Malaysia Destinations
Malaysia Travel Tips
For those looking for a different cultural experience, or even just
a great holiday destination, then adding Malaysia to your travel list
will not disappoint. A Malaysian holiday can be a relaxed resort style
getaway on one of the islands such as Sabah or Langkawi, bargain shopping
and sight-seeing in the capital Kuala Lumpur, or perhaps a combination
of both to let you experience the diversity of this amazing country.
For first time travelers to Malaysia there are several tips that will
make your holiday less stressful and infinitely more enjoyable, such
as:
Check Health Warnings
Before leaving for Malaysia visit your family doctor to check health
warnings for the area you intend to visit. If you intend to do any
hiking or rainforest walks then you will need to start taking malaria
tablets around a week before your departure. Your family doctor will
be able to advise of any other precautions or medications that you
need.
Airport Transfers
By far the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport into the
capital is via the KLIA Express (airport express train). The train
is very modern with video screens showing points of interest and things
to do in Malaysia while you enjoy a comfortable ride into Kuala Lumpur
in around 35 minutes. Using a bus or taxi transfer will normally take
around one hour by comparison and cost a little more. An added convenience
when using the KLIA Express to connect with a departing flight is
the facility to book your luggage onto your flight from the central
train station in Kuala Lumpur (providing you do this at least 2.5
hours before your flight).
Taxi Fares
Always ask how much the fare will be to get to your destination before
getting into the taxi. Taxi fares in Malaysia are for the most part
quite reasonable however at times a naive traveler can be easy pickings,
especially on a return trip from an outlying area so be sure to ask
for the cost of the fare beforehand and if it seems too high then
you can usually find another taxi to get a better deal. The exception
to this however is during peak hours in Kuala Lumpur when you will
pay more because of traffic delays. Your hotel concierge can advise
you on what the busiest traffic times are likely to be. Planning your
movements around the capital outside of these times will save you
money if you're on a tight budget.
Don't drink the tap water
To reduce your chances of having your holiday ruined by tummy upsets
it is wise not to consume the local tap water. During your stay keep
these points in mind:
1) Clean your teeth and toothbrush with bottled water.
2) Remember to specify "No Ice" when ordering cocktails
or mixer drinks. (Many of the more up-market resorts and hotels have
ice that has been made using filtered or bottled water which is perfectly
safe, however if you wish to be extra cautious then it is safer to
forgo the ice).
Buy personal items from a supermarket
Make purchases of personal care items such as sunscreen, toothpaste
or bottled water from a local supermarket instead of the resort or
hotel where you are staying. Although the prices of these items may
not seem too expensive you will normally find a supermarket or small
convenience store somewhere close to the resort where these items
are up to a third of the price that you will pay at the resort. Any
money you save on these purchases can be used for souvenir shopping
instead.
Restaurants
When you're staying in regional areas and choosing somewhere to eat
keep in mind that you are no longer in a western country. Malaysia
is a relatively poor country which is more evident in outlying areas
than it is in the capital. While in your home country a restaurant
in a run down looking building could indicate a possible health risk
this is not the case in regional areas of Malaysia as many of the
buildings are old because of the general poverty of the population.
The best guide for choosing a restaurant is if the local people are
happy eating there it is a good indication that the food is safe.
Keep valuables concealed
Always keep wallets, purses, mobile phones etc in your pockets or
backpack to avoid the attention of pickpockets, especially in larger
cities. Although not a major problem. any large population has its
share of thieving so it is best to keep your valuables secure. It
is also wise to carry your backpack on the front of your body in certain
areas such as the china town markets in Kuala Lumpur where it can
be quite crowded giving pickpockets a chance to access valuables within
the outer compartments of a backpack.
Malaysia is a great holiday destination with excellent shopping, friendly
people, wonderful scenery, and delicious food and by following these
simple tips you'll have such a memorable time you'll want to return
again and again.
|
