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Malaysia

Credited nowhere near enough for its infectiously languid pace of life, Malaysia time arguably runs at least as slow as famously sleepy Laos a few hundred miles to the north. In fact, mediocre press is a bit of a theme for Malaysia, causing many folks on the regional travel circuit to pencil in just a few days to pass through - or even pass over - en-route to Singapore in the south or Thailand to the north.

Those that slow to take a peek, though, can't help but be reeled in. Malaysia, see, is positively dripping in culture, biodiversity and out-and-out natural beauty. Take time to hit the highlights and you'll soon be hastily re-jigging your itinerary (itineraries are for geeks, by the way) to accommodate the fortnight-or-so that you're going to
need in order to see just the very tip of the iceberg.

If you're in need of a poke in the right direction, here's a few pointers:

The truly stunning Perhentian Islands, with their coral reefs and refreshing lack of roads and other infrastructure (imagine how the more popular of the Thai islands might've looked 30 years ago, and you'll not be far off); Taman Negara National Park, one of the most absorbing places in all of South East Asia; the Cameron Highlands, with its tea plantations and breezy respite from the swelteringly moist lowlands; the old town charm of Penang island (try to ignore the Tesco); the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, featuring mountains, rainforest and apes (big orange ones called Orangutans); and the ethnic melting pot that is Kuala Lumpur, where 3 main cultures - Malay, Chinese and Indian - all get on just fine, albethey largely concentrated in their own micro-cultural districts.

Despite its colonial past and still strong ties to Britain, modern Malaysia's official religion is Islam, although freedom of worship is encouraged in the country's constitution and national holidays are observed for the main religious festival periods of Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians. Talk about reasonable.

If you're in South East Asia, make time for Malaysia - don't just write it off as the 'baby pool' that some travel guides will have you believe it to be.

Highlights

 • Lazing on silky beaches on the Perhentian Islands
 • Sipping tea in the cool Cameron Highlands
 • World class diving at Sipadan
 • South-East Asia's highest Mountain - Mount Kinabalu
 • Hanging with the orange apes in Borneo
 • Munching street food and generally mixing it up in KL
 • Getting up close and personal with nature in Taman Negara
 • Blowing your budget on Langkawi
 • Soaking up the old skool charm of Malacca
 • Admiring the stunning twin peaks on Tioman Island

Tips and Hints

If it's tropical islands and pristine beaches you're after, go east between March and October, or west between November and February. Two distinct monsoon seasons hit each coast at pretty much opposite times of year, so you can always find sunny paradise on one coast when the other's getting a soaking.

It's worth knowing that the Perhentians are completely closed during the entire duration of the east coast wet season. Don't even bother trying. It's a shame to miss them, so if you can, try and rig it so that you can get to Malaysia outside of the east coast wet season. The Perhentians are definitely more backpacker friendly than their west coast counterparts, both in terms of price and fun factor.





Links: Malaysia Travel Blogs (all) | Malaysia Travel Photos | Malaysia Travel Forum | Hotels in Malaysia | Malaysia Facts | Map of Malaysia

Areas in : Johor (63) | Kedah & Perlis (219) | Kelantan (74) | Kuala Lumpur | Langkawi (42) | Melaka (274) | Negeri Sembilan (9) | Pahang (633) | Penang (618) | Perak (102) | Sabah (1018) | Sarawak (446) | Selangor (215) | Terengganu (299) | Wilayah Persekutuan (1450)

November 2nd 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Sabah » Kota Kinabalu
Cherating turned out to be slightly more exciting than I have given it credit for. It was a quaint little surf town that the Lonely Planet described as "our first impression was that the town was diei ... [full story]

Week 4 - Singapore and Malaysia
2 days ago: KateandMatt published a blog
Week 4 - Singapore and Malaysia
November 3rd 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Melaka » Melaka City
Welcome to week four of the blog, bought to you by your favourite “bloggers”. This week I have had writer's block so I have handed over the reins of blog responsibility to Kate. Over to ... 49 photos [full story]

