Malaysia

While Malaysia is an obligate stop in most people's itineraries in SE Asia because Kuala Lumpur is such a transport hub, few people spend more than a week or two here. Quite frankly, Malaysia was the least interesting and least beautiful of any of the countries I visited in this part of the world. My advice: if you must, spend a few days in KL, then go on to better places. But that said, the ethnic mix in Malaysia is an interesting one. There are far more Indians and Chinese in Malaysia now than there are Malay and the dominant food culture reflects this perfectly. For as expensive as alcohol is, food is ridiculously cheap and quite delicious as well. Because of how international Malaysia is in general, the food goes beyond the Indian, Chinese, and Malay places to include Western, Middle Eastern, Japanese, etc etc etc which is truly unique among Asian countries.



Places:
1. Kuala Lumpur
2. Langkawi
?. Perenthian Islands

Sights/Activities:
1. Petronas Towers (Building)
2. Batu Caves (Religious Monument)
3. Langkawi (Natural Wonder)
4. Merdeka Square (Plaza)
5. Taman Negara (Natural Wonder)

Beer of Malaysia: Since it's a Muslim country, it doesn't make beer of its own, most of the stuff available is Tiger from Singapore and Carlsberg from Denmark. Even those are ridiculously expensive about $3 a can at a supermarket. Langkawi is the only place, being duty free, that one can really even justify having a beer. Grade: F.

Ice Cream of Malaysia: Another unusual thing for an Asian country is the availability of ice cream. It is not, however, all that good. Grade: D+.

Exchange Rate: $1=3.5RM as of August 30th, 2009.

Time Spent: 8 days, 7 nights.

Optimum Time Spent: 2 days in KL.

Best Season:

Food Specialties: Nasi Lemak, Malay Spicy Noodles.