Malaysia

My absolute surprising country in South East Asia! I didn’t know what to expect of Malaysia and that’s why it amazed me so much! Everyone speaks English, is fair and helpful. The standard is higher than in Thailand for the same price. The culture is super interesting because of the mix of Malay, Chinese and Indians and the food is great because of the Arabic (Muslim country) and Indian influence.

TRAVEL TIPS

When to go: November to March, after this the rain season begins
Visa: 30 days for free for Germans, extensions possible (a ticket which shows that you are leaving the country in this time is not needed as German government websites say)
Getting there: many cheap flights in Asia go to Kuala Lumpur, or to Penang or take the train or bus from Thailand or Singapore, you can take the ferry from Koh Lipe to Langkawi Kuah Port to immigrate (1,5h – 23€) there exist a ferry from Sumatra as well
Money: 5 RMB (Ringgit) = 1€, the cheap prices really impressed me, for 6 or 7 RMB you can eat a meal with a drink
Good to know: If the police finds drugs on you, you can get hanged
Time zone: one hour more than Thailand and Indonesia (GMT +8 like Singapore)

WHERE TO GO

Langkawi: my favourite spot in Malaysia so far, because this big island has a lot to offer, from white beaches, great view point, a cable car with a sky bridge it shows you the green nature, mountains and variety of animals (by ferry from Kuala Perlis, Georgetown or Koh Lipe in Thailand or by plane)

Skybridge Langkawi

View down from the cable car

Beaches of Langkawi

Waterfalls

Georgetown, Penang: small city on Penang island with cool street art, a nice national park which brings you to a Money beach, a Chinese temple on the hill and architecture from the colonial time and Chinese influence, the public transport with air-conditioned buses is very good and cheap (Georgetown is the city on Penang Island and reachable by ferry from Langkawi, Butterworth – train to Kuala Lumpur or Thailand or bus from Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur and more)

Penang Street Art

Monkey Beach

Penang National Park

Georgetown – Chinese architecture

Kuala Lumpur: capital of Malaysia – you can see everything in one or two days – Batu Caves (temple in a cave with monkeys and big golden statue infront), Botanical Garden, Merdeka square, Central market/ pasar seni, China Town, Pedaling night market, KLCC Park with the Petronas Twin Towers and a light water show at 8, 9 and 10pm
>> Best skybar to see the towers: Sky Bar in Traders Hotel with pool until 7pm, free entrance
>> Best skybar to see the city and KL Tower: Heli Lounge Bar with Ladies night on Thursdays and free entrance until 9pm
>> Very nice and quite cheap hotel in the city center for 25€ a night with sky pool: Pacific Express Hotel

It is really easy to come around in Kuala Lumpur. The train system is modern and cheap, there is a free bus (GO KL Bus) which brings you to the main tourists spots and the taxi especially with Uber are very cheap 10 RMB/2€ for 10-15min)

Petronas Twin Towers

Skypool at Pacific Express Hotel

Botanical Garden

Water light show

View on KL Tower from Helibar

Cameron Highlands: beautiful green landscapes in the heart of Malaysia with different tours to plantations, villages and great view points
Tioman island: the east coast should be really nice with white lonely beaches and underwater life, although I haven’t been there I got this little island recommended a lot from travellers
Malacca: a cute little town with beautiful old buildings of the colonialism time of the British and a great night market (3h south of KL)

Food MUST-TRY: Roti canai or with egg, cheese or chocolate – the most delicious pancakes either sweet or salty