Tag Archives: Malaysia

Malaysia since its independence in 1957 has a flourishing economic growth in Southeast Asia. The country’s diverse culture and tradition have become a unique attraction among its increasing visitors. British colonialism has occurred in the 18th century with the country’s potential to development in addition to its fascinating location in …

If you plan on visiting Malaysia next month, make time for a trip to Penang State which will celebrate its 4th George Town Festival in commemoration of George Town’s inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites on July 7, 2008. The celebrations will kick off on June 7, 2013 and …

Borneo is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests, which is no surprise why Sabah, one of its provinces, is hotly contested between Malaysia and the Philippines. (Where there are ancient forests there are ancient swamps, and where there are ancient swamps, there is natural gas, but that is …

When authority speaks, we ought to listen. This year, the heavyweights of the travel industry have spoken; taken their pick (and road-tested) superlative – best, fairest, cheapest – destinations for 2013. Their choices definitely vary, but they arrived at a common conclusion despite differences in criteria: Southeast Asia just won’t …

Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s only federal constitutional monarchy. It has thirteen states and three federal territories, and is governed by an elected monarch, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Kuala Lumpur is not only the country’s capital city, but also its biggest. Travelers will want to exchange their money to Ringgit, the …

Having a row with the neighbor occasionally happens, and that’s what has been happening to Malaysia and the Philippines lately (although the “fight” is more like between the Filipino heirs of an ancient sultanate and the Malaysian government). The two countries are presently involved in a territorial dispute concerning Sabah, …

Multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, Malaysia has been the subject of British interest from the 18th century until the country’s independence from the latter’s rule in 1957. As the “Land of Mountains”, Malaysia enchants the nature lover with its rich flora and fauna, and delights the extreme backpacker with its cheap and …

Eating what the locals do when you travel is one of the best ways you can get to know a place. With my sweet tooth, I try to end each meal with dessert. No matter what I’ve eaten — be it from a hawker’s booth, a mall’s food court or …

Deepavali is the “Festival of Lights” and is a five-day celebration that is considered to be the most important holiday in the Hindu calendar. Its literal translation is “a row of lights”, as the festival’s name is derived from the words “deep” that means lights, and “avail” to mean a …

When it comes to monarchy, what we know is mostly based on the European royalty. Their positions are hereditary, meaning that it gets passed on from generation to generation from father to son, and sometimes, from mother to daughter. In Malaysia, their king is called a Yang di-Pertuan Agong. But …

Hari Raya Puasa is more known to the world as Eid al-Fitr, the “Feast of Breaking of the Fast.” It is one of the two Eid holidays that the Muslims worldwide celebrate every year. Hari Raya Puasa, or Hari Raya Aidilfitri is how the holiday is referred to by the …

The Prophet Muhammad is believed to be Allah’s last prophet and a key figure in the Islamic faith. Many believers celebrate his birth, and call it “Mawlid al-Nabi”.  The word “mawlid” has Arabic roots and means “to give birth”. In more modern times, “mawlid” is used to refer to the …