Faces of
Malaysia
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 about 45,000. The island is a declared duty-free zone.

The peak season is from December to March when moonson at the eastcoast shuts down most of the Islands there (Perhentian etc.). This makes Langkawi a good island alternative during that time period. Generally though, Langkawi can be visited all year around.

Taman Negara

Taman Negara National Park was established in Malaysia in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after Independence, which literally means “national park” in Malay. The total area of Taman Negara is 4,343 km².

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Backpacking Malaysia
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I got it from my Mamak

Mamak stalls are restaurants in Malaysia mostly run by muslim Indians. Traditionally they started out as road side stalls but due their importance to Malaysian social life, hence their number of customer, there are big mamak restaurants and even chains now too. Mamak stalls are a true multi-racial melting pot, whether they be Malay, Indian, Chinese or others, this is place where everybody meets for a snack or a drink with friends, business clients, breakfast or just watching football at night. Many mamak stalls operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. You want your Roti Canai and Teh Tarik at 4am in the morning? No problem. Welcome to Malaysia! Found out what "mamaking" is all about.
Here's a video clip to a parody of a Black Eye Peas song from a local radio station (I got it from my mamak). Funny clip that gives you a good feel what Mamak means to Malaysians. By the way "Macha" is how the locals call the staff in the restaurant (the other option being Boss").




Mamak stalls come in different sizes.

Here's small stall in residential area in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur



The art of making Roti Canai:




Medium size restaurant: TG Nasi Kandar on Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur (next door to Red Palm Hostel)




And the new big Mamak centres, often operated as chains. Photos taken at: Restoran Makbul Nasi Kandar, TTDI, Petaling Jaya




Nasi Kandar counter, this where you can get a full meal of rice, vegetable and many different curries:




Typical Mamak Menu:




And the Mamak classic: Teh Tarik ...




and Roti Canai: