Malaysia’s Year of Festivals
TOURISM Malaysia has always been in the forefront of promoting their wonderful country, from well-conceptualized promotional videos, fabulous tour offerings, and is known for its “Malaysia Truly Asia” ad jingle.
This year’s theme is “2015 Year of Festivals,” and Tourism Malaysia recently organized a familiarization trip for tour operators and some members of the media to picturesque Langkawi.
Langkawi is just a short flight from the Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia Airlines offers seemless connections to the archipelago.
If you are flying from Manila, it is best to take the 6 a.m. flight out of the NAIA connecting at KLIA, and you will be in paradise by noon time.
The first order of business was to check out the food scene. This writer recommends the beach side restaurant row in Cenang, where there is a wide variety of fresh seas foods.
The next stop was the Oriental Village for a 750-meter-high mountain side cable car ride. Visitors are welcomed by the cool mountain air and a 360 degree view.
Lush green mountains and rolling hills with lush greenery welcome each visitor with the unmistakable charm of Langkawi.
Heading to the city center, one can spend hours just promenading along the well kept streets and alleyways.
And as the sun sets, night markets sprout up. Langkawi is a duty-free district. Here, you can find very affordable produce, brand name products, shoes, apparel, even alcohol.
But the main thing that makes Malaysia world renowed is the food. An endless array of hawkers ply their food: freshly made and cooked right before your eyes, delectable and literally finger-licking good.
Another must-do in Langkawi is the mangrove cruise. Hop on a speedboat and traverse the oftentimes shallow mangroves.
Explore the vast open ocean bordering Thailand. Feed the white-bellied eagles soaring up high, and take a dip in the turquoise water that surrounds the islands. It is known for its floating restaurants, which are plenty to choose from.
After Langkawi, the group headed to Selangor, the province that the Sepang International Circuit calls home.
In the F1 calendar, the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix comes after the Australian GP, where the crisp Melbourne weather is a stark contrast as the F1 teams now have to contend with the humidity, moonsoon rains, and a proper race track that is just brutal on tires where finding a balance to maximize performance is paramount.
While food establishments are a common sight at the circuit, one can only get the true essence of Malaysian cuisine in a street famous for its food stalls that are open till the wee hours of the night.
Jalan Alor with its mix of Chinese, Malay, Thai and even Filipino restaurants is always open to welcome hungry visitors.
A visit to Jalan Alor will not be complete without trying out BBQ chicken wings, fresh seafood cooked to order, cured meats hanging in glass enclosures waiting and ready for the chopping block, and perhaps even the king of fruits, durian.
Flying to Malaysia has never been easier and made affordable by its flag carrier, as Malaysia Airlines offers seemless connections to all their routes.
For details on how to have your very own Malaysian holiday, and experience the “Year of Festivals 2015,” contact your travel agent or visit www.tourism.gov.my for a full listing of all the activities offered.