Why Travel to Malaysia?
Malaysia
offers two distinct experiences - the mainland [peninsula] and the
island of Kalimantan [Borneo].
The mainland is sophisticated, efficient and thoroughly comfortable,
epitomised by the modern, multicultural capital, Kuala Lumpur, while
the Cameron Highlands are cool and colonial, with pleasant little
old towns, and wild walks
Adjacent Taman Negara National Park is an evocative big-tree jungle,
though not exactly loaded with beasts.
Beach resorts offer guaranteed heat and mostly sun, with clear seas
and fine sand.
Kalimantan [Malaysian Borneo] is the place to do the really wild
thing in a primitive environment, with exotic Dayak tribes, an ancient
and endangered jungle sporting ancient creatures such as the orang
utan, as well as mountains and spectacular caves.
Prices for individual travel in Malaysia are reasonable, especially
on the mainland, food is excellent and life is mostly relaxed and
safe.
Downsides:
- there's not much in the way of ancient sights or traditional native
culture on the mainland, when compared to the neighbours.
- the weather is usually oppressively hot and humid.
- Kuala Lumpur makes for poor walking and holds little interest.
Malaysia Travel Guide, climate:
Malaysia's
west and east coasts have different rainy seasons, which is awkward
for travellers who want to see everything but don't like getting
wet.
The country has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity,
though the highlands are significantly cooler.
Best: Oct-Feb west coast, May-Sept east coast and Kalimantan [Borneo].
Worst: Nov-Feb on the east coast and Kalimantan, with cloud, rain
and rough seas due to the monsoon.
Length
of stay:
Minimum worthwhile stay, not including flights: 1 week for a quick
look at KL, a mainland attraction and/or a beach.
Recommended: 2 weeks on the mainland taking in Kuala Lumpur, the
Cameron Highlands, Taman Negara Park, Malacca, Georgetown on Penang
and a trip to Tioman Island.
Plus 2 weeks for an adventurous exploration of Borneo; one week
per state - Sabah and Sarawak.
Malaysia attractions:
The
Mainland:
*Kuala Lumpur - a melting pot of Asian cultures, Malaysia's capital is humid,
often smoggy and not so great for pedestrians but not expensive,
lively, friendly and serves great cuisine.
Highlights are the view from Petronas Towers, Chinatown, and some
colonial buildings amidst the skyscrapers.
*Melaka [Malacca] - Malacca provides
colonial history and artifacts, with Portuguese influenced architecture,
Chinese junks and a shop culture.
**Cameron Highlands - this lush, cool,
colonial, tea growing hill station is perfect for relaxed trekking
- spotting orchids, butterflies and birds around the quaint little
towns, with plenty of golf and tennis action.
**Taman Negara Reserve - one of the
oldest rainforests in the world with massive trees, waterfalls and
good tracks though not overloaded with wildlife - mostly birds,
deer, tapir and our least favourite critters, leeches.
Taman Negara Pehang, a 2,187m peak
makes a good canopy view without huge effort, or try the canopy
walkway if vertigo doesn't get to you first.
There are plenty of places to stay inside the park. Best March-Oct.
**Georgetown, Penang Island - This
is Malaysia's most interesting town, awash with history, culture
and the best street food in the country. It's at it's best during
the Chinese New Year.
There are some decent beaches, though not comparable to Tioman island.
***Tioman Island - a beautiful island,
and the prime east coast spot for diving, snorkelling and windsurfing,
with excellent beaches and some quaint villages and low-budget places,
though no shortage of fancy resorts too. Ferries from Mersing [and
Singapore], though not in the monsoon season, Nov-Feb. See Malaysia
Beaches
Kalimantan
[Malaysian Borneo]:
This
is the best wildlife safari destination in Asia with the possible
exception of India, offering orang utans, proboscis monkeys, turtles,
hornbills, leopard, Sumatran rhino and other exotic creatures on
land and in sea.
Sabah
province. The northern region offers direct international access to Borneo
via Kota Kinabalu. The nearby beaches are some of the best in Borneo,
while the islands offer beautiful resorts and spectacular diving.
Beware terrorism and kidnapping in east Sabah, including the islands.
***Kinabalu
National Park - Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in south east Asia at 4,100m,
rises dramatically from the jungle canopy and has an easy-to-follow
8km path to the summit.
**Kinabatangan River - with good prospects
for seeing turtles and proboscis monkeys etc. while travelling by
riverboat.
***Sepilok - a first rate sanctuary
for rescued orang utans, and an ideal way to see them up close and
responsibly in their natural habitat.
**Danum Valley - aerial walkways through
an extensive protected wildlife habitat.
**North Borneo Railway - the real deal,
colonial steam train style travel between Kota Kinabalu and Tenom
in the south.
Sarawak,
the southern province also offers direct international access from
Miri and has many national parks and the world's most extreme diversity
of flora and fauna. Mountains range above extensive jungle waterways,
edged with gorgeous beaches. Tattooed Iban headhunters [they're
not too keen on pasty tourist heads], birds and and other wildlife
are in abundance. The traditional longhouses and planked walkways
are a local speciality.
