West Coast Malaysia People & Culture

During our travels, a friend warned that Langkawi was `pretty, but boring as hell`. Likewise, the tour operator in KL advised we should only go to Langkawi for a day trip because there wasn’t much to see there. Both of these opinions were way off base, as we found out for ourselves.

Langkawi is a series of one hundred small islands (give or take a few, depending on the tide level), clustered together near the Malaysian-Thai border. The terrain is lush and mountainous, with beautiful beaches. You won’t see any high-rise hotels on Pulau Langkawi, the main island of the group; the government requires that hotels may not be taller than a coconut tree. As a result, the island’s businesses have remained in the hands of the locals, and few tourists venture out here. The result is a very quiet, laid-back atmosphere with friendly local folks.

We arrived at the Langkawi airport and immediately rented a proton wira car at RM100 for 3 days droved to our 4- star Langkasuka Beach Resort. Our modus operandi is to travel without hotel reservations, allowing us maximum flexibility; we crossed our fingers that Langkasuka Beach Resort would have a vacancy because it sounded like a peaceful place. Luckily they had two vacant chalets set in a lush garden tastefully adorned with orchids, palms, statues, fountains and ponds. It was quite charming, to say the least. The beachfront was pristine and secluded.

One of the highlights of our visit to Langkawi was a breathtaking gondola ride up the mountainside. The Swiss-made gondola opened in 2002, each car seating up to six passengers. The first leg of the ride glides straight up the mountain for an awe-inspiring distance, while the second leg takes you from one mountaintop station to a second station. The top lookout point has a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding islands and sea. In addition, there is a steep trekking path between the two peaks for those who wish to explore the jungle on foot (which, of course, included us). The station at the base of the mountain sits next to an Oriental Village (read: shopping mall for tourists). Also nearby is a short and very, very steep trek to the Seven Pools - a legendary series of waterfalls where you can slide from one pool to the next on the smooth, slippery rocks. This was a refreshing dip for us after our grueling trek. Sitting under a pounding waterfall is pretty exhilarating!.

Another highlight of our trip was gourmet cuisine - at very reasonable prices, I might add. The first night we sat at a beachside table at the Lighthouse Restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely dinner as the sun sank down beyond the horizon. For dessert we shared peach gelati molded into the shape of a peach, covered with a delicate white chocolate shell (dyed peach, of course) and adorned with a real leaf. There was even a “peach pit” inside, made of a chocolate hazelnut truffle. The entertainment for the evening came when a herd of water buffalo ambled down the beach for their nightly stroll - definitely not something you would see in the City! Buffalos have traditionally been used to work the fields on the island, although modern machinery is starting to make them obsolete. Some of the residents still keep their herds of buffalo though, as a means of preserving cultural traditions. Apparently, the herds used to roam freely and cause all kinds of traffic jams by walking down the middle of the road in packs of thirty or more. Some restrictions have been put in place, but few farmers actually abide by them. As a result, you never know when you might be graced by the presence of a water buffalo sauntering down the sidewalk.

The second night in Langkawi we ate dinner at the Sun Village Seafood Restaurant. Once again, dinner dessert was superb and dessert was very delicious. We had four orders of the traditional Malay dessert, sago. Sago comes from a tree, and is similar to tapioca pearls (about 1/8” in diameter). The emerald green jelly-like pearls were molded into three little mounds, and presented in a bowl of brown sugar and cream. We were instructed to stir everything up to sweeten the sago with the brown sugar, resulting in a unique flavor. This dessert is traditionally eaten during Ramadan. Sago is the staple of the Penan tribe’s diet; they are a nomadic tribe, known for their stealth and accuracy when hunting with blowdarts.

Our third and final night in Langkawi, we decided to be adventurous and drove to the opposite side of the island for dinner. We parked the car embarked on a 15 minute walk through the mangrove jungle to reach the restaurant. This place was built with eco-tourism in mind; instead of knocking down trees, the building was constructed around them. The main dining room has trees coming up through the floor and reaching towards the towering skylight above. A wraparound deck allows diners to view the mangrove wildlife between courses.

We loved Langkawi, and will probably go back there someday - as long as it doesn't get too built-up and touristy! Maybe that\'s why people kept telling us not to go there...maybe they just secretly wanted the island to remain quiet. In that case, I don't blame them in the least.

How to Get There
Malacca is located on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Malacca, about 147 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor. If you are in West Malaysia, the best way to travel to Malacca is by road, which i did. Travelling down sourth via the North-South Highway from the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) takes only a mere 90 minutes. If you are travelling from KL the journey is about 2 hours. From Johor Bahru heading north, it's only 2 1/2 hours away. You will also get to enjoy the greeneries of oil palm plantation and some evergreen tropical landscape along the North-South Expressway. There are many public rest areas, stop-overs, petrol kiosks and strategic view points along the highway so the journey will be quite pleasant if one needs to have a rest from the long distance driving.

