Anyone been to Malaysia?

J

jasonlife

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Aug 21, 2013
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I'm heading for my first international visit to Malaysia end of March, anyone been there?

I'll mostly stay in KL, but wanted to know which are some other cool places to visit anyone been to?

Also, what's good to purchase over there? Chinese products, electronics, watches?
 


I've spent loads of time in KL. My parents lived there for a few years, and it's actually how I discovered Asia. Since my parents lived there, I went to visit a few times, and used KL as my home base while I jumped around checking out all the countries in SE Asia.

Any specific questions, let me know! Where abouts in KL are you going to be staying?
 
I was there 13 years ago when I went traveling round the world for 6 months. Loved it.

I highly recommend a trip up to Taman Negara - one of their oldest rainforests. It was an epic 3 hr journey in a low slung boat up the river. Listening to trance as we whizzed up the river, seeing the monkeys in the trees as we passed was one of my favorite memories.

I always had a romantic notion of rainforests till I actually was in one. These places are seriously scary. Not in a creepy way more in the sense that you suddenly realise you have no skills for surviving in these environments. There are trail walks you can do and a tree canopy walk that is not for the faint hearted. You can also hire a "hide" for the night. This is a wooden shack thing that overlooks a salt lick - a place where the animals come at night to drink from the river and lick the rocks to get salt. You'll have to trek through the jungle to get there so go with others and take plenty of water and food.

This a photo of my photo from the landing station you arrive at in the boat. No digital cameras back then bro.

imgur: the simple image sharer (couldn't figure out the embed)


You can also see some more pics here (not mine):
Malaysia's Taman Negara: The Oldest Rainforest on Earth

I also recommend checking out the Perhentian islands on the north east coast. Tropical blue waters, dolphins, sea turtles and all round awesomeness. I was so excited to get in the sea I forgot the sun lotion and burned the fuck out of my back. I stayed in a wooden hut overlooking the beach, $2 a night with a complimentary geko to eat the bugs.

Just talking about this is making me want to go back .
 
I was there in KL in August for a few days. It`s an interesting city to explore. But also get out of the city center to visit Batu Caves - definitely the best touristy thing.

It was cool but honestly Cambodia (Siem Reap/Ankor Wat) was way better. I did 3 days KL then 4 days Cambodia, Cambodia was the shit. You can get really cheap flights on Air Asia to other places in the region, so do an excursion if you can. The only annoyance is that the airport is an hour out of town.
 
Just got back from a three week trip all around Malaysia. Go to the Perhentian islands to chill out on a beach it was awesome and very relaxing. If you want to buy electronics go to Lo Yat plaza in Kuala Lumpur seven stories of pure electronics. Penang was pretty cool also
 
Kiopa_Matt said:
I've spent loads of time in KL. My parents lived there for a few years, and it's actually how I discovered Asia. Since my parents lived there, I went to visit a few times, and used KL as my home base while I jumped around checking out all the countries in SE Asia.

Any specific questions, let me know! Where abouts in KL are you going to be staying?
Click to expand...

I'm gonna be staying at Ibis Styles, this is going to be my first trip there, so I don't really have anything much to expect, I hear the cable car ride is great in Genting Highlands, though. Of course, I am thinking of going to Sunway Lagoon. You been there?

yoyomango said:
I was there 13 years ago when I went traveling round the world for 6 months. Loved it.

I highly recommend a trip up to Taman Negara - one of their oldest rainforests. It was an epic 3 hr journey in a low slung boat up the river. Listening to trance as we whizzed up the river, seeing the monkeys in the trees as we passed was one of my favorite memories.

I always had a romantic notion of rainforests till I actually was in one. These places are seriously scary. Not in a creepy way more in the sense that you suddenly realise you have no skills for surviving in these environments. There are trail walks you can do and a tree canopy walk that is not for the faint hearted. You can also hire a "hide" for the night. This is a wooden shack thing that overlooks a salt lick - a place where the animals come at night to drink from the river and lick the rocks to get salt. You'll have to trek through the jungle to get there so go with others and take plenty of water and food.

