Why don't people visit Malaysian Peninsula??
 

I posted a question about the Redang Islands and have no feedback. With this being one of the better dive/snorkel areas in Asia I am wondering is there something I don't know?? Right now 7 of my 28 days in Thailand and Malaysia are scheduled there. I have time (I will be there April 10-17) but would consider another island on the peninsula that is easy to get and has reefs within close proximity (15-30 minute boat trips from shore)to from KUL. HELP!

you are right there is much less discussion about malaysia on fodors...i guess the typical fodorite does not go there that often...

some are staying away now because of the muslim thing, but people from europe and oz aren't necessarily affected by that...maybe it is because K/L is sort of a dud for a capital city...maybe it is because not that many airlines use K/L as a hub?? malay air on the other hand gets rave reviews...

"...some are staying away now because of the muslim thing, but people from europe and oz aren't necessarily affected by that"

- Sorry, rhkkmk, but I regret to say that Australia is very much affected, as we were one of the three countries involved in the initial invasion of Iraq. While it seems that few Americans are aware of this, the extremists are better informed and we're officially on the extremists' radar; witness the Bali bombings and explicit statements to that effect by Osama bin Laden and Jemaah Islamiyah spokesmen. Needless to say few of us are much comforted to hear our prime minister declare that we're all safer as a result of the Iraq adventure.

Having said that, while I have a healthy sense of self-preservation I'd have no hesitation whatever about travelling in most parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. In fact a self-drive trip up and down the Malaysian Peninsula is on my "to do" list.

neil---we of course all know of australia's assistance in iraq...but i did not think that you would be scorned as much as americans and british...sorry i did not mean it as a slight...

i too would go to malaysia and i did go to indonesia this june...

I am not trying to create an international geo-political dialogue. I really want to know if the Redang Islands are beautiful under water where the coral and fish could care less about your religous beliefs or ones county's involvement in Iraq, East Temor or for that matter the treatment of people.
All I want is information on snorkeling, diving, and a luxury resort in the Redang's!!

Certainly people on this do visit Malaysia. I haven't been to the Redang islands, so can't give you any info on that destination, but many people on this site ask about Malaysia and get answers. I wouldn't hestitate to go to Malaysia. I'm headed for Indonesia this year.

calm down stan....you asked why and i attempted to answer why...

if no one has given you an answer about the clarity of the water and this particular resort then maybe no one has been there or they haven't looked on this site yet...relax...

I've posted here several times and not received answers-just means no one knows the answer to your query!!! Why not try www.lonelyplanet.com-there are lots of divers who post regularly. Good luck.

Although I have never been to Redang, I traveled to the Perhentian Islands (a little north of Redang) this past May. I would recommend Perhentian over Redang as the Perhentian Islands have a pretty extensive selection of resorts to stay at. Redang seems to be monopolized by the berjaya hotel group.

The Perhentian Islands are INCREDIBLY beautiful, and the diving there is very amazing. The water is a bright turquoise blue, and some beaches have great coral very close to shore.

The only drawback is that there is no airport on Perhentian (like on Redang). One can only get there by flying into Kota Bharu and then leaving driving the 45 min to the coast and taking another 1/2 hour speed boat to the islands. Despite the difficulty getting there, a visit to the Perhentian Islands is absolutely worth it. Hope this helps! I have some pictures of the islands if you want to see them; just send me your email address.

I have not been to to the Redang Islands so can't comment, but Malayisa has been enjoying a 'surge' in tourism and I read that the latest figures show substantial increases from most parts of the world. Langkawi certainly is becomming very popular. For Neil: Driving in Malaysia is very very easy and I have often driven around, rentals are cheap, road signs clear and roads excellent. Malaysia is, outside of KL very easy paced and I have always found people friendly and efficient. It is alwso very 'cheap' compared to many other parts of the region. Perhaps Malaysia does not get so uch hype as other places.

I have posted several responses to your other posts. If you run a search for "Redang" you will see them . As I have noted in other responses, beware of a "luxury" hotel for US$150; as in my experience there no such thing. The word "luxury" in Asia does not have a lot of meaning, so you need to look for luxury operators likes Shangri-La, Mandarin, Ritz-Carlton, Aman, Four Seasons, or membership in Small Luxury Hotels (shl.com) or Leading Hotels of the World (lhw.com). You won't find those in the Redang or the Perhatians. I am not saying you won't find perfectly nice 3 and 4 star hotels, I just don't think you will find luxury hotels.

Other than Kuala Lumpur (and God alone knows why), Pankor Laut and Langkawi, Malaysia is not really a popular place for posters on this site. I kind of hope it stays that way.. . .

STan.. If you havn't noticed this site is basicly for the well independent well healed travaler. I've backed packed all over asia and word in the sceen is that redang is OK.. it's one of the routs for backpackers.. go too the lonely planet rough guides, or a scuba travel
site.

And one last thing malaysia is dead boring compared too thailand.. hell the malays will admit it..

THANKS FOR THE INFLUX OF REPLIES. ANY MORE WILL BE WELCOME.
I may have to settle for 4 star accomodations if well run and in good conition. I will keep searching. I rather not not take the better part of a day getting to Prehentian Islands from KL.I can be on Redang by 12:00-1:00 leaving my hotel at 7:30 or so.

Thanks again. I am not the most patient person on the planet.

The Perhentian Islands are gorgeous. Would love to go there again! Some of the the most beautiful beaches I've seen in Asia. I've heard Redang is more resorty, if you like that sort of thing. People I know prefer the Perhentians. Pristine and beautiful.

Sorry, StanKase, an occasional outbreak of "geopolitical dialogue" is an occupational hazard on Fodors - all part of the fun. Take a deep breath, mate. I agree that LP may be a better option than Fodors, though I have to say that if Fodors is for the well-heeled maybe I'd be better off with LP too!

rhkkmk, absolutely no slight taken! Personally, the fewer people who know of our role the better, as far as I'm concerned. I felt the same way in Vietnam. Which means I should probably shut up. If all else fails I can sew a maple leaf on my shirt and do a very bad imitation of a Canadian accent, or maybe a little kiwi emblem.

JamesA, thanks for the tip. The nearest I got was many moons ago when I rented wheels in Singapore and drove across the causeway to spend a few hours pottering around - good to hear that nothing much seems to have changed.

I accept the advice that the Prehentian Islands are likely nicer but I really do not want to take almost a full day to get there from KL.
We are going for what is under the water and boring will is o'k if snorkeling and diving is very good.I know from my travels in Europe that deluxe can be a room the size of a walk in closet and run $450-$500 US. I used the $150 to get feedback. Acually the resort on the Redang's is $210 US/night with tax for oceanview room.
Again thanks for all the input. I will check once again in a few days to see if anyone has additional input.