Malaysia is one of the most underrated countries in SouthEast Asia. Having previously heard next to nothing about the region and finding little online, I travelled to Malaysia with few expectations.
Continuing my route north, Malaysia was the next destination on my Banana Pancake Trail. Malaysia was not the biggest priority on my list. However, I could not pass up the opportunity to visit the country’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur which is home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Malaysia offers a variety of tourist destinations and is home to remarkable natural beauty, a lot of which is found on the surrounding islands. To obtain a well rounded experience of Malaysia, I included the island of Langkawi in my itinerary.
After arriving in Kuala Lumpur, I made my way to immigration. Various documentations and applications were required regarding COVID-19. These were unlike any I had completed for other countries on my trip. I did not require a visa for my ten-night stay and thankfully navigated through the airport with ease.
While on the way to my accommodation, which was located in the city centre, I noticed skyscrapers stretching for miles along the route. It immediately gave me an idea of the sheer scale of Kuala Lumpur. The taxi driver noticed my excitement and pointed out landmark buildings. He even went out of his way to show me the Petronas Towers up close, stopping outside and offering to take pictures. Standing at 482m, they are the tallest twin towers in the world and are truly spectacular.
Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur is very affordable and easily found. Spanning twice the size of Dublin city, Kuala Lumpur is equipped with a vast range of luxury villas, hotels, hostels and apartments. The accommodation I pre-booked in Kuala Lumpur informed me by email just days before my arrival that it would not be re-opening as a result of the pandemic.
When travelling for a long time it is unlikely that everything will go to plan. I booked a last minute three-star hotel in the middle of the city centre and luckily, it proved to be an ideal area to stay in for my first trip to Kuala Lumpur. The city centre is surrounded by numerous tourist attractions and within walking distance to restaurants, shopping centres and countless nightlife options.
The weather in Kuala Lumpur was unpredictable due to the monsoon season. Although temperatures hit over 30 degrees most days the thunderstorms each evening were relentless, lasting hours. Attractions such as the KLCC Aquarium, the Petronas Towers Discovery Center, the Central Market and high end shopping centres are ideal on those rainy days.
KLCC Park hosts nightly water shows while the Saloma Bridge proved to be a magical place to see the city skyline. Petaling Market Street offered a taste of culture and Malay cuisine while the 99 Wonderland Park provided an up close experience with roaming wildlife. The Batu caves is a Hindu temple built into a limestone rock formation. The 272 steps were well worth the climb to witness the impressive caves inside.
I set aside a full day to explore the Cameron Highlands which was a three hour drive from the capital city. These highlands are the highest point in Malaysia with one of the most extensive hill stations in SouthEast Asia. The area is best known for its tea plantation, rose fields, jungle trekking, tropical waterfalls, and strawberry farms. After the hustle and bustle of city life I was really at home in the peace and serenity the highlands offered.
Given my first look at Malaysia I was stunned at the genuine kindness of the Malay people. The city was rich in history and extremely easy to explore, the diverse culinary culture was unique and tasty. As Malaysia is such a broad country it demands more than one trip to unlock its hidden gems. The five nights I stayed in Kuala Lumpur left me optimistic for my next stop, Langkawi.
Aisling Cowley is a GMIT hospitality student travel
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