Post: #1

Not in the common theme of banging broads, but I figure someone can help me here: i'm looking for a place in Thailand or Malaysia where I can unwind and be around nature.

I've been working a ton lately and found out I have a month off work in February. I'm doing 10 days trekking in the himilayas but after that I fancy beaches, islands, and/or rainforests.

Really into hiking and gym so anywhere that is secluded but with some accommodation and gyms would be perfect.

Not looking for a party town filled with drunks and shite music.

Krabi and Chiang Mai could be good (all though chiang mia lacks the beaches)

Post: #2

(10-28-2018 09:19 AM)flyinghorse Wrote:  Not in the common theme of banging broads, but I figure someone can help me here: i'm looking for a place in Thailand or Malaysia where I can unwind and be around nature.

I've been working a ton lately and found out I have a month off work in February. I'm doing 10 days trekking in the himilayas but after that I fancy beaches, islands, and/or rainforests.

Really into hiking and gym so anywhere that is secluded but with some accommodation and gyms would be perfect.

Not looking for a party town filled with drunks and shite music.

Krabi and Chiang Mai could be good (all though chiang mia lacks the beaches)

I'm not a Thailand expert, but if you're into gyms Chalong is pretty much dedicated to gyms, very fitness oriented, not just Fighters Road (a street full of endless MMA/Muay Thai/Jiujitsu camps) but countless crossfit facilities. Really affects the whole local culture. I mean, the rest of the island is a party zone, but that particular area has it's own vibe. Short ride to to the beach (or live on the beach and a quick ride to gym zone). Not sure about nature, wasn't my scene, but the gym culture impressed me.

Post: #3

(10-28-2018 09:19 AM)flyinghorse Wrote:  Not in the common theme of banging broads, but I figure someone can help me here: i'm looking for a place in Thailand or Malaysia where I can unwind and be around nature.

I've been working a ton lately and found out I have a month off work in February. I'm doing 10 days trekking in the himilayas but after that I fancy beaches, islands, and/or rainforests.

Really into hiking and gym so anywhere that is secluded but with some accommodation and gyms would be perfect.

Not looking for a party town filled with drunks and shite music.

Krabi and Chiang Mai could be good (all though chiang mia lacks the beaches)

That sounds very interesting. Are you trekking to the summit of Mt. Everest or something different?

But in regards to Thai islands all of them, even Phuket, have their secluded, less touristy areas.

Your main issue is finding good gyms away from big tourist areas. So you could stay away from the tourist parts but take a taxi to hit the gym.

For example, I was in Samui in January and went to 2 solid gyms in Chaweng, the tourist/party area. But you could stay in the Northern or Southern parts of the island and take a taxi to Chaweng to go to the gym.


But here are some smaller Thai islands to consider:

Koh Lipe

Koh Samet

Ko Chang (although I haven't been here in a few years but to my knowledge it's still not Samui or Phuket)

Post: #4

Not sure if Krabi has the gyms, but I assume it would, but it was really good for the other stuff when I was there. Even has some super chilled night areas as well, think more along the lines of Reggae bars than the outrageousness of Patong.

Samui can provide the nature, beaches and chill. It certainly has gyms as well. Koh Phangan is actually a super chill area outside of the full moon party as well and really good for the nature stuff, though again not sure on gyms and been a while since I was there so this could have totally changed (4+ years).

Post: #5

There are some Malaysian islands just over the Thai border off the east coast. Never been but heard it was great diving cheap and not a lot of people from some Swiss guys. This was back in like 2010.

Post: #6

Langkawi Island in Malaysia is quiet and has some nice nature.

Post: #7

(10-28-2018 11:52 AM)Dodgy Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 09:19 AM)flyinghorse Wrote:  Not in the common theme of banging broads, but I figure someone can help me here: i'm looking for a place in Thailand or Malaysia where I can unwind and be around nature.

I've been working a ton lately and found out I have a month off work in February. I'm doing 10 days trekking in the himilayas but after that I fancy beaches, islands, and/or rainforests.

Really into hiking and gym so anywhere that is secluded but with some accommodation and gyms would be perfect.

Not looking for a party town filled with drunks and shite music.

Krabi and Chiang Mai could be good (all though chiang mia lacks the beaches)

That sounds very interesting. Are you trekking to the summit of Mt. Everest or something different?

Base Camp is a 3 week trek and its quite pricey because so many people want to do Everest.

I'm doing the Annapurna Circuit (12 days) which I've read very good things for in terms of being visually stunning and not being overly crowded.

