There’s no denying that Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s unsung tropical hero. Marrying tradition, nature and modernity, it is a country of space-age cityscapes, Islamic minarets and gilded Chinese shrines. Actually, you can never be disappointed by the main attractions in Malaysia during your stay in this country.
However, you need to do your homework before commencing your trip to Malaysia. In this simple guide, we examine some of the things you need to know before commencing your trip to Malaysia.
Pack for an Eternal Summer
Tropical Malaysia enjoys steamy temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. All you have to do is pack light, loose-fitting cotton clothes to best cope with heat and humidity. Of course, you should also include a pair of sneakers and flip-flops for your trip to Malaysia. In case you forget anything, then you can simply pick it up upon arrival.
Moreover, you should remember to pack a hoodie or light jacket to prepare for the Malaysia habit of keeping air conditioning to frosty levels. This is more so when you are inside shopping malls, buses, and trains.
The Food is Amazing
The delightfully spicy intricacies of Malaysian food are best consumer fresh off the street, served without embellishments by local ‘uncles’ on plastics. Uncles are the slang for older people. The alternative is to sit and rub elbows with locals at a food court or hawker centers. These are mostly large open areas, usually covered by a rooftop, packed with simple food stalls squeezed one against the other.
You Can Speak English if You Don’t know Malay
Taking up some survival Bahasa Malaysia (Malay Language), the national lingo is not that difficult as it might seem in the first place. With its Roman alphabet and absence of tones, it is among the easiest Asian languages you can ever learn. However, there is nothing wrong with speaking English, more so with Malaysian Chinese and Indians, whose mother tongues are not Malay. While you might blame it on the British colonization, practically everyone can communicate in English, and the vast majority prefers to do so when talking to foreigners.
While you want to enjoy the main attractions in Malaysia, it is essential that you prepare yourself in advance. Dig in a bit and determine what makes the country worth visiting before you can finally book that flight ticket.
