MALAYSIA TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS

If you are planning to spend your holidays in the country West Malaysia , here are some travel suggestions. The country has a lot of interesting cities, with ancient architecture and good atmospheres, to stroll around.

The cities

(Along the west coast, north to south)

Penang

This city on an island also known as Georgetown has some beautiful temples, Chinese and Indian.

Cameroen Highlands (not a city)

Between Penang and Kuala Lumpur, are the Cameroen Highlands, which is worth a visit when you like to see tea plantages. The highlands have a different climate from the rest of Malaysia, more cold, here you will be happy with a hot shower, when you get back from your nature walks.

Kuala Lumpur

This is West Malaysia’s capital city with a lot of impressive modern buildings (for instance the Petronas twin towers!) and very much in contrast the petaling street, filled with small market stalls, in Chinatown.

Malacca

Malacca is known for its history, the Dutch and Portuguese build the historical town centre. Funny (and good quality) is the swimming pool, in the middle of the centre, if you like to go for a swim? A lot of bicycle taxies can take you around town.

(Along the east coast, north to south)

Kota Baru

Kota Baru is in the more Islamic part of West Malaysia. The north east coast, here you can see a nice market, beautiful to take your pictures from the first level in the building.

Kuala Terrenganu

Take a small riverboat trip to the traditional village Duyung and have a look how boats are made.

The islands

There are more islands to be seen, also beautiful ones along the east coast. White sandy beaches, turquoise seawaters.

Besides Tioman (JUARA!!!), there is pulau Kapas, which is more small and pulau Perhentian, which actually are two islands, situated North East, close to the Thai border.

National parks

Famous is Malaysia its national park, Taman Negara, in the centre of the country. Also worth a visit though is the Endau Ropin national park. Trips are arranged from Mersing (Johor).

General info

Public transport

Busses are almost all air conditioned, leaving on time, connecting all major destinations. Also taxis do the job, if you have heavy luggage, it is a reasonable option.

The people

The people in Malaysia, are a mix of Malaysians, Chinese and Indian. Malaysian is their language of communication, and but most of them do speak English. Mostly people are friendly and willing to help you if you need any assistance. They will not bother you if you don’t ask for it.

The religion

All Malaysians are Muslims, the Chinese are Buddhists and Christian, the Indians are mostly Hindu. In the North East part of the country are living the more strict Muslims. Therefore we advice tourists not to dress half naked, walking around Kota Baru.

Currency

Malaysia currency is the Malaysian Ringlet (RM)

(updated jan 2006): 1,00 RM = 0,25 Euro, so 1,00 Euro = 4,00 RM

Time schedule

A 3 weeks holiday should give you enough time to cover most of the country. So if your holiday is shorter, you will have to make some choices. If you are lucky to have 4 weeks, or longer, you have the choice to stay longer in the places you like.

Here's a good idea: just stay all the time with us, on Tioman! Why not???