Two weeks in Malaysia
After experiencing the “Disneyland of Asia” or Singapore, grab a spacious $9 bus ride to cross the border into Malaysia. The first stop was Malacca. Explore Two weeks in Malaysia with me.
My seat in Malacca was the largest and most comfortable bus seat I’ve sat in. I would have had no problem riding longer than the 4 hours it took to get there.
I booked through 12AsiaGo which is a common ticketing service in Asia for my $9 ticket. The buses are frequent enough that you can get one at the station, but 12AsiaGo makes confirming easy.
Disclosure: Any links or bookings are from affiliates, which means I make a small commission with no extra cost to you. Thank you for the support!
A UNESCO World Heritage center, Malacca is a historic city famous for its rich cultural heritage and colonial architecture.
Home to the Straits of Malacca, which is one of the busiest trade waters in the world. When you think ‘busiest in the world’ you think bustling city, such as Singapore, but Malacca was just the opposite and a breath of fresh air. The coastal city had a few main attractions, but what caught my eye was the scenic view. Roads with shops run right along the Sungai Melaka or Malacca River giving a very much old harbor town feel. A quick taxi ride or 30-minute walk takes you to the ‘floating mosque’ for a beautiful sunset followed by the start of a call to prayer.
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Melaka Straits Mosque
Where to stay:
As most backpackers do, I chose a highly-rated hostel from Hostelworld. Yote 28 is home to some of the most amazing staff and three domestic cats that had a love-hate relationship with me (I loved them, they hated me). I also met groups of great travelers while playing cards in the lobby and enjoying the highly recommended Indian restaurant (I still have dreams of the naan). Chatting with other travelers, you realize we all have similar routes- either coming from Singapore heading north or vice versa. I usually don’t rave about hostels, but this one created such a good environment and connection for all that were staying. and did I mention the cats?
The town comes to life on Friday and Sunday for its night market on Jonker Street. From 6pm to midnight, this long street is jam-packed full of vendors and people.
This is where I thrived (my true aspiration is to be the next Bizzare Foods host; anyone hiring?)and also thanked the Lord that it was night market because for certain I would have had a heat stroke. Vendors of all sizes set up from 6pm- 12am and sell everything from frozen mango floats and crispy fried crabs to iPhone cases and makeup. There is something for everyone at an affordable price.
A frozen mango concoction. Mango is the sweetest in this part of the world, so I’ve had my fair share!
If you aren’t there during the weekend, never fear; there is still a lot to see. I have never seen more museums in one city center. If you’re planning a trip to Malacca, be sure to check out these popular attractions:
- A Famosa Fort: Built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, this fort is one of the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Southeast Asia
- St. Paul’s Church: This historic church was built in 1521 and is situated on top of a hill overlooking Malacca. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the city from the church’s grounds.
- Jonker Street: This bustling street is known for its antique shops, street food, and night markets. It’s a great place to shop for souvenirs and experience the local culture
- Christ Church: This 18th-century church is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Malacca, thanks to its striking red facade and Dutch architecture
- Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum: This museum showcases the unique culture and heritage of the Baba Nyonya, a community of Chinese-Malaysian descendants
- Cheng Hoon Teng Temple: Founded in the 17th century, this temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Malaysia and is renowned for its intricate carvings and decorations
- Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum: This museum is a replica of the palace of the Malacca Sultanate and offers visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Malay royalty.
- Maritime Museum: Housed in a replica of a Portuguese ship, this museum showcases the maritime history of Malacca and Southeast Asia.
- Menara Taming Sari: This revolving tower offers panoramic views of Malacca and the surrounding areas, making it a great spot for photos
- Malacca River Cruise: Take a leisurely boat ride down the Malacca River and admire the city’s historic buildings and landmarks from a different perspective.
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After I left my Malacca bubble (long live Yote 28 hostel with the kitty crew- Bianca, Abu & Diva) I took a 3-hour ($7) bus to Kuala Lumpur.
I probably did the least exploring here for a few reasons
1. I had to publish this blog! 2. I was tired from the week of rapid travel 3. I guess I just don’t like big cities. Oh, & 4. The public transport here was not great. The traffic was absolutely mad at all hours of the day, and the metro system was a little flawed. If it weren’t for my Malacca hostel mates, I probably would have eaten in my room and worked on my blog the entire time. This leads me to:
The unintentional rooftop bar crawl: the best memory from Kuala Lumpur.
I started at RexKL which is an old cinema now converted to a variety of food booths, a bookstore, and a rooftop bar. Although it was raining, it was a cute place and I even tried a local beer!
Next up: SkyBar @ Trader’s Hotel.
This hotel had an awesome view of downtown from the rooftop pool and bar. I met up with a few hostelmates for a cocktail and an impromptu photoshoot.
Last stop, Helipad Lounge. This is an absolute must
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you could completely miss this quirky gem. Set in what may be a tall business building (that seems to be fairly vacant), the lounge is on an old helicopter pad on the roof (obviously). There is a ‘cover’ that comes with two drinks. The inside space is decked out in aviation and alien-themed décor but what everyone really comes for is the rooftop. Ascending the narrow outside staircase, I realized that this was about to be a 360-degree view. There was only a string around the perimeter (so don’t go too crazy!) with a bar and plenty of seating.