***Gunung
Mulu National Park - has three eroded mountains, a buzzing
rainforest and stunning, world-beating limestone cave systems -
the biggest cave, the biggest chamber and the longest cave in the
world. Millions of bats cloud from the entrance of Deer Cave in
the evening.
Groups here are much more cost-effective than individuals.
**Kuching - on the Sarawak River offers
lots of colonial heritage, is attractive and walkable.
**Matang and Semenggok Wildlife Centres
- best at feeding time to see rescued orang utans.
*Gunung Gading National Park - to see
the world's largest flower (up to 1 metre) of the Rafflesia.
Malaysia
Activities Guide:
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling: some of best places for diving
in the world. Top east coast dives are around Tioman, Redang and
Perhentian islands, while the east coast of Sabah [Borneo] at Sipadan
is really outstanding, and Layang Layang is excellent for corals.
Beach life: See Malaysia
Beaches
Wildlife:
Orang utans, various monkeys and turtles, leopards, rhino, lots
of plants and birds, especially the cute hornbill, and fish of all
sizes depending where you go - all very diverse, but the big ginger
ape of Borneo is definitely the jungle VIP.
Caving: there are some spectacular
caves on Borneo at Gunung Mulu National Park. See right.
Trekking/Climbing:
moderate trekking can be undertaken in the coolish Cameron Highlands
or Taman Negara NP on the mainland, but for really sweaty jungle
adventure and bigger views head for Kalimantan and try the area
around Mt Kinabalu as well as the three peaks at Gunung Mulu NP
in Sarawak.
Whitewater Rafting: many rivers range
from moderate to extreme on the mainland, such as Sungai Selangor
near KL, and Suingai Telom in the Cameron Highlands. In Borneo there's
Sungai Pudas.
Festivals and Events:
Malay culture is one of the most accepting and diverse cultures
in the world.
Check
guide books for precise dates:
November: Hari Raya Puasa - Islamic celebration of the end of Ramadan. [Muslim fasting month, Sept 1 -
Sept 29 2008; August 22 - September 21, 2009; August 11- September 10, 2010. There's always a lively feast day, Idd al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan]
January: Chinese New Year. The first two days of the fifteen day
festival are a national holiday, Penang is primo.
Jan-Feb: Thaipusam. Festival for a Hindu deity, featuring carrying
of penance gifts [walking floats] and body piercing. KL penance
makers walk to the Batu Caves at Selangor.
Tamu Besar - a foodie event with local produce sold and colourful
tribes showing off their fashions. Kota Belud in north-east Sabah,
Kalimantan [Borneo].
Transport:
Road travel options are plentiful on the mainland with well-organised
car hire, city-to-city taxis, buses and train services. Buses are
cheapest, naturally, and peninsula coverage comprehensive.
Train travel is limited to two main lines.
Air transport is relatively expensive, and except for serious pond
hopping [Borneo] probably not required. Deep exploration of Kalimantan
is usually by 4x4 and river.
Visas:
UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other Commonwealth citizens,
plus most Europeans can get a 60 day visa on arrival. Otherwise
check.
Money:
Costs are similar to Thailand but more than Indonesia.
Major currencies can be changed to Ringgit at banks or hotels and
with authorised changers [who often offer better deals].
Credit cards and Travellers cheques are widely accepted; ATMs are
generally found in major towns only.
Electricity:
240 volt three square-pin plugs [like the UK].
Language
advice:
Bahasa Malaysia is official, but English is widely spoken, along
with Chinese.
Health
advice:
Take precautions against mosquitoes, including daytime in urban
areas to avoid dengue fever, and night-flights by malarial critters.
Hepatitis A vaccine is also worthwhile.
Train travel:
If you like train travel, consider taking a train from Chiang Mai
in northern Thailand all the way south through Malaysia to Singapore.
Fridays:
Holy day off in muslim Malaysia, so plan cultural etc.
visits accordingly.
Malaysia
Cuisine:
This sticky country is a melting pot of excellent cuisine with Malay,
Chinese, and Indian styles well represented or fused, though superb
Chinese seafood with noodles or dim sum are primary dishes.
Roadside and market stalls are plentiful in many towns but Penang
and georgetown are renowned for street cuisine.
Prices are low but hygiene standards high.
Western food chains sit side by side with the more exotic offerings
in the bigger towns.
Drinking:
In spite of the Islamic influence, alcohol is generally available
- Tiger beer, for example, is a globally famous and tasty brand. Tap water is supposedly safe to drink but it's best to stick with
the bottled stuff until you acclimatise to local bacteria.
Don't:
- think that the locals are thieving on buses and trains, it's probably
other tourists most interested in robbing you !
- travel without malaria protection if going into the jungle.
Malaysia
Tours
If
you plan South East Asia Travel you may also be interested in these
guides:
Thailand
Guide | Indonesia
Guide | China
Travel Guide | India
Guide | Cambodia
Guide | Vietnam
Guide
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