Malaysia My Second Home

To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia. Many would agree that Malaysia is the perfect combination of comforts and indulgences. Great weather, amazing food, warm people, low cost of living coupled with high standard of living, state-of-the-art infrastructure, rich culture and a charming history make it a place easy to call home. Countless people have come to Malaysia and fallen in love with it, coming back repeatedly or even making plans to retire here. The Malaysian Government recognizes this and has set up a programme to make it easier for expatriates to retire here. The Malaysia My Second Home Programme allows foreigners to stay in the country indefinitely on a social visit pass with a multiple entry visa.There is a large expatriate community living in Malaysia. Like Malaysians, they enjoy an active social life, being able to easily indulge in a huge range of activities, from fine dining to sailing.Malaysia has one of the highest standards of living in the region where luxuries are so affordable that it is easy to enjoy the good life here. Cost of living is one of the lowest in Asia and will remain so for a very long time. This is achieved through the Government’s efficient monitoring of the economy in ensuring that inflation is kept low at all times and thereby also the prices of goods and services.This strong economy has secured a comprehensive infrastructure. The whole country is very well connected with up-to-date, modern road, rail, air, and sea transportation systems. Public transport by buses, taxis, trains and planes are comfortable, efficient and relatively low in cost. The healthcare system is also excellent, drawing many short-term visitors from around the world. The country has a very efficient healthcare system where medical services are provided at nominal cost. Private doctors, clinics and also hospitals of international standards are easily available throughout the country at a very reasonable cost.A healthy economy, good infrastructure and luxury amenities aren’t the only draw; Malaysia is also a pluralistic society where people practise their own way of life in peace and harmony. Freedom is one of the key reasons many find Malaysia attractive. It is so easy to live the calm life here, where people respect each other’s differences. Malaysians in general are very warm and friendly, always open to learning about other cultures. Although Islam is the national religion, there is a sizable population of Christians, Buddhists and Hindus here, with ample places of worship dotting the entire country.The weather is pleasant, warm and balmy with moderate rain throughout the year. There are also highland residential areas and resorts with permanent spring-like weather throughout the country. See it to believe it, an ideal place to call home and a government programme to make your dream a reality. To find a home away from home, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Formula One
The state-of-the-art Sepang International Circuit, located just outside Kuala Lumpur, is as beautiful as it is challenging. Built in 1999, this circuit is attracting more and more attention from the international motoring community as a fantastic circuit with all the facilities for a successful racing event. Aside from hosting a leg of the Formula 1 annually, the circuit also hosts the SuperGT Championship, the World Motorcycle Grand Prix and many more exhilarating events. The circuit is also available for hire, should you want to test the track out for yourself. Built with luxury and exhilaration in mind, The Sepang International Circuit has been given the rare honour of incorporating the F1 logo in its name. The circuit boasts 15 turns and 8 straights, allowing speeds of up to 300km/h. There are a few parts of the track that are very wide, which allows thrilling overtaking. The best part of this track is its ability to be split, allowing two races to run concurrently. Extreme tropical conditions promise compelling challenges that entertain up to 130,000 spectators at a time. This palace of speed offers sights, sounds, smells and thrills for those in need of an adrenaline overload. If you are looking for a state-of-the art motoring venue, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

CNN's My Discoveries share aspects of Malaysia as seen by frequent visitors or permanent residents of the country.

• Hiburan (Entertainment) - Armin Affendi -
• Hijau (Green) - Stewart Gim -
• Laut (The Sea) - Chris Galia -
• Tulus Ikhlas (Sincerity) - Luder Paisan -
• Budaya Asli (Ethnic Culture) - Patrick Clancey -
• Pantai (Beach) - Julie Mosca -
• Adat (Traditions) - Sheila Majid -
• Kediaman Kedua (Second Home) - Dato Fumihiko -
• Perayaan (Festivals) - Nita Dato Zulkifli -
• Beli-Belah (Shopping) - Farah Khan -
• Balik Kampung (Going Home) - Rebecca Wilkinson -
• Minum Teh (Drink Tea) - Caroline Russel -
• Bumi (Earth) - Ershad Mubarak -

