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by Darren Sheffield
Malaysia is a mesmerizing contrast of 21st century internationality and the utterly exotic. The country’s colonial history created a government very similar to Britain’s, and a legal system based on English law. Its economy is strong and in many places it’s modern and efficient, with good public transport and world-class urban landmarks. Its landscape, though, bears no comparison to Britain. Much as you might love your local countryside, Malaysia is classified as “megadiverse. It’s a spectacular wilderness of tangled rainforest, lowland swamps and granite mountains, insanely rich with biological diversity.
Spread between the Asian continental peninsula and the island of Borneo, Malaysia’s two regions are quite distinct. On the mainland, Kuala Lumpur represents the modern end of the spectrum. Its famous Petronas building, the tallest twin towers in the world, soars 1,500 feet high, defining the city’s impressive urban skyline. With frequent flights arriving from Europe and America, Kuala Lumpur is perhaps the most convenient place to enter Malaysia from the West.
Kuala Lumpur’s popularity makes discount flights more likely, too. If you intend to tour the country, try flying to Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) and navigating the rest of Malaysia by land and boat. For ultimate flexibility, it may be easiest to rent a vehicle. Car rental agencies are present in most major Malaysian cities and airports, and you’ll be driving on the right.
If you’re staying for more than a couple of nights, property rental in Kuala Lumpur is liberating and extremely easy. You can find luxurious 5* apartments for no more than a standard villa holiday in Europe. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy a truly lavish lifestyle for a few weeks without suffering a financial crisis. The city is also a great place to spend time between November and February, while Malaysia’s east coast undergoes a heavy rainy season. You’ll find it does rain pretty much all year round here, so take waterproof gear. But make it lightweight – this a tropical zone. The temperature in Kuala Lumpur permanently hovers around 27°C.
500 miles north of the capital, the stunning little island of Langkawi is another wonderful spot to rent accommodation. It’s admittedly more expensive here, but that’s because you’re staying on a dreamlike tropical island. Its beaches are wide, sandy and devoid of buckets and spades. Inland, Langkawi is covered in rainforest – in fact, the entire island is a UNESCO World Geopark.
You’ll see a colourful variety of monkeys, lemurs, birds and butterflies in their natural environment. There are very manageable jungle treks available, some only lasting 3 hours. Active travellers might prefer a kayaking trip through the mangrove forests, or a cycling tour through the paddy fields. Even if you do nothing else but lounge on the beach, a trip to the Langkawi sky bridge is essential. This newly constructed wonder spans 125 metres of tree-covered mountain, and hangs 700 metres above sea level. No climbing is necessary – you reach it by cable car – and you’ll enjoy incredible views into Thailand from its reassuringly stable viewing platforms.
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