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[whereshegoes]

TravelPod Local Expert Sugeeta Bhanoo currently resides in Kuala Lumpur the capital city. She was born and bred in Johor, one of the southern states in Malaysia. She has travelled to every state in Malaysia with her parents, friends and by herself.

Sugeeta says:

"Malaysia has got a lot to offer. However the top 5 things I would tell someone would be:
1. Try the king of fruits - Durian
Definitely not for the faint hearted. However, this foul smelling fruit is a Fear-Factor challenge by itself. Most Malaysians either love it or hate it. Its a seasonal fruit, with thorns all over and goes for about RM 10 per kilogram. For a truly Malaysian experience, you must buy the fruit from a street vendor (who will cut it up for you free of charge) and savour the smell and taste of the fruit. If that's too much to handle, try the Durian ice cream or Durian dodol (sticky cake)

2. Climb Mount Kinabalu - The tallest peak in South East Asia
The experience is spectacular and almost everyone can climb the 8.1km stretch with relative ease. After a mandatory, climbers make their way up to the peak to catch sunrise. And the view is well, you'll just have to experience it to find out.

3. Visit Gua Niah - it can fit 40 Boeing 747s!
One of Malaysia's oldest archealogical sites. This a must see for bats and the tremendous size of the cave will take your breath away.

4. Walk through the KLCC skybridge
There's no better way to view KL than this. View the bad, good and ugly parts which make up the capital city. The sights are breathtaking from the tallest twin towers in the world.

5. Take a boat trip in Kuala Selangor to watch fireflies
On a really dark night, as the boatman rows quietly down the river, thousands of fireflies light up. The serene yet chilling feel accompanies the whole journey making it one of the most magnificent sights ever."

Post all questions to Sugeeta here.

[irene]

How can you forget the many beautiful islands in Malaysia? Do make a trip to Pulau Redang, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Langkawi. Oh.. and make sure you do not co-incide the trip with the monsoon season!

Malaysia is well known for its diving sites and beautiful beaches. Those who don't dive will be pleased to know that you can see baby black-tip sharks happily swimming along the reef just by the shore of Pulau Redang.

[psoula]

I'm heading in to KL and have 2 weeks but 1 will be to get out of town to check the surrounding area out. I would love any recommendations of a remote beach or great rain forest hike or old city ruins. Not looking for a Marriott hotel experience but nature and authenticity. Any not hotel ridden beachs to stay on East side? How about great day trips once back in KL for second week? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Any diving on East side beaches?
Thanks

[technotrekker]

How can you forget the many beautiful islands in Malaysia? Do make a trip to Pulau Redang, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Langkawi. Oh.. and make sure you do not co-incide the trip with the monsoon season!

Malaysia is well known for its diving sites and beautiful beaches. Those who don't dive will be pleased to know that you can see baby black-tip sharks happily swimming along the reef just by the shore of Pulau Redang.

I agree - the Perhentians are fantastic with wonderful diving and a really relaxed atmosphere. They are a little more expensive than comparable Thai islands, which seems to attract a more low key and (slightly ;-) more mature backpacker crowd. Don't expect a full moon party...

Fyi, monsoon season on east coast island is start Oct to end March (and vice versa for the west coast), so is best to head up east at this time of year.

Have fun,
tt

[soul_trekker]

as all up telling about must-to-go-travel site in malaysia, i would like to view on it core component which make malaysia really different than other country, a people in there, malaysian with malays, chineses, indians & hundreds of ethnic comprise along it ground of peninsular and east site. smiling face is waiting for you here and dont miss the golden celebration in kedah state for 'VISIT KEDAH YEAR 2008'. well, welcome to malaysia..^^

[mnp]

TravelPod Local Expert Sugeeta Bhanoo currently resides in Kuala Lumpur the capital city. She was born and bred in Johor, one of the southern states in Malaysia. She has travelled to every state in Malaysia with her parents, friends and by herself.