Theme Parks

Being blessed with beautiful warm weather all year-round, Malaysia is the perfect place to enjoy theme parks and water parks. In the past few years, several exciting new theme parks have sprouted up all over Peninsula Malaysia. Many of these theme parks provide great fun for the whole family, sometimes offering a resort or shopping mall nearby.Although all these parks are very different, they all share state-of-the-art design with fun and safety being priorities. Many of them incorporate sophisticated water parks, zoos, rides-galore and golf courses among other things.These are some of the best theme parks in the region, surrounded by lush greenery and perfect weather. For a fun-filled time for the whole family, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Theme Parks Attractions

• Cosmo’s World Theme Park, Kuala Lumpur
• Sunway Lagoon, Kuala Lumpur
• Mines Wonderland, Kuala Lumpur
• Desa Water Park, Kuala Lumpur
• A'Famosa Resort, Melaka
• Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, Perak

Education Tourism

Malaysia is increasingly recognised by students from around the world as the preferred choice for tertiary and continuing education. Today, great numbers of bright young individuals from around the world contribute to the medley of cultures and languages in Malaysia.One of the primary reasons for the choice of Malaysia as an educational centre is relatively low cost of living, yet high quality of life. This is augmented by easy accessibility to the latest state-of-the-art educational aids and technologies so necessary in the pursuit of academic excellence in the modern world. In addition, Malaysia’s multi-racial make-up and welcoming nature make it easy for students to discover more about the people, traditions and cultures while pursuing their education.More that 600 public and private educational institutions ranging from pre-tertiary to university level currently exist in Malaysia. These include excellent homegrown institutions with numerous foreign affiliations as well as a number of branch campuses of distinguished foreign universities. A qualification from these institutions ranks on par with that received at home campuses.A number of prestigious Malaysian universities have also made their mark as centres of scholastic excellence, such as the International Islamic University and the Multimedia University. There are also the more established and prestigious institutions like University Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian University of Science in Penang. In addition, a number of international colleges and universities have established twinning programmes with Malaysian institutions and today names such as Monash, Nottingham and others offer students the choice of completing their entire course in Malaysia or in countries such as Australia, New Zealand or United Kingdom. Among the obvious benefits of undertaking the bulk of any course in Malaysia are substantial savings without having to sacrifice the quality of education received.Malaysia has a broad range of high-quality yet affordable educational options and courses that are recognized internationally. This has resulted in over several thousands foreign students from approximately 100 countries studying in Malaysian educational institutions.Students considering Malaysia as an option for further education but remain undecided can actually participate in a number of short-term student tourism programmes in which they are exposed to the country, its people and the wide variety of educational choices available. This programme has been extremely successful in not just providing students with the opportunity to decide on their education but also with an exciting holiday in one of the most beautiful and vibrant nations in the world!

Cheng Ho's Museum

This museum was set up in honour of a Chinese Ming Dynasty admiral called Cheng Ho or Zheng He. This famed explorer made seven voyages of exploration, leaving his mark in the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia between 1405 and 1433. Five of these voyages brought him through Melaka, a port he is said to have founded.
These voyages made a significant impact on Melaka's regionally important role in history. As a confidante to the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Cheng Ho had a weighty influence on Chinese International Relations of the day. In the mid-15th Century, he was entrusted to bring the Emperor's daughter, Princess Hang Li Po to marry the Sultan of Melaka. The Princess' entourage consisted of several hundred sons of ministers and handmaidens, a group of people who eventually intermarried with locals in Melaka, creating the Baba Nyonya culture.
Lately, some interest has been generated about a belief that Cheng Ho kept a warehouse in Melaka. One of the dilapidated buildings in the old part of Melaka town, showing remnants of Ming style architecture, is thought to be the old warehouse in question and is now the site of the Cheng Ho Museum.
The exhibition space displays the life and times of the historic Admiral. Rooms like Tea House and Treasure Ship Living Cabin will take you back in time, and offer you a glimpse of Cheng Ho's lifestyle. Studies of the adventures of this Muslim eunuch are fascinating and the social impact of his voyages can still be felt to this day.

