Malaysia

Malaysia is a hot and humid country and its west and east coast experience a paradoxical seasonal variation. Hence, it is important to know that the east coast receives the heaviest downpour during Late-November to Mid-February, whereas the west coast remains wet during September and October.

Broadly speaking, the best time to visit Malaysia is between March and early October, when the rain isn’t severe.

The months of January and February are particularly vibrant, thanks to all the parades and festivals that happen in these months.

By Air: The major airports for Malaysian flights are in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Goa. Most airlines land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Alternatively, you may travel from the neighbouring countries of Singapore and Indonesia, to other cities in Malaysia, via direct or connecting flights.

By Train: Malaysia has railway networks with Singapore and Thailand.

By Road: You can travel to Malaysia from Singapore and Thailand on bus or even hire a taxi.

Yes, you require a Malaysian visa to travel to the country. Malaysia offers visa on arrival to residents of very few countries. New Delhi has Malaysia High Commission in Chanakyapuri. Malaysian Consulates in India are in Mumbai and Chennai. Malaysia High Commission accepts visa applications from all over the country. The visa application fee must be paid via demand draft only. Note that you need to submit a complete list of required documents as well.

Malaysian ringgit is the official currency. There is no restriction on tourists to bring in any amount of foreign currency.

- Cash: It is however, advisable to carry cash because exchanging cash in Malaysia is very easy. Forex booths are widely distributed throughout the country and they accept all major currencies.

- Credit and Debit Cards: You may use your own international debit or credit card. Your home bank may charge a fee on foreign transactions. ATM’s are plenty in Malaysia.

- Travelers Cheques: Tourists are also allowed to carry traveller’s cheques. When cashing traveller’s cheques, you are required to show your passport.

The local food comprises Nasi Lemak, Nasi Dagang(rice steamed in coconut milk), a broth of Bakuteh, fried Hokkien mee, Sang Har Kway Teow noodles and the kebab like Satay. Some of the best places to taste Malaysian cuisine include:

- Nam Heong Village
- Tg’s Nasi Kandar
- Opium
- Madam Kwan’s
- Nasi Kandar Pelita
- Bijan.

- Buses: One of the best options for public transport, the Hop On Hop Off Bus is an efficient vehicle for sightseeing.

-Trains: The railway system in Malaysia is well-developed and include KL Monorail and Light Rail Transport LRT. Tickets are fairly cheap and you’re charged according to travel distance. The Touch N’Go Travel card comes in handy for tourists travelling by bus or train.

-Taxis: This is a slightly expensive alternative. Make sure you never get into a taxi which isn’t metered.

Yes. You must be up to date on the routine vaccines of MMR, DPT, Varicella and Polio. In addition, Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines are recommended. Some travellers may require prophylaxis against Cholera, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies and Malaria.

The native languages of Malaysia are Malay and Malaysian. Common greetings translate as:

Hello-Selamat

Thank you- Terima Kasih

Good morning- Selamat pagi

Good evening- Selamat Petang

What is the price of? – Apa Harganya?

How far is? – Berapa Jauh?

The Malaysian coast is teeming with exotic birdlife, sea creatures and it boasts a relaxed atmosphere like no other. Some of the most famous beaches here are:

1. Kapalai Beach, studded with rustic wooden chalets and hamlets at intervals
2. Sipadan Beach, which is home to hawksbill turtles, manta rays, parrotfish and barracudas
3. Rawa Island Beach and Lang Tengah Island Beach, known for their crystal clear waters, coral colonies and water-sports
4. Matakang Island Beach, which has the world’s first Underwater Postoffice 
5. Sapi Island Beach, where swimming, kayaking, sea-walking and cliff jumping are some of the most popular tourist activities
6. Cenang Beach, an upmarket beach where you can enjoy banana rides, paramotoring, jet skiing and paragliding.
7. Mabul Island, which is famous for being an important muck-diving site.
8.Turtle Beach, known for its turtle conservation and clear coast and
9.Mantantani Island, which is an Ornithologist’s paradise as many exotic species of birds visit here.

Malaysia is blessed with an active and effervescent nightlife. Unlike Bali and Thailand, the nocturnal activities offered by the country have a charm of their own as opposed to in-your-face tub-thumping.

1. Gravity Club is by far the best club in Malaysia. It’s home to suave bartenders and renowned DJ’s.
2. The warehouse interiors of Play Club at The Roof, make it a unique pub experience that is surely a crowd-puller.
3. Bora Bora in Batu Ferringhi and Beach Blanket Babylon in Georgetown are plush beach bars.
4. Famous for its ambience and a high-end beverage section, Stratosphere @The Roof is a hotspot for pub goers.
5. Unlock the quaint world of speakeasies and sordid corners, in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot whose entrance is through a London-esque telephone booth!
6. The nightmarket sentiment of Malaysia adds a colourful vibe to the country’s evening sky. Petaling Street Market is like mini Chinatown. It’s canopied by paper lanterns and parasols, which add to the bazaar mood.
7. Kampung Baru Sunday Market is lively with bokeh lights and fairy lamps.

The Malaysian landscape boasts a spectacular coast, home to some of the best beaches in South-East Asia.

