Hi,

I'm off to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore in January and I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations of places to visit. Having researched, I'm currently thinking about going straight from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai, then to Pai and Mae Hong Son before heading to Ko Tao to do a dive course. I'm just well aware this is a typical traveller route, which is probably good considering I'm a lone female but I'm not one to follow the crowd.

So if anyone has any suggestions for making my trip a bit more unusual that would be great. I'll be in Thailand for about 8 weeks then peninsular Malaysia for about a fortnight following a tour. If anyone knows of a particularly good hostel in Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore that would be really helpful. Also good cooking schools in Chiang Mai and dive schools on Ko Tao. Singapore is just a weekend at the end before I go off to Australia but still open to ideas!

Thanks in Advance, Beth (one seriously excited traveller!)