Taman Mini Malaysia

The Taman Mini Malaysia cultural park is located a few kilometres outside of Melaka, near the town of Ayer Keroh. If you have an interest in traditional architecture and ways of life, this is a great place to go exploring. Each of the homes represents the architectural style of the 13 states in Malaysia and is furnished with various items, arts and crafts which depict the culture of each state.
Inside each house, you can find a range of genuine handicrafts originating from each state or county. The life-like figures 'inhabiting' each charming home on stilts are garbed in their respective traditional costumes.
Other attractions in the park include weekly cultural shows and traditional games.
Basically, this is an opportunity to see all Malaysian architecture and heritage in a short all-encompassing outing. And it's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of nearby urban Melaka.

St. Peter's Church

It was built in 1710 after the Dutch restored freedom of worship to Melaka's Roman Catholics. Its design is a striking blend of East and West.
The oldest item in the church is the bell, manufactured in Goa in 1608. It was salvaged from an earlier church burned by the Dutch during their 1641 occupation.

St. John's Fort

Rebuilt by the Dutch in the 18th century, St. John's Fort was once a private Portuguese chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
The fort has an interesting feature - cannons face inland as, during that time, attacks on Melaka came mainly from the hinterland instead of from the sea.
Another attraction for many is the view from the top of the hill where St. John's Fort stands, particularly for the fantastic tropical sunsets.

Homestay Seri Tanjung

Come experience the village, or kampung, way of life first-hand. And there's no better place to do this than staying in a village that has twice been the winner of the National Beautiful Village competition. Warm, hospitable, tight-knit communities offer the best home-cooked meals and are eager to share their customs and traditions with visitors. Beautiful scenery is part of village life - slanted coconut trees that pierce the bright blue sky and line red dirt roads add to the enlightening and fun-filled experience.
You will be invited to participate in animal husbandry and farming, if you want a hands-on experience. It is common for children to play traditional games in the cool, late afternoon. They will eagerly teach you these games, but be prepared to lose gracefully to these expert players. This is village life at its best!
The villagers will organise traditional performances such as Silat, the Malay martial arts, or traditional top spinning. This is the perfect way to learn about Malaysian culture and get to know Malaysians.

Melaka River Cruise

The river was the main artery of trade for Melaka in its heyday when it was bustling with traders from all around the world.
Some buildings from that era still stand majestically by the river, which is also lined by old villages, or kampungs, and modern day buildings. The 45-minute cruise is accompanied by an entertaining and informative commentary. And, for just RM8, it's a good bargain. See parts of historical Melaka, get a history lesson for next to nothing, and never break a sweat!

Portuguese Square

This square is also known as 'Mini Lisbon'. Located within the Portuguese Settlement, the square is the centre of Portuguese culture in Melaka and in Malaysia.
The small kampung, or village, around the square is the heart of Melaka's Eurasian community, descended from marriages that took place between colonial Portuguese and Malays some 400 years ago.
There are occasional performances of Portuguese dances and music. There is a bulletin board at the square that lists upcoming cultural events. But even on days when there is no performance, the square is a delightful place to go to for a meal and a drink and view the sunset over the Straits of Melaka.

St. Paul's Hill (A'Famosa)

The Portuguese colonised Melaka from 1511 to 1641. The first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river, calling it A'Famosa. As Melaka was the centre of struggles between super powers of the time, and suffered the constant threat of attack, the A'Famosa fort was critical in Portugal maintaining its colonial foothold in the Far East.

Within the fort walls were housing and food stores, a castle, a meeting room for the Portuguese Council and five churches. A seven-month attack by the Dutch just about destroyed the entire fortress, leaving only the entrance façade and the structure of a church at the top of the hill.

