8 Top Tips When Travelling to Malaysia

Malaysia    06.06.2014    Transindus

A trip to Malaysia will always be special. Whether you’re watching wild Orang-utans crash from tree to tree, diving around the marine odyssey, Sipadan Island or experiencing the buzz of Kuala Lumpur there is something for everyone in this cultural melting pot of a country. But here are 8 tips to make your trip even more memorable.

Permai Rainforest Night walk, Sarawak

If staying in a private tree house at the foot of Mount Santubong with views of the South China Sea isn’t enough, make sure you take part in a night walk around Permai Rainforest Resort. Just yards from your accommodation, a keen eyed guide will pick out all kinds of hidden wildlife from the Black Backed Kingfisher to the Flying Lemur that make the jungle resort their homes.

 

Evening Sarawak river cruise, Kuching

Ignore the big steamer and take a local boat up and down the Sarawak River just before sunset in Kuching. Laugh with the local children who try to swim out and climb on board to enjoy the sunset with you over Dewan Undangan Negeri. Marvel at the colourful relics of the numerous dilapidated fishing boats that flood the banks of the river.

 

 

Top Spot, Kuching & Filipino Market, Kota Kinabulu

Tasting seafood in Borneo is a must and these two locations are the best places to take in the atmospheric buzz and fresh scents generated by the local cuisine. Top spot has over 30 restaurants to choose from, with number 25 being a personal favourite, whilst Kota Kinabalu’s Filipino Market has stall after stall of fresh fish, the grilled sambal stingray on a banana leaf comes highly recommended!

 

 

Shangri La Tanjung Aru Chi Spa, Kota Kinabalu

Even if you are not staying at this luxurious Shangri La property, make sure you book a Spa treatment at its Chi Spa village. Stand-alone chalets sit on an island connected to the hotel via a private causeway. Experience traditional Borneo treatments just centimetres from the South China Sea whilst watching the sun set over Mamutik Island.

 

Turtle conservation on Selingan Island

Enjoy a privileged chance to watch both egg-laying and the release of hatchlings into the Sulu Sea on this island 40km off the coast of Sandakan. Accommodation is basic, but that misses the point. Being on Selingan is about the unforgettable experience of conserving an endangered species. Not to mention sunbathing on the chalk white beaches and snorkelling round the coral reef of the Sulu Sea’s emerald waters.

Sundowner at Sky Bar, Traders Hotel, Petronas Towers

For the best views of the world’s tallest twin towers, sit back and relax whilst sipping one of Malaysia’s favourite cocktails at Sky Bar on the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel. Watch as the sun sets and the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur dazzle in the night sky. Make sure you book ahead and get a poolside alcove for that little bit of extra comfort!

 

 

Georgetown Street Art Trail, Penang

Roam the streets of colonial Georgetown, Penang’s Unesco World Heritage area following the street art of Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. Watch out for the black wire sculptures which adorn the colonial streets and finish up with dinner at the grand Chinese Cheong Fatt Tze mansion, with its worldwide array of fine wines.

 

Sunset from the Bellevue, Penang Hill

Whilst the Bellevue has lost its grandeur of old, the panoramic views from its beautiful gardens of Penang and the straits of Malacca are still unbeatable. Avoid the crowds at David Browns and relax in the gardens of this historic colonial property as the sun sets and the bright lights of Georgetown sparkle beneath you. A few hours break from the humidity of sea level is more than welcome too before you board the last train down back down to Penang.