Malaysia
adventure.
Travelling
in Malaysia is safe, probably the safest in Asia.
KL is expensive compared to the rest of the country, and Johore is following
suit, due to it's location next to Singapore. The Singaporians have pushed
up prices in a lot of places in the south, because to them everything
is cheap.
Travel in Malaysia is easy and comfortable. Train/bus all are airconditioned.
Busses and trains are cheap, except KL area.
The countryside also has 'Teksi Sewa' a cheap way of transport, you rent
the taxi with some other people going in the same direction, and each
pays his share.
Drinking water is reliable everywhere, although in KL it has a chlorine
smell. Food outside KL is cheap, and especially Penang is a food paradise,
everything available, European, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, you
name it...
Local Malay food is mostly spicy, and the local Chinese mostly like spicy
food too. So if you do not want spicy food make sure to tell the waiter
'tak mahu pedas'.
The northern region Kedah-Perlis has a lot of curry, Penang is famous
for its Laksa. And dont forget to try a good Nasi Beriani at an Indian
stall.
Chinese food has plenty of choice, you can find almost all chinese styles
of cooking in Malaysia, TseChuan is the most spicy. Seafood is a main
dish everywhere. Go for Yam Cha (early tea) or Dim Sum nice steamed food
but mostly only early morning, but do it outside KL/Ipoh/Johor.
Some of the tourist areas have been overdevelopped and lost attraction
(Langkawi / Pankor) unless you are a 5 star freak. On the east coast you
still can find beautifull beaches with hardly anyone around. Especially
Kelantan and Terengganu.
Malaysia is predominant muslim and a bit conventional dress code is required.
Don't run around in mini skirts/shorts, it is not appreciated.
Don't bring alcoholic drinks (even if bought outside) into muslim places,
some are very sensitive about this.
RELIGEOUS
FESTS
Malay, Indian and Chine and the East Malaysian Tribes all have there own
festivities.
Most celebrations are joint in by all races.
I will name a few here:
Islamic Festivisties
The most important one is 'Hari Raya' at the end of the fasting
period Ramadan. It is determined by the new moon.
It is celebrated with prayer in all mosques. Nowadays green packets with
money are given (actually a chinese tradition).
People hold 'open house' everybody can come, and will be served sweets,
drinks and or rendang.
All houses have been cleaned totally before celebrating.
The second most importat is 'Hari Raya Haji' it markes the end
of the haj period (travelling to Mecca) it is on the 10th day of the 12th
month of the Islamic calendar.
On the 12th day of the 3rd month is the 'Profet Mohammad Birthday'
celebrated with prayers in the mosques and sometimes with parades.
Chinese Festivals
The most important is chinese newyear which always falls in either January
or February according to the lunar calendar.
All houses are cleaned, debts are paid, gifts are given.
Payers are done and noone can curse or speak about death during these
days.
Red packets with money (Ang Pow) are given to unmarried people containing
an even amount of money.
The festivities start with the reunion dinner where all family member
have to take part. Commonly than they have openhouse for 3 days and everybody
is welcome.
Ching Min (Cheng-Beng) is in meory of those who passed away.
It falls on the end of the second moon.
Food is offered to the ancestors graves are visited, payers done.
Moonfestival is celebrated on the 8th day of the fifth month,
with lots of sweets (mooncakes). Actually is celebrates the revolt against
the Mongol rulers in the 14th century.
Yulan or Hungrey Ghost Festival
is celebrated in July or August and is almost as important as Chinese
New Year.
The heavens open their gates and the spirits can roam around freely during
this festival in search of those who did unjust.
Lots of paper 'hellmoney' is burned and offers made to the spirits.
The 7th month is the month of the devil.
Lots of chinese festivals will show lion dances for good luck and chinese
opera's here and there.
Chingay is a special festival in Penang where people balance
meters long sticks on their foreheads, shoulders and backs
Boeddhist
festivals
The most important is Vesak or Wesak in May, it is in remembrance of the
birth, death and enlightment of Lord Boeddha.
Early morning people go to the temples and pray, monks sing sutra's ,
lots of money is given to temples and charity.
Higlight is the parade with burning candles at night.
Hindu festivities
Deepavali of the festival of light is celebrated in
the Kartik hindu month.
The festival is the mythological defeat of the devil king Narakusara by
god Krishna.
It also is the beginning of a new period for business people, a new financial
year.
On the day people take an oilbath early morning, put on new cloth and
say their prayers.
Every house will light oil lamps at night to welcome goddess Lakshmi,
who will not enter an unlighted house.
Thaipusam is celebrated in the hindumonth Thai in januari or
februari and is in remembrance of the birthday of the god Subramanian,
also named Murugam.
elievers carry kavadis - woden constructions with flowers - which they
'fitted' to their bodies with iron hooks and spears.
Also others put metal pins of spears in their body or tongue. This self-torture
is a mostly a vow as thanks for certain achievements asked from the gods.
In K.L. at least 700.000 people come every year to Batu Caves to see the
Thaipusam parade, and or do their prayers in the cave temple. In Penang
it is done in Balathandaythabani-tempel
near Waterfall Road.
Harvest Festivals
Sabah and Serawak
The harvest festivals in Sabah and Serawak by resp Kazan and Iban, is
the fest of Gawai or new year is on June 1st
Lots of food and drinks. Games are played family is visited.
Below
you can browse some pictures from Malaysia
^^^
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