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Malaysia
How I spent my 90 day visa in Malaysia (Peninsular)
Itinerary
My Malaysian trip started in the main city itself – Kuala Lumpur. I flew from London Gatwick on September 14th, 2022. Below is my itinerary. A British passport allows for a 90-day visa into Malaysia, which allowed me to take my time and explore the country thoroughly.
Peninsular Malaysia:
- Kuala Lumpur – 2 nights
- Malacca – 4 nights
- Kuala Lumpur – 2 nights
- Pangkor Island – 7 nights
- Ipoh – 2 nights
- Cameron Highlands – 6 nights
- Ipoh (workaway) – 6 nights
- Georgetown, Penang – 4 nights
- Langkawi – 13 nights
- Fly from Langkawi to Borneo (East Malaysia)
Transport
Overall I found transport in Malaysia relatively straightforward. Minus the odd hiccup here and there (as you expect travelling South-East Asia) the transport systems were easy to navigate and *mostly* a smooth ride. I often took the cheapest options when travelling from A to B, nominating an 8 hour bus ride over a 1 hour flight. Sometimes though, I did prioritise comfort. I’m not the biggest fan of boats for example, so I flew from Penang to Langkawi which took 40 minutes, as opposed to a 3-hour ferry (most definitely worth it for me!).
A more detailed run down of the journeys I took:
- KL – Malacca: 2 hour bus
- KL – Pangkor Island: 3 hour bus to Ipoh, 1 hour bus to Lumut, 20 minute ferry to Pangkor
- Ipoh – Cameron Highlands: 2 hour bus
- Ipoh – Georgetown: 2 hour bus, 10 minute ferry
- Penang – Langkawi: 30 minute flight
Food
I immersed myself with the local food in Malaysia, and it is definitely an interesting cuisine for a Westerner. Whilst a lot of the dishes I ate were Malaysian, I was also exposed to a range of Korean, Indian and Thai food too.
Top tip: Nasi = Rice
Some of the local food I definitely ate my fair share of includes:
- Laksa
- Nasi Goreng
- Nasi Lemak
- Roti Canai
- Mee Goreng
- Ikan Bakaar
Overall Malaysia is an amazing country, full of locals that radiate pride for their country. The food is (mostly) delicious, if you have a taste for spice! And there is the optimal mix of city, beach and jungle to explore. Below I have included links to separate, more detailed guides of each area where you can find further information and itineraries, accommodation tips and recommendations.
All Malaysia Blog Posts:
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Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur September 2022 The federal territory of Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia’s fastest growing cities, with easy connections to the rest of Asia and the world. Boasting an unbeatable skyline with towering skyscrapers including the Petronas Twin Towers, alongside lush green escapes, multi-coloured temples and bustling food markets – Kuala Lumpur is a… Read more
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Malacca
Melaka / Malacca September 2022 A city two hours south of Kuala Lumpur, Malacca is the capital of Malaysia’s coastal state of Malacca – a bit confusing as both the state and the city share a name! With Melaka being the Malay spelling, Malacca is the English spelling. You often see both used interchangeably. Accommodation… Read more
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Pangkor Island
Pangkor Island September 2022 Lying just off the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia is Pangkor island (Pulau Pangkor), with easy connections to the capital of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur. Whilst not initially on the Malaysian itinerary, Pangkor is a place I’d never heard of. One evening in Malacca, we sat down to plan our next… Read more
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Georgetown, Penang
Georgetown, Penang October 2022 Situated in the North West of Malaysia is Georgetown, the capital of Penang state. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, be sure to add it to your Malaysian itinerary. From the Cameron Highlands, the journey to Georgetown is a 2-3 hour bus, followed by a short 30-minute ferry.… Read more
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Cameron Highlands
Cameron Highlands October 2022 Roughly 200km North of Kuala Lumpur lies the Cameron Highlands. Travelling from Ipoh (90km East), the Cameron Highlands are in easy reach by bus. Not for the faint-hearted or easily unsettled stomachs, the short (approx. 2-3 hours) but heart-racing journey takes you up and amongst the highland hills via twisting roads… Read more
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Lunch at the Waterfall
Lunch at the Waterfall October 2022 Location Inspiration: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia Cooling water droplets land on my cheeks as I approach the rivers edge, beautifully deafened by the waterfalls roar. My skin prickles with the arrival of goosebumps as the temperature drops a degree or two by the water; a welcoming relief. After two hours… Read more
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Langkawi
Langkawi October 2022 Situated 30km off the north-west coast of Malaysia, Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. Adjacent to the Thai border, this duty-free island boasts white sand beaches, lush green mountains and limestone cliffs. We arrived in Langkawi with no solid plan on how long to stay, but had… Read more
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Ipoh
The History of Concubine Lane in Ipoh October 2022 Known mostly by travellers as the gateway to the Cameron Highlands, the British Colonial city of Ipoh is also known for it’s street art and street food. Ipoh is the capital city of Malaysia’s Perak state, lying 200km North of Kuala Lumpur. In 2010, it was… Read more
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