1. For a luxe experience, beautiful waters and thrilling adventure sports, Langkawi is a must-visit.
2. If you’re more of a hippie/indie vibe seeker, head over to the quieter Perhentians.
3. To view the exotic wildlife of Malaysia, a la giant Monitor lizards, make a trip to Tioman Islands.
4. Layang-Layang is known for its pristine sands and water. It’s a secluded beach and is possibly the most superior scuba-diving site in Malaysia.
5. Sipadan is another famous site for water-sports. Its waters are teeming with rich marine life.
6. Redang boasts limpid waters and a well-preserved coral ecosystem.
7. Pulau Pangkor is loved by the locals for its decadent and rustic spirit.

Malaysia offers luxurious cruises. These include:

1. Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise for a longer voyage. These are international cruise lines.
2. For shorter trips, the five night Spice of SouthEast Asia Cruise by Royal Caribbean, is the perfect alternative.
3. If you’re keen on exploring the interiors of Malaysia, then a jungle river cruise is the right choice for you. Pandaw River Cruises is one such river cruise that takes you through the heart of the Borneo forests.
4. Malaysian port cruises are also popular incase you are interested in island-hopping. These tend to cover Langkawi, Malacca and Redang.

Kinabalu Park and Cheng Hoon Teng are important UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. Inscribed sites include:

Malaysia has both economical and luxurious alternatives for a couple on their honeymoon. Some of these are:

1. The exotic beaches, the thrilling water-sports and the mystical Asah waterfall of Tioman Island, whose landscape is a beautiful painting splashed with jungles, mountains and streams
2. The turquoise waters and quaint villages of Langkawi also called Jewel of Kedah
3. A stay at the Nature Lodge, Sabah Rainforest, where couples get to reside amidst the lush greenery
4. An urban retreat at the luxe resorts of Kuala Lumpur
5. An exclusive Malaysian cruise where young couples can sit back and soak in the good life
6. The soft beige sands, rolling hills and sweeping views of Batu Ferringhi
7. The enchanting, deep forests of Taman Negara, where the blue of the sky marries the emerald of the thick woods and
8. The laidback, culture-rich area of Georgetown, known for its rustic nooks and forgotten corners.

The beaches of Langkawi, Sipadan, Rawa Island, Lang Tengah Island et cetera, are conducive to various kinds of watersports. These include:

1. Snorkeling
2. Scuba Diving (Best-Layang Layang)
3. Kayaking
4. Motorboating
5. Speed boating
6. Banana Rides
7. Sea-walking
8. Paragliding
9. Paramotoring
10. Muck Diving (Mabul Island)
11. Jet Skiing (Cenang Beach)

The famous temples are listed below:

1. Batu Caves, built within a limestone cavern, are a site of pilgrimage during the Thaipusam festival. It has a towering statue of Lord Hanuman.
2. The Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple in Melaka, is one of the oldest in the region.
3. The resplendent glass temple of Tebrau, which accepts idols of various religions and welcomes people of all faiths.
4. The Klang Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located in Selangor.
5. Sri Mahamariamman Temple, in Kuala Lumpur, is a highly ornate monument dedicated to Goddess Amman and
6. The Waterfall Temple in Penang, which sits atop a hill and has a waterfall in its vicinity. It’s dedicated to Lord Muruga.

Some of the most superior golfing locations in Malaysia are in:

Jungle resorts are Malaysia’s ‘’thing’’. The Malaysian ecosystem is blessed with the Borneon bounty. With that in mind, some of the best forest stays here are of:

1. Nature Lodge, Sabah Rainforest, where you can stay amidst the lush greenery
2. Taman Negara, known for its lush woodlands and evergreen forests
3. The Datai Langkawi, overlooking the Andaman sea
4. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, which boasts paleozoic hills, mystical caves, geothermal hot springs and more, within the lap of luxurious greenery and
5. The Shorea ecoresort, nestled in the Berembun Forest Reserve, where the clouds bow down to kiss the land.

The best hiking trails in Malaysia are listed below:

1. Gasing Hill trail, in Bukit Gasing Forest Park, Petaling Jaya- It lets you choose between an easy 20 min hike and a ‘’killer’’ trail;
2. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong- With Rover Track being the most popular trail. The track later leads to Canopy Walk;
3. Puchong Hill, Bandar Puteri Puchong- A hidden gem, which encompasses a waterfall. Beware it may get precarious following rainfall;
4. Mt. Tok Wan, Seminyeh-A daunting experience for amateurs, but a thrilling trip for professional hikers;
5. Kutu Hill, Kuala Kubu Bahru-Includes bamboo forest trails, root climbing, ladder ascent and river crossings, and
6. Saga Hill, Taman Saga, Ampang-An exotic trail, studded with hills, streams and rivulets. The highlight here is a makeshift gym consisting of dumbbells and bars!

• Taxi drivers of the Malaysia are very smart. They have a habit of overcharging you. So, make sure you get a fair idea about the fare that you have to pay for traveling from one destination to another. This will prevent any chance or argument.

• Thefts are a common site here. It is good to guard your cash and valuables. Do not flash your important stuff in the public. This can be an invitation for the pickpockets to cheat you.

• If you are traveling via public transportation in Malaysia, you might experience traffic. So, do get yourself some patience!

• If you have rented a vehicle here, make sure you know about the local rules.

• Be wary of the touts.

• Monkeys in Malaysia are a pain. A lot of monkeys can be found hopping around near the temples waiting for an opportunity to snatch away the eatables from you. Make sure you keep the eatables in the bag so as to avoid any such incident.

• Keep away from the drugs. If you are a tourist, you must particularly avoid landing up in a legal hassle because of the drugs.

• Make sure you carry with you a copy of your passport, visa and license.

• Check for the quality before you eat any street food.