This a photo of my photo from the landing station you arrive at in the boat. No digital cameras back then bro.

imgur: the simple image sharer (couldn't figure out the embed)


You can also see some more pics here (not mine):
Malaysia's Taman Negara: The Oldest Rainforest on Earth

I also recommend checking out the Perhentian islands on the north east coast. Tropical blue waters, dolphins, sea turtles and all round awesomeness. I was so excited to get in the sea I forgot the sun lotion and burned the fuck out of my back. I stayed in a wooden hut overlooking the beach, $2 a night with a complimentary geko to eat the bugs.

Just talking about this is making me want to go back .
Click to expand...

Darn, I was thinking of skipping out the reainforests, but after you talk about it, I'm definitely going there. Unsure about Perhentian islands, was thinking of Langawi (is that the right spelling?)

Bombastic said:
I was there in KL in August for a few days. It`s an interesting city to explore. But also get out of the city center to visit Batu Caves - definitely the best touristy thing.

It was cool but honestly Cambodia (Siem Reap/Ankor Wat) was way better. I did 3 days KL then 4 days Cambodia, Cambodia was the shit. You can get really cheap flights on Air Asia to other places in the region, so do an excursion if you can. The only annoyance is that the airport is an hour out of town.
Click to expand...

cpt2010 said:
Just got back from a three week trip all around Malaysia. Go to the Perhentian islands to chill out on a beach it was awesome and very relaxing. If you want to buy electronics go to Lo Yat plaza in Kuala Lumpur seven stories of pure electronics. Penang was pretty cool also
Click to expand...

I head that Penang never had much to show off? I heard of the electronics mall, will definitely go there, I'll be staying more around KL, anything else you think is worthwhile there?
 
jasonlife said:
I'm gonna be staying at Ibis Styles, this is going to be my first trip there, so I don't really have anything much to expect, I hear the cable car ride is great in Genting Highlands, though. Of course, I am thinking of going to Sunway Lagoon. You been there?
Click to expand...

Genting Highlands is worth checking out, although nothing amazing. Never even heard of Sunway Lagoon, so no idea. I tend to stay away from the touristy things when I travel. I've been to the zoo in KL though, and wouldn't recommend it. The animals there look depressed as hell.

If you want a good steak, ask around for a place called Suzie Qs. I only have a vague idea of where it is, but been there several times. Shitty outdoor restaurant with plastic chairs under an overpass, but excellent steaks, and cheap too. Or if you want more formal, head to The Pirate Bay in Bukit Butang, and food there is excellent as well.

Wouldn't recommend Langkawi either. Been there, and not worth the money. If you have money to burn, head over to Bali or Phuket or something instead, and you'll have a much better time than in Langkawi. Go on one of those day long snorkelling / island hopping trips in Phuket, as they're great.

Oh, and watch out for da gays. Even though Malaysia is technically an Islamic state and homosexuality is illegal, there's gay people everywhere, and they'll have no problem hitting on you, and following you around the streets.

If you're by chance white, expect a bit of a pain in the ass here and there. It is Islamic, so sometimes you'll run into someone deeply religious, and in their minds white = Western = bad. Nothing horrible, but expect shit like them turning the air conditioning off in the taxi, just to piss you off type of thing.
 
I think I was born and raised there. What a shithole.

Islamic and Malays are on top of the world. For sure.
 
jasonlife said:
I'm gonna be staying at Ibis Styles, this is going to be my first trip there, so I don't really have anything much to expect, I hear the cable car ride is great in Genting Highlands, though. Of course, I am thinking of going to Sunway Lagoon. You been there?



Darn, I was thinking of skipping out the reainforests, but after you talk about it, I'm definitely going there. Unsure about Perhentian islands, was thinking of Langawi (is that the right spelling?)





I head that Penang never had much to show off? I heard of the electronics mall, will definitely go there, I'll be staying more around KL, anything else you think is worthwhile there?
Click to expand...

Penang is fairly quiet depends on what you are looking for the people are friendlier and it has a reputation for good food.

If you want to go drinking in KL go to Jalan Nagasari (street name) there are a couple of good bars there a craft beer place called taps. Watch out though some of those beers are 10% alcohol haha.

The place next door to taps does good shisha as well. Don't bother with jalan p ramlee waste of time worst bars. Aquarium is worth a visit although it's expensive to get in.

Look up some of the best restaurants in the city the service is great and the food can be very good. I found an Italian place called Prego near the starhill gallery which I was very impressed with.
 
One of the dream places I'd like to visit this year. Hope I'll get there I've heard some great stories.. :D
 
cpt2010 said:
Penang is fairly quiet depends on what you are looking for the people are friendlier and it has a reputation for good food.

