Malaysia what a beautiful surprise

I have recently returned from Malaysia with my family and was inspired to share my findings as we had such a glorious trip. Malaysia has a relatively small population, 33.57 million. It didn't feel crammed or too busy with crazy street scenes where you struggle to cross a road or hear yourself think. Kuala Lumpur is fun, clean, safe and friendly with great food and shopping. We stayed at the JW Marriott which was excellent with the most impressive buffet breakfast which the boys loved.

We ventured to the Petaling Markets one night to see the hawker stalls in action selling fake branded goods. It was fun, not frantic and the market stall holders were sweet and friendly. I hope have quenched my kids thirst for brands with my eldest son commenting, " you look better in a linen shirt and some shorts than all this!" From the city of Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands. We set off on a 2 and half hour scenic drive via villages and waterfalls.

The Cameron Highlands in Malaysia are named after William Cameron. He was charged with charting the maps for the Highlands region. With the prehistoric jungles and mountains, famed as the place where Jim Thompson went missing it was no easy task for young William. Today the Cameron Highlands Resort offers over 14 incredible hikes. Each from between 5 hours and 3 hours and at different ability levels. Land Rover vehicles transport hikers to the best spots. This is a terrific walking scene which is not yet much known about.

The Cameron Highland Resort offers daily afternoon tea and a "Spa Village" to massage any aches and pains after your day of walking in the mountains. It is an old colonial hotel with great charm and old fashioned white table cloth service.

Cameron Highland Resort overlooks a world class 18 hole golf course which was enjoyed by the boys in my house!

After a couple of nights in the Highlands we headed off on another 2 hour drive with one of the team of YTL Hotel drivers to the famous Pangkor Laut Resort. I have been wanting to visit PLR for about 20 years and at last I got to Emerald Beach and the 300 acre island. It full of exotic wildlife from hornbills to eagles, monkeys, otter and wild boar. It is a natural hideout for Asian bird and wildlife. This is the place that reduced Pavarotti to tears as he was overcome by its beauty!

Pangkor Laut Resort has a squash court, three tennis courts, watersports, and the usual five star hotel luxuries one has come to expect. However, I had the best Chinese meal I have ever had. Uncle Lim's serves Hock Chew Chinese-style Home cooking. Everything was a taste sensation!

The resort also houses the flagship "Spa Village," a village with Malay baths, cabanas and the most talented spa team. I tried Chinese foot pounding which I loved.

We enjoyed the day with chef travelling to the anchovy farm and learning to cook Malaysian dishes as part of the Kitchen Experience.

Like Cameron Highland Resort, Pangkor Laut Resort also has a naturalist called Aris. He took us through the Chapman's Challenge Trail, following the steps of Colonel Chapman, the British officer who was helped to escape from the Japanese through the jungles of Pangkor Laut. There is now an annual race, running through the jungle and swimming in Emerald Bay. Competitors come from around the world. There are still a few places left for this August 2023 as part of the Chapman's Challenge packages at Pangkor Laut Resort. It is an annual event for keen runners and triathletes.

Malacca, awaited us as the final leg of our Malaysia tour awaited. YTL Hotels purchased the Majestic Hotel in Malacca over 20 years ago and they have kept the original tiles, old colonial style and charm of the property. Malacca is only 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur so we drove back to KL and stayed at the Stripes Hotel which is very well priced and very cool.

Malacca is worth the trip. Steeped full of history, exotic and a cultural must do. A melting pot of Dutch, Portuguese, British and Malaysia influence. This UNESCO protected city is worth a visit.

We enjoyed two nights in Malacca and only touched the sides of all the things you can do. Antiques and Chinese treasures abound, museums and ports, interesting architecture and each street feels like you are visiting a different country.

It was a trip of surprises. I cannot believe it has taken me this long to visit. I have enjoyed several trips to Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines but why I had I left Malaysia till now? It is an undiscovered gem full of surprises.