My story of Malacca .....
Malacca is a place where you can liken it to "a museum within a museum". Your surroundings changes the moment you cross the border and enter into this tiny state. Because it is known as the historical city, Malacca has ample tourist facilities and well-placed signboards to guide you to your specific places of interest. There are strategically and beautifully landscaped gardens/parks greeting you on the outskirt of town as well as easy road directions pointing you towards your next stop! Malacca is a place that is so rich in history that I feel it is a huge museum on its own. When you enter the town and start your exploration, you will again find many mini "museums" depicting a series of historical events that will bound to stir the curiosity in you. One of the most obvious pieces of historical remnants from the colonial days stood in the form of buildings. Everywhere you look, you will see quaint old buildings, in which some are as old as the history of Malacca itself. Be it large old church buildings, colonial homes, or even old-time shop houses, the buildings of Malacca offers a huge thrill for those who are interested in history. It is also the perfect place for "trigger-happy shutterbugs"! What's best about Malacca is that most of the historical buildings are a short walk away only. With well-placed directional boards in both English and Malay languages, it would not be difficult planning your little walkthrough. However, if you wish for more information, then do drop by at the tourism office to grab some maps or brochures. Most people would start their journey at the town square. Here, the trishaws will be the most striking thing to catch your eye. Some of the trishaws are old and worn-looking whilst some are impressively gaudy. There are bright tinsels and trinkets in hues of bright orange, red, and yellow hanging from the umbrella covering over these trishaws. These trishaws are a traditional form of transportation in Malacca and the journey will bring you around to some of the common historical spots around the city. Perhaps business is slow these days, for the trishaw-man is most willing to lower his prices from RM10 to RM5 after some slight haggling. However, I did not splurge on these rides as I had my own transportation. But be warned, tourists, for you will be offered propositions at least half a dozen times just by hanging around the town square area. Although many would swear that the town square is the most photographed area in Malacca, I wish to add that the nearby striking red Christ Church building is more attractive to me than most. Built entirely of red bricks that were brought in from Holland , the building was erected by the Dutch and was later converted by the British for Anglican usage. Built since 1753, the church is a fine example of the Dutch's architectural skills. Some interesting points to note are the handmade church pews, the Brass Bible, the "Last Supper" in glazed tiles, the tombstone in Armenian, and of course, the skillfully-made ceiling beams done without any joints. To date, this fiery red building is still very much in use. Next to the Christ Church building are various stalls selling a variety of souvenirs, trinkets and other handmade handicraft items. For those who would like a little something to bring home to, this would be one of the places to buy them. Of course, do not commit too soon as the city holds many more places for souvenir-hunting and such! Of course, the town square itself is a beautiful place. There is a fountain and a clock tower in front of the impressive town hall. There is also a very European feel to the overall landscape. It is no doubt, a great place for snapping pictures. The town hall is known as the Stadthuys . Now having been converted into the Historical and Ethnography Museum , the Stadthuys was once used as the official residence of Dutch Governors and their officers. Built in 1650, the building has been maintained and preserved in its original form. Visitors to the Stadthuys will now get to admire artifacts from the glory days of Malacca as well as rich traditional bridal costumes. Although the building was originally white in color, it has in later years, been repainted to red, which matches the Christ Church building and in turn, gives the surrounding area a theme. Many claimed that the Stadthuys is the largest Dutch-built edifice in Asia . When you are done admiring the nearby buildings at the town square, now is time for a little climb. Head over to the steps at the foot of St. Paul 's Hill (Bukit St. Paul). These steps lead to the remnants of St. Paul 's Church . Not a very difficult climb, although some parts are steeper than the rest, do take a break during your climb to admire the view of the coastline. From up high, you will be able to catch a breathtaking view of the straits and have a suitable spot with many good photo-taking opportunities. This is also a good place to snap a picture of the statue of St. Francis Xavier along with the church in its background. St. Francis Xavier was a missionary who died in the year 1553. Before his body was taken back to Goa , India , he was enshrined in the open grave for a short period of time. St. Paul 's Church was built by a Portuguese named Duarte Coelho in 1521 with various renovations added to the place throughout the 1500s. Although it is now known as St. Paul 's Church, it was not always so. Its original name was "Our Lady of the Hill". However when the Dutch took over Malacca and turned the church premise into a burial ground, it was renamed. There are still various tombs of Dutch noblemen found at the grounds for that historical sentimentalism. One tomb was particularly heart wrenching. Written on the tombstone were the names and dates of family members who had past away within days from each other. Their names and ages were etched on the tombstone. Some were as young as a few months to a few years old only. The tombstone was set up by their grandfather in their memory. While this was a sad tombstone to look at, there were others that are rather interesting. Bearing skull and crossbones motifs, it will send a shiver down anyone's spine. Therefore, for a period of time, the Dutch were occupying St. Paul 's Hill while the construction of Christ Church was taking place. When it was completed, St. Paul 's Hill was abandoned. After the Portuguese and the Dutch takeover, the third group of people to colonize the hill was the British. Unfortunately, part of the tower was damaged during these times and some additions were included. A lighthouse was built at the front and the church was even converted into an armory during those times! Now, the grounds and the church are peaceful places - interrupted only by the sounds of voices and laughter from the many tourists who flock to the area each day. When you are done exploring St. Paul 's Hill, descend to the other side of the hill and you will be greeted with one of the most famous landmarks in Malacca - the A'Famosa . The A'Famosa was a large structure in its heydays, but all you now see is the remains of the original Portuguese fort. Built in the year 1512, the fort was known as Porta de Santiago. For the past five centuries, the fort has survived much hardship. It is now old but imposing, nonetheless. The fort was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque and his fleet of Portuguese men. In order to safeguard their territory after having defeated the locals, he built the fortress near the sea. A mighty fortress of four main towers and bulwarks, each tower had a purpose of its own. Two were used as residences for the captain and their officers while the last two is for ammunition and a keep respectively. After the Portuguese lost their stronghold to the Dutch, the fort was slightly modified with the inclusion of a logo "ANNO 1670" over the arch of a gate. The destruction of this grand fortress came about during the British colonial times, which took place in the year 1806. Almost the entire fortress was demolished except for the part that you now see, which luckily, was saved by Sir Stamford Raffles who is passionate about history. Apart from major historical landmarks or buildings, there are many more around Malacca town. The old shop houses, which are still very much in use, tell a story too. Its quaint façade and architectural style is great for photo-taking. This is also the perfect spot to shop for souvenirs or try out some of the delicious Malaccan food. Because of the melting pot culture in Malacca, the fusion of food available is simply mouth-watering and can only be found in this state itself. Be it spicy Nyonya food or wonderful sweets/desserts, Malacca is the place for it! Hmmm...i hope my 'long' travel tip does not bore you people out there ;)

The shopping is amazing, the airport is nice, and the people are nice.

very humid.... people are so friendly...... things to see: the big mosque, the chinese market, the petrolias tour....food is so good ...and everybody speak english as it is country with 3 differents cultures, malay, chinese and indian

Great place to visit. There are local night market. Ask the local people where can you find a PASAMALAM. It is in different places every night.