Post: #8

Yeah lots of people seem to do EBC just for the name. For the other posters EBC is a trek to the foot of Everest at 17000 feet definitely not to the summit. Ive heard both Annapurna Circuit & Annapurna Base Camp are great treks. Are you doing APC guided?

Post: #9

(10-28-2018 07:01 PM)flyinghorse Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 11:52 AM)Dodgy Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 09:19 AM)flyinghorse Wrote:  Not in the common theme of banging broads, but I figure someone can help me here: i'm looking for a place in Thailand or Malaysia where I can unwind and be around nature.

I've been working a ton lately and found out I have a month off work in February. I'm doing 10 days trekking in the himilayas but after that I fancy beaches, islands, and/or rainforests.

Really into hiking and gym so anywhere that is secluded but with some accommodation and gyms would be perfect.

Not looking for a party town filled with drunks and shite music.

Krabi and Chiang Mai could be good (all though chiang mia lacks the beaches)

That sounds very interesting. Are you trekking to the summit of Mt. Everest or something different?

Base Camp is a 3 week trek and its quite pricey because so many people want to do Everest.

I'm doing the Annapurna Circuit (12 days) which I've read very good things for in terms of being visually stunning and not being overly crowded.

Will also do the Annapurna Circuit in March, will you pay guides, going in groups? If you go in March/April pm me and we can do it together (Im thinking about the 17/18 day trek).

Post: #10

No beaches or gyms (?) but consider the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Mild climate, lots of beautiful tea plantations, hiking trails, mossy forest, etc. Just a really beautiful and peaceful place. If you want beaches there are tons of islands nearby (Langkawi, Southern Thailand, Eastern Malaysia).

Post: #11

Sounds like Penang is the spot for you OP.

The beaches here may not be top notch (unless you hike your way up the monkey beach) , it still offers many beachside hotels and homestays.

Hiking up the Penang hill (there are many trails to do so) before or after your Annapurna trip is good too. For training to get ready, or to relax after that intense trip.

Gyms are a little more commercialised though. Depending on location youre probably gonna need the day pass or request for free entrance.

Langkawi island, Phuket and other excursions are less than an hour away by flight too!

Post: #12

Koh Samui in Thailand might be your spot.

It's got several gyms including a crossfit joint, BJJ, and various weightlifting type gyms, yoga, pristine beaches, beautiful nature with mountains and waterfalls.

And you can pop over to neighboring koh phangan for a day trip, or even make a day trip over to Phuket (make sure to take a VIP bus and NOT a van - it will be much more pleasant and only slightly more expensive).

Samui is also big enough that you can stay nestled in nature away from the maddening crowds, but you can also ride into Chaweng to get any supplies you need, have a nice meal at El Gaucho, etc.

I can't think of any way in which Malaysia is better than Thailand short or long term. Every place I've been to in Malaysia is a dump (Johor Bahru was OK) with a palpable tension between the different ethnic groups despite all of the lip service to multiculturalism that gets parroted everywhere you go, and a bleak Muslim vibe that doesn't jive with relaxing, picking up chicks or generally enjoying yourself.

@DrugAdvisor - respectfully, wtf are you talking about? Penang is fun for about 2 days, which is just enough time to have some delicious meals and explore Love lane, and take a walk along the water which is pretty drab too. Other than that, Penang is a dump, much like the rest of the country. Last time I was there with a Thai girlfriend we had to leave early because she couldn't handle the Tamils staring at her like a dog stares at a soup bone every place we went. And the incessant caterwauling coming from the minarets isn't exactly music to your ears. Although, occasionally there's a a dude up there who can actually sing in tune and then it sounds cool, but even then only as a novelty.

Post: #13

Thailand is a good choice. It is the best Asian country for WGF as of right now.

Post: #14

@VV

Did you by any chance come here before the recent general election? Tensions were pretty high back then.

Penang is way different without a local guide. And love lane is exactly the place we DONT go to.

Hit me up the next time youre in town, Ill show you around and it wont be boring. And guaranteed no tamils cus i tend to avoid em too.

P/s : i live here.

Agreed regarding samui though. The beaches are much better than Penang. Id love to visit the nature there sometime.

Post: #15

Still undecided but these tips really help.


- to answer OP's question: I will go on a guided tour. My mate tells me you can just do it yourself and find your own way because theres signs ever 500m and you just need to rent a room yourself everynight, but honestly, for 500 dollars i'd rather be in a small group and someone do it all for me. If I get fed up of the group I can always march on ahead, or fall back a little during the trek.