Malaysia
Beaches, Rainforest and Skyscrapers
Malaysia has succeeded in transforming itself into a prosperous modern society while preserving the traditional values of an ancient culture. Visitors will find it affluent enough to ensure urban civilization's creature comforts, coexisting with the untamed wilderness of its tropical rainforests.
Peninsular Malaysia extends south from Thailand to the Johor Strait, within sight of the island republic of Singapore. Across a broad channel of the South China Sea, East Malaysia occupies the northern third of the great island of Borneo, except for the oil-rich enclave of Brunei; Indonesia's province of Kalimantan takes up the remaining two-thirds. Malaysia's two territories are similar in climate-hot and humid-but peninsular Malaysia, especially along its west coast, has more industrial and urban development, and much of its primeval rainforest has long since been cleared for rubber and oil palm plantations. Apart from its narrow coastal plain, East Malaysia still retains vast areas of dense, often impenetrable jungle, but logging is a major industry and environmentalists are alarmed at the rate at which it is disappearing. Nine of the thirteen states have hereditary rulers, and every five years, these elect one of their number to serve as constitutional monarch, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or "King" of Malaysia.
Indicative of its prosperity, the peninsula's roads and its west coast railway are good, and the capital, Kuala Lumpur, has skyscrapers to rival anywhere in the world. But for all that modernity, nature is forever reasserting its presence. Ferns, creepers and palm fronds are always ready to sprout through cracks in the pavement, an overnight tropical storm helped along by the morning sun turning any neglected patch of ground in the city into a miniature jungle. The real jungle was untouched by the Ice Age, making Malaysia's rainforests the oldest in the world. On the peninsula, you can explore the wilderness of Taman Negara national park. On Borneo, take a flat-bottomed boat up one of the rivers to visit some of the tribal people of Sarawak in their forest dwellings, or head for Sabah and perhaps climb Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's highest peak.
If Kuala Lumpur is representative of Asia's vanguard in modern city comforts, the grand old port of Malacca (Melaka) is a proud guardian of Malaysia's past-with Chinese, Portuguese, Hindu and Dutch influences in evidence. Offshore island resorts with the most modern facilities have sprung up along the peninsula's west coast at Penang, Langkawi and Pangkor, with their counterpart, Tioman, off the east coast.
Long cut off from the rest of the Malaysian world by jungle-clad mountains and impassable swamps, the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang largely escaped the effects of colonialization and European influence. Thanks to recently built motorways, there is now easy access, but the culture is still essentially Malay, and traditional activities such as kite-flying, boat-building, top-spinning and batik-printing have been preserved.
The country's Malays (59%), Chinese (32%) and Indians (8%) live in remarkable harmony. The Malays' supremacy in government and civil service privileges arouse some resentment and occasional conflicts, but without the violence prevalent elsewhere. In old Malacca, you will find Buddhist and Hindu temples on the same street as a mosque.
The majority of Malays are rural villagers-herding goats and buffaloes, growing rice, working in the palm-oil, rubber, timber, coconut and bamboo industries. Malay Muslims practise a generally mild-mannered Sunnite version of Islam, often spiced with more ancient animist beliefs.
Share with the Malays their canny understanding of the tropical climate, the importance of staying cool, calm and unhurried. This is a country of sunny dispositions. Let its gentle nature rub off on you.
Diving
Northern Borneo:
An incredibly exotic land. Spectacular mountain scenery, tropical rainforest and off shore islands offering some of the worlds great dive sites.
Our opinion - A simple diving holiday will leave you with many memories but it would be a shame to miss out on the spectacular sightseeing available on the Reef and Rainforest Safari.
BORNEO DIVING
Off northern Borneo’s coast lie a collection of tiny islands. Perched on the edge of the continental shelf Mabul and Kapalai’s reefs slope gently to a maximum of 100 feet. A macro photographers nirvana with keen eyes you may find Lobsters, Leaf Fish, Morays, Garden Eels, Seahorses and colonies of Nudibranch. The diving at Sipadan, while only 15 minutes away, has coral walls buzzing with schooling fish, Fusiliers, Jacks, Eagle Rays, Barracuda and various species of reef shark. On virtually every dive you’ll find Green and Hawksbill turtles foraging amongst the coral heads. Layang Layang forms part of a coral atoll in the South China Sea. A unique environment for big fish encounters. The visibility is often crystal clear and there’s a chance to dive with schooling hammerheads here.
Tioman & Redang:
The delightful secluded island of Tioman, a short flight from KL, offers stunning beaches and beautiful scenery off the east coast of Malaysia. Further north is the small island of Redang. This area has some of the best coral reefs off Peninsula Malaysia.
Our opinion - Experience the underwater world of coral reefs and turtles and the topside beauty of these islands.
EAST MALAYSIA DIVING:
The diving off the east coast of Malaysia offers an array of diving experiences. The marine life of Tioman is prolific from March to May Manta Rays and Whale Sharks can be seen. On most dives you can swim in, around and through the gaps between large volcanic boulders. The marine life off Redang is equally diverse. There are shallow flat reefs and coral gardens dominated by staghorns, table and boulder corals. Hawksbill Green turtles rest along the west coast. Reef fish and pelagics are plentiful. The main diving season is March to October.
