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Malaysia: Tour D'Horizon

alang-alang menyeluk pekasam, biar sampai ke pangkal lengan

By Christina Nguyen

March 23^rd, 2018

Month 6

Malaysia is two countries in one, split in half by The South China Sea, made up of two federal districts, and eleven states. Kuala Lumpur aka The Concrete Jungle was my home-base for the month, and I had the pleasure of visiting three other states.

Malaysia is as abundant as it gets, and has something special for every type of traveler; cultural diversity, buzzing city life, breathtaking highlands, lush jungles, wild-life packed rain forests, traditional island life, and creative culinary sensations. Here is the run down on month six...

Experiences

The Fun Stuff

Living in a spacious high rise in the heart of the city with Micha
Working out of an office space on top of the Fahrenheit 88 mall
Eating my way through all the food tours with the RY city team (more sambal please)
Taking a hip-hop, and Indian fusion dance class
Celebrating my 30th birthday in KL
Having Xavier come visit for 10 days, and explore Malaysia with me
Learning to cook authentic Malaysia cuisines at the LaZat Kitchen
Monkeying around at the Batu Caves
Getting some new ink from tattoo artist, Miiao
Visiting the KL Bird Park, the largest covered free flight aviary
Trekking through the jungle in Seremban, and staying at The Dusun (I highly recommend booking the Lanai House!)
Discovering all of the hidden speakeasies in KL
Zip-lining, and going through a 29-ropes course challenge in the jungle
Staying at The Lake House in Cameron Highlands with Anneka, and visiting the Mossy Forest, Boh Tea Plantation, and the strawberry farms
Stepping back in time with a solo side trip to Ipoh, Perak
Awakening my senses with a very powerful experience at Dining in the Dark KL

The Not As Fun Stuff

The humidity, and heat in the city jungle
Doing laundry every other day because of said humidity, and heat
Things were more spread out in the city so I walked a lot less

The Cameron Suite at the Lakehouse in Cameron Highlands.

The Misses of Mangata at the Heli-lounge. Photo by Xavier Lane Photography

Spices for cooking. Photo by Xavier Lane Photography

Stories

I've always admired people who traveled solo, but I never had a strong desire to do it for myself. I get a lot of energy from traveling with people, and sharing that experience. Prior to Remote Year I told myself that I needed to try solo travel and so I did.

I traveled a few hours north of KL by train to Malaysia's renaissance city of Ipoh. This region was put on the map for its glory days during the tin-mining trade, but once the British withdrew from Malaysia the colonial buildings began to slide into despair. When you walk around you can find vintage-style cafes, rustic boutiques, and contemporary street art on historical buildings that gives you glimpses of what life was like back then. It was nice to take a deep breath, slow down, and enjoy a Kopi (the city’s signature white coffee, begins with beans roasted briefly in margarine, before they are brewed into a rich coffee and sweetened with condensed milk.)

I loved traveling solo, and here is what I learned:

I could fully focus on where I was rather than who I was with.
You're more approachable to locals when you're solo.
It's very to easy change plans, and travel on your terms.
It builds more confidence, and gives you space to learn about who you are.

The freedom you get when you travel solo is just different. For me it was a peaceful, and rich experience. I'm already looking forward to the next solo expedition.

Art from Ernest Zacharevic in Ipoh, Perak.

Connections

This month was all about cultural connections. "Malaysia, Truly Asia," is a catchy tourism slogan but it rings true because of the diverse mix of Asian cultures. Unlike many of its Asian counterparts, it isn't a nation that is distinctively tied to one ethnicity, or language. Malaysia’s rich history has evolved the country to become a truly multi-racial, and multi-cultural society where its three major ethnic groups – the Malays, Chinese, and Indians – along with a myriad of smaller ethnic groups live in harmony, learning one another’s languages, and cultures. There is much respect for all to freely carry-on the traditions, and beliefs of their own ethnic background. The Malaysian culture and lifestyle, together with its openness to multiplicity makes it a charming place to visit. It isn’t uncommon to see Malaysians from all ethnic backgrounds coming together to join in each other’s festivities, and cultural celebrations.

Cultural diversity can be a source of strength, and pride. Immersion teaches us how to be strong in spite of our differences. It instills character, and nurture citizens who are open, and progressive through a sense of unity for the betterment of our world.

After 6+ months on the road I've learned that culture is not static. Our way of thinking, and belief system is related to all the humans we choose to interact with. No matter where we come from or where we are presently immersed in, relationships are of central importance to every human. Similarity breeds connections which is why personal networks tend to be homogeneous with regard to many demographic, behavioral, and interpersonal characteristics. But there is one personality trait that leads to having friends who don't act, and look like you. That is openness to experience.

Tamarind Springs Restaurant. Photo by Xavier Lane Photography.

Owning the unknown

I knew very little about Malaysia before traveling here. It has so much to offer that sets it apart from the rest of Southeast Asia. It felt like a forgotten jewel of the eastern world. The continuous development of the nation with its preservation of long-standing traditions made for daily pleasant surprises that were beautiful, and sometimes baffling. This month gave me the energy, and motivation that I was looking for to conquer the latter half of Remote Year. To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand.

The man behind the camera <3 Xavier Lane.

Footnotes

The subtitle is the Malaysian proverb translating to "Since you happen to put your hand in a container full of pickles, might as well dip your whole arm in the container." Cover photo by Xavier Lane.

Button Label

FootNotes

The subtitle is the Malaysian proverb translating to "Since you happen to put your hand in a container full of pickles, might as well dip your whole arm in the container." Cover photo by Xavier Lane.