MALAYSIA

 

Malaysia, in every sense of the word is truly ‘cosmopolitan’. Strategically located at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, it held an irresistible attraction for adventurers and explorers, traders and raiders, missionaries and evangelists. Seafaring Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Japanese- all found their way to Malaysia.
Many settled here and are now more ‘native’ than the Malays; some came, made their fortunes and left; others caused so much trouble that they were evicted. But all added in one way or the other to the rich and fascinating multi-hued cultural tapestry that is Malaysia.

Malaysia is indeed truly Asia

Capital: Kuala Lumpur

Best time to visit:

  1. Malaysia is good to visit year round. Weather wise the best time to visit Malaysia is between the months of May till September when the average temperature remains around 28 degrees Celsius.
  2. Malaysia receives heavy rains from mid-October till January therefore if you want to enjoy the beach then try and avoid these months.
  3.  If not water sports these months are the ideal time to enjoy the Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival and year-end festivities like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa.

Minimum days required: 5 days

Places of Interest:

  1. Kuala Lumpur – Petronas Towers, Bukit Bintang, Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur Towers, Aquaria KLCC
  2. Genting Islands– Strawberry Farm, Chin Swee Temple, Gohtong Jaya
  3. Penang– Gurney Drive, Penang Hill, KekKok Si, Penang Botanic Gardens
  4. Langkawi-  Cable Car & Sky bridge, Dataran Lang, Al – Hana Mosque, Sungai Kilim National Park

Climate:

  1. Malaysia is the classic example of a wet tropical zone- hot and humid all through the year, with the temperature ranging between 21º C and 33ºC, and the humidity usually touching around 90%.
  2.  As in all of South East Asia, the monsoons are an important feature of the climate- Malaysia has two monsoons, one in August-September and the other between November and February.
  3. The annual precipitation is pretty high (200 to 250 cm), and daily rainfall in the afternoon is a normal occurrence. Rain, however, falls generally in the form of a short, heavy shower, after which the sun starts shining again.

Currency: Malaysian Ringgtt

Things to carry:

  1. Anything a traveler may/can need is widely available in Malaysia, especially in towns and cities (if you’re going to be visiting rural areas, you should stock up on photographic film, medicines, toiletries and such items, as these are generally hard to get hold of).
  2. If you’re planning to go trekking or hiking, it makes sense to bring your kit – including a lightweight tent – with you, because although you can rent some, it’s purely on first come, first served basis and supply is pretty scarce at best.
  3. Clothing you bring with you should be light and airy, preferably of cotton, Malaysia being hot all the year round.
  4. Remember to get along suntan lotion and a wide-brimmed hat (Malaysian afternoons can be scorching, and people not used to it can easily get sunburned). Evenings in the highlands can be quite chilly, and you should carry along a light sweater or a jacket.

How to get there:

Air

  1. Malaysia is pretty well connected to the rest of the world by air. Most major airlines regularly fly to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 70 km south of the city.
  2. Besides this, travelers can fly from some of Malaysia’s neighboring countries – including Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia- either directly or through a connecting flight to some cities other than Kuala Lumpur.