Category Archives: malaysia

Last couple of nights in Malaysia

Beach by our place Baan Talay, Penang

We’re almost on our way out of Malaysia and onto Vietnam.. we fly out on Wednesday to Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon.  A relaxing evening tonight with a warm sunset & some good food from the outdoor food court.  We were chilling with our host KD last evening… conversing about his travels & living in NYC’s East Village for 20 yrs running a restaurant (frequented by Woody Harlson).  So many interesting people out here in Malaysia with unprecedented kindness & hospitality.

We really got a lot out of it!  Definitely coming back one day.

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Monkey Beach – Penang National Park

This guy was on the move back to the gang..

Today we decided to check out the much talked about Monkey Beach in Penang. Situated in the world’s smallest National Park (such a park apparently exists! and we found it!) is a 1 ½ hour hike that leads to the blissful white-sands of Monkey Beach.

After ups and downs and weaving through vines in the 34C+ heat and humidity, we were relieved to see the crashing crystal waves of this serene beach. And the monkeys. Called Monkey Beach for a reason, the inhabitants far outnumber the humans that peruse the beach.

Aislinn took his chances while trying to photograph the monkeys.

*Aislinn’s note: Don’t provoke monkeys. They gang together and run at you. Ahhhh!

The beach was a great way to relax after hiking the jungle and the monkeys (for the most part) minded their own business!

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Savannah poking a jellyfish on Monkey Beach. . haha

Penang, Malaysia

Hilarious Penang Flag!

Penang is an island state off the West coast of peninsular Malaysia.  A destination for every kind of traveller… backpackers to top end resorts.. foodie travellers can try some of the best local fare in the country while hikers can trek through dense jungle and hang out on Monkey beach.  The place is geared for tourism .. as well as technology apparently .. known as the Silicon Valley of S. E. Asia this place is teeming with young tech professionals yet you wouldn’t even notice walking around.  The place also has some historical significance with Georgetown being the central hub of this over-populated island.  We’ve been staying in a “homestay” just up the coast with some great hosts who make us Roti Senei every morning.. which is really nice but a bit dense for a morning breakfast.  The weather is very hot and humid.. the sun sets early at around 7:30 but the heat sticks around so getting a place with air-con would have been nice.. we’ve got two fans running 24/7.  We’re looking forward to getting up the Penang Hill tomorrow and then flying out in a couple of days!

This photo is of the official Penang flag on a famous beach named Batu Ferringhi.

I’ve also added some more photos of Penang to the Gallery!

Melacca Delicacies!

Limau Limau Cafe - Melacca, Malaysia

After a day of traveling from the crowded KL to the more serene and quaint Melacca, we were eager to try out some of the raved about food haunts around town.

Our amazing little hostel had some cards of local cafes and eateries, so going on the advice from Jalan-Jalan Emas (our hostel) we decided on a place up the street.

After trekking to Melacca and navigating our way through crowds and town buses, we were pretty famished, so I was delighted to see fresh juices (no sugars added), smoothies, snacks and amazing desserts.

They also had more Western-ish snacks like Hummus and Pita with veggies, which was nice. But the most important dish was a dessert I decided to order that was described as “Fresh Banana Pancake with Honey and Ice cream”…in 34C+ weather, that sounded pretty amazing to me.

The description was pretty spot on. The presentation was super cute, and it tasted even better than it looked. The natural honey gave it incredible sweetness and the ice cream cooled it down nicely. It was the perfect dish to eat this hot and humid afternoon.

I’ll probably be back tomorrow…and the next day…

There are still so many treats to try, especially tonight at the weekend evening market! We were urged to try Chenloh (sp?) from a KL local, so I suspect that will be the next sweet treat we try!

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Fresh Banana Pancakes

Vibrant Kuala Lumpur – Malasyia

Hindu Shrine at the Batu Caves - KL

Kuala Lumpur.. you can’t even describe it without seeing the city.  It’s quite shocking .. the city is the true definition of an “urban jungle.”  With real jungle qualities like the natural trees and vines and even monkeys.  Combined with the most authentic street culture I’ve ever seen and the crazy taxi’s, weaving motorbikes and insane bus drivers.. this is a crazy place.  That’s not the end of it though… there are three very pronounced religions here.. the main being Islāmic then there’s a huge Hindu presence and Christian, buddist.. this is truly a convergence of all Asia has to offer.  A mash of people who come from rich cultures thrown into a relatively small area.  The coolest cityscape I’ve ever experienced.

We’re trying to absorb as much as we can, do as many activities as we can ( for free).  We got up high above on the sky bridge of the Petronas Towers and made it over to the amazing Hindu Shrine at the Batu Caves.. we visited the central Islāmic Mosque where all the Prime Ministers are buried…and hung out in the Bukit Bintang  entertainment district eating at spicy hawker stalls and walking around the malls (*KL is Asia’s shopping mall).  truly an amazing experience here but its time to make our way down the peninsula to an old town called Melaka!  We’ll check back soon and post some more photos!  Here’s a couple.

Petronas Towers KLCC

Chow Kit Market

Let’s go ASIA!

Singapore Changi Airport

What an amazing journey this has been thus far!  New Zealand, probably one of the most peaceful, beautiful and quiet countries in the world…and now, here we are, in one of the busiest intersections in one of the fastest growing cities in Asia, Kuala Lumpur, where culture and religion mash and clash on the street level .. a complete 180° turn.

This is my transition post.. I’ll throw down some new photos this evening of our unique experience of KL.

FYI Singapore Airlines is a sweeeet ride…plus the airport in Singapore is massive.. and makes for an excellent transition spot to the rest of S. E. Asia (Free Foot Massages!!).