Malaysia

[Prawn_86]

Malaysia is a country that consists of thirteen states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometers. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The population stands at over 25 million. The country is separated into two regions—Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo—by the South China Sea. Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines. The country is located near the equator and experiences a tropical climate. Malaysia's head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (conventionally referred to as 'the King' or 'the Agong') and the government is headed by a Prime Minister. The government is closely modeled after the Westminster parliamentary system.

[chrissylewis03]

hi everyone,

at the start of this year, we travelled to malaysia. We spent most of our time in KL but also visited Putra Juya (the political capital of malaysia)

KL was great, it was fast, dirty and friendly. It was all that i expected from asia, the smells, the food and the hospitality is really what makes it great to visit the asian countries (and of course the cheap shopping).

We visited the Batu caves in KL which, once you get up the 270 steps, is quite an experience. it was amazing seeing the amount of monkeys there, they are so used to humans it's like being at the beach with seagulls!

Putra Juya was such a contrast! it was so clean, new and pretty! it was like everything made there was created to look interesting from the lamp posts to the dozens of beautiful mosques. one thing i remember fondly is our tour guide excitingly pointing out that light post designs were differant on every single street. it's how you knew you were on another street!

anyway,

i hope this helps in your travels!

Chrissy

I'm a travel agent for Escape Travel. PM me for any questions and/or bookings.

[Prawn_86]

When i was young my parents and i travelled quite extensively throughout South East Asia and Malaysia in particular.

Spent a good 2 - 3 weeks on an Island called Timon Island. Nice beaches and very relaxed. I can remember my old man catching a puffer fish and it was the first time i had seen one. :cool:

[tester23]

I spent a few days stopover in KL. loved it. fantastic city

[kennas]

I've only really been to the NE coast of the peninsula near the border with Thailand.

I've heard there's some other awesome places to visit.

Any tropical paradises out there to be discovered?

Can't recommend the Perhentian Islands highly enough.

In fact, I rate them as some of the nicest tropical islands in the world. If you're in to peace a quiet nd untouched paradise.

Not the place to go to party really, and the diving average, but for a total break from reality.....amazing.

I'll be back...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Perhentian_Islands

[Prawn_86]

Ok a friend is going to KL and asked me (and others) to give a bit of a rundown. Obviously it depends how much time you have but here goes:

Petaling Street night markets.
The smells, sounds, tastes, and of course the bargaining. The merchants there love white people and expect to get hassled to buy stuff and the like, but most of the time it is all in good fun. And dont forget to walk away if you think the price is too much. Definitely an experience for those who haven't been to Asia before.

Batu Caves (as Chrissy said).
A little bit touristy, but a good and close intro to 'temple' culture throughout Asia.

If your after more Westernised shopping, go check out the mall district near KL Tower. KL tower offers some good views of the city also.

Anyone else have any comments for KL?

[Prawn_86]

Spent a good 2 - 3 weeks on an Island called Timon Island. Nice beaches and very relaxed. I can remember my old man catching a puffer fish and it was the first time i had seen one. :cool:


More memories of Timon Island:

The island itself has 2 main towns, sepearted by a big mountain. I can remember climbing over the mountain to go to the other town one time, there were thousands of steps! Also the rubber tree plantations and the ants carrying leaves about 10x the size of them and the soldier ants all standing guard.

Also we say a massive water monitor lizard, literally the size of a crododile. Just dived off a small walking bridge as we turned a corner.

:)

[chrissylewis03]

I've only really been to the NE coast of the peninsula near the border with Thailand.

I've heard there's some other awesome places to visit.

Any tropical paradises out there to be discovered?

Can't recommend the Perhentian Islands highly enough.

In fact, I rate them as some of the nicest tropical islands in the world. If you're in to peace a quiet nd untouched paradise.

Not the place to go to party really, and the diving average, but for a total break from reality.....amazing.

I'll be back...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Perhentian_Islands


look at that sand! it hurts my eyes looking at it just in a photo! this place looks great! what's there Kennas? is there a resort or something?

[kennas]

look at that sand! it hurts my eyes looking at it just in a photo! this place looks great! what's there Kennas? is there a resort or something?There's a couple of low scale resorts, but mostly cheaper back packer style places. We stayed there for a month, dived every day, and it cost about $1K all up.

I need to go back there for a detox!

[johnting101]

Sorry for bumping but I must make a comment on his country as it is where I came from :)

Malaysia was announced independent on 31st August 1957. The great thing about Malaysia, for me, is the food! It has been and perhaps will be one of the places to enjoy great food in the world.

The country, Malaysia, is basicly splited into two parts. One we call "West Malaysia", the more developed part of Malaysia where it's capital city is at, and the other, "East Malaysia", where famous for it's "Long houses", Orang Utans and the rainforest.

