World Tallest Twin Tower, Petronas Twin Tower Malaysia
Many travelers have asked me; what is so special about Malaysia? The answer is simple, Malaysia Truly Asia.

Penang’s Komtar Tower
Independent for more than 50 years, Malaysia is a country with deep culture and history. In the past as Malaya (former name of Malaysia) is an important place for trading in the past, Malaya was the central hub in trading between the West and East. At that time, state Melaka or Malacca was one of the most powerful countries in South East Asia. For such we have the name of “Straits of Malacca” named after it. With Dutch, Portuguese and English colonization, Malaysia embraced multi cultural and multi ethnic influences from them. Until today, there are still Dutch, Portuguese and English descendants who are still staying in Malaysia. Today, Malaysia comprises of Malay, Chinese, Indian and other ethnic groups who has been staying together in harmony and peace for centuries.

Malaysia’s Oldest Mosque, Kampung Kling Melaka

Buddha Statue with the Golden Lips, read http://www.placesandfoods.com/2011/01/phra-buddha-bharameedharm-chamruslok-temple-kelantan-the-buddha-statue-with-golden-lips.html (Largest sitting Buddha in South East Asia)

The one and only Chinese Mosque in Malaysia, read http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/10/beijingmosque.html

Malaysia’s world famous Batu Caves

Malaysia is also popular for its world class cuisine. Malaysia plays host for the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival, it is a hit among the locals and the foreigners as we Malaysians showcase the best food in Malaysia to the world. The month long celebration is an annual affair and tourists are able to taste Malaysia’s best in participating restaurants and hotels. Malaysia is also home for popular multi racial food such as Malay, Chinese and Indian food. Most of the Malaysian food is only available in Malaysia except a few landed in Singapore.

Malaysia’s popular Nasi Kandar in Penang.

(Video- Malaysia Top Chef, Chef Wan making popular Malay Dish – Kerabu) Read http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/09/chefwankerabu.html

Malaysia Street Food, BBQ Chicken Wings

Malaysia is a host for for ecology and nature paradise with an estimation of 20% of the world’s animal species, 620 species of bird, 150 species of snakes, 15,000 species of vascular plants and forest believed to be more than 130 million years old. From the popular Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia to the Mulu Caves, the largest cave in the world, Malaysia offers nature, ecology and outdoor tourism like no other countries. Malaysia has one of the best diving spot in the world, Pulau Sipadan off Sabah is voted as the top 10 diving spots in the world.

Penang’s famous Chinese Temple, Kek Lok Si, read http://www.placesandfoods.com/2009/08/the-famous-kek-lok-si-temple-penang.html

Bird watcher will be given a real treat as there are more than 620 species of bird recorded in Malaysia. Not forgetting the proboscis monkey and orang utan in Borneo. For nature lovers, the National Park in Pahang will send tourist back to time with forest believed to be more than 130 million years old. For flower lovers, please do not forget the biggest flower in world, the Rafflesia. For beach lovers, please do check out the beautiful islands of Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Penang.

Live horseshoe crab in Langkawi. Read my “5 Things To Do in Langkawi’s Mangrove Eco Tour” http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/12/5-things-to-do-in-langkawi%E2%80%99s-mangrove-eco-tour.html

Beautiful Pulau Dayang near Langkawi.

Read more about Pulau Dayang http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/05/pulau-dayang-bunting-marble-geopark-langkawi-malaysia.html

For history lovers, turn back time to visit the UNESCO Heritage Site in Melaka and Pulau Pinang.

Malaysia’s Oldest Temple, Kampung Kling in Melaka

(video – Eagle Feeding in Langkawi)

Read more about wild eagle feeding in Langkawi, http://www.placesandfoods.com/2008/12/eagle-feeding-langkawi.html

(video – Underwater near Pulau Redang)

Read more about the Redang’s Underwater Adventure >> http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/01/underwater-pictures-and-videos-of-redang-marine-parkex.html

(Video – Turtle Mating near Pulau Redang)

Read more about Turtle Mating in Redang >> http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/06/travel-moments-turtles-mating-spotted-at-turtle-bay-redang-island-malaysia.html

For those who love shopping, Malaysia has one of the best shopping centers in the region. Visit Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia to shop for the best price. Look out for the Malaysia Sale Season for the best sale of the year. Malaysia is also home for unique handicrafts as well as the world class pewter, Royal Selangor.

(video- Kuala Lumpur Aerial View)

In Malaysia, we celebrate many events. Event such as Formula 1, MotoGP, Le Tour de Langkawi, Monsoon Cup, Rainforest Challenge, Malaysia Badminton Series, Malaysia Golf Open, Malaysia Tennis Open, World class concerts, Malaysia International Fashion Week, Malaysia International Gourmet Festival and multi racial festivals will entertain tourists all year round.

Malaysia Formula One GP in Sepang

(video- Malaysia Fireworks Competition)

Read more about Malaysia Internation Fireworks competition >> http://www.placesandfoods.com/2007/09/fireworks-at-putrajaya.html

(Video – Malaysia Fashion Week)

My MIFW Experience here> http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/11/mifw-malaysia-international-fashion-week-2010-captured-with-nokia-n8.html

(Video – Hennessy Event, Party in Kuala Lumpur)

Malaysia’s top badminton player, Datuk Lee Chong Wei at Thomas Cup 2010, read >> http://www.placesandfoods.com/2010/05/thomas-cup-2010-malaysia-vs-japan-live-experience.html

The Annual Comic Fiesta for Comic and Cosplay fans, read http://www.placesandfoods.com/2009/12/comic-fiesta-2009-at-sunway-convention-center-malaysia-preview.html

For all the above, there is no country is more diversify and multi-racial than Malaysia.  I am proud to be born as Malaysian and proud to present Malaysia as a top class tourist destination. Malaysia is purely and truly Asia!

Our 2008 trip to Redang was a good one. It was actually Wilson’s first time to Redang Island. We didn’t stay at one of the top resorts, we opted for an average resort which was averagely good. Our package includes snorkeling trips to Redang Marine Park with the additional fee of RM 5 (US$ 1.8) only.

The island is well maintained, crowded by tourist but it was very clean. We were advised to snorkel around the island and it was indeed one of the best snorkeling site we’ve been.

It was Wilson in front and Angela (my sister) at the back.

Check out the Tiger Fish.

Up close and personal.

Feeding time, we brought some bread to feed the fish, they loved it!

There were also other different types of fish there. Can’t really name what fishes they were, but they were very colorful.

That’s us! Wilson and I!

Amazing, well preserved and beautiful corals.

Can you spot “Nemo” (clown fish) down there?

I bet you can spot the baby shark! Don’t worry, they won’t bite and attack humans. What a sight!

Check out the video of the school fish, awesome!

The colorful fish at Redang Marine Park. The moment underwater was so nice, cooling and stress free. Wish I could go there more often, hearts Redang Marine Park. Awesome!!