Go for a stroll up St. Paul's Hill on a cool late afternoon and wander among the majestic trees and historical remnants. Here, you can almost imagine the glories and miseries of the besieged lives the Portuguese would have led right here all those years ago...

Deep Sea Fishing Malaysia

Rafflesia Centre

The centre serves as the entrance to the virgin Forest Reserves around it. For those who do not wish to go jungle trekking, the centre provides information on the largest flower in the world. The unique feature of the reserve is the high occurrence of the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia Precei. Jungle trekking and the sight of a Rafflesia in full bloom make the Rafflesia Forest Reserve an interesting place to visit.
The natural vegetation here is of the oak or chestnut types. Large trees, especially of Shoreas, can be found on ridges and slopes. One Shorea with a girth of just under 600cm was found at an elevation of 1350m.

Batu Punggul Pinnacle

Situated on the banks of Sungai Sepulot (Sepulot River) in the remote interior of southern Sabah, not far from the Kalimantan border, Batu Punggul is a limestone massif with amazing views over the jungle from above and with caves below. Accommodation is available at a rustic resort nearby which offers anything from a Murut longhouse or native huts (called sulap), to a hostel or guesthouses, complete with modern facilities.
Cave exploration is an exciting treat of unusual stalactites, stalagmites and bats. The Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, can be found about 25-minutes' walk from the caves. The area is also home to wild orchids. It is possible to climb to the top of the massif for panoramic views of the surrounding forest. At night, there is impressive music coming from the 'jungle symphony'...
As limestone massifs are normally found in coastal areas, the existence of Batu Punggul deep in the interior of Borneo is a source of geological wonder to scientists visiting the area.

Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary

The Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary is a fascinating place where visitors can observe trainers teaching orphaned or displaced Orang Utan apes to climb in their natural habitat. At this rehabilitation centre, captive animals are retrained for life in the jungle.The centre allows a close-up view of these arboreal creatures.
The best time to visit is at 10.00 am and again at 2.30 pm when the primates emerge from the forest for their daily ration of bananas and milk. You can see the orang utans being fed from a platform in the centre. Nicknamed the 'Wild Man of Borneo', the orang utans are returned to the forest when they can fend for themselves.
Aside from the orang utan, over 200 species of birds and a variety of wild plants can be found within the 5.666 hectares of forest reserve.

Danum Valley

The Danum Valley Conservation Area, 83km south-west of Lahad Datu, is blessed with a startling diversity of tropical flora and fauna. This vast Eden-like basin is home to the rare Sumatran Rhinoceros, orang utans, gibbons, mousedeer and the beautiful clouded leopard. Some 270 species of birds have been recorded in the area. The Danum Field Research Centre is located within the confines of the 440 sq km forest reserve.
It also boasts one of the first eco-resorts in Sabah, known as the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. This comfortable resort has a restaurant, bar and comfortable chalets overlooking the Danum River. Jungle treks, river swimming, bird watching, night jungle tours and excursions to nearby logging sites and timber mills are some of the activities offered here.

Water Village

A trip to Labuan would not be complete if one does not visit Kampung Air (Water Village). There are two main water villages on Labuan - Kampung Bebuloh and Kampung Patau-Patau which are mainly inhabited by Brunei Malays. The houses here, which are built right at the water's edge, are made of wood and sit on high stilts, joined together with a maze of wooden walkways.
Visitors are free to roam around the vicinity of the water villages and observe the humble lifestyle of a predominantly fishing community.
Almost every house owner here has his own boat. The houses can be quite large and they all have cool decorated verandahs.

