Malaysia

Best of Malaysia

February 22, 2013 /

We spent a week in Malaysia, a fast-developing country, characterized by a conjunction of multiple races, cultures, religions, food, and nature to enjoy. The dominant religion in Malaysia is Islam, whose followers make up 61% of the population. The constitution declares Islam the state religion while protecting freedom of religion. Debate exists about whether Malaysia should be a secular or Islamic state, with politics often becoming entwined with religion. Due to contention with an Islamic opposition, the ruling government has slowly become more Islamic, with Islam beginning to have more influence over day-to-day life in Malaysia.

Visiting this country gave us a closer look to the Islamic lifestyle, learning a little more about their beliefs and challenging a lot of the stereotypes that have been so strongly advertised by politics and media after the events of September 11, 2001. We became intrigued about this religion after discovering some of their interesting principles and practices:

  • Islam disapproves groupings and organizations based on race, color, language, nationality, etc. As it declares that all men in the world have sprung from the same parents and therefore, are equal in their status as human beings.

  • Islam requires all neighbors to be loving and cooperative with one another, sharing their sorrows and happiness. It enjoins that they should establish social relations in which one could depend upon the other.

  • Sexual abstinence isn’t encouraged as it goes against human nature. Instead, early marriage is promoted.

  • Sex is viewed as a way of pleasure and bonding between a married couple and not only for reproduction.

  • They can only eat “Halal” products, which means only eating animals that have been sacrificed in a way that causes the least suffering.

By witnessing the harmony of many different religions and temples across the streets of George Town, the elegant design of the bright Petrona Towers at night in Kuala Lumpur, the devotion and vibrant music of the Thaipusam Hindu celebration in Batu Caves, and the peaceful sound of the rivers and the tropical forest in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia made sure we won’t regret any second of our visit and leave us wanting more.

Below are other great things we enjoyed about Malaysia:

Food and Drinks

  • Cendol: green strands of pea flour with crushed ice, coconut milk, and syrup

  • Laksa Penang: noodles in fish broth

  • Nasi Ayam: rice with chicken

  • Chicken Wings

  • Duck Rice

  • Char Koay Teow: noodles with shrimp and sausage

  • Biryani Thali: several small indian dishes served with rice

  • Kuay: traditional desserts cakes (chinese version)

  • Curry Mee: spicy soup with coconut milk and noodles

  • Tokong: a fruit similar to lychee but with segmented parts and a sweeter taste

  • Pomarosa

Favorite Sights and Activities

  • Canopy Walks in Taman Negara

  • Thaipusam Celebration in Batu Caves

  • Visiting the Batek Tribe in Taman Negara

  • Gazing the Petronas Towers

  • Experiencing multicultural George Town, Penang

People

  • Pam: our Couchsurfing host in Kuala Lumpur. She inspired us by her stories of traveling the last 10 years!!

  • Mack: Pam’s brother

  • Robina: she was Couchsurfing with Pam the previous night

  • Sidy: Pam’s friend

  • Patrick and Erica: a couple we met on the Taman Negara tour from Holland and Indonesia

  • Jenzea, Kathy, Steph: met on the Taman Negara tour from Canada

  • Fahmi: our Couchsurfing host in Kuala Lumpur

  • Kay: Fahmi’s friend

Animals Viewed

  • Macques Monkeys

  • Wild Pigs

  • Tapir

  • Stick Insect

  • Giant Millipede

  • Giant Ants

  • Black Scorpion

  • Spiders

  • Porcupine

  • Centipede

  • Termites

  • Colorful Moth

  • Giant Squirrels

  • Sweat Bees

  • Frog

Native Words

  • Keluar = Exit

  • Masuk = Entrance

  • Masjid = Mosque

  • Negara = National

  • Ayam = Chicken

  • Nasi = Rice

  • Kuala = Confluence (two rivers cross)

  • Awas = Caution

  • Taman = Park

Facebook