Assalamualaikum dan Selamat Sejahtera kepada semua pembaca blog ini. Another warm welcome to all my readers. I’m still hopeful for this new year and eager to spend more quality family time. This includes awesome holidays! Last year, we took a short trip to Seremban. I’m glad the kids get the travel bug….. I feel it’s important they learn about places, culture, from travelling.

Thinking of taking a road trip with the family? Escape the city, and check out these gems in from West to East Malaysia. 

WEST MALAYSIA

Penang

Start up north with the island of Penang (4-hours from KL), rich in its cultural heritage and historic architecture. Penang has a vibrant contemporary art vibe, albeit its historical appeal. You will find art unlike any seen in a museum, but on the walls of Georgetown’s colonial structures. Join a tour or get a map to discover these gems for yourself. 30 minutes north is Ferringhi, a haven for hotel resorts and stretches of sandy beaches with reasonably priced water activities—jet skiing, parasailing and banana boating. Once you’ve worked up an appetite from all that travelling, treat your taste buds to a gastronomical delight and feed on the many local delicacies from kuey teow, to assam laksa, cendol and ice kacang. Penang is a wonderful place to explore and has been noted to be one of the most interesting places in Malaysia.

Penang
Cameron Highlands

Travel 3 hours south and arrive at Cameron Highlands, nestled in the Titiwangsa Mountains of Pahang. Standing at over 1800 meters, with temperatures averaging 18-22 degree Celsius, Cameron Highlands has perfect conditions for cultivating tea, fruits and veggies. Kids will enjoy visiting the strawberry farms, and parents can relish a stop at BOH’s floating tea cafe to enjoy a cup of tea, while savouring the spectacular views of the region. All in all, Cameron Highlands—a welcomed escape.

Cameron Highlands
Fraser's Hill 

Start from Kuala Lumpur, and travel north to the idyllic town of Fraser’s Hill. Take in the deliciously cool air, and enjoy a tranquil nature walk up Hemmant trail. An easy walk suitable even for beginners. Looking for some outdoor activity, try the archery or horse riding at The Paddock. For the more adventurous; an an icy dip in the Sungai Chiling waterfalls.

Fraser's Hill
For the uber adventurer, one can opt to travel East Malaysia through the Pan Borneo highway which connects Sabah and Sarawak. It is the best route to take as it links popular destinations around Borneo, including national parks, cultural cities, mountainous terrain, tropical rainforests, and relaxing beaches. 

EAST MALAYSIA 

Kuching

Kuching is a colourful city, filled with alluring cultural and architectural treasures. The city is pulsating with vibrant lanes, shophouses, and bustling markets. Spend a day walking around and don’t forget to snap a photo of the Big White Cat Statue. Kuching is home to many historical buildings such as the Astana Palace and Fort Margherita where you’ll get a good panoramic view of the city from inside the watchtower. The Kuching Civic Center is another destination, distinct for its umbrella-shaped roof. It has a planetarium and a viewing platform that presents stunning views of the city. Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, famous for its orangutan habitat. Tourists often come to attend the annual World Harvest Festival and Rainforest Music Festival. Visitors get to immerse themselves in the towering trees, sights, sounds, and explore the rainforests of Borneo.

Kuching
Kota Kinabalu

Take a trip to Kota Kinabalu and you will quickly learn to appreciate the city’s landmarks. Sabah is blessed with some of the best islands in Malaysia, tropical rainforests, national parks and Malaysia’s tallest peak, Mount Kinabalu. At night, one can indulge in local street food and seafood at Kota Kinabalu or Sinsuran’s Night Food Market. Seeking some snorkeling fun, or just a calm day in the sun? Visit Sabah’s many beautiful islands. The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park hosts a few of Kota Kinabalu’s beaches on the islands of Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Sulug and Mamutik. The clear, sparkling waters and sun-kissed beaches, are reason enough for people love to relocate to the island. 

Kota Kinabalu
For long journeys like these, it is always wise to plan ahead and prepare by packing all the essentials. Ensure your vehicle is in working condition, fully-serviced with adequate tyre pressure and a smooth engine for the long haul. Bring your vehicle registration card for immigration checkpoints, (when travelling through Brunei). Remember to bring your passport (for foreigners) and regular IC (for Malaysians) should suffice. Communication is essential, therefore mobile phones should be fully reloaded and charged up (especially for those Instagrammable moments). Snacks are crucial for long drives, as passengers need to feed their hunger pangs (kids especially) and more importantly so the driver keeps awake! A little coffee or performance drinks should do the trick.

Most Malaysians prefer to fly. However, if you decide to go to East Malaysia, there’s an easy way for you to bring your car over offers seamless end-to-end freight forwarding services, which means you will enjoy door-to-door collection and delivery service of your car. GMG is an automotive logistics pioneer that handles it all; customs clearance, freighting and delivery right to your doorstep.


Thank you for reading.. Until next time, stay happy!
Sekian, wasalam..
Byee..

Regards,
I am LZ