This record is made somewhere over India when the impressions are still fresh. Malaysia then, an interesting experience. Also because it was the first such long trip to the other end of the world with a little traveler who did great. There were moments when we were all tired, thirsty, hungry, when we needed rest, attention, but all in all we had an extremely nice time. The trip went happily for us, no one had any stomach problems for a single day. We have to drink a lot in the heat and humidity, next time we have to be even more diligent, as we "gave up" a bit towards the end, which may have contributed to the heat of the little traveler on the penultimate day. Otherwise, I calmly say that a small traveler or. "Little princess", as everyone called her everywhere in Malaysia, was sometimes even more durable than her parents :)
Malaysia, a Muslim country, a multi-cultural world where everything fits. Already arriving from the plane a good two weeks ago was interesting. Everywhere you notice warnings and threatened penalties, you are not allowed to smoke, a fine of 2000 EUR and 3 years in prison, you have drugs, the death penalty by hanging, and so everywhere. Even the first contact with people here is a little different, in Thailand we were showered with laughter and kindness, here it works more and more seriously. The route from the airport to Kuala Lumpur already shows that Malaysia is a rich country. They’re building everywhere and so it’s actually everywhere we’ve traveled. New resorts, blocks of flats, settlements, centers are growing everywhere. Kuala Lumpur as a metropolis justifies its reputation, but all the splendor and dizzying prices in luxury shopping malls are not so interesting to me. It was a bigger experience to try food in Chinatown than to walk around the malls. The fact is that the prices are the same as ours, or what they import "from us", even more expensive to realize. Which is another fact, for traveling with a child, Malaysia is a great country. Everything is arranged for children everywhere. You go to see the Petronas twins, there is a great park, which also has an outdoor swimming pool for children, an aquarium, Penang has a lot of different attractions such as "Upside down museum" etc ... you go to the shopping center, but it's inside a real amusement park with a death train, in short, children will not be bored and have it so well arranged that even parents enjoy it.
Intra-country transport is smooth, roads are tidy, and here and there monkeys can be seen along the roads (not on highways, of course), much better than in other countries in SE Asia, in short, you know you're in Asia, but there is no feeling that you give it for the first time to Thailand or Vietnam for example. The world is actually mixing here, Malaysians, Chinese, Indians, living in true styles and peace. Nowhere has there ever been any sense of tension, even Muslim prayer from the speakers 4x a day is something completely normal. What’s obvious is that it’s harder to get alcohol and that they’re relatively strict about smoking, as there are a huge number of attractions, cities, parks, and so on. you must not smoke, which is not bad otherwise. Alcohol in restaurants is present among Chinese and Indians, and some Indians do not have it, and the rest are mostly non-alcoholic beverages, and it is good that natural juices are excellent. But for the toilet, bring moisturizing wipes, because it is usually just a hose with water.
People are friendly, but still not as “warm” as in Thailand for example. Taxis have a more or less fixed fare everywhere, so at least you don’t feel like someone is bringing you around. Penang and Langkawi are interesting islands, but neither gives me the feeling of being a top location for the beach. Langkawi is bigger and has beautiful beaches, but you have to drive to these beautiful beaches. Presumably by boat. Certainly the beaches and the island on the east side are a nicer experience with the sea and sand. Penang and Langkawi are fine, but not the crystal clear water and the madness along and on the beach in Langkawi by all possible means of transportation doesn’t give the feeling that it’s “easy”. Therefore, those who want white beaches with crystal clear sea, Thailand, Maldives or the east coast of Malaysia or. where else.
The food is great, wherever we ate it was delicious, great. After all, I still think the food in Vietnam was the most varied and delicious, and Thailand right after. Although you find all of the above in Malaysia, as well as of course the food of all the nations that live here, there is no piglet. Beef, chicken, seafood in all forms, tofu and vegetables. But they love chili and everything is well spiced, which is not a bad thing. Probably, however, this does not suit everyone, but there is no need to be afraid, as for the t.i. westerners cared for with the full range of fast food chains and the like.
Malaysia is more expensive than the rest of Asia, but it is not excessive. The total travel budget was 1,283 EUR for air tickets with cancellation insurance, approx. 1900 EUR for all domestic transport, 2x bus, 2x domestic flight, all taxis, all overnight stays, all food and drink, in short everything. All together for three people, therefore, approximately 3200 EUR for 17 days.
Malaysia is beautiful, beautiful, interesting. Maybe it’s precisely capital that is to blame for people being different, that there may be too much of everything. There is nothing wrong with that, definitely this trip was great, the fact is that e.g. Vietnam and Thailand made a bigger impression on me. After returning from Thailand, I wanted a one-way ticket back, today I want home beds and when we wash the travel dust out of ourselves, we slowly make new plans. For where we haven't been before.