- This topic has 11 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by WildHunter2009.
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Malaysia – what to see and do?
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MrGreedyFull Member
I’m heading out to Malaysia (peninsular bit, not Borneo) for a wedding in couple of months time and should have up to a week to amuse myself after the festivities. At the moment my only plan is to spend at least a couple of days in Kuala Lumpur, but I’d really like to do some more interesting outdoorsy stuff too if I can (hiking, wildlife etc). Any ideas? Suggestions for must-see stuff in KL also welcome!
nickjbFree MemberGeorgetown
Taman Negara
Kabili-SepilokCheck the weather for your time of year as big chunks of the wilder areas shut down in rainy season.
KatoFull MemberMelaka is meh and tourist central with prices accordingly. I prefer Penang, but I have family in Georgetown. Georgetown is also a UNESCO world heritage site like Melaka.
Taxi drivers in KL are thieves. If they refuse to turn the meter on for whatever reason walk away. Go see the Petronas Towers at night, they’re awesome under lights
footflapsFull MemberYep, spellbinding at night. Photos don’t do them justice.
Petronas Twin Towers by brf, on FlickrMrGreedyFull MemberCracking photo! Where did you go to get that view of them?
One other question – is there much (anything) in the way of cycling or is it just too damn hot?
thekingisdeadFree MemberPenang / Georgetown. Food capital of Malaysia. Thoroughly recommend Sri ananda (curry) outside Georgetown
KL is meh, IMO, apart from the twin towers, which are fantastic, as stated.
footflapsFull MemberCracking photo! Where did you go to get that view of them?
Can’t recall exactly, there is a hotel with a bar and open air swimming pool on the top floor which is opposite the twin towers, which gives a great view. Will see if I can find out which one. EDIT Traders Hotel: http://www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/traders/ Well worth a beer and some wasabi peas!
One other question – is there much (anything) in the way of cycling or is it just too damn hot?
90% + humidity, you’d need to aclimatise or you’ll just melt!
jambalayaFree MemberFWIW my trip to Borneo (danan rainforest lodge and Kinabatangan river) was one of the highlights of my 2 years working in Asia. Given your schedule visit the mainland national park at Taman Negra, you can do some hiking there. In my view the Petronas towers are the only thing worth seeing in KL, perhaps a bit cynical about big modern cities in Asia Sadly the Malaysians have pretty much wiped out the leatherback turtles by eating their eggs, they don’t as a nation care much about wildlife. Georgetown (Penang) is quite interesting, not sure its worth the trip given your interest in wildlife, beach island resort of Langkawi is nice but not a fit for your objectives. A proper beef rendang curry should be on your list.
If you want a real wow skip Malayasia after wedding and fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia to see Angor Wat.
lastyFree MemberLots to see and do – had 3 weeks there and never a dull moment …
Drive up the idyllic East coast and stay in budget beach huts – less than a quid a night for picture postcard beaches .
Book a few days on Tioman island, Cost us £60 (inc ferry from Singapore, where we booked it) for 3 nights of absolute luxury .
Golfing ?? 3 days (inc bats, ferry from S`pore and 3 rounds) of luxury 5* for ….. £35 !!
Forget cycling – too damn hot
And then there`s Singapore ….. 😉Just chill-out and enjoy 8)
nxb1Free Memberif i can add to what the guys above have said: mrs nxb1 and I honeymooned there in 2012 and had a great time. we booked through Audley Travel who gave us some spot-on advice.
KL was good fun, if surprisingly developed (my first time in malaysia: didn’t know what to expect). The islamic arts museum was a highlight for us: great architecture
afterwards, we travelled north to the Cameron Highlands. I cycled a little there between tea plantations, but it was quite limited. The guide we had who showed us Jim Thompson’s house, booked through the Cameron Highlands Hotel was excellent. the story behind his disappearance is quite something.
As the other guys have said, Malacca in the south is a great blend of colonial buildings. Lots of public karaoke on sunday nights in the square off the main street. I have a photo of a huge wayne rooney poster (UK Premiership teams are massive in SE Asia) advertising the malaysia equivalent of pringles crisps, which was really bazaar. We stayed at the majestic hotel which was excellent.
Finally we flew to the east coast for a week at Tanjong Jara. Super place a stones through from the south china sea. Snorkelling at Tengol Island and Chemerung Waterfall were memorable.
We’d happily return. Next time we’d check out the island of malaysia, i.e. borneo, as it is much less developed.
nigel
WildHunter2009Full MemberLiving in Perth its our ‘weekend’ destination, well with singapore. KL is alright, the Islamic art museum is def worth it, also Batu Caves about 40 mins outside the city. Just watch the monkeys. Also what the above said about the Petronas at night, the Mall next to it is air con relief and has an ok foodcourt.
Outside of KL, Melaka is nice, The cameron highlands I really liked, some good walks through the jungle and tea plantations etc. Taman Negara National park as well, though its utterly huge and I think requires a bit of planning to get the most from.
Penang is awesome, top notch food, interesting town and actually a pretty big bike scene. Weirdly ran into a guy in one of the bike shops who was in my uni bike club a few years after me.
General advice: The food is amazing and incredibly cheap, the beer is average and the opposite. Its pretty conservative in places so zip of trousers are pretty handy unless you fancy doing a david beckham impression at every temple or mosque.
If you have time Langkawi is supposed to be lovely as are the Perhentian Islands, though check the weather for these, monsoon is an issue.
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