| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 40 |
| Copyright: Other |
Try something different
Spoilt for choice when it comes to holiday highs
Kerry Webb looks at four very different holiday experiences in Peninsular Malaysia
While most people head to Peninsular Malaysia to lie on one of its spectacular golden beaches, there are, in fact, a number of opportunities and experiences open to holidaymakers.And the great thing is, at just 547 miles from tip to toe, it is possible to have a holiday in Peninsular Malaysia that combines several different experiences.
With internal flights available from as little as £15 it not expensive either.
Most flights from the UK land in Kuala Lumpur, making a city break an easy option at the beginning or end of a trip.
However, in between, the dense jungle that covers much of the peninsula is ideal for those holidaymakers who are seeking a spot ofadventure.
The mountain retreats offer a cool escape from the humidity and the hundreds of islands are perfect for those in search of their very own Robinson Crusoe getaway.
1. Mountain retreats
Four hours from Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands in the state of Pahang is Malaysia’s premier hill resort. Surrounded by lush green mountain scenery and tea plantations, visitors can tour the factories to see tea processed.
Fraser’s Hill is perhaps the prettiest hill resort in Malaysia and just an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. It is reminiscent of a quaint English village with its mock-Tudor cottages nestling in the hills.
Other mountain retreats include Bukit Larut, the smallest hill resort, and Penang Hill, a former British trading post.
While these resorts offer perfect getaways, Genting Highlands is slightly different. Just 34 miles north of Kuala Lumpur, it offers theme parks and a casino and visitors enter a fantasy world of glitz reminiscent of Las Vegas.
Lush: tea break in the Cameron Highlands
2. Adventure holidays
Malaysia has around 19 national parks. Consisting mainly of dense, virgin rainforests, rugged mountainous landscapes and wild rivers, these are a haven for anyone looking for escapism and adventure. Whitewater rafting, jungle treking and fishing are just some of the activities. Kenong Rimba Park, Endau Rompin National Park and Taman Negara are the three parks found on the peninsula, with the latter being Malaysia’s largest. It extends over some 434,300 hectares of forest, is believed to be more than 130 million years old and has Peninsular Malaysia’s highest mountain, Gunng Tahan, which is 2,187 metres above sea level.
Scenic jungle paths, perfect for trekkers, snake their way across the parks and for those looking for a touch of luxury, the coastal resort of Tanjung Jara in the eastern state of Terengganu is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding wetlands and what is a relatively unknown and totally unspoilt region of the peninsular. The resort offers a number of adventure trips such as a river safari down the Pimpin River. The river and the forest along its banks are home to giant monitor lizards, terrapins, monkeys, mudskippers, river otters, sea eagles and kingfishers. Bamboo Rafting along the Klemin River is also on offer but guests have to build their own raft beforehand. Professional Association of Diving Instructors diving schools are found in all the main resorts.
2. Adventure holidays
Malaysia has around 19 national parks. Consisting mainly of dense, virgin rainforests, rugged mountainous landscapes and wild rivers, these are a haven for anyone looking for escapism and adventure. Whitewater rafting, jungle treking and fishing are just some of the activities. Kenong Rimba Park, Endau Rompin National Park and Taman Negara are the three parks found on the peninsula, with the latter being Malaysia’s largest. It extends over some 434,300 hectares of forest, is believed to be more than 130 million years old and has Peninsular Malaysia’s highest mountain, Gunng Tahan, which is 2,187 metres above sea level.
Scenic jungle paths, perfect for trekkers, snake their way across the parks and for those looking for a touch of luxury, the coastal resort of Tanjung Jara in the eastern state of Terengganu is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding wetlands and what is a relatively unknown and totally unspoilt region of the peninsular. The resort offers a number of adventure trips such as a river safari down the Pimpin River. The river and the forest along its banks are home to giant monitor lizards, terrapins, monkeys, mudskippers, river otters, sea eagles and kingfishers. Bamboo Rafting along the Klemin River is also on offer but guests have to build their own raft beforehand. Professional Association of Diving Instructors diving schools are found in all the main resorts.
3. Island hopping
If your idea of a good holiday is lying in a hammock under the shade of a palm tree, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Malaysia. There are literally hundreds of islands off the coast and it’s easy to hop from one to another.
Tioman Island and the Perhentian Islands off the east coast are still very much the reserve of backpackers. Clean, air-conditioned beach huts as cheap as £25 a night are the norm here. However, if you’re looking for true luxury and indulgence, it’s hard to beat the prestigious island of Pangkor Laut on the west coast. More commercialised is Langkawi, a group of 99 islands offering a selection of luxury getaways. Further north is the island of Penang, the first island to be developed as an exclusive island resort. If you like Asian food, Penang is a great place to sample Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine and Penang’s colonial past is particularly evident in the capital, Georgetown.
4. City break
The majority of holidaymakers enter Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur, a city that has undergone a transformation in the last few years thanks to heavy infrastructural investment. Impressive glass skyscrapers dominate the landscape, the most famous being the 452 metre high Petronas Towers.
Main sights include the Petronas Towers’ observation deck; the moorish-inspired Sultan Abdul Samad heritage building, lavishly topped with a copper dome and ornately designed with pillars and arches; and the nearby Orchid and Lake Gardens, offering tranquility in what is otherwise a bustling city.
If it’s hustle and bustle you want then a visit to Chinatown is a must, particularly at night, when it is transformed into a huge street market. The favourable exchange rate makes shopping even more of an enjoyable pastime for UK visitors.
Cherating, Malaysia: take it easy