Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. Being a young city (founded only in 1857) it developed fast into a bustling metropolis of 1.5 million people (6 million including the satellite cities in the Klang Valley). Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL (as it is it called by Malaysians), literally means “muddy estuary” in Bahasa Malaysia. With good and cheap accommodation, great shopping and even better food in this multi-cultural melting pot, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city.
Having been in the shadow of other big cities in the region like Bangkok and Singapore, KL was put back on the map for good with the opening the Petronas Twin Towers in 1997, until 2004 the highest and still one of the most impressive buildings in the world. Though, the sights are not what makes this city unique, it’s KL itself and it’s mixture of people and visitors. 

Langkawi

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia’s Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000. The island is a declared duty-free zone.

Factory in Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands

by: Ida

For someone who loves the nature, and just has 5 or 6 days or even less to spend in West Malaysia, I would highly recommend you to my favourite destination - Cameron Highland.

Tea Estate
For someone who loves the nature, and just has 5 or 6 days or even less to spend in West Malaysia, I would highly recommend you to my favourite destination - Cameron Highland. It is like 5 hours from Kuala Lumpur. At Cameron Highland, you would find the tranquility of the mountain, escape the heat of the city. Spare yourself, at least, two days at Cameron Highland, join the must go half day tour to tea plantation farm. Here you would see the most lovely and spectacular view of little green lot of tea farm, spreading all over the valleys ranging from one valley to another.

Transportation - better to take the espress bus from Puduraya bus station in the early morning. After 5 hours of journey, you will arrive Cameron Highland at around 1 or 2 pm. Registered for a half day or whole day tour, or your hotel can do it for you for the same dollar amount. Then, relax yourself, hang around for the rest of the day. On day 2, begin with the tour and enjoy mother nature with experience local guide. They will tell you the history as well as funny things at Cameron Highland. If you are taking the half day tour, you would be able to catch the 1:30pm bus back to Kuala Lumpur and save some time!

Steam Boat
Accommodation - for the moderate price places to stay (around US35/nite) at Tanah Rata should be fine. Everything will be in walking distance. Food - the most popular to have at the highland is "steamboat", opened by the local Chinese who live there for over 20 years. You just spend less than US3 for a "all-u-can-eat" steamboat buffet at any Chinese restaurant. Enjoy the food and a beer on hand is the best thing you could ever have at Cameron Highland.

Last but not least - I lost my backpack during my coach transfer from Tanah Rata (Cameron Highland) back to Kuala Lumpur. I was not aware of this until I arrived KL which was 730pm in the evening already. I was panic and the only thing I had was the coach ticket which had the address of the bus company on it. The only thing I could do was to find the bus company under heavy rainfall, and asked for help near Puduraya bus station. Lucky me, the lady there was so friendly, asked me to calm down and told me that they already got a phone call from the transfer station, knowing I had left my luggage there. And the best thing was that they had arranged the next bus to bring the luggage back to me. During my wait for the next bus to come, which was 2 1/2 hours, though tired and hungry, the lady offered a chair for me which was the best comfort I could have. By 10pm, the bus finally arrived and the bus driver saw a me right away. It was good to have my luggage back, really. Many thanks to all the people who had given me a hand during my journey in Malaysia! Terima Kasih!
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STORIES
Chinese New Year Celebration
Pictures of the Chinese New Year Parade in Kuala Lumpur and some informationen about this major holiday in Malaysia.
RANDOM LINKS
Rapid KL
public transport operator in KL
Malaysia-Islands.com
Photos, Dive&Snorkel Spots of all major Malaysian Islands
Destinations Guide
tips for some nature distinations
Uncletan.com/
Wildlife Adventure tours
Monorail.com.my
public transportation system in Kuala Lumpur

see all links
RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Kuala Terengganu
Istana Maziah
DID YOU KNOW?
Buses

It’s very convenient to take busses in Malaysia. The condition of roads and buses are very good. There several privat and a national bus line (Transnasional). Usual it’s no problem to get ticket on short notice unless there’s a major holiday like Hari Raya (end of Ramadan), Deepavali or Chinese New Year. A 2-hour ride from KL to Melaka costs around RM10 and a 5h ride to Penang around RM25.

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Philip Bowring of the “International Herald Tribune” reflects about the country on it’s 50th (or 44th, read the article) anniversary, it’s rapid growth from rural to modern industrialized country. The peaceful situation but also the political and racial problems Malaysia is facing today.

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