During our travels, a friend warned that Langkawi was `pretty, but boring as hell`. Likewise, the tour operator in KL advised we should only go to Langkawi for a day trip because there wasn’t much to see there. Both of these opinions were way off base, as we found out for ourselves.

Langkawi is a series of one hundred small islands (give or take a few, depending on the tide level), clustered together near the Malaysian-Thai border. The terrain is lush and mountainous, with beautiful beaches. You won’t see any high-rise hotels on Pulau Langkawi, the main island of the group; the government requires that hotels may not be taller than a coconut tree. As a result, the island’s businesses have remained in the hands of the locals, and few tourists venture out here. The result is a very quiet, laid-back atmosphere with friendly local folks.

We arrived at the Langkawi airport and immediately rented a proton wira car at RM100 for 3 days droved to our 4- star Langkasuka Beach Resort. Our modus operandi is to travel without hotel reservations, allowing us maximum flexibility; we crossed our fingers that Langkasuka Beach Resort would have a vacancy because it sounded like a peaceful place. Luckily they had two vacant chalets set in a lush garden tastefully adorned with orchids, palms, statues, fountains and ponds. It was quite charming, to say the least. The beachfront was pristine and secluded.

One of the highlights of our visit to Langkawi was a breathtaking gondola ride up the mountainside. The Swiss-made gondola opened in 2002, each car seating up to six passengers. The first leg of the ride glides straight up the mountain for an awe-inspiring distance, while the second leg takes you from one mountaintop station to a second station. The top lookout point has a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding islands and sea. In addition, there is a steep trekking path between the two peaks for those who wish to explore the jungle on foot (which, of course, included us). The station at the base of the mountain sits next to an Oriental Village (read: shopping mall for tourists). Also nearby is a short and very, very steep trek to the Seven Pools - a legendary series of waterfalls where you can slide from one pool to the next on the smooth, slippery rocks. This was a refreshing dip for us after our grueling trek. Sitting under a pounding waterfall is pretty exhilarating!.

Another highlight of our trip was gourmet cuisine - at very reasonable prices, I might add. The first night we sat at a beachside table at the Lighthouse Restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely dinner as the sun sank down beyond the horizon. For dessert we shared peach gelati molded into the shape of a peach, covered with a delicate white chocolate shell (dyed peach, of course) and adorned with a real leaf. There was even a “peach pit” inside, made of a chocolate hazelnut truffle. The entertainment for the evening came when a herd of water buffalo ambled down the beach for their nightly stroll - definitely not something you would see in the City! Buffalos have traditionally been used to work the fields on the island, although modern machinery is starting to make them obsolete. Some of the residents still keep their herds of buffalo though, as a means of preserving cultural traditions. Apparently, the herds used to roam freely and cause all kinds of traffic jams by walking down the middle of the road in packs of thirty or more. Some restrictions have been put in place, but few farmers actually abide by them. As a result, you never know when you might be graced by the presence of a water buffalo sauntering down the sidewalk.

The second night in Langkawi we ate dinner at the Sun Village Seafood Restaurant. Once again, dinner dessert was superb and dessert was very delicious. We had four orders of the traditional Malay dessert, sago. Sago comes from a tree, and is similar to tapioca pearls (about 1/8” in diameter). The emerald green jelly-like pearls were molded into three little mounds, and presented in a bowl of brown sugar and cream. We were instructed to stir everything up to sweeten the sago with the brown sugar, resulting in a unique flavor. This dessert is traditionally eaten during Ramadan. Sago is the staple of the Penan tribe’s diet; they are a nomadic tribe, known for their stealth and accuracy when hunting with blowdarts.

Our third and final night in Langkawi, we decided to be adventurous and drove to the opposite side of the island for dinner. We parked the car embarked on a 15 minute walk through the mangrove jungle to reach the restaurant. This place was built with eco-tourism in mind; instead of knocking down trees, the building was constructed around them. The main dining room has trees coming up through the floor and reaching towards the towering skylight above. A wraparound deck allows diners to view the mangrove wildlife between courses.

We loved Langkawi, and will probably go back there someday - as long as it doesn't get too built-up and touristy! Maybe that\'s why people kept telling us not to go there...maybe they just secretly wanted the island to remain quiet. In that case, I don't blame them in the least.

Gardens City Of Light -Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the capital of Malaysia. There're many art galleries, museum historical ruins for the ultimate cultural learning experience. Must visit - the world famous Petronas Towers, once at the top; it feels like the whole word under your feet. Beside the Petronas Towers is the Maxis Tower, there is a revolving restaurant in the Maxis Tower where able to have a bird's eye view to KL.

How to Get There
Malacca is located on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Malacca, about 147 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur between the states of Negeri Sembilan and Johor. If you are in West Malaysia, the best way to travel to Malacca is by road, which i did. Travelling down sourth via the North-South Highway from the KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) takes only a mere 90 minutes. If you are travelling from KL the journey is about 2 hours. From Johor Bahru heading north, it's only 2 1/2 hours away. You will also get to enjoy the greeneries of oil palm plantation and some evergreen tropical landscape along the North-South Expressway. There are many public rest areas, stop-overs, petrol kiosks and strategic view points along the highway so the journey will be quite pleasant if one needs to have a rest from the long distance driving.

