Explore the Diversity

As the famous ad splashed on various television channels and over the internet, Malaysia is truly Asia, it truly reflects what this beautiful country has to offer. This country is a microcosm of the vivid cultures and diversity dwelling together and this is what makes Malaysia one of the hot destinations for thousand of tourist. It is unique in its own way and has enthralled the tourist with its pristine beach, tropical rain forest and the spectacular islands. So, a holiday in this beautiful country is always a top priority for the tourist. In recent years, Malaysia has seen unprecedented increase in the number of tourist. So what makes Malaysia a truly unique experience? Holidays in Malaysia are a hassle free affair, where one can unwind and take a break from the hustle and bustle of busy life. This county has something or other to offer for all. Be it nature lovers or those who are interested in history, for shoppers, there are endless attractions. Moreover, the friendly nature of the people makes the vacations a really pleasing experience. Most important of all, the holidays are worth the price paid. The capital city kuala Lumpur or KL is itself a blend of modern and tradition co existing together. Its cosmopolitan nature and old world feeling exhibits the pluralist nature of the society co existed by Malays, Chinese, Indians. In fact it is the multiculturalism of the Malaysian society that provides it different colours and also the reason that it is home to hundreds of celebrations. It is a fascinating place to shop around also boast of vibrant night life full of watering holes. The world famous Petronas towers is in the middle of the town adjacent to the famous shopping centers. Hotels are easily available as per ones need and requirement. There are other places as well which are worth visiting. For instance, Palau Redang is well known for its excellent diving and snorkeling facilities. There is also the island of Penang with its rich multicultural history and colonial heritage. Langkawi, on the other hand has beautiful caves with stalactites, tropical rain forests and clear blue waters. Malaysia is a wonderful country, where one can find all the aspects of a good life. A vacation in Malaysia is truly a experience to reckon with.

Welcome to Perhentian Island

There’s just something about visiting a mostly deserted tropical island that always piques my interest. Perhaps it’s an element of the unknown – I may be safe on the beach, but how far away are the vicious monkeys or enormous lizards? Arguably the best of the best Malaysian beach retreats are the Perhentian Islands that lie approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) off the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu. They are the perfect place to take a break – even down to the name; ‘perhentian’ actually means ‘stopping point’. As they lie only 64km or so south of the Thai border they are every bit as beautiful as their Siamese counterparts but, importantly, significantly less developed. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar (translated as Big Perhentian) and Perhentian Kecil (which means Small Perhentian). The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara, Seringgi and Rawa lie off Kecil and are the perfect place to spend an afternoon living out any fantasies of being shipwrecked on a paradise island. What makes them special? Well, the Perhentians belong to Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited. It also means that steps have been taken to protect the natural beauty of the islands. You’ll find no luxurious, sprawling hotel complexes here. Instead, your accommodation is likely to be a simple shack on the beach. Of these shacks, one of the most popular is Tuna Bay Resort on Pulau Perhentian Besar near Pasir Jong. The word resort might be a slight exaggeration of what they offer (no spas, pools or room service here) but what isn’t lacking is the atmosphere – it’s terrific. Popular with families, this is a place to relax and have fun – as oppose to being the perfect escape for honeymooners wanting a quiet getaway. There’s a holiday feeling permeating through the bay that makes you feel as if you could walk up to anyone and say hello. If you want a second simple recommendation, ask for “Pasir Panjang” (Long Beach) on Perhentian Kecil. You’re unlikely to have it to yourself, but it is a very beautiful beach with postcard-perfect white sand and crystal clear water. Take some snacks and you’ll be set for a picnic that will last long in the memory. Another activity that makes for unforgettable memories is diving. Both islands are fringed by stunning reefs and crystalline water which are host to a wide variety of coral, sea-turtles, jellyfish, small sharks and reef-fish. It’s easy enough to get PADI qualified and go quite deep (the diving school at D’Anyana House is recommended) but, to be honest, simply strapping on a snorkel and splashing about will still bring you in contact with an incredible array of sea life.

10 worth reasons to Tour Malaysia

Malaysia is a beautiful country and a popular tourist destination. Its unique culture, incredible climate, beautiful scenery and delicious cuisine are only a few of the reasons why Malaysia is considered to be one of the best holiday vacation spots in the world. 1. Kuala Lumpur is one of the best reasons to visit Malaysia. It is the capital of Malaysia and is also known as the 'Garden City of Lights'. Its shopping complexes and malls offer a choice of traditional handicrafts as well as branded products from all over the world. The mega sales that are held annually all over the country attract shoppers from all over Southeast Asia. 2. Malaysia offers an amazing range of cuisines to suit all palates and budgets. The different cuisines available include hot and spicy Malaysian dishes, exotic Chinese delicacies, rich Indian cuisine and a multitude of Continental dishes. 3. Sightseeing in Malaysia is a treat in itself. The country has a plethora of exotic destinations that attract tourists from all over the world, including islands, beaches and forests. Some wonderful places worth visiting are Langkawi, Cherating, Port Dickson, Labuan Island, Tioman Island, Pangkor Island and Redang Island. 4. Malaysia is famous for its beautiful heritage sites like the Churches in Malacca and the Malacca Museum, the Mahamariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur and the Snake Temple in Penang. 5. For those who love exploring the outdoors, it would be worth visiting the Cameron Highlands, Frasers Hill, Berjaya Hills and Genting Highlands. 6. Malaysia's natural beauty is at its most resplendent in the rainforests. The best places to see the splendour of the rainforests would be Kinabalu Park, Kuala Selangor Park, Endau-Rompin and the Mulu national park. 7. A typical tour for lovers of wildlife would include a trip to the Botanical Garden and Bird Park, in addition to the Bukit Jambul Reptile farm. 8. Accommodation in Malaysia spans a wide range of hotels and resorts that appeal to all tastes and budgets. There are high end five star facilities such as the Taj Resort in Langkawi, Berjaya Time Square in Kuala Lumpur, Bayview Beach Resort in Penang and the Berjaya Langkawi Resort, to name a few. Among the hotels that offer good deals are the Holiday Inn Malacca, the Andaman in Langkawi, Citrus Hotel in Kuala Lumpur and the Dorsett Penang. 9. Getting around Malaysia is not difficult. and visitors can travel through the region via air or road. One of the best transport options open to travellers are the car rentals from places like Hertz and Hawk that can take you anywhere in Malaysia. Luxury buses are also available between Malaysia and Singapore. 10. Malaysia still has a fascinating tribal culture. A visit to Sabah provides an opportunity to observe the indigenous tribe in their natural environment.