Labuan Wreck Diving

Labuan is an island in the South China Sea, just off the coast of Sabah, East Malaysia. Due to its strategic location, it has been a port and a naval base for local and international powers since the 19th Century.
Due to this history, divers come from around the world to explore the many excellent ship wrecks and rich marine history that rest in Labuan's shallow waters. Four of these wrecks are particularly outstanding.
Of these, two were sunk during WWII and two were commercial vessels that sank in the 1980s. The 'American Wreck' and the 'Australian Wreck' were both sunk by the Japanese towards the end of the war. They are both in decent condition and lie at a safe dive depth of 33m. The third is the 'Cement Wreck' and is the latest mishap of these waters, having just happened 20 years ago. It is also the shallowest and therefore the easiest to dive, especially for less experienced divers.
The most popular is the 'Blue Water Wreck' which lies north-east of Labuan. It gets its name from the clear blue waters it lies in. Of all the wrecks, this one has the best visibility. The wreck is the 'MABINI PADRE', a large Philippine fishing trawler which caught fire and sank in 1981. It is an interesting site for divers as it is completely intact. It also supports a wealth of marine life like soft corals, groupers and Batfish.
There are also a few other interesting ship wrecks in the area. Be advised that some of these wrecks are only suitable for experienced divers. The local dive shop will be able to advise individual divers.

Sarawak Cultural Village

Called the 'Living Museum', the Cultural Village was set up to preserve and showcase Sarawak's cultural heritage. Located at Pantai Damai, Santubong, just 32km from the state capital, Kuching, it is the perfect place to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle.
Sprawled across 17 acres, there are about 150 people living in the village, demonstrating traditional daily activities from Sarawak's wildly diverse tribes like the processing of sago and the making of handicrafts. They wear traditional costumes and also put on dances for visitors. The village residents provide information on their various traditional cultures and lifestyles. You can see replicas of buildings that represent every major ethnic group in Sarawak; longhouses of the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, a Melanau tall-house and a Chinese farm house among others. The village also has a theatre, where you can enjoy a multicultural dance performance, a restaurant and a handicraft shop. You can even get married at the Sarawak Cultural Village, in traditional Iban, Malay, Bidayuh or Orang Ulu style.
The longhouse has separate rooms placed side by side, all of which open to a long communal hall, used for leisurely activities like wood carving and basket weaving. Guests are often invited to attend nightly ceremonies and drink a potent rice wine, tuak, which the Iban make themselves. Comfortable guesthouses are also available for visitors.

Bako National Park

Sarawak's oldest national park was established in 1957, covers a modest 27 sq. km., and is about 37km from Kuching. It's known for its extraordinary natural scenery, habitats, plants and wild life. Its most significant feature are secluded coves and rugged rocky headlands with magnificent steep cliffs that overlook the South China Sea.
The sea spray, wave action and the wind have also carved out magnificent sea arches and sea stacks at the base of the cliffs, some rearing above the waves like a mighty serpent's head. The attractive sandstone formations appear pink with iron patterns on the cliff. Further inland, waterfalls tumble down into freshwater pools in a tranquil and idyllic jungle setting.

Gunung Gading National Park

Gunung Gading National Park is a beautiful expanse of mountainous rainforest only two hours away from Kuching. Located near Lundu, a pleasant little town in south-west Sarawak.
Initially, the park was a closed conservation zone for the spectacular Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world that can grow up to one metre in diameter. However, after extensive environmental impact studies, the National Parks Department decided that Gunung Gading is a treasure that should be shared with the public.
It was therefore opened to the public in 1994. However, Gunung Gading National Park remains closely watched by the National Parks Department to ensure that visitors will get the best opportunities to view the flowering Rafflesia without causing any damage to the young buds and other flora in the surrounding area.
A plank walk has been built close to where the Rafflesia is commonly found, making viewing possible when the plant is in bloom.
Jungle trails lead to streams, cascading waterfalls and the mountains, with one path taking trekkers to the summit of Gunung Gading (906m). The rugged mountains within the Park provide a scenic backdrop to the nearby town of Lundu, and the beaches at Pandan and Siar.

Niah National Park

Over 400km up the coast from Kuching, hidden in the forests of Miri, are the Niah Caves. The park covers a vast swathe of 3,140 hectares of peat swamp, dipterocarp forests, as well as the massive limestone outcroppings within which the giant Niah caves are concealed. The caves consist of one big cave (The Great Cave) and some smaller caves.
In 1958, archeologists discovered evidence of human occupation of the caves dating back some 40,000 years. Rock paintings were found in what has become known as the Painted Cave, and the discovery of several small canoe-like coffins (death ships) indicate that this site was once used as a burial ground.

