Thailand

Looking to tour Thailand to sites like Bangkok and Chiang Mai and to do much of the travel by rail. Information and ticket purchases are available online at SiamTickets.

Thailand Railway maps

Bangkok Metro map

Indonesia

Sumba is an Indonesian island resort that is the opposite of Bali - no wild parties or youngsters but a peaceful, relaxing resort area. NIHI Sumba is one of the best resorts there. Their specialty is a large variety of individual seaside "villas" but on the edge of the wilderness.

East Asia 2026

Look at Pandaw who have river cruises throughout Asia including Ganges, Mekong, Brahmaputra, Red, and Halong Bay.

Penang looks like a good destination and possible winter stay — see Malaysia page. It is also part of Portillo's Great Asian Railway Journeys.

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

I stayed at The Majestic, one of the nicest Colonial era style hotels, comparable to Raffles in Singapore. To get to and from The Majestic, take the KLIA Ekspres from the airport (terminal 1 or 2) on the 6 (purple) or 7 (light blue) line to KL Sentral station. (Line 6 is direct, line 7 makes 3 stops along the way.) At KL Sentral go immediately outside to the right to the dedicated parking spot for The Majestic's shuttle bus.

I visited the excellent war memorial on Nov. 11 - the Tugu Nagara. I just missed the official ceremony because they hold it on the nearest Sunday to November 11. It was nice to see that the Canadian High Commission had laid a wreath at the memorial on the day.

Visited Petronas Tower which is interesting. The view from the tower is okay. They note that the design (if you look at a cross section) is modeled on the Muslim Victory Tower in New Delhi.

The KL metro system is great.