Sugeeta says:

"Malaysia has got a lot to offer. However the top 5 things I would tell someone would be:
1. Try the king of fruits - Durian
Definitely not for the faint hearted. However, this foul smelling fruit is a Fear-Factor challenge by itself. Most Malaysians either love it or hate it. Its a seasonal fruit, with thorns all over and goes for about RM 10 per kilogram. For a truly Malaysian experience, you must buy the fruit from a street vendor (who will cut it up for you free of charge) and savour the smell and taste of the fruit. If that's too much to handle, try the Durian ice cream or Durian dodol (sticky cake)

2. Climb Mount Kinabalu - The tallest peak in South East Asia
The experience is spectacular and almost everyone can climb the 8.1km stretch with relative ease. After a mandatory, climbers make their way up to the peak to catch sunrise. And the view is well, you'll just have to experience it to find out.

3. Visit Gua Niah - it can fit 40 Boeing 747s!
One of Malaysia's oldest archealogical sites. This a must see for bats and the tremendous size of the cave will take your breath away.

4. Walk through the KLCC skybridge
There's no better way to view KL than this. View the bad, good and ugly parts which make up the capital city. The sights are breathtaking from the tallest twin towers in the world.

5. Take a boat trip in Kuala Selangor to watch fireflies
On a really dark night, as the boatman rows quietly down the river, thousands of fireflies light up. The serene yet chilling feel accompanies the whole journey making it one of the most magnificent sights ever."

Post all questions to Sugeeta here.

[mnp]

Dear Sugeeta,
I'm interested in synchonised flashing of fireflies. I read some scientific articles about this subject. I still like to now in what time of the year does this synchronised flashing happen? What is the best place to go to? Please, can you answer?
With thanks and best regards
MNP

[tohca1]

And don't forget all the friendly people of Malaysia. We like you to come back.

[veraeland]

Thanks for such useful information about Malaysia. As one of the most famous travel destinations in South Asia, Malaysia attracts visitors all over the world. I like its beautiful beaches, delicious and special food.

[mrgrieves]

I would like note that climbing Mount Kinabalu is not "easy" by any means. Keep in mind this is the highest mountain in SE Asia.

I attempted the climb when I was 23 years old. The first day which involves climbing to the hostel at I believe 13000 feet was quite grueling. The majority of the climb is through a cloud forest, meaning you are very wet and the ground is muddy. The climb involves no flat portions and is equivalent to climbing very steep stairs for several hours straight. For the last hour of the first day of the climb my group was stopping approximately every 10 minutes or so for a break.

When I arrived at the hostel I began suffering from altitude sickness. This is common, as you are ascending a very large distance in a very short period of time and your body does not have sufficient time to acclimatize. I spoke with the park ranger at the hostel, he found it funny and recommended I take a tylenol. I felt very sick for about 1.5 hours.

The next day I was in no shape to climb to the top, which apparently is the hardest part. That being said I was not in amazing shape at the time and would love to take another stab at it.

I recommend anyone thinking of doing this climb to research it and look into taking altitude sickness pills.

That being said Malaysia is beautiful. Best parts: the food and the beaches.

I was not crazy about KL and the Petronas Towers are overrated. The skydeck is on the 42nd floor, so the view was just average. But the Batu Caves are definitely worth a visit.

[lonerider]

How can you forget the many beautiful islands in Malaysia? Do make a trip to Pulau Redang, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Langkawi. Oh.. and make sure you do not co-incide the trip with the monsoon season!

Malaysia is well known for its diving sites and beautiful beaches. Those who don't dive will be pleased to know that you can see baby black-tip sharks happily swimming along the reef just by the shore of Pulau Redang.

Tell me more about monsoon. Cause my travel plan is start of November? First KL, then KL to Perhentian or some island.

[najibr]

How can you forget the many beautiful islands in Malaysia? Do make a trip to Pulau Redang, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Langkawi. Oh.. and make sure you do not co-incide the trip with the monsoon season!

Malaysia is well known for its diving sites and beautiful beaches. Those who don't dive will be pleased to know that you can see baby black-tip sharks happily swimming along the reef just by the shore of Pulau Redang.

Tell me more about monsoon. Cause my travel plan is start of November? First KL, then KL to Perhentian or some island.

Although November is in the monsoon season, you can try your luck because some days it can be sunny but most of the time it will rain heavily and you can't do anything anyway.