Malaysia is in central South East Asia, bordering Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. Malaysia is a mix of Chinese, Indian and Islamic heritage. The UNESCO-protected cities are a mixture of Javanese mosques, Chinese prayer halls and British Edwardian architecture. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is where tradition meets a modern society. Despite the development of Malaysia, the beautiful rainforest remains intact, as well as the beaches and traditional villages. I flew into Malaysia from Thailand and spent several weeks exploring Malaysia I hope this short summary will help you plan your trip.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for a beach holiday will depend on where in Malaysia you plan to visit. The south west of Malaysia is affected by monsoon is from May to September and the North east is affected by the Monsoon season from November to March.
Things to do and see
- Trekking in Taman Negara National Park is a great place to go on Jungle treks.
- Dive in Perhentian Islands, the Islands can be visited by ferry and water taxis. You can also Island hop, the beaches on the Islands are beautiful and a great place to scuba dive.
- Climb Mount Kinabalu, this is the highest mountain in Malaysia and is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Many experienced hikers, trek to the top of Mount Kinabalu yearly.
Food
Malaysian cuisine is a mixture of Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Indian and European influences. The Indian and Chinese communities have their own traditional food. Popular dishes include satay, which consists a variety of meat, like chicken usually barbecued on small skewers with a spicy peanut dipping sauce. There are many regional types of Chinese cooking such as Cantonese and Peking. Indian food is also popular, with hot and mild curries. Although the country is largely Islamic, alcohol is available.
Transportation
Air: There are no direct flights from London to Malaysia.
Roads: The roads in Malaysia are well maintained, however in rural areas they are not as maintained and safe to drive at night. Divers drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Rail: There is a rail service that operates in the peninsular Malaysia, the main line connects Kuala Lumpur with Singapore. KTM Rail Pass is available for foreign tourist to have unlimited travel on intercity train services in Malaysia.
Taxi: Taxis are metered; however, they may still ask for a fixed fare, especially in rush hour, so be prepared to bargain. Shared taxis are common you may need to pay extra for the whole ride.
Ferry: Coastal ferries frequently operate between Penang and Butterworth. In rural areas the most common form of transport is by boat.
Visa
Visas are not required by all EU, U.S, Canadian and Australian nationals for stays up to 90 days.
Language
The official language spoken in Malaysia is Bahasa. English is also widely spoken in the tourist industry. Other languages are Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Iban and Tamil.
Money
The official currency used in Malaysia is Ringgit (MYR)
Tipping
Tipping: 10% service charge and 5% government tax are commonly included in bills.
Social etiquette
Malaysia’s population is diverse 60% of the people are Muslim, but it also has a strong Hindu and Buddhist population. You should respect religious beliefs when visiting holy sites, such as taking off footwear at the door and wearing appropriate clothing. Dress should be informal. You can get a fine now for Smoking in public areas. You should avoid touching food and Shaking hands with your left hand as it is considered the hand you use for the toilet.
Adaptor
There is one plug associated with Malaysia it is the same as the plug in the U.K
Wifi
Internet cafés are found throughout Malaysia. Many restaurants offer free wifi.
Ruth’s Lonely Planet 