I'm thinking of a trip to Malaysia. I have some questions:
1.) When you arrive, how many days are you given on your visa? I've seen conflicting reports, that's why I ask.
2.) What's a good price for an economy or budget private room in a hotel? Naturally, I want the cheapest that's consistent with health and safety.
3.) What's the going rate for Internet at cyber cafés?
4.) Will English suffice?
Reply to this Hey..this is my first post. I'm so excited!
1. 30 days. But it literally cost like £1.50 to bus/coach it to Thailand or Singapore to renew it.
2. Don't spend anymore than 30 ringgit. Everything is safe and healthy! Malaysia is a wonderful place and the people are even more beautiful. If you're gonna stay in some dirty city then you're more likely to get a naff room. But if you're on a beach...that will be your 'room' - you won't need anything else. Do not be afraid to look at the room before you pass your money over - this applies to every country. The ONLY bad place i stayed in was some dingy lil shed with brown (but was once white) mosquito net. I got so many bed bug bites that it made me ill for 10 days. That was one place of MANY i have stayed in.
3. Internet is so cheap. It's about 70p an hour put it that way. (In thailand it's like 20p)
4. English is very much well spoken there. At the end of the day there are so many types of cultures in Malaysia (that's why i love it so) that they tend to speak English to each other in business, etc. You'll find the youngsters are especially eager to practice their English with you.
PLEASE ... visit the Perhentian Islands...you Kecil island. Make sure to stay at Matahari resort. It's 30 ringgit a week. THAT'S £5 A WEEK!!!DO NOT stay on the other side of the island - it's so boring there and the water is not as warm or pretty.
Of course all these prices may have gone up slightly since i left.
Oh..and if you find my heart there, send it back please. I left it there about 3 years ago.
Hope this helps - drop us a msg if you like!
ML
Reply to this Hi udi,
Just came back from Malaysia about a month and a half ago... and as ML put it: " I completely fell in love with it!" It's such a wonderful country with so many cultures. I think I may hve left my heart there also...
1. Yes, it's 30 days, but Visa runs are easy. Traveling via bus there is very inexpensive and it's world renowned for it's efficiency.
2. It is still around 30ringgit for singles. I think the worse places in Malaysia were in KL when it came to clean rooms, but those were the hostels I stayed in... could be better ones around. Recommendations: (Melaka): Sama-Sama Guesthouse, 130 year old heritage home, gorgeous and cheap (15-35 Ringgit)! That city is a must see. (Palau Pangkor on Teluk Nipah): Nazri Nipah Camp, Thai bungalow style, very simple and small, but great place to stay at. Staff are very laidback and friendly (20-45 Ringgit). Definite backpacker atmosphere. (Cameron Highlands) I believe it was called John's Guesthouse or something like that (has a jungle bar, nestled by the jungle) Supposedly they had bad reviews a while ago in LP I think, but it's under new management and I had no problems what-so-ever, it was great (15-60 ringgit)
3. Internet is pretty inexpensive in the big cities (2-3 ringgit 1hr). But when you get to smaller places and islands it can bouble or triple in price (4-6 ringgit 1hr), but still fairly inexpensive.
4. English is widely spoken in Malaysia. It's the #1 business language. I know very little Malay & Mandarin and never really used it except once at a local food stall... No worries with the English, you'll be amazed.
Have fun in Malaysia!
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