My story of Malacca .....
Malacca is a place where you can liken it to "a museum within a museum". Your surroundings changes the moment you cross the border and enter into this tiny state. Because it is known as the historical city, Malacca has ample tourist facilities and well-placed signboards to guide you to your specific places of interest. There are strategically and beautifully landscaped gardens/parks greeting you on the outskirt of town as well as easy road directions pointing you towards your next stop! Malacca is a place that is so rich in history that I feel it is a huge museum on its own. When you enter the town and start your exploration, you will again find many mini "museums" depicting a series of historical events that will bound to stir the curiosity in you. One of the most obvious pieces of historical remnants from the colonial days stood in the form of buildings. Everywhere you look, you will see quaint old buildings, in which some are as old as the history of Malacca itself. Be it large old church buildings, colonial homes, or even old-time shop houses, the buildings of Malacca offers a huge thrill for those who are interested in history. It is also the perfect place for "trigger-happy shutterbugs"! What's best about Malacca is that most of the historical buildings are a short walk away only. With well-placed directional boards in both English and Malay languages, it would not be difficult planning your little walkthrough. However, if you wish for more information, then do drop by at the tourism office to grab some maps or brochures. Most people would start their journey at the town square. Here, the trishaws will be the most striking thing to catch your eye. Some of the trishaws are old and worn-looking whilst some are impressively gaudy. There are bright tinsels and trinkets in hues of bright orange, red, and yellow hanging from the umbrella covering over these trishaws. These trishaws are a traditional form of transportation in Malacca and the journey will bring you around to some of the common historical spots around the city. Perhaps business is slow these days, for the trishaw-man is most willing to lower his prices from RM10 to RM5 after some slight haggling. However, I did not splurge on these rides as I had my own transportation. But be warned, tourists, for you will be offered propositions at least half a dozen times just by hanging around the town square area. Although many would swear that the town square is the most photographed area in Malacca, I wish to add that the nearby striking red Christ Church building is more attractive to me than most. Built entirely of red bricks that were brought in from Holland , the building was erected by the Dutch and was later converted by the British for Anglican usage. Built since 1753, the church is a fine example of the Dutch's architectural skills. Some interesting points to note are the handmade church pews, the Brass Bible, the "Last Supper" in glazed tiles, the tombstone in Armenian, and of course, the skillfully-made ceiling beams done without any joints. To date, this fiery red building is still very much in use. Next to the Christ Church building are various stalls selling a variety of souvenirs, trinkets and other handmade handicraft items. For those who would like a little something to bring home to, this would be one of the places to buy them. Of course, do not commit too soon as the city holds many more places for souvenir-hunting and such! Of course, the town square itself is a beautiful place. There is a fountain and a clock tower in front of the impressive town hall. There is also a very European feel to the overall landscape. It is no doubt, a great place for snapping pictures. The town hall is known as the Stadthuys . Now having been converted into the Historical and Ethnography Museum , the Stadthuys was once used as the official residence of Dutch Governors and their officers. Built in 1650, the building has been maintained and preserved in its original form. Visitors to the Stadthuys will now get to admire artifacts from the glory days of Malacca as well as rich traditional bridal costumes. Although the building was originally white in color, it has in later years, been repainted to red, which matches the Christ Church building and in turn, gives the surrounding area a theme. Many claimed that the Stadthuys is the largest Dutch-built edifice in Asia . When you are done admiring the nearby buildings at the town square, now is time for a little climb. Head over to the steps at the foot of St. Paul 's Hill (Bukit St. Paul). These steps lead to the remnants of St. Paul 's Church . Not a very difficult climb, although some parts are steeper than the rest, do take a break during your climb to admire the view of the coastline. From up high, you will be able to catch a breathtaking view of the straits and have a suitable spot with many good photo-taking opportunities. This is also a good place to snap a picture of the statue of St. Francis Xavier along with the church in its background. St. Francis Xavier was a missionary who died in the year 1553. Before his body was taken back to Goa , India , he was enshrined in the open grave for a short period of time. St. Paul 's Church was built by a Portuguese named Duarte Coelho in 1521 with various renovations added to the place throughout the 1500s. Although it is now known as St. Paul 's Church, it was not always so. Its original name was "Our Lady of the Hill". However when the Dutch took over Malacca and turned the church premise into a burial ground, it was renamed. There are still various tombs of Dutch noblemen found at the grounds for that historical sentimentalism. One tomb was particularly heart wrenching. Written on the tombstone were the names and dates of family members who had past away within days from each other. Their names and ages were etched on the tombstone. Some were as young as a few months to a few years old only. The tombstone was set up by their grandfather in their memory. While this was a sad tombstone to look at, there were others that are rather interesting. Bearing skull and crossbones motifs, it will send a shiver down anyone's spine. Therefore, for a period of time, the Dutch were occupying St. Paul 's Hill while the construction of Christ Church was taking place. When it was completed, St. Paul 's Hill was abandoned. After the Portuguese and the Dutch takeover, the third group of people to colonize the hill was the British. Unfortunately, part of the tower was damaged during these times and some additions were included. A lighthouse was built at the front and the church was even converted into an armory during those times! Now, the grounds and the church are peaceful places - interrupted only by the sounds of voices and laughter from the many tourists who flock to the area each day. When you are done exploring St. Paul 's Hill, descend to the other side of the hill and you will be greeted with one of the most famous landmarks in Malacca - the A'Famosa . The A'Famosa was a large structure in its heydays, but all you now see is the remains of the original Portuguese fort. Built in the year 1512, the fort was known as Porta de Santiago. For the past five centuries, the fort has survived much hardship. It is now old but imposing, nonetheless. The fort was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque and his fleet of Portuguese men. In order to safeguard their territory after having defeated the locals, he built the fortress near the sea. A mighty fortress of four main towers and bulwarks, each tower had a purpose of its own. Two were used as residences for the captain and their officers while the last two is for ammunition and a keep respectively. After the Portuguese lost their stronghold to the Dutch, the fort was slightly modified with the inclusion of a logo "ANNO 1670" over the arch of a gate. The destruction of this grand fortress came about during the British colonial times, which took place in the year 1806. Almost the entire fortress was demolished except for the part that you now see, which luckily, was saved by Sir Stamford Raffles who is passionate about history. Apart from major historical landmarks or buildings, there are many more around Malacca town. The old shop houses, which are still very much in use, tell a story too. Its quaint façade and architectural style is great for photo-taking. This is also the perfect spot to shop for souvenirs or try out some of the delicious Malaccan food. Because of the melting pot culture in Malacca, the fusion of food available is simply mouth-watering and can only be found in this state itself. Be it spicy Nyonya food or wonderful sweets/desserts, Malacca is the place for it! Hmmm...i hope my 'long' travel tip does not bore you people out there ;)

