Advertisement
Published: November 23rd 2009
Edit Blog Post
MALAYSIA
An exceptionally patriotic country... the flag is displayed absolutely everywhere... buildings, places of business, homes, motorbikes, cars... Location: Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Johor Bahru, Lumut, Pulau Pangkor, Cameron Highlands, Penang
Length of Stay: 37 Days
Cost per Day: $13
Well... What a pleasant surprise Malaysia has turned out to be... Quite easily a country you could plan to visit for several weeks and end up staying several months.... Free visa on arrival by the way is given for 90 days...
I did head to Indonesia after Singapore as I had planned, however I was so terribly unhappy being there that I left after my 2 weeks in Java and headed straight for this delightful country called Malaysia...
With each passing hour back in Indonesia, I was becoming grumpier and crankier and dare I say negative... I couldnt possibly allow myself to stay in that frame of mind so leaving was the best thing to do... I have absolutely no desire to ever return...
Malaysia has been fantastic and I have to say a far superior place to travel around in comparison to Indonesia... I must admit that my knowledge of Malaysia was pretty much nil before I arrived here...
I had heard of Kuala Lumpur but did not know it was the capital and I had
MALAYSIA
taxis... heard of Penang, but did not know it was an island... and yes I had also heard of Langkawi and thought it was part of Thailand... Suffice to say, I am now a more educated girl...
People are fantastic and unlike the Indonesians, do not overstep that boundary into your personal space.
The official language is Bahasa Malay, however is pretty much the same as Bahasa Indonesian... so if you know a few words you can communicate quite easily... in saying that... most people speak and understand English anyway...
It is an exceptionally easy country to get around... regular, ac coaches are plentiful to most destinations on Peninsular Malaysia... Unfortunately I arrived in Malaysia to coincide with Monsoon season so I have not been able to enjoy the East Coast and some of the beautiful islands... Never mind... I guess perhaps a reason to come back here one day...
Accommodation is exceptionally cheap... on average around $4 a night... in a dorm that is...
I did sample a few nights here and there in a room to myself, however to be honest, it is quite dull... Staying in a dorm enables you to meet, connect and communicate
MALAYSIA
and homes... I think I would get a headache coming home to this every night... with so many more people... and the best part is being able to gain advice from those that have already been to where you might be headed next...and possibly save yourself time and money... and of course vice versa... you are able to provide feedback to help other fellow travellers... Everyone looks out for one another which is really nice...
You do get over the whole having to share the bathroom with others pretty quickly which I think is most peoples gripe against the hostel thing...
Its quite funny also how you keep bumping into people you met at another hostel in another city...
Just goes to show that Lonely Planet has the monopoly out there... everyones bible... and everyone trudges the same tried and tested route laid out by the authors...
There is certainly room out there for some competition in the travel guidebook sector if anyone has that dream...
So after 5 weeks... My fave spots in Malaysia are most definately Penang and Melaka...
I am just going to spend a few more days here in Penang and then will make my way onto the next destination which will be Thailand...To be honest I could quite
MALAYSIA
How gorgeous is this hotel... remind you of the Raffles... I thought so too... I found out that 4 Armenian brothers (The Sarkies) built this hotel first in 1884 and then followed it with the Raffles in Singapore as a sister property... Alas... no famed cocktail to be had here... easily stay here for another 5 weeks, its such an incredibly easy country to be in... but best to keep moving forward...
And Therese... a Malay recipe just for you... Mmmm... I would invite myself over for dinner if I was closer to you... Enjoy...
Nyonya Chicken Curry with Fragrant Lime Leaves
Main ingredients
4 tablespoons of oil
1 chicken (about 1kg) cut into serving pieces
1 slice assam gelugur (optional)
1/2 cup (125 ml) water
1 cup (250 ml) thick coconut milk or 1/2 cup (125 ml) coconut cream mixed with 1/2 cup water
4 Kaffir lime leaves
1 1/2 teeaspoons salt
1-2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
Spice Paste
3cm galangal root, sliced
1 stalk lemongrass, thick bottom third only, outer layers removed, inner part sliced
8-10 red chillies, sliced
2 medium onions, quartered
3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
1 teaspoon tumeric powder
1. Grind the Spice Paste ingredients in a mortar or blender, adding a little oil if necessary to keep the blades turning.
2. Heat the oil in a wok and stir-fry the Spice Paste over medium heat for 7 minutes until fragrant. Add the chicken, asam gelugur
MALAYSIA
The very pretty Georgetown Town Hall... apparently it was featured in the movie... Anna and the King... and water, and simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken in half-cooked.
3. Add the coconut milk and lime leaves, and simmer, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes until the chicken is tender. Season with salt and fresh lime juice.
4. Service with rice.
Nic x
Advertisement
Tot: 0.04s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 10; qc: 19; dbt: 0.0197s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Brian
non-member comment
nice photos Nicole
Early morning here Nicole and 'am delighted to see yer photos.....X