Matang Wildlife Centre

The Matang Wildlife Centre is about 35km from Kuching. Located in Kubah National Park, this large enclosed area of rainforest is home to endangered wildlife. There is a training programme here that teaches Orang Utans, who have been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. Visitors will be able to see lots of Orang Utans here, especially during feeding time. Besides these adorable primates, there are also Sun Bears, Sambar Deer, Civet cats as well as three large aviaries that house Sea Eagles, Hornbills and other birds in Sarawak.
Jungle trekking is also possible as there are four jungle trails here, the Pitcher Trail (takes about 2 hours), the Sungai Rayu Trail ( about 3 - 4 hours), the Sungai Senduk trail (about 1 hour) and Sungai Buluh trail (about 2 hours). Picnic spots, an information centre, accommodation facilities, a car park and a small canteen are available at the park HQ.

Food

Malaysian food is not one particular kind of food but a unique culinary spectrum originating from Malaysia's multi-ethnic population that has melded together sampling tastes, ingredients and cooking methods from each other. Malaysians relish and celebrate their diverse food. It is not uncommon to drive for hours to eat a really good bowl of noodles. As you can imagine, eatery standards are very competitive all over the country. Each state in Malaysia has something different to offer in terms of culinary delights. Kuala Lumpur has the most diverse offering of foods from all over the world. Indulge in gourmet fusion cuisine created by talented chefs in designer restaurants, or sample an endless amount of goodies found practically bursting out of malls, store fronts and side-street hawker stalls. Melaka is a home to delicious Baba Nyonya food, much of it served in quaint cafes in historical shophouses. Penang is hawker stall haven, where the most delicious food requires you to wait for al fresco tables and costs as little as RM3.50 per dish. Ipoh receives many day trippers who come only to savour local favourites. Kelantan is the cradle of Malay culture and serves exotic Malay food rich in flavour and colour. When trying to decide on what stall or restaurant to visit, the rule of thumb is that the most popular place, especially among the locals, is normally the best. This multi-cultural array of food has now come to be known all over the world as Malaysian Food. For gastronomic adventures fit for kings, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Wedding & Honeymoon

Malaysia has many exquisite locations for celebrating dream weddings or spending a blissful honeymoon with your new spouse.Rest assured that there is an abundance of wedding coordinators who can organise traditional Chinese, Malay, Indian or Western weddings. There are also beautiful places of worship in which to conduct religious ceremonies of any kind. Aside from wedding coordinators, Malaysia also has some of the best wedding industry professionals, from photographers to make-up artists, from fashion designers to florists.Having your wedding in Malaysia is quite a straightforward affair. However, you would probably want to start first by researching your own country’s marriage requirements. For requirements on the Malaysian side, a good place to begin would be the Malaysian diplomatic mission in your country.Once the 'I Do's' are sealed, skip over to one of our beautiful islands for the perfect honeymoon. A couple can feel like they are the only two people on our incredible islands, as you unwind from the wedding together, wrapped in sweet nothings. Indulge in world-class spas built for couples, and fun seaside activities galore. If you are looking for a fantasy wedding and the most memorable honeymoon, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Diving

