 | Will I go back to Malaysia? Sure! Here are my reasons. |
1. The People
When we left for our year-long journey around the world, I was fully prepared to be charmed by people. “Strangers are friends you haven’t met yet!” was my mantra. I was wrong. There are plenty of unfriendly people out there. They’ll ignore you if you don’t speak their language, no matter how nice and humble you act. They’ll shove you out of the way to get on the bus. They’ll stare at you like you’re an alien (ok, maybe I do look like an alien, but that’s not my fault). By the time I got to Malaysia, I was hurting for some love, and Malaysia delivered. Malaysians will smile at you with open, friendly faces, ask where you’re from and why you’re in Malaysia, and be thrilled at your answers. They’re helpful and courteous, and they have a good sense of humor. They’re happy that you’re happy. They restored my faith in humanity.
2. The Food
Oh, my word, the food. Malaysian food looks like Chinese food, but they use different spices and flavorings. It’s hotter, sweeter. Lots of fried stuff. Lots of rice. Not many vegetables. You have to really search out the vegetables. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
When we left for our year-long journey around the world, I was fully prepared to be charmed by people. “Strangers are friends you haven’t met yet!” was my mantra. I was wrong. There are plenty of unfriendly people out there. They’ll ignore you if you don’t speak their language, no matter how nice and humble you act. They’ll shove you out of the way to get on the bus. They’ll stare at you like you’re an alien (ok, maybe I do look like an alien, but that’s not my fault). By the time I got to Malaysia, I was hurting for some love, and Malaysia delivered. Malaysians will smile at you with open, friendly faces, ask where you’re from and why you’re in Malaysia, and be thrilled at your answers. They’re helpful and courteous, and they have a good sense of humor. They’re happy that you’re happy. They restored my faith in humanity.
2. The Food
Oh, my word, the food. Malaysian food looks like Chinese food, but they use different spices and flavorings. It’s hotter, sweeter. Lots of fried stuff. Lots of rice. Not many vegetables. You have to really search out the vegetables. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
 | Hawker center soup. I just pointed at stuff on their picture menu and said, “Not too spicy!” and they told me ok, go sit down. We sat at these red plastic tables and laughed about something stupid until the food came. The server demanded four ringots (about one US dollar). Another guy came around asking if anybody wanted drinks. I got a beer. Good times. |
Nyonya restaurant food (traditional Malay cuisine). Curry chicken, vegetables:
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If you order soup to go, they put it in a plastic bag:
Kaya toast (coconut jam), runny eggs, coffee sweetened with angel juice. Maybe it was condensed milk, but it tasted better. Angel juice:
Cutest dim sum ever:
If you need me, I’ll be on the treadmill.
3. The Beaches
Did I go to any Malaysian beaches? No, we did the historical/city route this time. But I’ve seen pictures of the white sands and turquoise waters and I’m willing to fly back just for that.
4. The History
China, India, Portugal, Holland, the UK, and a bunch of other countries have waltzed through what is now Malaysia and left their stamp. Malaysia just keeps rocking along, doing its thing. I know, I know, Malaysia’s history is a highly nuanced subject concerning colonialism, racism, war, religion, and other touchy subjects. However, I love the way Malaysia has embraced its history and put it on display because when you explore the museums and cities you can really put world history in perspective. They are not defeated, they are thriving. People of different races and religions now coexist quite peacefully, treating each other respectfully. At least for the past few years. And hopefully, into the future.
3. The Beaches
Did I go to any Malaysian beaches? No, we did the historical/city route this time. But I’ve seen pictures of the white sands and turquoise waters and I’m willing to fly back just for that.
4. The History
China, India, Portugal, Holland, the UK, and a bunch of other countries have waltzed through what is now Malaysia and left their stamp. Malaysia just keeps rocking along, doing its thing. I know, I know, Malaysia’s history is a highly nuanced subject concerning colonialism, racism, war, religion, and other touchy subjects. However, I love the way Malaysia has embraced its history and put it on display because when you explore the museums and cities you can really put world history in perspective. They are not defeated, they are thriving. People of different races and religions now coexist quite peacefully, treating each other respectfully. At least for the past few years. And hopefully, into the future.
This man makes traditional Malay shoes and Chinese bound-feet shoes. Yes, I bought some bound-feet shoes. We’ve come a long way, ladies!
 Saint Paul’s Church, Melaka |  Ladies lunch at Ikea |
5. The Tourism
Malaysia has tourism down pat. Hotels are cheaper than in the US, and the service is outstanding. Food is cheap. Street food is delicious and safe. In many places, tours come with snacks. Transportation is cheap and efficient. Most people speak some English, so you can get where you want to be and do what you want to do easily.
Malaysia has tourism down pat. Hotels are cheaper than in the US, and the service is outstanding. Food is cheap. Street food is delicious and safe. In many places, tours come with snacks. Transportation is cheap and efficient. Most people speak some English, so you can get where you want to be and do what you want to do easily.
Hotel lobby, Courtyard @ Heeren Street Hotel, Melaka
This wheel chair/stroller ramp zigzags across the stairs. Genius, and beautiful!
The river boat ride through town came with cookies and juice.
6. Location, location, location
Malaysia is right in the middle of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and many other beautiful places. We took a bus from Singapore to Malacca, Malaysia, for $25 dollars per person. The Kuala Lampur airport is lovely. Easy in, easy out.
7. Staying in touch is easy.
Buy a cheap SIM card for your unlocked phone at any airport or bus station when you enter the country, and refill it at convenience stores or phone stores. There’s wifi everywhere. You can still post pictures of your food on Facebook and get comments before you’re done with the meal, just like at home.
6. Location, location, location
Malaysia is right in the middle of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and many other beautiful places. We took a bus from Singapore to Malacca, Malaysia, for $25 dollars per person. The Kuala Lampur airport is lovely. Easy in, easy out.
7. Staying in touch is easy.
Buy a cheap SIM card for your unlocked phone at any airport or bus station when you enter the country, and refill it at convenience stores or phone stores. There’s wifi everywhere. You can still post pictures of your food on Facebook and get comments before you’re done with the meal, just like at home.
There are a few things, however, that I would do differently on my next trip to Malaysia.
I would go between November and February, even if it’s the rainy season, because the rest of the year is extremely hot and humid. You might be a stronger soul than me, and be up for the challenge, but even October in Malaysia was hard on this northern California flower. I wilted a couple of times. I can’t imagine summertime.
I would only stay at hotels with pools. So hot. So. Hot.
I would wear flowing linen and cotton dresses that only touched my shoulders.
I would go between November and February, even if it’s the rainy season, because the rest of the year is extremely hot and humid. You might be a stronger soul than me, and be up for the challenge, but even October in Malaysia was hard on this northern California flower. I wilted a couple of times. I can’t imagine summertime.
I would only stay at hotels with pools. So hot. So. Hot.
I would wear flowing linen and cotton dresses that only touched my shoulders.
| Each day, I would make vegetables a high food priority. They just aren’t easy to find, and if you wait till you’re starving and exhausted, you’ll eat that whole plate of Nasi Lamek and then wake up in a carb coma, hating yourself yet feeling oddly smug. |  |
In short, Malaysia is a lovely place where you can get to know a radically different culture, see beautiful sights, and challenge yourself to wonder about things you never wondered about before, all without breaking the bank.
Go.
Go.
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