Faces of
Malaysia
Tioman

Largest island of Malaysias east coast. It’s located 32km off the coast and is some 20km long and 12km wide and the highest peak is Gunung Kajang with 1038m. In the 70ies TIME magazine selected Tioman as one the world’s most beautiful islands but lost some flair in recent years due to do development. The island has eight main villages, many beaches and is densely forested and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs, making it a scuba diving haven.

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the state capital of the state of Johor and the second largest metropolitan area in Malaysia. Most tourists don't stop here and just pass through the city on their way to or out of Singapore. JB is a major local transportation hub however. Since it is just across the causeway from Singapore, some travellers use it as a hub to visit Singapore from here (lower accommodation prices) or to board the train, bus or airplane.

Backpacking Malaysia
Factory in Cameron Highlands

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: