HELP - Where to take visiting parents in their late 70s?

Wham · Post by **Wham** » Mon, 29 Aug 2005 1:34 pm

My parents are coming to visit. Both are over 75, and while both are fit and healthy, they are not too adventurous. I will be taking some time off and ideally looking for a nice 4 day weekend that we can either do by car or by boat. Note also that we have a 1 and 3 year old so that also further limits our mobility.

Any brilliant ideas???

antpink · Post by **antpink** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 12:12 am

Crikey! Are you me? In exactly the same dilemma, but with some time to think about it - they arrive in Nov/Dec - so will watch this thread with interest....

tiki · Post by **tiki** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 10:13 am

Wham wrote:My parents are coming to visit. Both are over 75, and while both are fit and healthy, they are not too adventurous. I will be taking some time off and ideally looking for a nice 4 day weekend that we can either do by car or by boat. Note also that we have a 1 and 3 year old so that also further limits our mobility.

Any brilliant ideas???

It'd be good to bring them on a visit of the various religious worship places here. Eg The Temple on Rochor/Bugis,the Mosque on Jln Sultan,The chapel in Changi ,Synagogue (can't remember the road name tho) and the Hindu temple corner of River Valley.

For the old,it'll be like something 'old' and for the young it'll be like something 'new'..

..of course apart from the food you can savour.

Perhaps find out about weddings in that 4days and attend the different culture's way of celebrating the event.

It's a thought..

dot dot dot · Post by **dot dot dot** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 10:27 am

Hey Wham,

a 4 day weekend at Bintan Banyan Tree ( http://www.banyantree.com/bintan/ ) would be an option maybe? Rent a villa and have some quality time, you can do some additional golfing, sailing, swimming etc.

Otherwise, the costa sands resorts on east coast ( http://www.costasands.com.sg/home.htm ) or the Sentosa Spa & Resort ( http://www.thesentosa.com/ ) are alternatives in that area.

You could also drive up to Malaysia, if the heat is to much for them, go to Cameron Highlands or Genting. Both are much cooler, temperatures around 25 degrees celsius during day. Cameron highlands ( http://www.cameronhighlands.com/ ) is beautiful with its tea plantations, Genting ( http://www.genting.com.my/en/themepark/ , http://www.genting.com.my/en/accommodation/default.htm ) is a different ballgame with casinos and entertainment parks.

Tioman ( http://www.berjayaresorts.com/tioman-beach/info.html ) Berjaya resort is an option on east coast peninsular Malaysia, or for the full luxury have a peek at Pangkor Laut resort ( http://www.pangkorlautresort.com/ ).

Hope this helps a bit in the right direction, let me know if you need more info!

Eric

tiki · Post by **tiki** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 10:30 am

Eric from the Netherlands wrote:Hey Wham,

a 4 day weekend at Bintan Banyan Tree ( http://www.banyantree.com/bintan/ ) would be an option maybe? Rent a villa and have some quality time, you can do some additional golfing, sailing, swimming etc.

Otherwise, the costa sands resorts on east coast ( http://www.costasands.com.sg/home.htm ) or the Sentosa Spa & Resort ( http://www.thesentosa.com/ ) are alternatives in that area.

You could also drive up to Malaysia, if the heat is to much for them, go to Cameron Highlands or Genting. Both are much cooler, temperatures around 25 degrees celsius during day. Cameron highlands ( http://www.cameronhighlands.com/ ) is beautiful with its tea plantations, Genting ( http://www.genting.com.my/en/themepark/ , http://www.genting.com.my/en/accommodation/default.htm ) is a different ballgame with casinos and entertainment parks.

Tioman ( http://www.berjayaresorts.com/tioman-beach/info.html ) Berjaya resort is an option on east coast peninsular Malaysia, or for the full luxury have a peek at Pangkor Laut resort ( http://www.pangkorlautresort.com/ ).

Hope this helps a bit in the right direction, let me know if you need more info!

Eric

Eric mate, I'll be sure to holler when the 'in-laws' are in town too keep em out. That way it'll be a guilt of pleasure..hehe.

Wham · Post by **Wham** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 2:15 pm

Hey Eric,

Thanks for the ideas! I am familiar with most of the places but the Pangkor resort i had never heard of - and it looks great (maybe another trip). However, my problem is that Dad had some heart trouble a few years back so they like to stay within reach of medical facilities. I am taking this to mean that anywhere too far will make them uncomfortable. For example, i suggested Phuket and/or a cruise and they were not willing. The highlands are too far. KL seems too limited and more fun WITHOUT parents. (Note they WERE generally adventurous travelers when younger but no longer...) This means i am really down to driving and/or Bintan. Have been to Banyan tree but the $$$ adds up - so hoping for something more reasonable.

Maybe you (or anyone else) can answer the following:
1) What is the number 2 place on Bintan after the Banyan Tree? I have been to Bintan Lagoon resorts - is this the next best?
2) Is there any place in Malaysia that makes for a good day or one night trip aside from Malacca?
3) What is the Berjaya resort on Bintan like? Is it top notch or a bit natty and moldy (have had that experience in Malaysia before).

and for my own travel needs (for a separate trip)

4) if we went to Berjaya, is the Jungle treking interesting? Did KotaKinabalu last year and looking for something fun. Also, how is the diving up in Tioman?

OH - and TIKI - re the temples in sing - i like the idea! Have done some similar things in sing before - but combining them together like that gives it a theme and makes it more fun - nice idea.

Carpe Diem · Post by **Carpe Diem** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 2:37 pm

Wham agreeing with Eric, and now asking him advices... I wouldn't be less surprised if we had 10 cm of snow tomorrow morning!!!

Wham · Post by **Wham** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 2:51 pm

Yea...an uncommon site indeed! But note that it has recently happened several times. I like to think that while i am becomming less stubborn and angry... Eric is getting smarter! (that is a joke!)

...as they say "all we are saying...is give peace a chance"

Martha Stewie · Post by **Martha Stewie** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 4:00 pm

Since they are coming for a visit,why not do things on the island? It'll kinda defeat the purpose of going out of town and when you're in town for a visit...you reckon?

dot dot dot · Post by **dot dot dot** » Wed, 31 Aug 2005 6:57 pm

hahaha... CD, good one!

Yep Wham, you are certainly getting smarter, less stubborn and more friendly

Me? I am as smart as I've always been, hehehe...

Anyway, for your trip, give this guy a shout, he is a tourguide in Kota Kinabalu, Dutch guy, married to a local over there and living in a beautiful longhouse he built himself in the valley outside KK, a friend of mine and he knows every inch of Sabah. He is a hell of a nice guy, he will get you the best deals on Sabah for diving, jungle trekking, mountain climbing, you name it, he will arrange it. I am a diving ethusiast, I went to Sipadan several times, he is the man to book with...

His name is Olaf, his website is www.sabah-borneo.nl

for the trip with your parents, I would say 2nd on Bintan is Angsana or Nirwana, both have good suites for reasonable prices, compared to the outrageous Banyan tree ( I agree, it will suck your wallet dry). I have stayed with both Angsana and Nirwana, both very good. servicewise and accomodationwise. Angsana is a bit more upscale I think. Their Spa is magic...

For a trip to Malaysia, Genting is not too far from KL, but still about a 5 hour drive from Singapore.

A nice resort to think of though is Avillion resort in Port Dickson, has a big pool, nice wooden bugalows on stilts with seaview and good food. (The bathtubs are amazingly beautiful I remember btw...). Just north of Melacca, worth a stayover for a weekend. The surroundings of town are nothing to write about though, it is a port...

But... great resort: http://www.avillion.com.my/

Eric

locallass · Post by **locallass** » Thu, 01 Sep 2005 11:35 am

For Bintan, Angsana and Nirwana are both good choices. Angsana has nice open-air pavilions with a fabulous sea view for spa treatments. I enjoyed Nirwana's infinity pool tremendously. But the place was over-run with families (and screaming kids) the last time I was there. So I'm not sure whether I want to go back again.

If mobility is a problem, how about staying at Sentosa? They have some nice hotels there:

The Beaufort:
http://www.beaufort.com.sg/
The place is an oasis of calm. I also like the Cliff, the nice restuarant with the spectacular view, and the inhouse spa. The Beaufort can be pricey though.

Shangri-La
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/
You know how Shangri-La hotels are like...

walau7 · Post by **walau7** » Thu, 01 Sep 2005 11:57 am

Hi Wham,

Malacca aside, try Port Dickson. There is this resort, Avillion [ http://www.avillion.com.my/].

'The resort consists of 300 rooms, suites and water chalets. All rooms are sea facing, offering superb vistas of the Straits of Malacca. The ethnically-inspired room designs provide a delightful ambience, combining old worldly charm with modern comfort. All rooms are equipped with King-size bed or Twin bed. Every room has a 'Pangkin' (day bed) and spacious bathrooms with shower and separate bath tub. '

Great place to relax, and within short driving distance from the town of Port Dickson.

cheers

Wham · Post by **Wham** » Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:01 pm

Has anyone been to Avillon recently? It looks nice - but i have been burned by nice looking web sites before...

dot dot dot · Post by **dot dot dot** » Thu, 01 Sep 2005 2:55 pm

Hi Wham,

I have been there twice, 4 years back and last year. recently a friend of mine went there, it is a very good place. In good condition, good service, worth the money, absolutely. As said, Port Dickson itself is absolutely not appealing, but you can make a nice daytrip to Melacca from the resort.

Eric

beenhere10years · Post by **beenhere10years** » Thu, 01 Sep 2005 8:18 pm

If it might be their only trip to South East Asia, I think Bali has a lot of bang for the buck. There are lots of great places to stay but the Grand Hyatt has facilities for kids (like a great kids club, pool with slides and rooms with extra beds built-in) and terrific things for older people (cultural shows, excellent food, shopping and excursions like biking and rafting).

Consider taking the time off and staying here too. It's so much fun to play tourist here and there are some things here that specific generation appreciates: changi chapel, the battle box (is it still open?), the zoo, etc... Also, travel is tough on 75 year old and they will be out of their element here unless they have experience travelling the region. My parents always regress a little when they visit here, and its exhausting for both of us!

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HELP - Where to take visiting parents in their late 70s?

HELP - Where to take visiting parents in their late 70s?

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