Malaysia is a mix of the modern world and a developing nation. With its investment in the high technology industries and moderate oil wealth, it has become one of the richer nations in Southeast Asia. It's also a country distinctly split between peninsula Malaysia (with its energetic cites, colonial architecture, tropical islands and idyllic tea plantations) and the states of Sabah and Sarawak (with its jungle cruises, Mt Kinabalu, diving and hidden tribes) on the island of Borneo. It’s multicultural country with a history of immigrants living side by side, resulting in an enthralling cultural melting pot particularly evident at the historic trading town of Georgetown on the island of Penang.
After a busy few days in Bangkok, I headed south, straight past the lures of Southern Thailand's beaches (they’d have to wait for a future trip), directly to an island off the northwest coast... Read more >>