A overview of Georgetown is best experienced from a rickashaw! Transport that gets involved in the city and local culture. Eating is an art form here so stuff your face before heading back to the main land!

very humid.... people are so friendly...... things to see: the big mosque, the chinese market, the petrolias tour....food is so good ...and everybody speak english as it is country with 3 differents cultures, malay, chinese and indian

George Town, Penang, is one of the nicest cities I've been to in Asia. The shopping is great the food is FANTASTIC and the general atmospher provides long term asia-travellers with a welcome rest from havoc and roughing it. Check out little India, next to China town, the Indian food cannot be beaten anywhere. It's better than the real thing, as you know it's safe and it's sooo cheap. Go to a banana-leaf restaurant in little India. Check out the music dvd stores for a huge collection of Bollywood films. Don't be afraid of street vendors, the food is safe, and a must is (oddly enough) a hamburger - this sounds strange the Malaysians love them and they are filled with wierd sauces, and a great salad mix. But just try it once - as there's so much else to try. The snake temple is pretty cool, if a bit far to go, but check out the local buses to get around. They're inexpensive and reliable.

Tanya and I had a single night stopover in Kuala Lumpur on the way to the Pangkor Laut resort on the west coast of Malaysia, mainly as it was the only place we could stay relatively cheaply between two expensive destinations, and it was one of the few places on our trip that neither of us knew anything about prior to arrival. We hadn't planned to spend much time at all in major cities during our trip, but it simply hadn't turned out to be possible to book into Pangkor Laut on the date we had wanted and the only option available to us had been to slot in a last minute stopover in KL (as the locals call it) en route. I suppose that, if we'd had more time, we would've booked some excursions or perhaps forced ourselves to try some of the obvious tourist traps such as visiting the Petronas Twin Towers - the tallest twin towers in the world and until recently the tallest overall building - or having dinner in the revolving restaurant at the top of the Kuala Lumpur Tower. As it was, we didn't have time to do any of these things and opted instead to spend what little time we had wandering the streets around our hotel in an attempt to soak up some of the atmosphere of the city. Tanya has never liked cities, and Kuala Lumpur seemed to us to be particularly polluted and smelly, even compared to Bangkok. It didn't take long for her to show signs of becoming sick from the fumes around the city centre, so we ended up cutting our explorations short and heading back to the hotel. Not, I think you'll agree, the most auspicious of starts to our time in Malaysia. The only thing we really had any time to do was take a look around a local indoor market, which reminded me of the large market buildings in Hong Kong. Entry was through a small doorway off of the street, and once inside we found ourselves presented with several levels of shops - mostly small cubicles selling cheap (and possibly not quite so legal in some cases) computer software and hardware as well as trinkets and tacky souvenirs. At the back of the building was a large food market selling meat, fruits and vegetables, but we didn't get too far in before the crowds were too much for us and we headed straight for the door. I have no idea whether McDonalds is a new arrival in KL or not, but eating there certainly seemed to be an exercise in propaganda on their part. When we first walked through the door, it appeared that they were playing choir music through the public address system, and my first reaction was to think how much nicer it was than the rubbish they play back home. While eating, however, I started to listen to the words and realised quite quickly that the music was, in fact, a choir of children singing about how delicious the food was at McDonalds. No sooner had the song finished, than a deep voiced jazz singer came on to replace it and started singing about Big Macs. This went on throughout our short time at the restaurant, apparently on a loop, until it really did start to get on our nerves. Needless to say, the whole thing became a bit of a joke for a while afterwards, with one of us turning to the other and starting to sing the McDonalds song whenever we felt like winding each other up. I guess the sales team at McDonalds would probably take that as a victory.You can read my complete travel journals at http://www.offexploring.com/globalwanderer and http://www.offexploring.com/globalwanderer2

Nikko Kuala Lumpur - nice place in the center of the city, a walking distance from Petronas Twin Towers. Wonderful coffee and live music in the lobby every evening :)

If you want to be sure to listen reggae music, go to the Reggae bar

According to Yahoo Travel, Bintang Walk is "a row of street-side cafes, restaurants and pubs, stretching from Lot 10 Shopping Centre to the JW Marriott Hotel. "At night, Bintang Walk truly comes alive, when live jazz music is played and the whole place is beautifully lit-up."

The biggest techie/IT mall in Asia is here. :] Also, if you want designer duds, go here. This is like Greenbelt of Malaysia.

Langkawi (cosists of 99 islands) is one of my favourite island getaways in Malaysia. I highly recommend the beautiful beaches in Tanjung Rhu (especially) in the Northeast and Pantai Cenang in the southwest, stunning mangroves in Sungai Kilim (they do boat tours out to where you can see Thailand from afar), the cable car ride at Guning (Mount) Mat Cincang, and the Pulau Payar Marine Park in the south. Diving at the park can be fun - huge grouper fish, turtles, urchins and rays, although some of the corals are dying the last time I was there. Pulau Dayang Bunting is nice too. The archipelago is perfect for a long weekend break... and it's not far from the major cities! Besides, you'll find beautiful Malay food everywhere you go... from hawker stalls to restaurants in the big hotels. Alcohol in Malaysia is generally expensive, but it is cheap in Langkawi. The island is the designated duty-free shopping haven!

