Malaysia Holidays

Mr_Wang

Doshwaster wrote: »

Singapore has never done much for me (if KL is BKK's more mature elder sister (but still a good time girl once you get to know her), SIN is her disapproving maiden aunt). Put me in a bustling night-time food market in Georgetown or a chilled out beach bar in Langkawi and I'll happily forget the hedonism available over the border in Thailand.

If I could only ever go to one country on holiday again it would have to be Thailand but Malaysia comes a close second.

I went to Singapore some years back and didn't have much time, only a couple of days. I left hating the place.

Talking to a girl I met in India I was explaining how sterile I found it and she suggested I go back and get under its skin a little. I did go back and found myself getting hammered and fending off prostitutes in China Town whilst eating some of the most amazing Chinese food - Better than in China itself.
I think Singapore puts on a good show and I see where you get the 'disapproving aunt' but trust me, get beneath the surface and you'll find an obsessive and rich culture that prides itself on how meticulous and yet fulfilling it is.
The zoo is the best in the world, Sentosa is a wonderful little hideaway and some of the parks are amongst the most serene places in a city in the world.

Back to Malaysia I love it, but Langkawi for me isn't worth more than a car hire and a couple of days. (avoid the sickening crocodile farm) Penang - Whilst amazing, not ore than a couple of days. KL, again a couple of days if youre heading up to Sunway Lagoon. The Perhentians aren't worth the hassle etc etc. But tie into the trip a bit of Borneo then maybe it'd be worth it. But then, really, I am just not convinced it's worth missing Thailand. But then once in Thailand how could you not be tempted to head to Vietnam via Cambodia. Wrong part of the world for a fortnight for me I'm afraid.

zagfles

Equaliser123 wrote: »

Been many, many times to Malaysia - Penang, KL, Langkawi, Redang, Tioman, KT, etc.

Have to say, of all of the islands, Penang is probably my least favourite. For pure tranquility, it has to be Pulau Redang. Langkawi is also a real favourite.

Yes we stayed on Pulau Redang, was certainly tranquil and lovely beaches, but not a lot else to do there. We booked it as a 2-day side trip as we were going up the East coast, the hotel had a lovely beach bar but it wasn't open because the manager couldn't get anyone to run it due to the laws about who he could employ.

We loved the East coast, very conservative and you need to be careful about what you wear and what hand you eat with etc but very friendly people and a complete culture change from KL. One night we were staying in a small place and found out the taxis and buses were on strike the next day and there was basically no public transport, so our only option was to hitch-hike, on a road with about 1 car every 10 mins or so. We got picked up by the second car which passed!