Langkawi Island - Beuty as a Legend

Langkawi is a picturesque archipelago consisting of more than 100 islands on the Andaman Sea. Tucked away into the north-western corner of Peninsular Malaysia and located on the Thai-Malaysian border, Langkawi is one of the 12 regions of the state of Kedah, and is about 50 km west of Kedah. Langkawi is only 32 km from Kuala Perlis and can be easily reached from Penang through a few hours boat drive. Langkawi has been categorized into six mukims: Ayer Hangat, Padang Matsirat, Kuah, Bohor, Kedawang, and Ulu Melaka. With Pulau Langkawi as its main island, Langkawi boasts of some of the world's best white sandy beaches, brilliant turquoise waters, stunning caves with stalactites and stalagmites, karst and limestone formations, unspoiled rainforests, dense forested mountains, and lush green rice paddies. In short, Langkawi is truly a tropical island and undoubtedly its prime draw is its rustic beauty. With a geological history dating back to more than 500 million years ago, the island is strewn with several legends and folklores. Of which an interesting is the legend associated with Mahsuri, a pretty maiden who lived here 200 years ago. She was unjustly accused of treachery, and during her execution Mahsuri bled white blood. Taking her last breath, Mahsuri laid a curse on the island that it will remain barren for seven generation, which has eventually now been lifted. Mahsuri Mausoleum or the area where Mahsuri has been buried has now become a popular tourist spot. Also, interesting as well as mysterious is the legend associated with Tasik Dayang Bunting, a fresh water lake on the Dayang Bunting Island. Legend has it that a fairy princess and genie fell in love and the princess gave birth to a child near the lake. Unfortunately, the child was dead and unable to overcome the grief, the princess threw the child into the lake. This action in turn blessed the waters of the lake and it is now believed to have mystical powers to help infertile women to conceive. Additionally, according to certain legends, Garuda, the giant mythical eagle, rested in these islands. Langkawi is home to a number of surprising as well as incredible attractions, which among many others, are Dataran Square - Situated to the left of the new Jetty Mall complex in Kuah, this is perhaps the most significant attraction for tourists arriving by sea. The focal point of the square is an incredible statue of the reddish brown eagle, which is magnificently illuminated during night. Langkawi Cable Car - This is a station whose route connects the Base Station in Oriental Village with the Peak Station atop the mountain. It would be an invigorating experience to take a 20 minutes journey in a four-seated cable car. This allows you to have a 360 degree panoramic view of the islands, seas, and beaches not only in the island but also as far as Thailand. Crocodile Farm - It has to its credit one of the world's largest collection of alligator and crocodile species. The major draw of the farm is the boxing match between crocodile and man. The farm also provides opportunities to ride in rickshaw drawn by a crocodile. Langkawi has some thing for everyone. For bird lovers, a visit to Langkawi Bird Paradise boasting of some rare and beautiful species of birds would be a great experience. Likewise, a tour to Laman Padi, which displays the history, heritage and development of the rice growing industry in the country, would be interesting for agro-tourist lovers.Additionally, some not to miss attractions for animal and nature lovers would be Snake Sanctuary with an amazing selection of venomous as well as non-venomous snakes; Pulau Payar Marine Park - the oldest as well as the only marine park in west Malaysia with rich as well as varied species of marine life. Seven Wells in Burau Bay whose centerpiece is seven spectacular waterfalls; and Durian Perangin, a stunning waterfall that is close to Padang Lalang and which can be easily reached through a short trek via the rainforest. Other must-see attractions in Langkawi are Summer Palace, Galeria Perdana, Pasar Malam or Night Market, and Air Hangat. Above all, fabulous is the wonderful beaches of Langkawi like Pantai Cenang and Pantai Kok. Each of the beaches found here is calm and serene, and provides options to enjoy a continuum of activities such as snorkeling, yachting, diving, and sea canoeing. Further, visitors to Langkawi can also enjoy activities including golf and trekking. Today, a plethora of hotels and resorts are here to provide superb accommodation to visitors touring Langkawi. Many of them render excellent spa treatments for weary travelers. Additionally, majority of them offer facilities to make booking online.