In Malaysia I usually stay at the Coronade hotel in Bukit Bintang. This is the best area to stay if you are on holiday since the hotel is located slap bang in the middle of the shopping and entertainment area. The hotel is very good (a 3 star or more I think) and very reasonably priced and you can book online at the following links. I would recommend a booking basis of BB (maximum) since there is plenty of good food just outside the hotel. Half or full board would be a waste of money. There is only one problem I have faced in this hotel and that is the pool. The pool of the hotel is on the roof top (together with the gym) and is under cover and thus does not get any sun. The water tends to be very very cold (freezing sometimes) because of this. If the you are not too keen on the pool this would not be an issue. In any event you guys will be doing water parks that should negate the need for a pool at then hotel. The hotel is located at Bukit Bintang in the heart of Kuala Lumpur 's Golden Triangle which is the premier tourist area in KL. There is an excellent hawkers street which serves about 10 to 12 different kinds of food at very reasonable prices and plenty of restaurants just outside the hotel. If you are going to KL on the train from Singapore , the train stops at KL Sentral (the last stop) and from there you can get a cab. Print out the address of the hotel and show it to both the booking counter and the cabbie. The first time I went to KL the cabbie dropped me off at the wrong hotel. If the cabbie is confused, tell him that the hotel used to be known as the Fariline hotel earlier. All cabbies speak English. There is an alternative way which is faster and very much cheaper. That is to take the monorail to the hotel. If luggage is not too much of a hassle go to the monorail station at KL Sentral and buy tickets to BUKIT BINTANG station. The hotel is about 30 meters from the monorail station at Bukit Bintang. Things to do in KL Shopping For shopping the location of the hotel is ideal. Right opposite the hotel (other side of the road) is the Sungei Wang Plaza ( http://www.sungeiwang.com ) and the BB plaza which are interconnected and you wouldn’t know which one you are in most of the time. This is a huge mall. On the right (same side of the road) is a mall named Lot 10 ( http://www.ytlcommunity.com/lot10/index.asp ) and behind that is the KL Plaza. The Berjaya Times Square Mall (BTS) ( http://www.timessquarekl.com ) is a mere 3 – 5 minutes walk (about 300 meters away) and is another huge mall with over 1000 outlets. Sungei Wang and BB are mid market malls whilst Lot 10 and BTS are slightly more upmarket. Quality in all these malls is excellent and the prices very very good. Another shopping destination is the Petaling Street (PS) market at China town. This is a street market with all kinds of goods for sale. PS is away from the area of the hotel, but getting there is easy, just get into a cab and say Petaling street market. PS is a very touristy place and I have found that some times goods tend to be slightly more expensive compared to the malls like Sungei Wang. Bargaining is a must and don’t be shy to ask for deep discounts. If the vendor does not oblige, move on. Most likely the vendor will call you back or you might find better quality and price in the malls. Another place that may interest you is the Low Yat Plaza which is near the hotel. The latest in gadgets, computers, software, video games, computer accessories can be found in abundance here. Theme Parks Cosmo’s World Theme Park The nearest theme park is the Cosmo’s World Theme Park which is located at Berjaya Times Square Mall and is the largest indoor theme park in Malaysia . ( http://www.timesquarekl.com/ ). This place has among other things a very nice area of activity for the smaller children. Sunway Lagoon ( http://www.sunwaylagoon.com/attract/attract.asp ) SL is a large outdoor theme park with accent on water parks. Sunway Lagoon won 2007 Asian Attractions Award b eating Hong Kong , Singapore , Thailand and The Philippines. They have just added an interactive zoo and extreme sports section. This is a great place where you can easily spend a whole day. SL is closed on Tuesdays. Desa Water Park ( http://www.desawaterpark.com.my ) I have not been here but it is supposed to be quite good and has the longest uphill water coaster in Asia . This place is closed on Wednesdays. Genting Highlands theme park ( http://www.genting.com.my/en/themepark/index.htm ) Genting theme park is a part of the genting highlands mountain resort which also includes hotels, entertainment, casino’s etc. It’s a lovely place to go to as the weather is on the colder side and in fact some times pleasantly misty. It’s about 1 hour from Bukit Bintang. The easiest way is by taxi just ask your hotel to organize it. A cheaper way would be to go to the genting taxi stand in KL and take a genting taxi. An even cheaper way would be to take the monorail to Titiwangsa and go across to the bus station and take the bus to the theme park. The bus goes right into the theme park and is very comfortable. This may be a bit of a hassle though if you are with kids. Coming back you have the same options. This would be a whole day trip. You can book your tickets online at the above website and there is an extensive FAQ too. They have listed several travel options on the website that you may want to see. ( http://www.genting.com.my/en/eg/g_there/index.htm ). Make sure you take a change of clothes to all the theme parks as you are sure to get wet (except Cosmo’s). Also, most theme parks do not allow food to be brought in (especially sunway lagoon) as they serve/sell food inside the park. Other attractions Bird Park , Butterfly Park , Deer Park and Orchid Garden at the lake gardens Really nice place to be especially Kids, who will love the bird park where they can feed the birds and photos taken with the birds. This is on the outskirts of the city and takes about 20 mins to get there. Petronas Twin Towers The 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers , otherwise known as KLCC the world's tallest twin structures. Located in the heart of the capital city, the crown of the Kuala Lumpur contains a complex of office buildings, conference halls, a sprawling park and an upmarket shopping complex. Visitors are allowed to go up to the sky bridge between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Though they say till 5.00 pm, they have an allocation on the number of visitors that they allow and hence its best to get there early. KL tower Soaring to 421m, and considered a main feature of the city skyline, the KL Tower is the world's fourth tallest communications tower. To experience the exhilarating view from the KL Tower, you can go to the 335-metre high observation deck on a high-speed lift. From here, you get a birds eye view of the entire city. The Bukit Nanas Forest reserve, also known as the 'Green Lung' of KL City, is located just beside the KL Tower. This uniquely 'real' plot of ancient rainforest offers a walking trail and has flora and fauna indigenous to Malaysia . Here, you get the frankly surreal opportunity to see colourful butterflies, insects, monkeys, squirrels and exotic birds in their natural habitat - all within earshot of the hum of downtown traffic! The latest attraction at KL Tower and Bukit Nanas is a reverse bungee called The G-Force. Not for the faint of heart, your ride will be recorded and given to you on a DVD. On top of the KL Tower is the Seri Angkasa revolving restaurant where you can sample an international buffet spread while watching a continuously revolving view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Take a taxi if you are going here since there is a very steep walk upto the entrance of the tower. Cheers and have fun Ryann

Look out for cheap seafood restaurants at the edge of the town nearer to the Selangor River. Around the area there are small shops selling sea/river catches and processed fish stuff (fishballs, fish paste and etc). Grab their "ha peng" prawn crackers if you see any. Yummy addictive crackers!

