The last entry

Hmmm, so we didn't want to start our last day before the trip home...

We thoroughly take care of our bodies, Dania narrowly escapes a goose bite attack and we head out for breakfast/lunch at 12 o'clock. The perfect time, we think, since even the Malaysians who like to sleep in should have already swung their pans. Think again. It's the weekend here on Friday/Saturday, everything's closed 😳and we're HUngrY!

We try again at 4 o'clock and we want to take the back exit, as the geese are lurking in front of our door and already attacked Dania in the morning. Unfortunately, most food stalls are still closed. However, we find one that is open - the food is quite good, but what really bothers me is the cat with x open wounds that is staying in the guest area with us. Oh dear.

But this shouldn't cloud the impression of Malaysia 🤗taking a walk on the deserted beach makes everything better...Tomorrow we will have spent four weeks in Malaysia, including several days in Singapore. We are looking forward to going home, but we have also experienced an exciting time.

I asked my fellow travelers - and myself - to come to a personal conclusion about the trip...

My conclusion is:

Along the coast and in southern Malaysia, we were in tropical regions. Those days off the rainforest in the mild Westwood Highlands were very relaxing. Except for Caro, who got food poisoning at exactly this time. Kuala Lumpur remains in memory as a melting pot of cultures with a nervous hustle and bustle. Apart from the non-existent traffic rules in Penang, we found our mecca of culinary delights there. The country and its people were very friendly, and I particularly noticed the willingness to help that was omnipresent. In Langkawi, we planted with Peter Mangroves and are now officially baptized Mangrovis. The miracle of nature converts salt into fresh water. Jetski-riding fully veiled women, Chicken Masalla disguised as Tea Tarek - served 5 times in a row due to communication problems - no problem in Malaysia, breathtaking architecture in its purest form in Singapore, and wonderful sunsets on Langkawi are etched in our memories and round off our adventure.

P.S. On the last day, I got the obligatory sunburn as a reminder of 🇲🇾 .

Dania's conclusion:

Singapore is different. Incomparable. So futuristic with its green skyscrapers. Everything is sterile and clean.

I'm thrilled by the botanical garden, oh how I LOVE the botanical garden, and the Gardens by the Bay with the Supertree Groves, the skyline, and the light show are simply impressive. There would certainly be so much more to discover! I only noticed the different cultures here in the food (they were more than obvious in Penang). On the other hand, urban life was omnipresent, and the sensational public transportation made it possible to see everything in such a short time. 7.5/10 points

Compared to Singapore, Malaysia is rougher, warmer, less anonymous, and therefore much more likable to me.

The nature is more original, not planted, the trash problem is real, and the people, despite all cultures, are all Malayan. There are so many incredible impressions, each time different when you change location. Some things that are the same everywhere:

• The people are so friendly, always smile back. We never felt like tourists being ripped off, as happened to me a few times in Bali.

• The nature is stunning. Many beaches that are almost empty, surrounded by mangroves or rainforest. Waterfalls everywhere, even though the rainy season is almost a year ago.

• The food is always good! Favorites: Chendol, Char Koay Teow, Nasi Goreng (of course), Mango Sticky Rice, Pad Thai, Curry Mee, Naaaaaaaan. Drinks: Teh Tarik, Limau Ais, Coconut Shake (but only the one from Penang :D) and fresh juices

• The Grab app makes life easy if you can install it and I really loved our driver Mizie. He's so helpful and told us a lot about Langkawi.

• All sights except for the Sky Cabs were less crowded than expected. Maybe that was because we got up early, but that way we could enjoy everything without much crowding and collect impressions.

• Caaaaaats

We probably just caught Kuala Lumpur off guard. The Batu Caves were great! Our hotel was great! Otherwise, we were probably just in the wrong places :)

Which cannot be said of the Cameron Highlands. Much hype for little. If you don't want to drive to the trails every day by bus to hike there for many hours (the tea plantations and mountains are really beautiful and the climate is perfect for that), you can save the trip. Surrounded by white plastic greenhouse roofs hiding pesticide strawberries, you find yourself stuck in traffic on your way to rather unspectacular sights.

Favorite places:

• The not very touristy north of Langkawi, the mangrove tour with Peter and the uninhabited islands

• Penang, with the healthiest, but best food I ever had, the beautiful national park (baby turtles, hello?♡) and the streets where you discover small treasures at every corner, such as colorfully decorated houses or street art. The LeDream was absolutely awesome and the massage at Bali Thai around the corner is exceptionally good. 10 out of 10 points!

And in case you haven't been able to tell so far. I love Malaysia (9.5/10, leaving room for improvement :D) and I am grateful to have been able to travel this country with two amazing travel buddies! ♡ I really hold both of you in my heart!

My conclusion:

I loved Bali and Lombok. That was THE trip. So admittedly, Malaysia had a hard time competing here. But maybe that was also the wrong approach: to compete. Fortunately, I quickly understood to see Malaysia and Singapore independently of Indonesia.

And then it happened, as it had to happen, simply because it is so beautiful here: loud, quiet, humid, more humid, sunny, colorful, strange, incredible, and full of people who may not immediately have a smile on their lips, but when you smile at them, they give you a lot in return. I always felt welcome and accepted.

In the 4 weeks, we saw and experienced so much that it's hard to say what was the most beautiful... because how can you compare the rainforest with a mega city like Singapore?. Nevertheless:

• Penang was my highlight
• Followed by Singapore and Langkawi (although they couldn't be more different)
• The rainforest (I'm sure if I hadn't gotten sick there, the memory would be different)
• Cameron Highlands
• Kuala Lumpur (there are actually reports on the internet from travelers who love the city. Maybe we were just at the wrong place at the wrong time)

Unfairly, Malaysia is not yet as recognized by world travelers as Thailand, for example. If you can live with drinking little or at least expensive alcohol in the evenings and not having an extensive nightlife, but instead being interested in a colorful mix of cultures and religions, loving colorful, sooo delicious (!!) food, and having an eye for landscape diversity, Malaysia should seriously be considered.

I ❤️it... probably also because of its peculiarities ... everything gets sugared, pod showers instead of toilet paper...

And I'm afraid: (Southeast) Asia won't let me go and other regions here want to be traveled quickly 😃