If you want to go drinking in KL go to Jalan Nagasari (street name) there are a couple of good bars there a craft beer place called taps. Watch out though some of those beers are 10% alcohol haha.

The place next door to taps does good shisha as well. Don't bother with jalan p ramlee waste of time worst bars. Aquarium is worth a visit although it's expensive to get in.

Look up some of the best restaurants in the city the service is great and the food can be very good. I found an Italian place called Prego near the starhill gallery which I was very impressed with.
Click to expand...
I heard of Prego too, will definitely check it out!
 
Been to Malaysia, love that place.

Head over to Langkawi if you get the chance. It is an hour long flight from KL and there are tons of flights everyday.

That place is paradise.

Edit - Too bad the Langkawi sky bridge has been closed for repairs. Walking through it was an out of the world experience. However, Langkawi still is a must-visit. The sky bridge was just one of the many tourist attractions of that place. If you're looking to spend some serene time by a clean, non-crowded beach and indulge in deep sea diving etc.
 
BlogHue said:
Edit - Too bad the Langkawi sky bridge has been closed for repairs. Walking through it was an out of the world experience. However, Langkawi still is a must-visit. The sky bridge was just one of the many tourist attractions of that place. If you're looking to spend some serene time by a clean, non-crowded beach and indulge in deep sea diving etc.
Click to expand...

I was there recently and although the skybridge itself was closed, you can still take the cable car all the way to the top, which is good.

I enjoyed the Malacca area... a lot of Portugese influence, especially evident in the food. Malaysian food in general is really interesting - so much diversity from the mix of historical influences. If you are a foodie you will really enjoy yourself in Malaysia. As mentioned, Penang is a great food destination. Personally, I would recommend either Penang or Malacca over Langkawi if you had to choose only one in addition to KL.

I would really suggest getting out of KL. There are cheap, frequent flights everywhere in the country. I enjoyed pretty much everywhere in Malaysia more than KL itself.
 
Gooddeal said:
I think I was born and raised there.
Click to expand...

8395_5323.jpeg
 
I live in Kuala Lumpur all my life and here are my recommendations:

1. For Drinks, definitely Changkat, Bukit Bintang. Jalan Nagasari is here too. Depending on what you like, the mainstream Changkat, check out Havanna. For Jalan Nagasari, there's a few small hipster bars/coffee shop. No Black Tie if you like jazz.

2. Tourist stuff, it's fun:
Check out the flying rotating tower called KL Tower.
Batu Caves (this is actually a cave on top of a mountain) and pet the monkeys, eat at the vegan restaurants at the bottom of the hill and order a "Roti Tissue". (yes that's how they pronounce it)

450px-Batu_caves.jpg


This is Roti Tissue
IMG00288-20100828-1927.jpg


3. China Town!
Go there and buy cheap shit you'll throw away a week later. Food is great but I personally don't eat there.

4. After a night at Havanna clubbing and hitting on chicks, don't forget to eat at the stall that sells nice seafood there. It's like a van converted into a BBQ boiler thing. Lok Lok Steamboard (it's a cantonese word)
steam-boat-lok-lok.jpg


5. The Rainforest is supposed to be nice. I've never been.

6. Perhentian Island. YES. Probably one of our best islands. I wouldn't go during the rainy season though. You'd just stay indoor.

7. Try the Nasi Lemak. The best one is at Village Park Restaurant at Damansara Uptown, this is hard to get to if you don't have a car and they're only open for lunch. You know they're the best when 2-3 of the prime ministers eat here.
Village+Park+Nasi+Lemak-004.JPG


8. Try the Mamak. I know for a fact that all foreigners(white people) love CHEESE NAAN!!! Try it, this is something you can't get anywhere else.
Grilled-Cheese-21-606x384.jpg


9. Bangsar Village 2. Check out the outdoor area, good food, good bars. Bangsar is like the uptown/posh area. Make sure you look at things on the 2nd floor, they're hidden, but good. Get food from Wondermama and request to sit upstairs, it's nice.

I have more recommendations as I have a lot of expat friends maybe I'll post them later.

One request I have is to always be courteous and polite to people when you here. I'm sure you'll have a good time.

p/s: You must download an app called MYTEKSI! This is the best AND safest way to get taxi in Malaysia.
 
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