If you are from the Europe or even the America, you probably have not actually seen a rainforest before. Malaysia is a great country to experience kinds of stuff you'll never experience in your normal life. I am personally from East Malaysia, in a state called Sarawak where there is an amazing event which is held every 1 or 2 years. It is called the "Rainforest Festival", where they show many different culture, what their culture is about and all of it is held in the rainforest itself which makes the festival even more priceless! People from all over the world would come to experience this festival as it can not be found anywhere else in the world.

In conclusion, I think Malaysia is a great country!

[kennas]

Yes, Malaysia is awesome, except for that stupid Prime Minister you used to have.

Especially agree on the food. When comparing foods of the world I put India, Thailand and Malaysia as equal top by a long measure.

[fLorentina]

Hi, i am originaly from Sarawak Borneo ,Malaysia.
I'd like to share some info about Sarawak.

Sarawak is rich in history and heritage. Once a British Colony, Sarawak is now part of Malaysia. It is also known as the Land of Hornbills. There are twenty-seven ethnic groups in the region. The population comprises of local ethnic groups, Malays and immigrant Chinese living together in harmony for more than a century.

Being the largest state of Malaysia, Sarawak spans over a vast area of 124,000 sq-km of land covering along the northwest coast of Borneo Island, the third largest island in the world. Sarawak offers you a journey of relentless discovery as you travel from city to city and from village to village where you will find in the cities, remnants of colonial architectures and in villages a rich heritage.

Sarawak is a land rich in flora and fauna. The vast amount of lush forest belies the existence of the bio diversity that entices many scientists and naturists. It has one on the worlds largest and untouched jungle. It is also where a potential drug to help AIDS victims is found, the " bintangor " tree is a natural habitat. In addition to the trees, the world's largest flower and also nature's masterpiece, the rafflesia, is found in some of the forests.

Sarawak is a heaven for any nature lovers as there are more than ten nature parks in this Malaysian State alone, making it one of the most sort after destinations in South-East Asia. Besides lush forests, you can see and experience turtles swimming ashore to lay eggs on some of the most pristine beaches in the world.

If u are a cave lover,you can visit Gua Mulu cave. Mulu possesess some of the largest and most spectacular caves in the world.

So everybody is welcome to Sarawak.. :)

[Scottys88]

Hi, i am originaly from Sarawak Borneo ,Malaysia.
I'd like to share some info about Sarawak.

Sarawak is rich in history and heritage. Once a British Colony, Sarawak is now part of Malaysia. It is also known as the Land of Hornbills. There are twenty-seven ethnic groups in the region. The population comprises of local ethnic groups, Malays and immigrant Chinese living together in harmony for more than a century.


I was in Sarawak earlier this year for the Interhash. (big running group international meet). Absolutely loved it. It was the nicest place, beautiful whether and people and just really easy to get around. I would definitely go back there!

[vntravelroute]

Sorry for bumping but I must make a comment on his country as it is where I came from :)

Malaysia was announced independent on 31st August 1957. The great thing about Malaysia, for me, is the food! It has been and perhaps will be one of the places to enjoy great food in the world.

The country, Malaysia, is basicly splited into two parts. One we call "West Malaysia", the more developed part of Malaysia where it's capital city is at, and the other, "East Malaysia", where famous for it's "Long houses", Orang Utans and the rainforest.

If you are from the Europe or even the America, you probably have not actually seen a rainforest before. Malaysia is a great country to experience kinds of stuff you'll never experience in your normal life. I am personally from East Malaysia, in a state called Sarawak where there is an amazing event which is held every 1 or 2 years. It is called the "Rainforest Festival", where they show many different culture, what their culture is about and all of it is held in the rainforest itself which makes the festival even more priceless! People from all over the world would come to experience this festival as it can not be found anywhere else in the world.

In conclusion, I think Malaysia is a great country!

I hope, i will come to Malaysia to travel too, but rightnow it can't active bacause i have so many problems!

[Earthwalker]

Malaysia... it's a place I'm very much familiar with, vntravelroute :)

When you do find time to travel here, lemme know. I'll send you a list of some of the best spots for local food only locals know where to find.

[mathew2sellers]

Malaysia is one of the best place in Asia for tour and spend holidays.

[Nothing But Adventure]

Everyone keeps telling me that Lankawi is the place to go in Malaysia, beautiful beaches and sceneray and more of a resort type town rather than the massive city of Kuala Lumpur. :)

[Prawn_86]

Ok so we are going to Malaysia in a couple weeks. Four nights in KL (any ideas as to what to do there? we have already done the main attractions), followd by 10 nights at Melina Resort on Tioman Island :)

[SarahSkis1984]

I posted a Groupon deal for Thailand yesterday, but there's another good one for Malaysia today...thought I'd share as well!

http://www.groupon.com.au/deals/travelcity/-diethelm-travel-/715859894

Once again, probably better for the resort types.

[Prawn_86]

Just got back from 12 days in Malaysia. Spent 4 nights in Kuala Lumpur and then 8 nights at the Melina Beach Resort on Tioman Island. I will post a full review shortly.

