TAMAN NEGARA / NATIONAL PARK OF MALAYSIA

This National Park is the world oldest tropical jungle. It is home for hundreds flora and fauna. If you are tired with concrete in the city, or just wanna feel greenery, National Park is the best option to go. Sounds of the nature such as crickets, birds and winds that pass through the trees are the best music. the park is home to more 200 mamals including elephants and tiger, hundreds species or birds, snakes as well as more than hundred species of freshwater fishes. However, you have to wait in order to see these wildlife during your wildlife observation.

The world's longest canopy walkaway

Almost all outdoor activities are available here. You can find which one suits to you, ranges from light to adventurous activities - birdwatching, fishing, river cruise, water rafting, wildlife observation, camping, hiking, swimming and cave spotting. If you are into hiking and climbing, make your way to Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain in the Peninsular Malaysia. In normal pace, you'll take 9-10 days to trek up.

Among chalets available

Observation's spot

HOW TO GO THERE?
There are various travel agents in hostels/hotel in Kuala Lumpur that you can opt for. The charge is usually includes all your activities and stay in the park. If you want to go by your own which is normally cheaper,take three hour journey of express bus to Jerantut town from Pekeliling Bus Station in Kuala Lumpur (You can go to this bus station by STAR LRT or Monorail. Stop at Titiwangsa Station). The ticket is around RM15-20 which depends on the bus operator. Once you reach Jerantut town, you can take bus or taxi to Kuala Tahan. You memorable journey starts here once you take miniboat for about three hours to get to the Park.

4-DAYS IN KL AND MALACCA WITH JAPANESE FRIEND

I met this Jap early of this year when both of us were travelling alone staying at the same guest house in Siem Reap, Cambodia. And we decided to go to travel around Siem Reap together fow few days. In the mid of this year, I got an email from him saying that he planned to come to Malaysia and for few days. So I spent few days with him to travel around KL and Malacca.

23 December 2009 - Wednesday.
Syed Restaurant near Bangsar. Had chicken sate - one of the famous local couisins. It is marinated chicken and grilled over charcoal. He managed to finish around 10 sticks of sate.

After short rest in my apartment, headed to KL Twin Tower Park and Bukit Bintang.

Had some Thai seafood in Jalan Alor (Alor Street).

Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) and Sultan Abdul Samad Building. And the naughty (and dirty) area of Haji Taib Street, a street filled with numerous social problems.

24 December 2009 - Thursday.
KL Twin Tower again in the morning to get a ticket to the skybridge. It was full and decided to KL Tower.

After KL Tower, we were leaving to the downsouth, Malacca which took us 2 1/2 hours journey.

Stayed in Tang Guest House in Jonker Walk - RM 70. Very good hospitality and Tang's black coffee and nasi lemak was superb. Place visited in Malacca: Jonker Walk, A Famosa, Studhuys Building, Cina Hills, Maritime Museum. The handsome Shigeru bought me a seafood; black pepper crab, grilled prawn and fried squid for dinner. We had a famous chicken rice ball in Jonker Walk but I can't remember name of that Chinese restaurant.

25 December 2009. Friday and we didn't care about Christmas.
Back to KL and straight to Batu Caves - one of the famous Hindu shrines outside India and we climbed a sets of more than 200 stairs to the end of the cave. (20 minutes from KL). China Town / Petaling Street. Shige was compensating himself for tiring Batu Caves climbing with Tiger Beer here. hehe

Kampung Baru - the oldest Malay residential area in the KL city.

26 December 2009. Saturday.

Shige was leaving to Mindanao, Philippines. And I got this email after few hours of his departure...