This view is on top of THAT building. Take a big breath in, and take the unmarked elevator up to the top floor; you won’t want to miss these views. Sidenote: All of the people in this picture come from different parts of the world and many walks of life, but they all found each other while solo traveling. If you haven’t heard me once, I’ll say it again for the people in the back: stay in hostels on your trips!
What to eat
As you can already tell, I love a good market. I’ve been blessed with an iron stomach and enjoy trying different cuisines in each city I visit. Kuala Lumpur was no different. On Wednesdays, they have the longest street market in Malaysia, so of course I had to go. I fell in love with jackfruit during this particular night market. I had it before but not cut right in front of me and OMG! sold.
Kusa Japanese Vegan
I went with one of my new hostel friends to a sit-down restaurant which seemed a luxury with all the market and 7/11 food I had been eating. The restaurant was all vegan and simply incredible. We sampled tofu bites, sushi & edamame for appetizers and a noodle dish (that was a ‘2’ spicy- should have said 0 spice).
Before moving on to my next stop, I wanted to tell you about two things that I didn’t do that you should add to your list. The first is the Batu Caves. These limestone caves are home to several Hindu temples and shrines, including the famous Murugan statue standing tall at 140 feet. You can get there by public transit but give yourself some time and go EARLY if you want good pictures! You can book a half day tour via GetYourGuide for as little as $13.00.
The second activity I missed was Cameron Highlands. I really wanted to go see this but the weather had been pretty rainy so I decided to skip it. Without rain, this lush jungle area of Malaysia is a scenic destination with a cool climate and stunning natural landscapes. You can enjoy hiking, tea plantation tours, and even strawberry picking. It is a perfect getaway from the hustle of KL. Book your tour here!
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My last stop in Malaysia is one of my favorite SE Asia cities, Penang.
The capital city, Georgetown, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & features unique street art and historical landmarks. At first glance, it doesn’t knock your eyeballs like Singapore, but there is just something about this tired harbor town that sweeps you away. One building looks ready to crumble, next to one that’s been slightly revamped, all while keeping the same looks oasthe town that’s been around since the 18th century. The main area is safe and easily walkable.
I took it easy in Penang. I worked more than I explored because I knew I had a busy month coming up. One of my favorite experiences was a professional photo shoot with a local. I booked this via AIRBNB Experiences & highly recommend it! Steven was our photographer and doubled as a history tour guide and BONUS, a local durian specialist. I told Steven I wasn’t able to find durian, and he told me it was out of season. He called up his friend, who had a tent set up once the shoot finished and took me in his car to try my first durian.
Musang King Durian (1)
Durian XO (2)
Durian is also a popular ingredient in many Asian desserts and snacks, such as durian ice cream and durian pancakes. Due to its strong odor, durian is banned in some public places and transport systems, including hotels and airplanes (there were just as many ‘no durian’ signs as ‘no smoking’). I tasted two different kinds. The first, Musang King, was a hybrid and had a milder flavor. It has a sweet front and a bitter aftertaste. The second, Durian XO, Steven told me it would taste like alcohol, and it definitely did. There is no percentage of alcohol in the fruit it’s just what happens in the growing stages. I thought I enjoyed it, until (much like garlic) it stayed in my mouth the rest of the day. I can’t say it was the best thing I ate in Asia but once you try it, you won’t forget it!
The next day, I just walked around, eyeing street art. I was surprised to find that the history of Penang Street art was not that old. Penang street art began in 2012 as part of the George Town Festival, an annual event celebrating the city’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic was commissioned to create a series of murals depicting scenes from everyday life in Penang. The murals quickly became popular with tourists and locals alike, and other artists soon began adding their own works to the city’s walls. Today, Penang is known for its vibrant street art scene, with new pieces constantly being added and celebrated.
The last 2 pictures below are courtesy of my good friend Victoria I met while traveling. If you want to see more, give her Instagram page a follow.
While walking around town I ended up at the harbor and was approached by three women who showed the universal sign for a picture. I thought they wanted me to take a picture of them and instead of handing me the camera, they stood around me and took about a dozen pictures with me! Their relative, who is Malay, spoke English and said it was his family visiting from Indonesia. I’ve heard of this happening before, it can be so different to see a Westerner when you live in areas without many tourists. I felt a little like a celebrity and also a little like a tourist attraction. So of course, I had to get my own picture!
What to Eat
During my photograph shoot I experienced a breakfast roti, which is a type of bread made on the spot and served with a mild sauce or stuffed with egg. With the Malaysia tea, it was a perfect combination of sweet (tea) & savory (roti)
The last tip I can give you is to always be out at food stalls, street markets, or a hawker center in Asia. This is where you are going to experience true cuisine for a very cheap price. I finished my time in Malaysia with some travel friends at this hawker center with some quality mochi.
To be real, Malaysia was not on my radar when I first started this trip. I thought it would be a quick pass through the country on my way to Thailand. I ended up extending my stay more than once and I’m so glad I did. The people are so friendly and the cuisine is some of the best in Asia. Don’t miss out on this wonderful country!
