Page 76 - Asian Paradises 2019-20

— Malaysia —

cuisine. Penang Hill offers a spectacular view of the island, and is Lumpur offers a wide choice of nightspots with entertainment
particularly popular at dusk. ranging from cultural shows to Western-style bars and discos.
Hot spots include Petaling Street, Jalan Alor, the Asian Heritage
Langkawi’s archipelago offers stunning beaches and resorts, Row, Bangsar and many neighbouring suburbs.
as well as myths and legends. There are also many spectacular
mainland beaches such as Cherating in Pahang, where you can Activities
watch for turtles. Over on the east in Sabah, Mt Kinabalu, the For those without much time in Kuala Lumpur, a city tour on
Turtle Islands, Sipadan and the national parks are the main the Hop-On Hop-Off bus is a great way to see the highlights.
attractions. Sarawak’s capital city is ideal for travellers, with The huge Batu Caves will give tourists an unforgettable cultural
landscaped parks and historic buildings. experience. Golfing is on offer at 200 courses in diverse settings
Where to stay such as hill resorts, islands, beaches, cities, towns and off the
There are plenty of hotels, condos and apartments in Malaysia. beaten track.
There is plenty of budget accommodation such as traditional The diving and snorkelling off Tioman Island and Redang Island
Chinese hotels and dormitory-style guesthouses that can be is superb, both islands boast underwater caves and incredible
found in most cities. The homestay concept is still relatively new, coral reefs. Sipadan Island, off the coast of Sabah, is said to have
but is a great way to learn first hand the Malaysian way of life. some of the best diving in the world.
Getting around Trekking through the jungle trails of Taman Negara Park,
Taxis are very common in Malaysia, and although meters are visitors may see elephants, tigers, panthers and rhinos, although
often used, it is always helpful to agree on a price beforehand. sightings are rare. A hike up Mount Kinabalu in Sabah is
For trips to airports and railway stations, purchase coupons at the amazing as tourists can watch the sunrise from beneath the
taxi counter stationed at both places. Several car rental agencies clouds that surround the peak.
offer self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars. The national KTM Shopping
train runs from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar in the north, Kuala Lumpur is very good value, with a variety of fashionable
Singapore in the south, and up to Tumpat on the east coast. products and handicrafts available from shopping complexes,
Buses are fast and economical, and seats can be reserved fairly department stores, boutiques and markets. The Central Market
easily.
in Chinatown is a centre for handicrafts, antiques and art. Here
Food and entertainment visitors can employ their bargaining skills to get the best prices
The food in Malaysia is nothing short of fantastic. There is a on ‘branded’ merchandise. There is also the Chow Kit Market, a
choice of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai, Malay market with many roadside vendors lining Jalan Tuanku
Korean and Western. Nyonya cuisine is probably the most Abdul Rahman (also known as Jalan TAR).
famous of these fusions and is a blend of Chinese ingredients and On Saturday nights, some streets are closed to traffic and host
Malay spices. Malay food uses seafood, meat, coconut and other lively night markets. Visitors should be prepared to negotiate a
indigenous fruits with rice. good price and go home with a bargain!

Street stalls or hawkers are where the best local cuisines can be Currency
enjoyed cheaply. The theatrical ambience of these hawkers is like The Malaysian Ringgit is usually written as RM. Tipping is not
no other, with continuous demonstrations of wok tossing, teh expected although much appreciated.
tarik (tea pulling), the artful skill of flipping rotis (Indian bread),
and barbecuing of satay sticks. Climate
Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C with cooler temperatures
As a Muslim nation, there are restaurants offering halal food in the hills, particularly during the evenings. The east coast,
prepared in religiously approved conditions. Malaysia is famous Sabah and Sarawak have heavy rainfalls during November to
for its wide variety of tropical fruits, including rambutans, February. The west coast of the peninsula is wet from April to
mangosteens, jackfruit and durians. Sights of roadside vendors October.
selling fruits and other snacks are common and the prices are Cool, lightweight summer clothing is best with medium-weight
usually cheaper than in supermarkets, especially when the special woollens at night in the cooler highland areas.
skill of bargaining is employed.
Entry requirements
Although Malaysia is a Muslim country alcohol is widely All visitors need a valid passport/travel document with minimum
available in bars and nightclubs, especially in capital cities and validity of six months beyond the period of intended stay. Visa
tourist areas. Nightlife in Malaysia is anything but boring. Kuala requirements vary for different countries so be sure to check.

www.paradises.com – 74 –