Where in Malaysia is interesting?

watna

I'm heading to NZ next April. I'm moving out there with my kiwi bf but we want to stopover somwhere on the way. We were going to fly through NY and stay there for 5 nights but it's actually quite expensive and we'd get a longer break going through the east. Malaysian airlines have a deal at the moment where you can fly through Kuala Lumpur to Wellington for €656 plus about €350 tax and the airline will give you two free internal flights to places in Malaysia or Borneo etc. This is an excellent deal as it's much cheaper ad we can travel a bit. My bf is up for using the flights to get somewhere interesting and then getting the train/bus to a few more places and then flying back to Kuala Lumpur and on to Wellington. Where in Malaysia is interesting to visit? We're not big lying around beach people but I'd like to do that for 3 or 4 days. I'm going to do a bit of research but I'd love to hear from people who ahve been there on where is interesting and how much money you'd need per day.

John Mason

i was in mayalsia a few years ago, spent a week on an island called Lanagawi (sp), which was beautiful and very cheap, we paid for all our food and drinks on the room tab and it came to €200 but it is not a lot to do in except for the beach

we then went to KL for a week which was brilliant slightly more enpensive but we done a load of tour things outside of KL which cost about a €10.00 each and included dinner/lunch. bascially some guy in a mini bus turns and takes you around the place, we done about 4 of them and each time we were the only people. i would recommend it anyone

beautiful city and people

ciotog

My sister and some friends of hers visited Malaysia recently, one of the girls has a blog here (http://realtravel.com/langkawi-journals-j5060243.html) that might be of use. They also went to Penang and KL, both of which they enjoyed immensely. Tioman Island might be a bit quieter than Langkawi which you might prefer. The highlands are also quite popular (Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands are pretty popular). A day trip to Melacca might not be too bad either, not much in the line of beach there but it has some of the Dutch heritage and the food is great (pretty much true of anywhere in Malaysia). Finally, I'd probably suggest you steer clear of Johor Bahru.

If there's some specific info on a place you're after then let me know - I currently live in Singapore (until the end of the month) and can check up with friends from Malaysia.

bringitdown

Malaysia is often overlooked in SE Asia I think. Am currently based in KL

Recommend: Perhentian Islands - more 'rustic' then Langkawi, Kuching / Sarawak, Sipadan and Malaysian Borneo, Melacca, Cameron Highlands, and of course KL.

If you want beach life / diving etc Sipadan or Perhentians are hard to beat. Trekking is great in Sarawak and Cameron Highlands (Camerons are more comfortable at a lower temp - mid 20s). Melacca is an interesting mix of colonial Portuguese / Dutch / British influence and local malay.

KL has its mega-malls, rib joints, western discos, and ferrari driving f$ckwits and but also its Jln Alor, Jln Petaling / Chinatown, Central Market and so on ... wander the back-streets away from KLCC and there is a hell of a lot to see / eat / laugh at and smell!

Have fun!

watna

Thanks fro all the advice. We'ev decided to spend 4 nights in KL and see the city and maybe a day trip or two to the surrounding area. Any advice appreciated! Then we're going to spend 6 nights in Borneo. Maybe three in Malaysia and three in Brunei. bringitdown/ciotog, would it be ok for me to pm you with a few questions? I'm finding it difficult to find info online about practical things like hotels that aren't 5 star, where to rent a car and how much it'll cost and what sights can be reached from what resorts. If anybody else has been to Borneo or KL I'd appreciate any advice!

bringitdown

bringitdown, would it be ok for me to pm you with a few questions? I'm finding it difficult to find info online about practical things like hotels that aren't 5 star, where to rent a car and how much it'll cost and what sights can be reached from what resorts.

No worries fire ahead. Will try my best.

Hotel wise let me know your budget/night?

Have not rented a car here, drivers are quite mental (moped ones in particular) generally I just annoy the taxi drivers and a get fixed rate to the destination (still pay more than the locals but that is par for the course). Again depends on your budget but generally quite reasonable.