Malaysia is fast becoming one of the leading dive destinations of the world with one of the richest marine environments in the Indo-Pacific Basin. The incredible bio-diversity of marine life, coupled with beautiful islands, white sandy beaches and clear warm waters, keeps divers coming back time and time again.Top dive sites around Malaysia include diverse underwater geography such as sloping reefs, coral blocks, wall dives, deep dives, drift dives and wreck dives. A dip below the warm sea’s surface guarantees you an astounding experience, with a concentration of vibrant and exotic marine life rarely rivalled anywhere else in the world. From schooling Hammerhead Sharks, to huge schools of barracudas and various species of turtles, to the bizarre Frogfish and Ghost Pipefish, there is always something fascinating awaiting you. It's no exaggeration to say that almost every time a marine bio-diversity survey is conducted in Malaysia’s tropical seas, the species list increases!Dive centres in Malaysia are numerous, well equipped and certified by all the internationally recognised dive agencies like PADI, SSI and SSAC for maintaining their standards of safety and professionalism. Naturally, all scuba diving courses in Malaysian waters are also endorsed by these certifying agencies. After completing your scuba course, get outfitted with the latest scuba equipment as all international brands are available from dive centres in Malaysia. Almost all the islands in Malaysia cater to divers of all levels of experience - be it easy, shallow drift-diving, to advanced wreck-diving or technical diving. Located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin, the heart of the world's richest marine biodiversity area, Malaysia also offers pristine beaches and professional dive centres for the pleasure and safety of the advanced and novice diver. For a most memorable diving holiday, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Cherating Beach

The old Cherating Village has a blend of the modern and traditional. A stretch of road about 1km long runs parallel to the beach, dotted with charming and comfortable chalets, many of which face the beach front. Cherating has the perfect combination of great surf, a wide stretch of white-sandy beach, a wealth of accommodation, dining choices and a classic surfers' nightlife scene. Surfers linger for days and even months in this small enclave to catch the best waves and chill out with fellow surfers, exchanging the day's conquests at one of the chic bistros or bars.
In fact, "Surfers' Haven" has long been the description of old Cherating Village since the 70's. Each year, surfers from around the world return to Cherating to test out the surf and catch up with local acquaintances. Cherating beach is immaculate and breath-taking. So much so that Club Med decided to build its first Asian base right here. And surfers take the opportunity to have local friends take them through some of the most charming rural villages along the coast and soak in the gorgeous scenery along the way.

Cameron Highlands

There are many things to see and do in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia's largest highland resort. Walks through lovely little villages, visits to the butterfly, strawberry, honey bee farms and sprawling tea plantations or meals at the delightful Tudor-styled country inns, are all pleasurable and relaxing activities to be experienced here. You can't beat the weather up here. A few days out of the sweltering lowland heat will surely recharge your batteries.
One other popular activity in Cameron Highlands, actually more of a tradition, is to have tea and scones. This very English tradition dates back to the days when English colonial officers used this hilly location as a cool getaway from the heat of the lowlands. Bird-watching and trekking are also popular activities here.
Situated 1,500 metres above sea level, Cameron Highlands comprises a series of little townships that include Ringlet, Tanah Rata, Brinchang, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja. What's more, it's easy to get to. Cameron Highlands lies less than an hour off the main North-South Highway, and is a pleasant, easy 3.5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Kenong Rimba Park

Covering an area of 121 sq kilometres in the Kenong Valley, Kenong Rimba Park lies in the south-west of Taman Negara. Within the park are some magnificent limestone caves. The sense of tranquility and quiet solitude are broken only by the chirping of birds and the cascading waterfalls.
Each limestone cave is situated about half an hour's trek from each other. The most striking is the Gua Batu Tinggi, which resembles a dug-out boat. The Sungai Kenong River passes though this cave. Local folklore has it that the cave was formed when a boat carrying the King’s messenger from Pekan was turned into stone. This cave is approximately 122 to 152 metres above sea level. Here you can find a variety of plant life that includes orchids, fig trees and epiphytes.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary

The truly unique Elephant Orphanage of Kuala Gandah will give you a very rare opportunity to not only learn about these displaced gentle giants but you will also get a chance to ride them through the jungle, with the help of an elephant guide, or mahout. For the brave and adventurous, there are opportunitites take the elephants down to the river and help give them a bath! There really is no better opportunity than this to get in touch with Big Nature. It is estimated that there are only 1,200 wild Asian Elephants, also known as Elephus Maximus, left in Malaysia and this is the only conservation centre set up to relocate these displaced pachyderms.
The elephants here have been rescued from all over Peninsula Malaysia where humans and elephants are not able to live in harmony.

