Hi--we are spending a week in the Maldives between Christmas and New Year's and have 6 nights to fill in before we return home from Singapore.

Have never been to Malaysia so were thinking of visiting Malacca 1 night), taking the train (would love to do the Oriental express trip but it is $1500 per person), and visiting maybe Pangkor Laut or Langkawi for 3 nights. We enjoy birdwatching and snorkeling but will have just completed a week with great snorkeling in the Maldives. Which island should we consider? Or, is there another option for good birding at that time of year (monsoon season for the east coast)? Which resort do you suggest? We are considering Pangkor Laut, Datai (but very expensive), Tanjung Rhu, Addaman--but are open to all suggestions. Thanks!

Can't help on the Birding but can suggest for Langkawi either the Pelangi resort or the Berjaya Resort on Langkawi. 1st class on KTMB ( Malaysia Railways ) is quite good. You can take the train north past Butterworth (Penang) to a rail station called Aarau, that is close to where you get a boat over to Langkawi, I found this site some time ago which is quite handy for you which I think will help of your train plans, very neat and clean site

http://www.malaysiasite.nl/jungletrain.htm