Malaysia
Malaysia is a wealthy country in Asia. It is the home to Indians, Malay, Chinese and therefore has an interesting mix of all cultures and customs. Predominantly Malaysia is a Muslim nation and the effects of the religion can be seen across the country. You will hear call to prayer, pay over the odds for alcohol, and not eat a lot of pork as a consequence. You will find the country more organised if you have come from Thailand but equally as much to see and do. The landscape is diverse with many hills and green scenery until you get to Kuala Lumpur at least.
| Currency: | Ringgit |
|---|---|
| Language: | Malay |
| Capital: | Kuala Lumpur |
| Time Zone: | GMT/UTC +7 |
| Population: | 25,000,000 |
| VISA: | Most nationalities are allowed entry for 3 months with no VISA |
Money Savers
1 As Malaysia is predominantly a Muslim country alcohol is very expensive. Try to get drinking out of your system in Thailand where it is cheap so that you do not drink your money away. Having said that there is some great nightlife in Kuala Lumpur.
Must See And DoPenang is an island in the north west of the country accessible by bridge or ferry. Once a British colony, there is plenty of evidence of British inhabitancy. Discover forts, visit shrines, or view the art deco on this unique island.
Tea Plantations, Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands does not have a lot of activities to offer but is a great pit stop if travelling to Kuala Lumpur from the north of the country. It is a bit of a detour and you will gain some altitude but the views over the tea plantations are amazing. You can see how tea is manufactured and see some interesting creepy crawlies, but definitely worth a stop over for a break from it all.
Kuala Lumpur is busy and bustling and not short of a market or two. This is a great opportunity to get a great deal on all sorts of goods including DVDs, sunglasses, hand bags and clothing. In contrast, the Times Square Shopping Mall offers a wealth of shopping in a more western environment and the odd rollercoaster too. There is a little india and china town to browse both of which can be spotted from the dizzy heights of the Pertonas Twin Towers which sand at a whopping 452m.
The outskirts of Kuala Lumpur are also worth exploring. The Batu Caves offer a trip to ancient shrines and spectacular views, and if that is not enough the monkeys will keep you entertained.
Petronas Towers, KL
Malacca is the oldest city in Malaysia and the history hub too. As only having gained its independence in 1957 it has had a lot of European influence throughout the years notably from the British, Dutch, and Portuguese. It has museum documenting the past exploits from other nations, churches and the oldest Mosque in Malaysia. The city grew up from a small fishing village over 600 years ago and has seen the tourist industry grow.
Apart from the cultural heritage, there are three beaches in Malacca and several resorts to give visitors the best of both worlds. The city is 2 hours south of Kuala Lumpur and a nice place to visit if coming from or going to Singapore.
Perhentian Islands If you are after some sun, sea and sand somewhere a little bit different then visit the Perhentian Islands. They are reached by ferry from Kuala Besut by either speed boat or wooden boat depending on how quickly you want to get there and how much cash you have.
When on the island the main attraction are the white beaches, clear waters and the dense jungle covered hills. There are plenty of opportunities for sea kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving. There is a very strong chance you will see sharks (none dangerous), sea turtles, and hundreds of multi-coloured fish. Popular dive sites are Sugar Wreck and the Pinnacle. It is best to visit from mid-February to October to avoid monsoon season.
WeatherGenerally days are warm while nights are cool. The average temperature in Kuala Lumpur year round sticks at about 27 degrees celcius but it is humid.
In the east the rainy season is between November and February whereas the wettest time of year on the west coast is between September and December.
Vaccinations
| Disease | Required? | See doctor |
| Hepititus A | Yes | 2 weeks before travel |
| Diphtheria | Sometimes | 3 months before travel |
| Typhoid | Sometimes | 10 days before travel |
| Yellow Fever | Certificate may be required on arrival | 10 days before travel |
| Hepititus B | Sometimes | 2 months before travel |
| Rabies | Sometimes | 1 month before travel |
Festivals
Hari Kebangsaan falls on the 31st August annually and is always a colourful occassion in Kuala Lumpur with dancing and celebration.
As Malaysia has people from many different faiths living there, many of the festivals are religious. Wesak Day in may is celebrated by Buddhists but is not much of a party but as prayer and a procession. Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated by Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan. This is the period when Muslims fast for a month unitl a new moon appears. This is commonly around early October but forthe weeks before that you can easily find a dinner table before seven o'clock.
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