Malaysia is a fabulous country with so much to offer a backpacker. There are many beautiful islands including Penang, the Perenthians and the unspoilt island of Pangkor. Two main land aspects make up Malaysia – peninsula Malaysia, bordering Thailand to the north, and Malaysian Borneo, the northern section of the large island in the middle of the south china sea bordering Brunei and Indonesia.
Peninsular Malaysia
I spent my time in Malaysia in 2009 on peninsular malaysia and one of its surrounding islands Pangkor. Peninsular Malaysia contains the capital Kuala Lumpur which is a very western, exciting capital with plenty to see including the world famous petronas towers. By day, the best view is from the Menara KL communications tower, from which you can take in the whole city. By night, the Petronas towers look incredible from beneath, in the park surrounding the towers. You can climb the towers yourself and stand on the skybridge connecting the two, but entry is limited to 1300 tickets per day which are usually sold by 11am. China town is a great place to see Malaysian city life and grab some tasty food. There are stalls selling all kinds of standard tourist crap, but its great fun and very lively.
Leaving KL is fairly easy. Their are cheap flights from the LCC (low-cost-carriers) terminal at KL airport such as Air Asia, but be warned – the airport is a fair distance from the town. There is a fast train to the main airport then a bus connection to the low cost terminal, however it is cheaper and easier (about 8 Ringits – £1.50) to take the bus all the way. This takes you to the main train and bus station from which you can easily connect to the skytrain – metro around the city.
Kuala Lumpur to Pangkor
Leaving KL by coach to Pangkor is fairly easy too. The coach goes to Lumut from Puduraya Bus station in Kuala Lumpur and from Lumut you catch a ferry. The journey is 4 hours through some amazing scenery. There are ticket boothes on the ground floor of the bus station and the platforms for the buses are downstairs. There are guys giving you hassle for tours etc mingling with the official bus guys trying to direct you to the ticket boothes. Just don’t hand money to anyone other than at a booth and you’ll be fine.
I used a company called transnational there and plusliner back. Transnational were annoying – it took nearly 6 hours and stopped in some random town to sell tyres to a garage. Plusliner was more comfortable and speedy on the way back. I recommend them. The journey was around 43RM (£10). There is lots more travel information for Pangkor including butterworth, Penang and onto Singapore here
Photos of Malaysia
Photos of my time in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia including photos of the Petronas towers.
Malaysia accommodation
I stayed in the Tiara Guest House Hostel in Kuala Lumpur. The hostel was friendly, fairly clean and small. There are a few PCs in the front reception area and a small kitchen, but i didn’t find it particularly sociable. The hostel is cheap at 30RM a night (around £6) and in a fairly good location – walking distance into downtown KL, close to the Menora KL tower.
In Pangkor I stayed in a random guesthouse on the main strip. There are several and the big pink taxis will drop you there. I tried first one small guesthouse with straw ti-pi’s but they were full, so stayed in a lodge with A/C for 40RM which I was pleased with.