TIOMAN ISLAND

All you have to do is relax and enjoy the nature in this 39km long and 12km wide. Back to basic with your t-shirts, shorts and flip flop to Tioman Island. Thousands species of mamals and birds amidst of the mountains call Tioman home. You can enjoy both, jungle and sea. For jungle, you should not miss 4 hour trek stretch from Tekek to Juara. Your sweat will be paid by hundred years old of tall trees, monkeys and lizards. Unstoppable jungle sounds are the best tune once you march into the tropical jungle. For sea, all shapes and colours of corals are filled the water around the island. White, clear and warm water that line along the island are godsend. Almost all resorts offer a packages for waters sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing.
Juara Mutiara Resort and Salang Indah Resorts have complete package for everything you need in this island. Accomodations, coral outings, boat services and meals are all inclusive in this package. However, it costs you more if you come for one or two persons. There are a lot more resorts in this island. Its all depend on you. Other than backpackers and budget travellers, Tioman Island is also suitable for family, honeymoon and corporate events. There are few luxury resorts in Tioman too. How to get there:

1) The famous way is from Mersing town. You can choose from few ferry operators in Mersing town. Two main options are speed boat (1 hour) and ferry (1 1/2 hour). Speed boat is more expensive but both are around RM 40 to RM 60. Mersing town is connected with major cities such as Kuala Lumpur (6 hours), Johor Bahru and Singapore (3-4 hours) by Transnasional non stop bus.

2) Berjaya Air has direct 46-seats flights from Kuala Lumpur (1 hour) and Singapore (40 minutes). Their aircraft operates from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur (not KL International Airport) and Seletar Airport in Singapore (not Changi Airport).

Some tips:

1) Monsoon season is in November to early January. Meaning that: rough sea, reduced ferry trips, limited water activities during this period.

2) Some dive centres have their underwater photography services and camera and case rental.

3) Tioman Island is duty free island. It is duty free price for alchohol and cigarettes. Drink till you drop!

4) Just walk in for the ferry services. But it operates during the day only.

5) Mobile phone reception is poor in most of the area in Tioman Island.

6) If you are from Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, take a midnight bus and you will reach Mersing town early in the morning. You can catch the earliest ferry services. Sunrise from the South China Sea is waiting for you!

7) It might be cheaper if you don't take package from agents/middle man in the main land especially in Mersing town. Just book any resorts to stay, plan what are your activities and NEGOTIATE with the operators for the best deals.

CHINI LAKE

Malaysia has two natural lakes; Bera Lake and Chini Lake. Both are connected by Chini River. You can arrange your kayak activity from Bera Lake to Chini Lake. Cini Lake is on the right bank from Pahang River. Around 4-5 hours driving from KL.

In 12,565 acres Chini Lake, one can enjoy nature activities such as camping, lake crossing, trekking, fishing, and visiting Jakun (aborigines) village in Kampung Gumum. In Kampung Gumum you'll see unique Jakun folks traditional live traditionally as they call Chini Lake and the surrounding jungle home. The best time to go is between August and September because the lake is transformed to the floating garden with thousands of pink and white lotus flowers covering the surface!!
Two myths in Chini Lake are...

1) An ancient dragon-like beast to dwell in the depth
2) An ancient Khmer beneath the surface of the lake (Malaysia's answer to Atlantis story)

You should talk to the old Jakuns here on how they strongly believe these two myths and the might provide you some evidents too. The best is you spend few days with them and get the feeling of the mysterious dragon and Khmer.

Accomodations in Chini Lake are dormitries or chalets which is run by Tasik Chini Resort (Tasikchiniresort@hotmail.com). Many hotels in Kuantan arrange a day trip to Chini Lake too. But I would suggest you to spend at least 1 night in Lake Chini.
A few options to Tasik Chini:

1) Via Kampung Belimbing (1 1/2 hour from the capital of Pahang State - Kuantan). Then by boat along Chini River.

2) The best (and easiest) is by road to the town of Chini. Bus to Chini town is available from Kuala Lumpur (Mara Liner) at RM 23 (USD 6.5) and it takes around 5 hour.

3) By bus from Kuantan to Chini Town (10 times daily) - 2 hours journey. Or you just take taxi to Chini Lake from Kuantan town.

* it is quite difficult to get taxi from Chini town to the lake. But usually locals will take you to the lake for few dollars. RM 30 -RM 40 is normal.

TRANSPORTATION IN KUALA LUMPUR CITY

Few alternatives for you to travel around KL city. But, I will only share with you the reliable and the most efficient public transportation for budget traveller during your stay in KL.

