July 4, 2006
Pangkor Island - About 3 hours from KL, this tiny island is one of the few places on the west coast to offer palm fringed beaches. Until tourism arrived, it’s economy depended on the sea and that is still evident in the number of fishing villages which extend on stilts far out over the water. Beach chalets, clear water and warm weather make it an ideal weekend getaway. (more…)
July 4, 2006
Templer Park-North of the city, Templer Park was established during the colonial period. The 1235 acre park is a tract of primary jungle featuring marked jungle paths, swimming lagoons and several waterfalls. Just north of the park is a 350m limestone formation known as Bukit Takun.
July 4, 2006
Fraser’s Hill - A cool retreat in the mountains, Fraser’s Hill is for those who like to relax in the countryside, walk along jungle paths or swim in the pool of the Jerlau Waterfall . There is also a golf course, tennis courts and pony rides.
July 4, 2006
Sunway Lagoon- A huge theme park with waterslides and the worlds biggest surf pool, this is a very popular attraction for locals and tourist alike. As big as a city, with it’s own hotel and restaurants, a whole day is required to take it all in. 
Genting Highlands- Perched on a mountain range, this ultramodern hill station looks mystical, shrouded in mists that blanket the hills. In Malaysia’s only casino, you’ll find Western gambling along with traditional Chinese games like tai sai. Muslims are expressly forbidden from entering the casino.
Set in a lush and cool countryside, Genting has several modern hotels, an artificial lake, a golf course, a family theme park with roller-coasters and the largest video-virtual reality arcade in Malaysia.
July 4, 2006
Batu Caves-Just 13km north of the city, the huge Batu Caves are among Malaysia’s best known tourist attractions. Now used for Hindu festivals and pilgrimages, the caves also form an intense backdrop to the spectacularly masochistic feats performed annually by Thaipusam devotees. The main cave, a vast open space known as the Temple Cave - is reached by a 272-step climb. Beyond the stairs is the main temple. There are several other smaller caves in the same formation, including one with elaborately painted Hindu figures.
More information about Batu Caves
July 4, 2006
Alcohol is quite expensive in Malaysia, partly because it’s prohibited for Muslims and the import duties tend to be high. A glass of beer in Bangsar can be a pricey RM15 and a good scotch can set you back RM20. If you prefer, most bars will let you purchase a bottle which will be reserved for you and used each time you visit.
Some of the more expensive bars and nightclubs are located in and around the Golden Triangle, near the Petronas Towers. Here you can watch the glitterati of KL, men and women bedecked in the latest fashions. Most of the bars provide live entertainment in the form of bands, which usually perform favorite rock and new pop songs.
For a slightly more sedate pace, head towards Bangsar Baru . This is a pleasant area with streets lined with bars and restaurants. Most of the bars offer open air seating, and you can people watch while sipping your brew of choice.
July 4, 2006
Culinary Etiquette
When eating at hawker stalls, be careful not to mix cutlery from a Muslim stall with cutlery from other stalls.
Muslims do not consume alcohol, so it is impolite to drink alcoholic beverages when dining with Muslims.
When eating with chopsticks, never leave them sticking vertically from a dish as it is considered to be bad luck.
It is considered polite to invite older people and guests to dig in first.
Vegetarians ...
Fear not! Many Indians and Chinese follow vegetarianism for health or religious reasons. Due to this, you’ll find plentiful vegetarian restaurants for all types of cuisines. Most restaurants provide a wide array of veggie dishes.
More information at www.malaxi.com
July 4, 2006
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food. The 3 main cuisines here are Malay, Indian and Chinese. Even though over the years they’ve heavily borrowed different spices and flavors from each other, they still retain many of their unique identities.
Some of the favorites are :
Malay - satay (barbecued meat on skewers), nasi padang(rice served with a variety of side-dishes), mee siam (spicy noodles) and nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk, served with fish). Sambal, a fiery chilli-paste often accompanies a meal.
Chinese - yaung tau foo (a dish of vegetables, seafood and meat-stuffed items), chicken rice (a fragrant dish of rich served with slivers of tender chicken) and laksa (noodles in a curry-like soup).
Indian - nasi beriyani (yellow rice cooked with spices and served with chicken or mutton) and paratha (Indian pancake eaten with curry). Dosas, Idlis and Wadas are popular South Indian vegetarian snacks.
July 4, 2006
Expensive shops, up market restaurants and five star hotels are all a part of the Golden
Triangle. Here you’ll find the steel and chrome Petronas Towers (the tallest building in the world), and the Menara KL , or Kuala Lumpur Tower, the fourth highest communications tower in the world. A visit to the observation deck at the top is a must to take in the superb panoramic views.
July 4, 2006
For a green retreat within the city, head for the Lake Gardens with seventy hectares of magnificent trees and flowering plants. The main attraction here is the Tasik Perdana or Premier Lake. Apart from the lake, you’ll also find the Bird Park, a massive walk in aviary containing about 200 species of birds; the Orchid Garden, which boasts more than 800 species of flowers and the walk-in Butterfly Park with more than 6,000 butterflies flitting around in a natural habitat.
Here you’ll also find the Parliament House - the National Monument built to commemorate those who died in the struggle against Communist insurgency in the 1950’s, and the Cenotaph erected by the British in honor of those who died in the two World Wars.
