If you haven't decided where to spend this summer vacation yet, you might want to add Malaysia to your destinations' list. In Malaysia, you will experience different cultures, weather and even people. With a mixed population of Malay, Chinese and Indian origins and different lifestyles, it seems that the only thing that survived this diversity is good hospitality. Visiting Malaysia is a good opportunity to discover the outcome of a delightful fusion of three of Asia's greatest civilizations, and no need to worry about language barriers, since English is widely spoken among all ethnic groups in Malaysia. The diversity doesn't stop at that; it shows even in the country's geography. Malaysia is separated into two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysian Borneo. The first is bound by Thailand to the north and Singapore to the south, while the latter occupies a large strip of land that stretches alongside the South China Sea. Money won't be a problem if you are a budget traveller. You can actually make your visit to Malaysia a memorable one even on a low budget, since you won't be paying to see the breathtaking mountains and green fields, a scene more than capable of reviving and refreshing your soul. Green is the predominant color throughout the year in Malaysia thanks to the tropical rainy climates. In fact, it rains almost every day there, a good reason to bring your umbrella along. Still, Malaysia's weather is generally warm, so you might want to consider putting proper air conditioning in your calculations when arranging for accommodation there. Arriving at Kuala Lumpur airport, you won't have much trouble knowing where to go. As it is the case for most airports; signs are written in several languages, including Arabic. Getting your passport and documents done you won't take more than a few minutes, after which you can head straight to the airport train station or you can take a taxi to your hotel. An hour's drive from the airport to Kuala Lumpur would give you a good first impression on how beautiful this country is. Naturally, it would be better to make your hotel reservation in advance, to avoid any last minute trouble. If it's a five star hotel you'r planning to stay in, Kuala Lumpur will surely be at the level of your expectations. Parkroyal Hotel is a good example of what a five star hotel in Malaysia ought to be like. The hotel's location couldn't have been any better, being in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle, the city's business and commercial heart and home to the world's tallest buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers. Parkroyal is only a short drive away from the city's major attractions like Chinatown, Merdeka Square, Putra World Trade Centre, and Butterfly Park. Other interesting sites will be within short distance if you choose to stay in Parkroyal, including the National Mosque, National Planetarium and major shopping complexes. Still, Parkroyal isn't the only five star hotel in Kuala Lumpur's golden triangle. Hotel Istana, is also in the hot spot, occupying four acres of prime real estate at the cross junction of Jalan Raja Chulan St. and Jalan Sultan Ismail St. it is also within walking distance from the Bintang district, Kuala Lumpur's equivalent of the famous French shanzelize. Transportation won't be much of a problem, with an efficient transportation network and a terminal stop right next to Hotel Istana. A third option is the Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur's prime center for conferences, office shopping and transportation facilities. Even more, it's only a short distance away from the Twin Towers. If you plan on exploring Kuala Lumpur's entertainment spots, you probably wouldn't know where to start. However, visiting one of the city's famous parks must be on your schedule. A visit to parks like Bird Park, Orchid Garden, Butterfly and Deer Parks, will surely offer something new to see. To save time, you may visit the Butterfly and Deer Parks on one day, since both are located at the lake gardens area. In Bird Park you will get the opportunity to see more than 2,500 birds from different species flying in their natural environments. You can also take part in the regular activities held at the park like the hornbill and ostrich feedings. Nearby is the Orchid Garden, gathering over 800 species of exotic Malaysian orchids that include very rare species, and right next door you'll find the colorful Hibiscus Garden that contains more than 500 varieties of colorful blooms. Kuala Lumpur is famous for its lively shopping areas and its reasonably priced and well structured malls. Visiting Petaling Street is a must if you consider shopping to be your hobby. And although it's located in Chinatown, you'll see faces from almost every race every where. One of Kuala Lumpur's other top shopping spots is Bukit Bintang. Locals prefer shopping in this street because of the wide variety and reasonable prices of items on sale in its shops. Your trip wouldn't be complete if it didn't include spending a few days at one of Malaysia's charming islands, enjoying the natural environment, water ports and some time off, lying on the beach. Among the world's prettiest islands is Pulau Redang, the biggest of all islands in Kuala Terengganu, one of Malaysia's 13 states, 40 km north of the state's mainland. The trip to Pualu Redang takes almost an hour by speed boat, which you can take from the small fishing village, Jetty. The village is in Merang, a 30-minute drive north of Kuala Terengganu. Pulau Redang's crystal clear waters offer a wide choice of water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving, boating and canoeing or you can explore the island's colorful jungle. The island's most reputable and prestigious resort, Laguna Redang, is on the stretch of the beach facing the South China Sea and its magnificent sunrise. The resort was made famous after hosting the shooting of the 1999 Hong Kong movie, “Summer Holiday”. However, make sure that you have enough cash on you before heading to the island, since it has no ATM machines, and you might want to bring along a prayer mat as well, since renting one on the island will cost you RM 30. Bottom line is, visiting Malaysia is a privilege that one must experience and enjoy. Take advantage of the friendly people, the natural beauty and the amazing architecture and history, all of which stand witness for this country's motto, Malaysia, Truly Asia. __