There are no public transport other than the bus. Not very reliable and you have got to wait quite sometime before the next one comes along. You will have better luck if you are driving.

No grand hotels there. Most you will see are cheap motels. Kuala Selangor is not very develop. A fishing village/town.

The jetty to Pangkor Island is located here. Not much of good food in Lumut but you can travel 15 to 20mins out to Teluk Rubiah or Pantai Remis for cheap local seafood.

You can purchase plenty for cheap sea harvest including dried salted fish and snacks. You can actually get cheaper stuff here compared if you bought them in Pangkor Island.

Quite a number of hotels, motels and inns here but nothing really fancy. Locals are friendly but remember to bargain when buying your sea harvest or other goods from stalls.

Taxis and bus as transport but they are not that convenient. Get bus tickets in and out of Lumut. The main bus stop is just a 10 minutes walk from the jetty.

Dont buy boat tickets from touts. Get them from the counter. Remember to buy only one way. You can get cheaper tickets back from Pangkor.

Great Island to have a good explore around. Rent a motorbike cheaply and you can get all round it in a few hours!! There is a great viewpoint up a mountain in the centre, accessible by bike or on foot via 1000+ steps if ya feeling fit!! lol

It is a great city to live in. Even though it is a developing country but Kuala Lumpur is a place that you will have a great time in it. You will find Church, Mosque, Shrine, and night clubs all in one neighborhood!
I just to everyone to visit there, live there, and have some fun. But don't just stay in the city, go for jungle trekking there ;)

George Town, Penang, is one of the nicest cities I've been to in Asia. The shopping is great the food is FANTASTIC and the general atmospher provides long term asia-travellers with a welcome rest from havoc and roughing it. Check out little India, next to China town, the Indian food cannot be beaten anywhere. It's better than the real thing, as you know it's safe and it's sooo cheap. Go to a banana-leaf restaurant in little India. Check out the music dvd stores for a huge collection of Bollywood films. Don't be afraid of street vendors, the food is safe, and a must is (oddly enough) a hamburger - this sounds strange the Malaysians love them and they are filled with wierd sauces, and a great salad mix. But just try it once - as there's so much else to try. The snake temple is pretty cool, if a bit far to go, but check out the local buses to get around. They're inexpensive and reliable.

During our travels, a friend warned that Langkawi was `pretty, but boring as hell`. Likewise, the tour operator in KL advised we should only go to Langkawi for a day trip because there wasn’t much to see there. Both of these opinions were way off base, as we found out for ourselves.

Langkawi is a series of one hundred small islands (give or take a few, depending on the tide level), clustered together near the Malaysian-Thai border. The terrain is lush and mountainous, with beautiful beaches. You won’t see any high-rise hotels on Pulau Langkawi, the main island of the group; the government requires that hotels may not be taller than a coconut tree. As a result, the island’s businesses have remained in the hands of the locals, and few tourists venture out here. The result is a very quiet, laid-back atmosphere with friendly local folks.

We arrived at the Langkawi airport and immediately rented a proton wira car at RM100 for 3 days droved to our 4- star Langkasuka Beach Resort. Our modus operandi is to travel without hotel reservations, allowing us maximum flexibility; we crossed our fingers that Langkasuka Beach Resort would have a vacancy because it sounded like a peaceful place. Luckily they had two vacant chalets set in a lush garden tastefully adorned with orchids, palms, statues, fountains and ponds. It was quite charming, to say the least. The beachfront was pristine and secluded.

One of the highlights of our visit to Langkawi was a breathtaking gondola ride up the mountainside. The Swiss-made gondola opened in 2002, each car seating up to six passengers. The first leg of the ride glides straight up the mountain for an awe-inspiring distance, while the second leg takes you from one mountaintop station to a second station. The top lookout point has a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding islands and sea. In addition, there is a steep trekking path between the two peaks for those who wish to explore the jungle on foot (which, of course, included us). The station at the base of the mountain sits next to an Oriental Village (read: shopping mall for tourists). Also nearby is a short and very, very steep trek to the Seven Pools - a legendary series of waterfalls where you can slide from one pool to the next on the smooth, slippery rocks. This was a refreshing dip for us after our grueling trek. Sitting under a pounding waterfall is pretty exhilarating!.

Another highlight of our trip was gourmet cuisine - at very reasonable prices, I might add. The first night we sat at a beachside table at the Lighthouse Restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely dinner as the sun sank down beyond the horizon. For dessert we shared peach gelati molded into the shape of a peach, covered with a delicate white chocolate shell (dyed peach, of course) and adorned with a real leaf. There was even a “peach pit” inside, made of a chocolate hazelnut truffle. The entertainment for the evening came when a herd of water buffalo ambled down the beach for their nightly stroll - definitely not something you would see in the City! Buffalos have traditionally been used to work the fields on the island, although modern machinery is starting to make them obsolete. Some of the residents still keep their herds of buffalo though, as a means of preserving cultural traditions. Apparently, the herds used to roam freely and cause all kinds of traffic jams by walking down the middle of the road in packs of thirty or more. Some restrictions have been put in place, but few farmers actually abide by them. As a result, you never know when you might be graced by the presence of a water buffalo sauntering down the sidewalk.

