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Malaysia Travel Blogs

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 | Hostels in Malaysia | Cheap flights to Malaysia | Malaysia Facts | Map of Malaysia

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By Tim5371
November 26th 2005
Chasing Turtles & Sharks Asia » Malaysia » Sabah
In my last entry, I mentioned that we were staying in the Cameron Highlands (Malaysia). I went to the highlands with my Dutch buddy Jeroen (who is doing the rest of the trip with me) and a friend we met in Langkawi named Sarah. In the highlands we saw a tea plantation, tea factory, strawberry farm, honey bee farm, rose garden, Chinese temple, butterfly farm, and some great scenery! The weather was quite cold (15C), and on the last couple days it was pissing rain. Since there wasn't much to do in the rain, we ended up sitting on our butts [View Full Entry]

Tim5371 - Tim Rea | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
840 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 18 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 28th 2005 | 501 Views | [diary=28764]

Cameron Highlands
Frogs!
Tea Factory

By Tim5371
November 26th 2005
Crocodile Hunter Asia » Malaysia » Sabah
Borneo is home to some of the most spectacular jungles in the world and has hundreds of species of wildlife. Since we were there, we tried to find an opportunity to stay in the jungle overnight to see the many species of monkeys, crocodiles, wild cats, birds, elephants, boars, and of course - mosquitoes. We found a jungle camp that takes people to a remote section of the jungle that is inaccessible otherwise. The camp offered jungle boat cruises (both day and night). On the first day, we took the boat down the Kinabatangan River, which is famous for its diverse [View Full Entry]

Tim5371 - Tim Rea | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
537 Words | 1 Comment(s) | 5 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 29th 2005 | 446 Views | [diary=28765]

Monkeys
Jungle Cat
Croc

By Tim5371
November 26th 2005
Let's Climb a Mountain Asia » Malaysia » Sabah
The scuba diving and crocodile hunting put us into a fairly adventurous mood, so we decided to climb the highest mountain in south east Asia. Mount Kinabalu stands 4,095.2 meters above sea level. To put this in perspective, it is about half the height of Everest, and a little bit higher than Mt. Robson (highest mountain in Canada). The great thing about Mt. Kinabalu is that you don’t need ice axes and crampons to reach the summit - it is right near the equator and there is no snow! We arrived at the national park below the mountain to book accommodation [View Full Entry]

Tim5371 - Tim Rea | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
848 Words | 2 Comment(s) | 9 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 29th 2005 | 405 Views | [diary=28785]

Mt Kinabalu
Mt Kinabalu
Mt Kinabalu

Taking the bus to Maylasia consisted of many hot sweaty hours, sitting and looking out the window and a few intense border crossings. I of course slept in Grants bag the entire time. We went through Maylasia pretty quick stopping in Kuala Lumper to do a bit of shopping and site seeing [View Full Entry]

Jeromethegnome - doing Australasia....literally | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
52 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 10 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: April 21st 2006 | 75 Views | [diary=48431]

on the bus
on the bus
bus time moves sllloowww

By Emily Anne
November 24th 2005
Holy 21 Batman!!!!!! Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town
So first off I'd like to thank everybody for all of the birthday well wishes, they totally rocked. I was thinking about naming everybody off who sent me notes, but then I would just alienate Morgan. hmmm, maybe I still will. Anyways, it's about 5 pm here on the 24th, and the day has gone pretty nicely up till now. I got up, and then proceeded to go to my hour and a half long body massage. Now I know what everybody is thinking, Asia+ massage, no you didn't!!! but I must explain. Now I'd never had a massage before, but [View Full Entry]

Emily Anne - Emily Kydd | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
534 Words | 3 Comment(s) | 9 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 24th 2005 | 319 Views | [diary=28529]

the Towwers in KL
Great mosque in Singapore
lindsay's hat

Just thought I'd add some pictures since this computer actually lets my camera make out with it. and by that I mean it's compatible. Thailand tomorrow, going to Hat Yoi!!!! [View Full Entry]

Emily Anne - Emily Kydd | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
30 Words | 3 Comment(s) | 9 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 24th 2005 | 317 Views | [diary=28551]

Batu caves
Batu caves
As if We wanted to

more pics from the beach. enjoy.Salaams [View Full Entry]

SATRAVEL - SULEIMAN ASVAT | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
7 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 15 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 24th 2005 | 1871 Views | [diary=28565]

pantai cenang beach and islands
pantai cenang beach and islands
on route to palau payar

So I know I just wrote yesterday, but last night was such a gong show I just had to update, plus, I know allan should be awake pretty soon, and I thought I'd give him a wake up nudge. So yesterday, after my last post, i went back to the hostel, got janiene, richard and lindz and we all headed to this pub for dinner(note, went for dinner only). Well we got there, and wouldn't ya know, a live band was going to be there. alright cool, so we get food, and drink, we're going along pretty well, really enjoying the [View Full Entry]

Emily Anne - Emily Kydd | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
793 Words | 5 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 22nd 2005 | 190 Views | [diary=28326]


By Martibhoy
November 22nd 2005
The calm after the storm Asia » Malaysia
After almost three weeks of solid drinking we really needed some 'chill-out time' (don't know why but I really hate that phrase) and we found that in the Cameron Highlands, somewhere around the centre of the Malay peninsula. I was delighted to discover that the hospitality in Malaysia was every bit as welcoming as Thailand; I had a wonderful conversation with Rita, a 10 year-old Malay girl on the bus journey who introduced me to her mother and 2 year-old brother who kept grabbing my ears. The mother only spoke Hokkien but Rita did all the translations and had me captivated [View Full Entry]

Martibhoy - Martin McGinty | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
973 Words | 0 Comment(s) | 10 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: June 18th 2006 | 254 Views | [diary=53054]

Any jaw breakers mister?
Our tapioca supper
Spot the odd one out

alrighty, I thought I'd write since i hadn't in a few days even though I have little of importance as far as world change or even spiritual personal epiphanies go. We're in penang right now, which is in northern malaysia an island, and we're just kinda going along. We left kota bharu on the night bus and literally spent the whole 6 hours being glowered at by the woman across the aisle. Not really sure why, could be the youth and vitality, could be the western unstylish/Asian ideal white skin, or could just be that she was obssessed with us. any [View Full Entry]

Emily Anne - Emily Kydd | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe
738 Words | 1 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s)
Published: November 21st 2005 | 210 Views | [diary=28162]