Was a great trip :)

[Prawn_86]

Ok so here is an update on the 2 weeks we just spend in Malaysia.

We spent four nights staying at the Royale Chulan hotel in the Bukit Bintang section of Kuala Lumpur, about a km walking distance from the twin towers, which we could see from our room. Didnt do a whole heap in KL, went to a bhuddist temple which had really intricate carvings and colourings and also a traditional Malaysian dance show. Aside from that, wifey just shopped a lot and we got cheap massages every day.

After KL we flew with Berjaya Air across to Tioman Island, which is just off the east coast of Malaysia. We stayed at Melina Beach Resort, which is a small resort between Paya and Genting. We spent a few nights in the treehouse there, which is built around a tree, right on the beach. It is absolutely beautiful but there is a lot of windows so feels lacking a slight bit of privacy. We also stayed in one of the standard rooms for a few night, all the rooms are very nice, if simply furnished, all with fans and aircons. Ray, the bartender at Melina also makes a mean cocktail and milkshake.

While on Tioman we went to the waterfalls, which is an easy half day trip by water taxi, and we also did a 7km walk across to the east side of the island. So much wildlife all over the island, birds, monkeys, monitor lizards, butterflies etc etc. And the snorkelling/diving is absolutely stunning, crytal clear, calm waters and heaps of reefs as it is part of a proteced marine park. Will post some pics up soon.

All in all an amazing trip and hope to get back to Tioman again someday

[chrissylewis03]

Hi travellers,

As Prawn said, we just spent a few weeks in Malaysia for our honeymoon :)

The trip as a whole was fantastic; I would recommend it to anyone! Malaysia is so diverse, no matter what type of traveller you are; you will find what you want there.

Our 5 days in KL was great. The Royale Chulan (we stayed in a club room) was great. They were very accommodating to their guests, always helpful and cheery. I don’t think I opened a door once while I was there!

The most important thing for me was the location; it was fantastic! Walking distance to any shopping you could possibly imagine! All the brands, Gucci, coach, Burberry etc. etc. to huge shopping complexes that you would need all day to get lost in! As you can imagine… I spent a lot of time shopping!

Tioman Island was, however, a completely different experience. It’s quite a small Island with barely any roads (the only roads we could see were in Tekek and going over the island to Juara). The shopping was minimal J. But it was an experience that I will never forget.

The place we stayed was the Melina Beach Resort, which was quite nice. You do have to be pretty careful at Tioman and really research where you are going to stay because we saw some pretty poor resorts while we were there. We can honestly say that Melina Beach is a safe bet though. Clean, friendly, nice food, quiet and set on a beautiful beach.

The only downfall (or you could also see this as a good thing) is the location as it’s very tucked away. It’s set between 2 sleepy villages and it’s not the easiest place to get back to if you want to get a water taxi to one of the other villages for dinner. This was a very nice place for a lazy, quiet beach holiday. Don’t get me wrong though, there’s still things you can do, such as, Kayaking, Jungle walking and snorkelling straight from the Resort.

I guess, what I’m trying to say is; if you enjoy your holidays with a bit more loud music, friendly backpackers and cheap food, don’t spend too long at Melina. I would recommend heading up the Island to somewhere like Salang. This had more of a party atmosphere and there were other restaurants. If I could recommend a holiday to Tioman, I would say do half/half. Spend half your time somewhere like Salang so you can party a bit and make friends then spend half your time somewhere like Melina so you can spend all day on a day bed on the beach, listening to the waves roll in and out and finish a good book.

We also ended up doing the 4 hr trek from Tekek to Juara. This was a huge mission. I would recommend it because the walk was beautiful and not too tough. But I would give this advice; take lots of water and go as early in the day as possible! Also, when you get to Juara drink at least 2 100+’s. (A 100+ is a sports drink that you get in Malaysia, you’ll see it everywhere and it’s great for re-hydration). The walk is not too challenging but it’s so humid that you lose so much fluids. I think I drank 2 litres of water in 4 hours.

But, when you get to Juara you are rewarded with great snorkelling, some great food and a turtle hatchery. Generally you wont be able to see baby turtles but they do have a 6-year-old Hornbill who lives at the hatchery. Unfortunately this Turtle was born blind so they couldn’t let it into the ocean because it wouldn’t survive. It now seems quite used to humans and even likes a good pat!


Case in point:

Every one should go to Tioman Island at least once. It’s a beautiful Island!

[riyakhanna]

which are the best budget hotels in Malaysia ?

[lemonlimebitter]

Wow, these looks like great places to visit! Going to Malaysia next year and these places that you have mentioned look awesome!!!

[Travelling]

I enjoyed my travels in Malaysia too. Melaka was one of my favourite places. A town that has Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, Indian influences. The Portuguese-Malyasian food was a highlight, as were the night markets around Jonker Street, and the architecture.