From KL International Airport (KLIA) to KL city, the best option is KLIA Transit which costs you RM 35 (USD10). It operates from 6.00am to 12.00am and takes you to KL Central. If you arrive in Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) near KLIA by budget airlines, the best option to KL city is by bus which costs you less than RM 8 (USD 2.50). There are a number of bus operators to KL city such as Aerobus. Just go to the left side of LCCT (you should pass Coffee Bean), and you will see a ticket counter. If you fly via AirAsia, I would recommend you to book the ticket when you buy the air ticket. It saves few bucks!

You should avoid taxi to KL city as the charge is double or more.

KL Central is the largest transit hub in the city. It connects many areas within the city as well as suburban area surrounding the city.

1) Train: KTM Komuter
It is less used by traveller because of the route is more to locals. It connects suburban areas of KL.

2) Train: Putra Line and Star Line (recommended!)
This is the most important public transport if you are in KL. Putra LRT and statations are in many signicant places for tourists such as:

- China Town, Central Market (Pasar Seni Putra LRT Station)
- KL Twin Tower (KLCC Putra LRT station)

- Kampung Baru - the oldest Malay residential area in the City (Kampung Baru LRT Station)

- Masjid India (Masjid Jamek Putra LRT station)

- Puduraya bus station (Plaza Rakyat STAR LRT Station)

3) Bus: RapidKL
RapidKL covers almost all areas in KL. It consists of 6 areas of KL. If compared to a dozens bus service in KL, RapidKL is the most reliable as it operates by government owned company. Tickets are cheap but if you are in hurry, please don't use RapidKL. Putra Line and Star Line is better. Or just take taxi.

4) Monorail
This is another intracity public transportation. It links many key destinations in KL. It stretches from Brickfields (Little India) and ends at Titiwangsa terminal. It passes via Bukit Bintang which is the top business district, shopping and tourist spot.

5) Taxi
All taxis in KL are metered. You must insist them to use meter. Many cases taxi driver don't want to use meter to foreigner and they charge unreasonably high. If this happens, take the taxi number and lodge a report to Road Transport Department hotline at 03 88884244 or email to salim@jpj.gov.my , They can be charged up to RM 300 by the relevant authority. Dont worry that you won't get another taxi, taxi service is quite easy to get. However, in some circumstances especially late night, you have no choice if they ask you to pay more.

Some tips:

- Expect heavy traffic from 7 to 9am and 5-8pm

- Extra careful for snatch theft and pick pocket while using public transportation
- KL Central is a central for almost all public transports in KL

- You can 'check in' in KL Central if you fly with Malaysia Airline System (MAS)

- Opt for KL Hop On Hop Off if you have a limited time in KL, say one day.

- KL has tourist police personnel in major areas of the city.

So, why Malaysia?

This is my first entry, so I hope this will make a good kickstart. I have few reasons on why you should spend few days/weeks or even months in Malaysia.

DIVERSITY
Malaysia has a lot to offer because of its diversity. A number of races and religions have made Malaysia home for hundreds of unique places, culture, architecture and almost every month festives which related races and religion celeberated. They are Malay (generally Muslim), Chinese, Indians and a dozens of indigenous ethnic groups accross the country.

COST
A typical budget traveller who stay in the backpacker ghetto in China Town needs USD 15 for hostel, USD 5 for meals, and few dollars for beer. It is generally equal to Thailand, much cheaper than Singapore, more expensive than Cambodia and Laos. However, everything in island is relatively higher than any place in the mainland.

GEOGRAPHICALLY
Two parts of Malaysia; Peninsular and Borneo. Northern part of Malaysia is Thailand, and you can see Singapore if you are in the southern tips of Peninsular Malaysia. In Borneo, Malaysia's adjacents are Kalimantan of Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. Malaysia has modern city, namely Key Ell as they said (remember Twin Tower), islands; beaches; national parks and historical city. In terms of transportation, a good highway, homegrown budget airlines AirAsia and Firefly; and reliable ferry to most of the islands have given Malaysia more points if compared to neighbouring countries.