Endau - Rompin State Park

Endau Rompin, straddling the Johor/Pahang border, is the second National Park, after Taman Negara. It covers an area of approximately 80,000 hectares of rich and exotic flora and fauna, encompassing the watershed of the rivers Endau and Rompin, from which it derives its name. In other words, this place is huge.
The entry point to the park is an Orang Asli (Malaysian aborigines) village. Although the natives have been influenced by the modern world, they still practise a hunting and gathering lifestyle. They are also the custodians of fascinating myths and legends about the jungle that have been handed down from one generation to the next. But apart from exploring this spellbinding cultural aspect of the park, how can you get your hands dirty in this giant, timeless Garden of Eden? Easy. You can camp, hike, fish, canoe, shoot rapids, explore caves, climb mountains, bird watch and swim in this amazing national park.
The park is home to a vast range of species of birds, mammals, frogs, insects and exotic varieties of orchids, herbs, medicinal plants and trees. It seems that every time a scientific expedition returns from Endau - Rompin, they discover a new species!
In existence for over 130 million years, this rainforest holds rare flora and fauna, many of which are not found anywhere else in the tropics. The most prominent of these unique species is the Sumatran Rhinoceros. Regular treks through the jungle will give adventurers sightings of leaf monkeys, long-tail macaques, white-handed gibbons, elephants, deer, tapirs and the occasional tiger and leopard. For adventure lovers and river trekkers, there are exhilarating rapids and fairly substantial waterfalls.
To protect the pristine environment, only limited areas of the park are open for ecotourism. Entry to the park requires a special permit from the Johor National Park Corporation. But the much easier option is to get the permits at the District Office, which is just next to the Police Department in Kuala Rompin before reaching the FELDA Selendang turnoff from Lanjut Beach. Upon entry to this park, trekkers will be guided by forest rangers to ensure safety at all times.

Genting Highlands

The fun never stops at Genting, City of Entertainment, perched on the top of cool, breezy Genting Highlands. One big attraction in Genting is the cool weather. Because of the 2,000m altitude, Malaysians like to visit just to enjoy the 'European' weather!
In the evening, there is spectacular entertainment at the Genting International Showroom or Pavilion, be it a thrilling magic show or an ice-skating extravaganza. There are also opportunities to go shopping at First World Plaza, visit the indoor and outdoor theme parks and feast on a wide range of delicious food at the many restaurants.
The First World Plaza indoor theme park / shopping complex features a series of fun rides and six theme areas named after famous cities and landmarks from around the world - France (Champs Elysees), England (London), Italy (Venice), America (Times Square and Universal Walk), Switzerland (Swiss Alps) and Malaysia (Genting Walk).
The Snow World features a log cabin, an igloo, toboggan slides and a snowy play area. It's cold in here, so remember to wear warm clothing. Children will surely love the Rainforest Splash Pool, although the air is chilly, the pool is filled with warm water.
Other attractions are Genting Sky Venture, the only free-fall skydiving simulator in Asia, and Genting X-pedition Wall, an international-standard rock-climbing wall stretching to 15 metres in height, with a 6-metre overhang. There is also bowling, a video arcade, a cineplex and many more fun rides.
One of the most popular attractions is the casino, the only one in Malaysia

Taman Negara

Taman Negara (National Park) is the first and the oldest official Protected Area in the country, originally named King George V National Park. Declared in 1938 by the Sultans of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu (during King George's Silver Jubilee), it was gazetted to preserve the land's indigenous nature in perpetuity. The park was renamed Taman Negara after the nation gained independence in 1957.
The most popular activities at Taman Negara are river cruises and jungle trekking. The canopy walk is also a must-see, offering a fantastic close up view of activity in the rainforest canopy. Observation hides are another great way to observe wildlife. Simple huts built high above the ground allow guests to stay overnight to catch opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitat. Cave exploration is also available, either by boat or by foot.
Taman Negara is actually one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated at 130 million years old. The abundance and diversity of nature here is phenomenal, making it one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems.