One Year on Earth

Overview

• Malaysia just celebrated its 50th year of independence from the British and, to coincide with its anniversary, it kicked off what appears to be a large, tourist-recruitment campaign. In our opinions, would-be tourists would do well to jump aboard the bandwagon.
• Across both peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, we encountered a multi-ethnic (mainly Malays, Chinese and Indian), multi-religious (Islam, Hinduism, Chinese religions and Christianity) population that, thanks in part to some stringent anti-hate speech laws, seemed to be a model of tolerance. What we encountered hardly at all were pushy vendors hoping to prey on the large, white people or cabbies trying to rip us off. That absence, coupled with this country’s cleanliness, its relative affordability (how we love the ringgit as compared to the euro!) and the fact that nearly everyone here speaks English–not to mention its beautiful beaches and its incredible jungles–makes Malaysia a wonderful place to explore.

Blog Entries We Wrote

• To see all the blog entries we wrote about this country, please click HERE.

Pictures We Took

• To see some of the pictures we took in Malaysia, please click HERE.

Cities/Areas We Visited

• Penang (Sep. 16-18)
• Perhentian Kecil Island – Long Beach (Sep. 18-23)
• Kuching, Borneo (Sep. 23-24)
• Miri, Borneo (Sep. 24-25 and Sep. 28-30)
• Bario, Borneo (Sep. 25-28)
• Kualu Lampur (Oct. 1-2; Oct 10-11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Places We Stayed

Penang

• Hotel Continental (Sep. 16-18)

Pulau Perhentian Kecil

• Mohsin Chalet (Sep. 18-21)

• Bubu Long Beach Lodge (Sep. 21-23)

Borneo

• Hilton Kuching (Sep. 23-24)

• Pacific Orient Hotel – Miri (Sep. 24-25)

• Gem’s Lodge – Bario (Sep. 25-28)

• Miri Marriott (Sep. 28-30)

• Allson Genesis Hotel – Kualu Lampur (Oct. 1-2)

• Trader’s Hotel – Kualu Lampur (Oct. 10-11)

Places We Ate

Penang

• Red Garden Night Market

• New Madras Woodlands Restaurant
• Golden BBQ Steamboat Restaurant

Perhentian Kecil Island

• Lily Cafe
• Bubu Lodge Restaurant
• Various Beach Cafes

Borneo

• De Crimson Cafe (formerly A Ha Cafe) – Kuching
• Seaworld Seafood – Miri

• Kitchen table at Gem’s Lodge (with master chef Sumi)
• Rose’s Food Stall – Bario

• Zest Restaurant -Miri
• Choice Restaurant (Indian) – Labuan (on ferry stopover from Brunei)

• Ngau Kee Beef Noodle Restaurant – Kuala Lumpur

• Old China Cafe – Kuala Lumpur

Things We Did

Penang

• Trishaw Tour around Georgetown with driver Jetty
• Visited Fort Cornwallis and other historic sites
• Visit Chinese and Hindu temples

• Had Tea with Chinese family
• Walked around Little India and Chinatown in Georgetown
• Had drink at Eastern and Oriental Hotel

Perhentian Kecil Island

• Shanna took 4-day scuba diving course
• Derek went divng
• Sat on beach and read

Borneo

• Visited Salt Springs and Saw Production of Salt
• Walking Tour of Bario, visiting a Longhouse
• Jungle Trek
• Served as a meal for multiple leeches
• Explored the Niah Caves at Niah National Park

Kuala Lumpur

• Walked around city
• Visited Merdaka Square, a mosque, Little India and Chinatown

Country Facts

• Capital City – Kualu Lumpur
• Currency – Ringgit
• Exchange Rate – 3.444 Ringgit to $1

Special Thanks

• We would like to thank the following individuals who gave us a wedding gift that we used in this country: Sam McDonald, Jane Calhoun and Eric and Melanie Andrews. We really appreciate it!