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LATEST NEWS
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Certainly the most spectacular new sight in Malaysia are
the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest buildings in the world, which
just recently opened its doors to the public. The Twin Towers are easily
accessible by the newly opened LRT Light Rail Transit System which operates
now in Kuala Lumpur.
Another new place of interest is the Formula 1 race-track in Sepang inaugurated
last year, which is next to the new and ultra modern Kuala Lumpur International
Airport, called KLIA.
Not new is our Classic Trails of Malaysia Tour, which we operate with
weekly guaranteed departures and also as private tour or, new, as a self-drive
program. Our Classic Trails of Malaysia are operated from/to Kuala Lumpur
or Singapore.
Malaysia can be visited throughout the year. There are two not very
marked seasons - a moderately wet and a moderately dry season. Thunderstorms
are frequent in the late afternoons because of its high humidity, but
they are brief and seldom dampen the mood for outdoor activities. The
East coast of Peninsular Malaysia is avoided during the monsoon period
beginning in late November, when most of the beach guesthouses take a
break, to revive their vitality to receive visitors again in March.
The average temperature ranges from 24º Celsius to 30º Celsius
in the lowlands.
Malaysia is one of the safest countries worldwide and it is absolutely
safe to travel to any part of the country, also for women travelers.
Malaysia allows visa free stays to most foreign nationals, but all visitors
entering Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or other internationally
recognized travel documents, endorsed for traveling in Malaysia and with
a validity period of at least six months beyond the time of stay allowed
in Malaysia.
As regulations may change from time to time, it is advisable to check
with the nearest Malaysian Embassy before your departure.
Though the standard of hygiene in Malaysia is high, we recommend to drink
bottled water only which is widely available throughout the country. Food
is generally ok to eat even at traditional food stalls anywhere in Malaysia.
Please guard against sunburn and dehydration as the tropical heat is much
stronger than it seems.
Most major currencies, traveler cheques and international credit cards
are widely accepted at money changers and banks throughout the country.
Banks and licensed money changers offer usually better exchange rates
than do hostels and shops, where a service charge may be levied (usually
2-4 per cent).
Make sure that you have enough cash in local currency before you leave
for smaller towns or remote areas.
Please take note of the following currency regulations for travelers
to Malaysia:
Residents and non-resident travelers are not allowed to bring in or take
out more than RM 1,000.- per person.
Foreign Currency:
Resident travelers are not allowed to take out more than the equivalent
of RM 10,000.- worth of any foreign currency from Malaysia (i.e. maximum
of RM 10,000.- worth of foreign currencies)
Non-resident travelers are not allowed to take our not more than the amount
of foreign currencies which they had brought in at the time of their arrival.
English is widely spoken throughout Malaysia. Road signs are written in
both in Bahasa Melayu and English throughout Malaysia.
Malaysia is one of the healthiest countries of South East Asia. It requires
no vaccination from foreign visitors and enjoys a good standard of health
and cleanliness throughout the country. Visitors are advised to check
with their doctor or travel immunization clinic for further details.
In relation to its racial diversity, the country offer visitors an exiting
culinary experience. Eating out Malaysia style ranges from a five star
extravaganza in a colonial setting to side walk stalls where the choice
of food is never ending. One can dine on sizzling of satay, oodles of
noodles cooked in Hokkien and Cantonese styles, Chinese "Dim Sum"
spicy curries served with banana leave rice, nyonya delicacies and many
other culinary delights.
Bargain hunters are always in for a good time and experience, shopping
in night market side street stalls and shopping complex. Exotic local
handicraft like batik, gold and silver woven songket cloth, silverware,
pewter ware and exquisitely straw woven items are among the many invaluable
mementos.
Tipping is not common in Malaysia, especially in more rural areas. In
most hostels and large restaurants, a 10 percent service charge is added
to the bill along with 5 per cent government tax. For tours and sightseeing
we recommend from RM 5 to RM 10 per day/service for the driver and guide
for day tours and RM 10 to 15 per day for overland tours. Porters, RM
1 per bag.
IKuala Lumpur, like other large cities in the world, is confronted with
the problem of touts. Should you get a telephone call offering you a free
tour, be very careful! It is usually someone’s intention to seduce
you into doing expensive shopping or pay a high price for other tour arrangements.
It is a fact of life that nothing is free of charge, especially if offered
by a stranger. Our advice thus – stay away from them! For further
information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us to help
you to double check your arrangements. Also, if you receive a call for
amending departure time of tours, etc., you are kindly requested to double
check with us. Keep a healthy portion of mistrust also against strangers
approaching you. However, despite these warnings there is no need to be
anxious, touts are quite harmless, so just smile and walk on. All in all
take care but be not afraid.
