Malaysia

What do you do when four distinct and equally rich cultures coexist in a single country?  PARTY!  Malaysia is the posterchild of multiculturalism – there’s no single dominant culture – and Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous tribes are encouraged, no…expected to celebrate their differences.  And celebrate they do.  The spectacular Hindu Thaipusam festival in January, Chinese New Year in February, the Harvest festival in May, Pesta Gawai, Wesak, and annual Sabah international dragon boat festivals in June, the Hindu festival of lights in November, and the week-long Puja Umur (the Sultan’s b-day) are just a few of the cultural shindigs in which Malaysians partake year-round.  Dining on the local cuisines of these cultures will take you on a wild gastronomic adventure filled with regional specialties, some distinct, others fused.  Frequent the night markets in Taiping or hit up the hawker stalls for fish ball noodles or satay, the mamak stalls for some Indian roti canai, or your local nasi kandar restaurant for curry.  No hawker meal will cost you more $2.  But, the fun doesn’t stop once you leave the cities – get yourself in all sorts of mischief on Malaysia’s tropical islands.  Scuba your heart out off the Perhentian Islands, spelunk the limestone caves of Gunung Mulu Natonal Park, scramble up the highest peak in Southeast Asia, and tickle the bearded pigs in Bako National Park.   And if you don’t feel spoiled enough already, take it home with your pick of spa treatments, Javanese, Ayurvedic, and Shiatsu.  In Malaysia, the options are endless: choose a culture, find your party.

Batang Ai

Miri

Mulu

Sandakan

Sibu