Kuching
2 days ago: lifeswonders published a blog
Kuching
October 28th 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Sarawak » Kuching
Kuching is a pleasant city/town with tasty Laksa (for breakfast of course) for 4 Ringitt about $1.30 it has a chinese/ malay feel with a smattering of Indigenous cultures thrown in. I hesitated abou ... 9 photos [full story]

Hello from Penang
3 days ago: Caro 1 published a blog
Hello from Penang
November 3rd 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Sabah » Kota Kinabalu
Well what can I say about our time in Penang. We have rather indulged ourselves and all I can do is blame Anji!!!. The island of Penang’s history dates back to 1786 when it was seeded by the ... 29 photos [full story]

3 days ago: Melissaloca published a blog
The Last few days!!
November 4th 2009  Asia » Malaysia
Leading up to me stupidly booking my flights to be stuck on a plane during Halloween (clearly we don't celebrate it at home) everyone thought we could celebrate a little earlier. The last 3 days i ... [full story]

Malaysia
4 days ago: Kevin and Amarryn published a blog
Malaysia
September 27th 2009  Asia » Malaysia
“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is tak ... 35 photos [full story]

Slacker in Melacca
5 days ago: Ian Synclere published a blog
Slacker in Melacca
November 1st 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Melaka
Melacca is an old ex colonial town on the west coast of Malaysia that overlooks the famous Melacca straights, a really important trade route since the 1400s. So as you might expect it has been contro ... 9 photos [full story]

Pot bellies and blood sucking antics...
October 13th 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Sabah » Kinabatangan
The Sungai Kinabatangan was yet another place we only learnt about on our travels.. we don't do much research until we arrive at a place so only get set on going somewhere if someone highly recommends ... 46 photos [full story]

Hi from Georgetown Penang
6 days ago: Caro 1 published a blog
Hi from Georgetown Penang
October 31st 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town
We have been in Malaysia for 3 days now and what a fun packed time we have had!! Anji arrived in KL on Wednesday evening and we started as we meant to continue with a couple of glasses of white wine! ... 31 photos [full story]

8 days ago: Jo and Mark Davies published a blog
First blog
October 30th 2009  Asia » Malaysia » Wilayah Persekutuan » Kuala Lumpur
Hello everyone, Here is our first entry of our adventure!! Sorry its taken a while. We had a good flight to Siungapore I enjoyed the plane food as usual & Mark enjoyed watching 5 films and not talkin ... [full story]


Malaysia Blog Entries

Sophie on the beach
Sea gypsies in their canoes
Sea gypsies by the resort
Mabul
Mabul pier
Sunrise over Malaysia
Leaving KL in the morning
Leg room galore and my own touchscreen on demand entertainment system for $10
My teeny tiny bedroom at Tune
Shrine, Buddhist Temple, Chinatown, KL
Sunset, Perhentian Kecil
Grass Snake, Sungai Kinabatangan
Petronas Towers
Butterly, Mt Kinabalu
Perhentian Kecil
Buddhist Temple, Chinatown, KL.

Malaysia

Malaysia Location




Hostels in Malaysia
Hotels in Malaysia
Latest Malaysia Blog Entries
Malaysia Photos


Blogging Malaysia




Malaysia Travel Forum
Zoo Negara
Honeymoon in Malaysia?? ..
Any good local itinerary guides and trekking maps out there?
where to buy good snorkel gears in sabah?
wheres the party? Malaysia? Indonesia?
is it good to visit Sabah in Oct?
Kecil at february???
Pulau Perhentian Kecil vs Langkawi
Help needed on places to go and the age old question of onward travel :-)
KL - 4 days only where to stay
Illegal Substances
Diving Courses
Vietnam Visa
Driving to Kelantan in December
Short stay in Kuala Lumpur






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