Cameron Highlands | Damai Laut | Ipoh | Johor Bahru | Kedah | Kota Kinabalu
Kuala Lumpur | Kuatan | Kuching | Langkawai | Malacca | Negeri Sembilan
| Pangkor
Penang | Perhentian Island | Taman Negara | Terengganu | Tioman
Kuala Lumpur hostels Kuala Lumpur hostels, the capital city of Federation
of Malaysia, is centrally located on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia.
It was conferred city status on February 1, 1972 and declared as a Federal
Territory in 1974. The city began as a mining settlement in the late 1800s
with the discovery of tin at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers.
Although KL's tin trade has since declined, the growth of the city has
remained unabated. Today, with a population of 1.8 million, it is the
pulse of the nation.
Langkawi hostels Langkawi hostels, the 99 islands all in one are situated
between the cross currents of the Andaman Sea and the Straits of Malacca,
off the north western shore of Peninsula Malaysia. The island is blessed
with an equatorial climate with temperature that ranges from about 26-32
Celsius. The island is away from the bustling city crowd is a tropical
sanctuary for the soul. Take time to explore the many exciting facets
these islands have to offer and refresh the spirit.
Cameron Highland hostels Cameron Highlands hostels, situated at Malaysia's
famous highland getaway, and perched at 1,628 meters above sea level.
Surrounded by greenery, rolling hills, majestic mountains and gentle undulating
valleys, it is a magnificent sight to behold. Combined with the serene
atmosphere and an easy way of life, find pleasure in this ultimate highland
getaway with a refreshing difference.
Genting Highlands hostels Genting Highlands hostels, The City of Entertainment.
It is located in a lush tropical greenery and cool invigorating air surrounds
environments. Driving up to the highlands takes approximately 1 hour from
the city. The natural elements at Genting Highlands are further enhanced
and complimented by a superb range of facilities such as the Genting Indoor
and Outdoor Theme Park, the longest cable car system in Southeast Asia.
In addition, there are over 5,900 rooms of international standard in the
highland.
Penang hostels Penang hostels, offers a heavy and exotic mix of various
sights, cultures, old and new buildings,and lively sounds within the narrow
streets of Georgetown steeped in age-old history. Kek Lok Si Temple, one
of the largest and finest Buddhist temples in South-East-Asia. The main
attraction - the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddha's - comprises many tiers
which are ornamented with intricately painted ceramic tiles, graceful
arches, niches and statues of Buddha. The tortoise pond is also popular.
Sabah hostels Sabah hostels, with its sandy beaches, tropical islands,
blue waters, coral reefs and atolls, it has several dive sites rated to
be amongst the top ten in the world and many more yet to be truly explored.
Over the years many prominent marine biologists have visited and dived
Sabah's waters. In fact a diver may find many rare or endangered sea creatures
such as green and hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, giant clams, as
well as countless species of sharks and schools of thousands of barracuda
and jacks.
DO
* Do smile when you greet people. It is normal to see people in the tourist
industry to greet visitors by placing their right hand over the left breast.
It means “I greet you from my heart”.
* Do dress neatly when entering places of worship. It is advisable for
ladies, when entering places of worship to wear long sleeves and loose
pants or long skirts.
* Do remove your shoes when entering homes and places of worship.
* Do point with the thumb of your right hand, fingers folded and not with
the forefinger.
* Do wait until you're in Malaysia to convert most of your currency. A
special permit is needed to bring large amounts of ringgit (Malaysia's
currency) into or out of the country. There are no restrictions for foreign
money.
* Do help preserve reefs and beaches by leaving coral and shells where
you find them.
* Do pay careful attention to your attire if you're female: Wearing hot
pants and vests on the islands where Malaysians are used to foreigners
is fine, but it may invite harassment elsewhere. At mainland beaches,
bring a wrap-around as well as a swimsuit so you won't feel conspicuous;
Malay women usually go swimming fully dressed and some keep their scarves
on. While you wouldn't be expected to do the same, it's best not to draw
attention.
don't
# Don't touch the head of an adult.
# Don't kiss anyone in public - not romantically anyway. It has become
fashionable in Kuala Lumpur (but not in other parts of the country) to
kiss friends hello and goodbye as is done in Europe.
# Don't point the bottom of your feet at anyone.
# Don't offer to shake hands unless you know that your acquaintances are
fairly Westernized. Even then, let them offer to shake first. Never shake
hands with women unless they offer to do so first.
# Don't bring up the topic of ethnic relations in Malaysia or the political
system: They are both sensitive subjects.
# Don't even think about buying or transporting illegal drugs - there's
a mandatory death penalty for trafficking (possession of 200 grams of
marijuana is considered to be trafficking).