CubeNY

Hello --I'm trying to put together a two week Malaysia trip for late April.

We are planning to fly into KL, then straight on to Langkawi same day--hang out
for 4 or 5 days until the jet lag eases
after that i think we're going to rent a car and head for
Penang
Cameron Highlands/Taman Negara (see both, or should we pick one and if so, which one?)
Perhentians (do we even need to do this if we're going to Langkawi?)
then fly Khota Baru to Melaka
then finish up with a day or 2 in KL

any obvious problems with this plan?
any alternative suggestions?
should i book all the places to stay in advance or will rooms be fairly easy to get the last 2 weeks of April? any input is
appreciated.

thanks

janev

Hi
We've been to Malaysia quite a few times. I'd always thought how nice the Cameron Highlands sounded - but we actually didn't find them do interesting- but it was a very winding drive up there!
Can't comment on other places except Melaka which we really like, some nice old shop houses etc., quite nice in the old part of town. Worth a look I think.

thursdaysd

I also found the Cameron Highlands a bit disappointing, but I was limping while I was there. If I could have gone hiking I might have liked it better.

Perhentian Besar was a wonderful place to rest and snorkle, but I haven't been to Langkawi. I didn't find Melaka particularly interesting, but did enjoy KL. My trip reports on Malaysia are at www.wilhelmswords.com/asia2002/index.html.

esta

I love Penang, for its local food (fried kway teow, assam laksa). It s a nice place to visit.

Taman Negara would be another place to go too. As for Cameron, the road up the hill is very winding, and if you choose to go there, do bring along anti-nausea pill. The air is much cooler and there are plenty of greens in the surrounding.

Have been to both Langkawi and Perhentian island. Would strongly suggest Perhentian if you want a nicer beach with clear blue seawater. I really love Perhentian island, went there for my diving lessons.

Going to the east coast of peninsular Malaysia is an eye-opening, it s very different from the west coast.

Kathie

We loved Penang, stayed right in Georgetown at the E&O - a fabulous place if you budget can manage it. I did a long trip report at the end of November, so do a search for it. We spent all of our time in the historic area, and didn't visit the modern city or the nearby beaches at all, ans we spent a week there.

With a mere two weeks, I'd say to choose three places you want to see. Otherwise, you'll feel like you've spent all of your ntime moving from one place to another. I'd recommend you choose one beach location, as while the beaches are lovely, they aren't uniquely Malaysia.

esta

Have grown up on the east coast of Malaysia and definitely it s one of the best I have seen.

The beaches in Perhentian, Redang is really worth visiting.

janev

We have driven from KL to Genting Highlands (a favourite gambling place for many & interesting to see from that cultural point of view) to Kuantan (stayed at Hyatt there - very nice) & then moved uo the coast to where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs - they will come to your room to wake you to see them if they come ashore whilst you are there none did, but we were just there 1 night (sorry fogot name of this place). The east coast is quite different to Panang & Lagkawi & very much a more Malaysian as opposed to Chinese Malaysian area & so is interesting. From there we drove back round to Penang.
As all have said Penang is very nice - Langkawi more laid back perhaps than Penang, but i have only been there on Star Cruise stop.
We found driving easy - lots of stops along motorways too.

StanKase

If you are looking for good but not backpack accommodations with air condsitioning (you need it) I urge you to consider the Redang Islands. We chartered a boat 1 day (350) and went to the Perhentians to snorkel in the middle of 7 days at the Berjaha Beach Resort. I must admit I thought they were equivalent for snorkeling and diving and a lot easier to get to than the Perhentians. You take a 50 minute flight from KL City Airport and you are on Redang vs. hours and hours to Perhentians.Hotels, so they call then on the Perhentians, are quite inexpensive. At our hotel it was $300/day for the best accommodation with 3 decent meals. tax/gratuity for 2 persons.

esta

Agree with janey that the east coast reflect the typical Malaysian suburban scenario, we called it kampung (village). There are streams of coconut tree on the coastal road with wooden/brick houses. It s also less commercialised.

Hyatt hotel (Kuantan) is a good place to stay in (5*hotel), and it s right in front of Telok Chempedak beach. And to watch the turtles lay eggs, it s really depends on the season and timing. It s kind of unpredictable.

For Redand and Perhentian island, Redang is slightly easier to access there. Both have lovely beaches. If you want nice beaches, quiet, cystal clear water, these 2 would be a good choice.

Langkawi island is bigger, with a couple of tourist spots. There is also a duty free place. If you choose Langkawi, it s best to rent a car and drive around the island.

Kathie

Kuantan is lovely, but I still wouldn't choose two beach locations for your limited time in malaysia.

TravelTwiddle

Wow, your drive plan looks like a rush, not holiday. You will never cover so many places in 2 weeks. The peninsula may look small on the world map but getting around is an adventure, especially if you're driving. For a start, it's right-hand drive and road signs aren't very helpful. Guidebooks are no help. Most are out of date. And if your first Msian driving experience is in Penang, may god help you. But don't let me discourage you. I believe travels should always be done with an "anything goes" attitude.

So, you like some blue water, milky white beaches, different hues of greens in the rainforest and timeless haunts where the present and past collide. Let me suggest this drive path ....

1. Penang 2 nights, you know the drill.

2. Taiping at least 2 nights. The town is an untouched version of Penang. Lake gardens, colonial leftovers, great food and multiculturalism fanfare. Spend another day at Matang mangrove forest, the oldest and largest mangrove tract in the world. Enjoy cheap seafood lunch at shoreline hamlet Kuala Sepetang nearby. On your way to Matang, watch out for Ngah Ibrahim Fort and Capt Speedy's mansion, on your left. If you have RM300 to spare, get the rangers to take you for a night boat safari to watch fire-fly colonies make Sonneratia trees glow like Christmas tree!

3. Kuala Kangsar. Pitstop, 3-4 hours, see majestic Ubudiah mosque of old Malay kingdom and nearby musuem which stores the 500 year old Taming Sari dagger - the Excalibur of Msia.

4. Ipoh. 2 nights. Dine in FMS Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Msia - 101 years old this year. There's a lovely teenage Queen E potrait decorating its wall. Explore Gua Tempurung cave (google this). Its a showcave, safe and easy to reach - nope, it hasn't made it to any guidebook. Visit Chinese cave temple around Ipoh and if you're fit, climb Mount Kledang (roughly 800m) to view entire Kinta valley and Titiwangsa mountainour range. The world's smallest pitcher plant is found here. If you still have time to spare, have lunch with me.

5. Do Cameron next. Forget Taman Negara because Cameron has more things than TN - if you know where to go. See the world's largest and rarest flower Rafflesia in Cameron (there's none in TN). There a small guide company near Tanah Rata post office building. They offer cheap and 4WD excursions for off-grid vistas. Trek the tea plantation in Sg Palas and also the "mossy" forest at Mount Brinchang. Important - there's a NEW highway that connects Ipoh to Cameron via Simpang Pulai. Wide and great rainforest and highland scenery. You won't find the new road in any map or guidebook. Ask locals in Ipoh. Most speak English. 2 nights in Cameron.

(i'm not including Perhentians because you're doing Langkawi. Both are islands and beaches. But you really need to see pristine waters and coral, there'a an island call Pulau Payar off Langkawi. Fantastic corals. Ask your hotel about it).

6. Make a pitstop at Teluk Intan, 2-3 hrs. There's a freaky 8 storey "leaning" pagoda clock tower in its main town square.

7. Of course, KL. 2-3 nights. Your guidebook has evrything you need. Want something not in guidebook? Head on to Desa Sri Hartamas or Bangsar Baru for its nightlife. Do your shopping at One Utama Shopping Complex or Mid Valley, where the locals go.

8. Melaka. 1-2 nights. Again, your guidebook.

I guess that will keep you on your toes for 2 weeks. Happy travels.

gard

Hi

My wife and I went to KL, Langkawi and Perhentian in March last year. I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/malaysia_kuala_lumpur.htm . Maybe you can find some useful information there Get in touch if you have any questions.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

CubeNY

Thanks to all --very useful advice. I think we'll jettison the Perhentians plan in the interest of time --had not considered stopping in Ipoh either. TravelTwiddle, have you visited Tambun Hot Springs and if so is it worth a stop? It looks a bit like Disneyland on the Web site.

TravelTwiddle

Cubes, Tambun Hot Spring aka "Sunway Lost World" (google this) is nothing like Disneyland. It's a waterpark alright but don't set your hopes high.

If you're into hot springs, there's one along your Ipoh-KL path. Veer off at Sungkai/Trolak toll exit. Signages are there to guide you to Sg Klah Hot Spring, a low key and villagy park.

Another good place is Kuala Woh, a forest park near Tapah (en-route Cameron via the old road, the windy one). This one is special because colonies of electric green Rajah Brooke Birdwing butterflies flock the salty grounds, leftover by hot springs.

BTW, in April you won't have any problems with hotels. It's a nice time to travel on the fly.

hanl

Hello,
My husband and I spent a fortnight in Malaysia last year (August/september). We went to a number of the places you mention (Melaka, KL, Cameron Highlands, Penang) and although I'm by no means an expert (unlike many on this board), you might find some helpful info in my trip report (but be warned - it's long!!): http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34868509

CubeNY

Thanks once again. We can see fireflies at Matang and not trek all the way to Kuala Selangor--invaluable info!
Sungai Klah hot spring looks great too.

pak_kith

If it's not too late, let me echo an early comment by Kathie and recommend the East coast: certainly for my money to go to Malaysia and spend most time in the expat / tourist locations seems a wasted opportunity.

A year or so ago I took my family up from our home in Singapore by luxury coach to KL (itself worth considering as an alternative to flying). We picked up a car and drove to Kuantan and then all the way up the East coast to Kota Bharu in the NE corner. We took a few days and stopped at the kampungs and roadside restaurants. There is a wonderful hotel near Kuala Terengganu which was a real touch of luxury. Can’t recall the name just now, but let me know if you would like me to look it up. Kota Bharu is surprisingly different to the more cosmopolitan parts of southern Malaysia. We were accosted by some of the locals (clearly there are few tourists there) and asked to take part in their English language practice exams in the middle of a foods court! My wife and I thought it was great fun, although my 13/ 15 yr old daughters were a little self-conscious at the attention. Their long blonde hair amidst the Islamic costumes was always interesting. Then we drove across the hills to Penang to give my daughters a taste of the good life at the Shangri-La resort. We found the transition after a week of being amongst the locals terribly grating. The newly-arrived Brits were loudly complaining about everything and getting bright pink by the pool. But, hey, don’t let my embarrassment at my fellow countrymen and women put you off!

Then we drove back down to Malacca and returned to KL and the overnight bus to Singapore. We decided to skip the Genting Highlands and Cameron highlands, although with longer to spare I would have liked to stay in one of the small cottages in the Cameron Highlands.

I would pick Langkawi over Penang for a beach holiday and, as I said try to spend time in the smaller places

StanKase

Sorry to interject a question but can anyone suggest areas in Malaysia other than the Redang or Prehentian Islands that has snorkeling as good and hopefully different from those areas? I am not looking for a location that has a row of hotels nor do I want a destination that takes 8-10 hours to get to from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Also, we would want accommodations equal to a good Hilton, Marriott (but not a high-rise necessarily), etc. with A/C and good food in or around the resort. Any thoughts?
Thanks!