The second night in Langkawi we ate dinner at the Sun Village Seafood Restaurant. Once again, dinner dessert was superb and dessert was very delicious. We had four orders of the traditional Malay dessert, sago. Sago comes from a tree, and is similar to tapioca pearls (about 1/8” in diameter). The emerald green jelly-like pearls were molded into three little mounds, and presented in a bowl of brown sugar and cream. We were instructed to stir everything up to sweeten the sago with the brown sugar, resulting in a unique flavor. This dessert is traditionally eaten during Ramadan. Sago is the staple of the Penan tribe’s diet; they are a nomadic tribe, known for their stealth and accuracy when hunting with blowdarts.

Our third and final night in Langkawi, we decided to be adventurous and drove to the opposite side of the island for dinner. We parked the car embarked on a 15 minute walk through the mangrove jungle to reach the restaurant. This place was built with eco-tourism in mind; instead of knocking down trees, the building was constructed around them. The main dining room has trees coming up through the floor and reaching towards the towering skylight above. A wraparound deck allows diners to view the mangrove wildlife between courses.

We loved Langkawi, and will probably go back there someday - as long as it doesn't get too built-up and touristy! Maybe that\'s why people kept telling us not to go there...maybe they just secretly wanted the island to remain quiet. In that case, I don't blame them in the least.

u must visit twin tower and genting

Gardens City Of Light -Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the capital of Malaysia. There're many art galleries, museum historical ruins for the ultimate cultural learning experience. Must visit - the world famous Petronas Towers, once at the top; it feels like the whole word under your feet. Beside the Petronas Towers is the Maxis Tower, there is a revolving restaurant in the Maxis Tower where able to have a bird's eye view to KL.

During our travels, a friend warned that Langkawi was `pretty, but boring as hell`. Likewise, the tour operator in KL advised we should only go to Langkawi for a day trip because there wasn’t much to see there. Both of these opinions were way off base, as we found out for ourselves.

Langkawi is a series of one hundred small islands (give or take a few, depending on the tide level), clustered together near the Malaysian-Thai border. The terrain is lush and mountainous, with beautiful beaches. You won’t see any high-rise hotels on Pulau Langkawi, the main island of the group; the government requires that hotels may not be taller than a coconut tree. As a result, the island’s businesses have remained in the hands of the locals, and few tourists venture out here. The result is a very quiet, laid-back atmosphere with friendly local folks.

We arrived at the Langkawi airport and immediately rented a proton wira car at RM100 for 3 days droved to our 4- star Langkasuka Beach Resort. Our modus operandi is to travel without hotel reservations, allowing us maximum flexibility; we crossed our fingers that Langkasuka Beach Resort would have a vacancy because it sounded like a peaceful place. Luckily they had two vacant chalets set in a lush garden tastefully adorned with orchids, palms, statues, fountains and ponds. It was quite charming, to say the least. The beachfront was pristine and secluded.

One of the highlights of our visit to Langkawi was a breathtaking gondola ride up the mountainside. The Swiss-made gondola opened in 2002, each car seating up to six passengers. The first leg of the ride glides straight up the mountain for an awe-inspiring distance, while the second leg takes you from one mountaintop station to a second station. The top lookout point has a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding islands and sea. In addition, there is a steep trekking path between the two peaks for those who wish to explore the jungle on foot (which, of course, included us). The station at the base of the mountain sits next to an Oriental Village (read: shopping mall for tourists). Also nearby is a short and very, very steep trek to the Seven Pools - a legendary series of waterfalls where you can slide from one pool to the next on the smooth, slippery rocks. This was a refreshing dip for us after our grueling trek. Sitting under a pounding waterfall is pretty exhilarating!.

Another highlight of our trip was gourmet cuisine - at very reasonable prices, I might add. The first night we sat at a beachside table at the Lighthouse Restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely dinner as the sun sank down beyond the horizon. For dessert we shared peach gelati molded into the shape of a peach, covered with a delicate white chocolate shell (dyed peach, of course) and adorned with a real leaf. There was even a “peach pit” inside, made of a chocolate hazelnut truffle. The entertainment for the evening came when a herd of water buffalo ambled down the beach for their nightly stroll - definitely not something you would see in the City! Buffalos have traditionally been used to work the fields on the island, although modern machinery is starting to make them obsolete. Some of the residents still keep their herds of buffalo though, as a means of preserving cultural traditions. Apparently, the herds used to roam freely and cause all kinds of traffic jams by walking down the middle of the road in packs of thirty or more. Some restrictions have been put in place, but few farmers actually abide by them. As a result, you never know when you might be graced by the presence of a water buffalo sauntering down the sidewalk.

The second night in Langkawi we ate dinner at the Sun Village Seafood Restaurant. Once again, dinner dessert was superb and dessert was very delicious. We had four orders of the traditional Malay dessert, sago. Sago comes from a tree, and is similar to tapioca pearls (about 1/8” in diameter). The emerald green jelly-like pearls were molded into three little mounds, and presented in a bowl of brown sugar and cream. We were instructed to stir everything up to sweeten the sago with the brown sugar, resulting in a unique flavor. This dessert is traditionally eaten during Ramadan. Sago is the staple of the Penan tribe’s diet; they are a nomadic tribe, known for their stealth and accuracy when hunting with blowdarts.

Our third and final night in Langkawi, we decided to be adventurous and drove to the opposite side of the island for dinner. We parked the car embarked on a 15 minute walk through the mangrove jungle to reach the restaurant. This place was built with eco-tourism in mind; instead of knocking down trees, the building was constructed around them. The main dining room has trees coming up through the floor and reaching towards the towering skylight above. A wraparound deck allows diners to view the mangrove wildlife between courses.

We loved Langkawi, and will probably go back there someday - as long as it doesn't get too built-up and touristy! Maybe that\'s why people kept telling us not to go there...maybe they just secretly wanted the island to remain quiet. In that case, I don't blame them in the least.

-It is a Muslim secular government, so things are fairly restrained compared to Bangkok but there are gay bars, massage, etc.