A holiday in Malaysia is a holiday in a nation of great diversity. Malaysia has quietly evolved into a thriving destination with its distinctive offerings of vibrant big-city lifestyle, exotic tropical jungle adventures and fantastic beaches and resort living.
A country of two halves – the Malay Peninsula below Thailand and the Eastern provinces of Sabah and Sarawak in Northern Borneo, Malaysia is split by the South China Sea. This duality adds to the cultural and geographic richness that makes Malaysia such a thrilling holiday destination.
Any thought that Malaysia is a second rung holiday option is immediately banished at the sight of Kuala Lumpur’s (KL) landmark Petronas Towers. A modern and clean capital city with a passion for life, KL is booming in reputation as a financial and transport hub and a shopper’s paradise. From gleaming malls to bustling street markets, KL’s popularity with retail junkies is legendary.
Penang is a thriving island city reached by causeway from the peninsula mainland. With the historic quarter of Georgetown at its heart and a string of international brand 5 star resorts along its shores, Penang is immensely popular with family holidaymakers and singles alike for it’s diversity in landscape and charming villages.
Another popular island off the mainland shores is Langkawi, recently given eco-park status for the lushness of its mangrove parks and dense tropical rainforests. Holidaymakers are also attracted to the exciting local cuisine and the luxury of its resorts. As a relaxing getaway, it’s up there with the best.
Sabah & Sarawak are the two Borneo states and offer a brilliant blending of ethnic cultures and modern-day western diversions; think pottery and textiles mixed with world-class golf resorts and scuba diving over teeming reefs. The national parks swarm with tropical wildlife, including Orang Utans and proboscis monkeys, and visits to remote water villages will inform of a tropical lifestyle of amazing simplicity.
For a flash of ethnic cultures, spiced with an amazing multicultural cuisine and the utmost resort luxury, Malaysia is a hard destination to beat.
Malaysia fun facts
Clearwater Cave of Malaysia is the longest cave in Southeast Asia, stretching over 100 km
Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur are the world’s tallest twin buildings and were the tallest buildings in the world until Taipei 101 took over
Malaysia comprises of over two hundred islands and its coastline spreads over an area of approximately 4,675 km
Lombok Adventure!
Tuesday 1st April 2008
Travel Counsellor: Jeanette Peace
Let me take you on a little journey to the Island of Lombok, off the south coast of Bali.
I started my journey in Legian, Bali and made my way up the south coast to a small fishing village and port called Padang Bai. This took about 2 hours through some beautiful lush countryside. It is far quieter than other parts of Bali and if not for the port, there would not be much happening here.
The ferries to Lombok are in and out all day and all night. Something is always happening around the port.
I was lucky enough to be there during a festival. All the locals dressed in bright and colourful ceremonial clothing looked wonderful. On their way to the temple to pray they played their drums and bells, sang and talked like one big happy family. It was quite a spectacle!
After a couple of days I was ready for my adventure to Lombok. The ferries to Lombok carry trucks, cars and motor bikes as well as the local people, food and fuel.
The ferries can take between 3 to 5 hours depending on the... view full story
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