Malaysia
The Esplanade in Penang, Malaysia, is a historic seafront promenade that defines the character of the city's colonial past. A long granite seawall spans from the whitewashed Neo-Classical City Hall from one end to the cannon-bastioned Fort Cornwallis at the other.
Known for its incredibly biodiverse rainforests, Borneo, the world's third-largest island, offers a walk on the wild side. Borneo also boasts the distinction of being the only island in the world controlled by three countries: Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. I took a deep dive into Malaysian Borneo's jungle by experiencing three wildly different and rustic lodgings. An exceptional family runs the lodges. The inspiring family also makes a difference by protecting this part of Malaysia’s most precious resource: nature.
I ran my tongue around my lips and tasted the lingering flavor of curry and the remnants of spices from masala tea. The morning air was thick with the woody scent of incense sticks. A breeze rustled by. I stopped and took in the grassy scent of banana leaves and a faint whiff of freshly plucked flowers as I began my experience at Thaipusam in Penang.
With its dazzling skyline, Kuala Lumpur, or KL as most people call it, always leaves a lasting impression on visitors. A jungle of skyscrapers spreads throughout this Malaysian capital. They culminate in a spectacle of city lights encircling the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers, which stand like the sky-touching, larger-than-life cornstalks clad in silvery luminescence. But the real gems of KL lie in the discoveries of those who venture beyond the skyline.
Since 2008, when the main city George Town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tourists flocked to Penang to savour the food, see the sites, and indulge in ‘heritage tourism’. Every day, you can see walking tours searching for the Insta-famous street art peppered across the Heritage Zone. However, heritage tourism is a double-edged sword; what they think is cultural heritage is, in fact, a brilliant tourism campaign promoting the historic image of Penang at the cost of the locals who live it.
My first trip was a six-week journey through Malaysia, the country where my dad was born. Not only did this trip ignite the wanderlust that fuels me to this day, it also helped me discover my roots and develop a better understanding of my ethnic heritage.
Southeast Asia is filled with cultural diversity, unique cuisine, and the most unbelievable panoramic views, such as tropical rainforests and seas. Located in the Southern region of the Malay Peninsula is the state of Malacca, and the capital is Malacca City which UNESCO named a world heritage site in 2008.
Desaru has one of the best beaches in the state of Johor.
Malaysia is one of the beautiful and unique countries to visit in Southeast Asia. It's a melting pot of cultures, populated by Malays, Chinese, Indians, and the various indigenous groups.
CulturePrep has been empowering individuals and groups from around the world to overcome the obstacles that threaten meaningful and productive cross-cultural relationships.
Looking for a travel experience that immerses you in vibrant religious traditions and spiritual devotion? Every year, typically in January or February, over 1.6 million devotees and curious travelers gather in Malaysia for Thaipusam, a Hindu festival held at the iconic Batu Caves
