Celebrate Malaysia
FOR some, February is the month of love, thanks to Valentine’s Day and (for this year, at least) Chap Goh Meh.
But it is also a good time to rekindle your romance with Malaysia, and to explore the country. Here are some reasons to fall in love again with Malaysia according to popular travel portal, Agoda.
Food galore
The word on the street is that Malaysians eat only one meal a day – they start in the morning and don’t stop till just before bedtime! As absurd as that may sound, this is a unique trait that many Malaysians can relate to.
In fact, the most typically agreeable Malaysians can become instantly passionate and opinionated when it comes to food. But that isn’t a surprise because Malaysia is a nation blessed with 24-hour eateries. It is a culinary paradise that champions the delicacies of all ethnicities.
For a heady mix of culture, head to George Town in Penang where the street and hawker food scene remains a dominant draw for many.
Exotic King of Fruits
Arguably the world’s most divisive fruit, the durian is infamous for its powerful aroma and distinctive taste, and is as much a cultural icon as it is a treasured delicacy. Dubbed the “King of Fruits”, there are over 134 varieties of durian registered, with some of the most popular being the Musang King, D24 and XO.
Set your taste buds on an adventure and travel to the quaint town of Raub in Pahang between June and August when the durian harvest is plentiful. Homegrown talents
Malaysia pulls its weight when it comes to churning out famous celebrities.
From the likes of veteran TVB actress Mimi Chu and Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, to deisgner Datuk Jimmy Choo, each of these celebrities holds one thing in common – they all hail from Ipoh, Perak!
The bustling town, known for its whimsical appeal, has plenty of sights, sounds and smells to keep you occupied, including many movie sites. Check out film locations like Ipoh Old Town (Ang Lee’s 2007 Lust,
Caution), Menglembu (King Of Mahjong, 2015), Pusing (After This Our Exile, 2006) and Papan (Apa Dosa Ku?, 2010).
One language
Only in Malaysia will you hear four languages squeezed into a single sentence. This is usually an amalgamation of Bahasa Malaysia, English, one or two Chinese dialects and Tamil. For the unsuspecting tourist, hearing what is known as “bahasa rojak” might seem oddly confusing, but for any local, the lingo is perfectly understood and accepted as a true symbol of one’s Malaysian-ness.
You will hear most of these conversations taking place in local hawker centres, where food is aplenty. The well-known Jalan Alor Food Street in Kuala Lumpur is a good place to start, for a taste of local lingo as well as local fare. There are also many interesting tourist attractions which are easily accessible from here, such as the Museum of Illusions, Selfie Museum, Laser Tag, Escape Room, and Blastacars.
Unique things
Nothing can compare to receiving handwritten letters and notes. In Malaysia, we go to the ends of the Earth, or to the bottom of the sea, to do it!
If you dive, you’d be thrilled to discover that there are not one but two functional underwater postboxes that allow divers to post letters or postcards to anyone in the world. One is located in Mataking Island, Sabah. The island is home to Malaysia’s first Underwater Post Office also known as the Shipwreck Post.
The mountain
Standing majestically at 4,095m, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah is one of the highest mountains in South-East Asia and Malaysia’s pride and joy. It takes roughly two days and one night to reach Mount Kinabalu’s prominent peak. A glimpse of the epic sunrise vistas from the summit is worth the trek.
Those seeking a less heart-pumping getaway can always enjoy unobstructed views of the majestic mountain from Kundasang. You can also explore the Unesco Kinabalu Park where one of the world’s largest collections of flora and fauna abound, the Kundasang War Memorial and Kundasang Market.