaken with due care Indications
are that one is a little less 'at risk" when wandering in Malaysia (KL -
Singapore portion). All that may be rubbish :-).

SO:
"Lonely Planet" et al will answer quite a lot of the following BUT people's
personal comment can be of vast value.

- Yes, we know it's rushed. We are used to cramming in new experiences :-)
(One carefully rushed long day in any of the world's great cities transform=
s
all subsequent things you hear about it).

- Anything recommended as must-see, should-see, good to see/do in KL,
Jakarta, Singapore.?

- Any thoughts on wisdom of self drive KL-Singapore? SEEMS well inside our
past experiences. But ...?
(Experienced in international driving)(Includes bicycling in Beijing! :-)
)..

- Places to see in Malaysian countryside in KL-Singapore area.

- Anything well worth seeing somewhat outside KL (even somewhat north) by a
day trip or overnight. Can have car if that helps.

- We don't want to "drive all day" but are used to doing so if there is a
very very very good reason to do so.

- What places are best worth staying at KL-Singapore.
Melaka seemed an obvious choice due to location and position, but maybe
elsewhere.
(Seremban, Rembau, Muar, Yong Peng?  ???... ?)

- The obvious  choice seems to be a route march down the left / West coast.

Is anything far out to the right / East worth the drive there and back. Or
an internal flight or bus or whatever.?
Kuantan?
Endau Rompin national park?
What's it like coming down the East coast instead, and why would/ wouldn't
you?

- Any technological place of merit. Things for sale, places to shop, or
things to see or ... ?

- Jakarta? Places. Day trips. Must sees. Must avoids.
My wife wants to see the Indonesia model 9hundreds of acres. I'd fear it
being a tacky tourist trap - maybe not. thoughts?

- Indonesia out of town. Safety etc ?







           Russell
--=20
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