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Hot Picks: Malaysia
Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor,
Food and Wine Access
Michael
Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access
A Traveler's Guide to Malaysia: Top
Ten Things to Do
Photo by Michael Reiss
Luxury Vacations: Both the capital and largest city
in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur offers adventure and diversity for everyone
with a wide range of activities showcasing Malaysia’s best sights.
With architecture that holds a range of influences to gardens that abound
with botanical delights, the commonly dubbed “K.L” is a mecca
for those wishing to enjoy either traditional or contemporary Malaysian
culture. Here are some of the top ten best for anyone wishing to get a
well-rounded view of all that Malaysia has to offer.
Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food
and Wine Access
Michael
Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access
What To Do
Visit the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia. The moment
you deplane at the airport in Kuala Lumpur, fondly referred to by locals
and tourists as KL, your journey to this enchanted land begins. The KL
Airport is a metaphor for this country where rainforest and civilization
compliment and coexist in eco- harmony, where peoples of every race and
creed meet, mingle and live in peace.
In fact, the dramatic airport design incorporates a living rainforest
with the structure built around it. The streamlined design is a model
for what a 21st century airport can be. Even though completed in 1995,
it is thoroughly modern, spacious, well designed and yes, even calming
and soothing to all the senses. You can look forward to your trip to this
airport. It is one of the highlights of your visit to Malaysia.
The KL Airport has a striking
modern design with many shops and restaurants.
. .Photo by Michael Reiss
Experience the Colors of Malaysia Event
Whether this is your sole destination or part of your tour of Southeast
Asia, you will be surprised and delighted at every turn in Malaysia. The
colorful sight of saris, veils, turbans, kaftans, and Western garb all
flowing together in office buildings, parks, shopping malls and outdoor
cafes is a tribute to the commitment of the country which embraces its
diversity and calls itself "One Malaysia."
In fact, the slogan, "One Malaysia," acknowledges this rich multiethnic melting pot through a yearly celebration called Colors of Malaysia, where the various cultures showcase their unique artistic heritage through costume, song, dance, and cuisine. But no worries, if you miss this grand occasion, you will have your own experience of the nation's diversity.
Colors of Malaysia is a "once-in-a-lifetime,
not-to-be-missed" event highlighting all that is diverse in Malaysia.
. .
Photo by Michael Reiss
Visit the World-Famous Petronas Towers
The most recognized symbol of Malaysia is the Petronas Towers, still the
tallest twin towers in the world. Designed by César
Pelli and Company, this structure defies description. So,
up you go to the 41st/42nd Floor Sky Bridge to experience the view half
way up the 88-story towers. The view is breathtaking and the details of
the project as discussed by your guide and the informative film in the
lobby area increase your appreciation of this modern wonder of the world.
The César Pelli designed
Petronas Towers is a dramatic symbol of modern Malaysia.
.
Photo by Michael Reiss
Visit the Bird Park.
The KL Bird Park, located in the Lake Garden Park (KL's Central Park),
is a delight. You stroll through an enclosed area where most of the birds
fly freely. You are, in essence, INSIDE of a gigantic cage, and you get
up close and personal with all shapes and sizes of our feathered friends,
including the Great Hornbills, and numerous colorful birds of South East
Asia. Feeding times are particularly exciting as you observe eagles, owls,
hornbills and many more species in their natural environment.
You can get "up-close
and personal" with the birds at the naturalistic KL Bird Park..
.
Photo by Michael Reiss
Visit the Malaysia National Museum.
The National Museum is one of the country’s finest repositories of
its history and treasures. It is beautifully presented and conveniently
located in the Lake Garden Park, along with the Planetarium, Hibiscus
and Orchid Gardens. The National Museum traces the rise of South East
Asian civilization and shows Malaysia's important role as a trade center
between the Far East and Europe, and shows Malaysia under the Portuguese,
Dutch, and English colonial powers through the Islamic time to present
day Malaysia.
Visit the the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia identifies the character of each separate
nation comprising the one billion strong Islamic culture, and presents
an astonishing collection of model mosques, including the most famous
at Mecca, which can accommodate up to one million pilgrims.
Visit Ghenting Highlands, Malaysia's Premier Mountain
Escape.
Ghenting Highlands, located less than one hour from KL city center is
a cool refuge for city dwellers, nature lovers, entertainment seekers,
golfers and gaming aficionados. This area currently boasts the only gaming
casino in the country with over 10,000 rooms from ultra luxury to budget
and a theme park to rival Disneyland. There is something for everyone
in these rainforest highlands.
Go North from KL and Explore Penang.
Penang is a UNESCO World heritage sight. Malaysia's colonial period is
depicted in the restored homes and government buildings of George Town,
while the beach resorts attract an international clientele, who play and
often stay, making this island their second home.
Malaysia has many spiritual places
of worship, including many Buddhist temples where blessings are conferred
upon request.
Photo by Michael Reiss
Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food
and Wine Access
Michael
Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access
Where to Eat
Try the savory and exotic Food of Malaysia.
The diverse cuisines found everywhere from food courts in shopping malls,
to coffee shops, to hawker stalls to restaurants, reflects the wide variety
of racial and ethnic groups that comprise the country.
Most hawker stalls and menus will feature items from the Malaysian, Indian,
Chinese and Western culinary traditions, all under one roof. This cornucopia
of cuisine is readily available at all price points--- from dawn until
midnight--- in almost every neighborhood.
In Penang outdoor hawkers
sell a large variety of Malaysia, Indian, Chinese and Western food.
Photo by Michael Reiss
Some of the specialties include:
•Satay is a skewered stick of chicken, lamb, beef or veggies barbecued over a charcoal fire. Served with spicy,sweet peanut sauce, Satay usually comes with cucumber and onion. Although you find it served in other countries, the Malay version is particularly succulent.
•Nasi Kandar. This is an Indian-Muslim creation. This is a meal of steamed rice and various accompanying curry dishes rich in spices.
•Char Kuey Teow. This is Penang's signature dish, which consists of a plate of flat white rice noodles, stir-fried and tossed with prawns, egg, Chinese sausage, cockles, bean sprouts and chives.
•Hokkien Mee. Brought here by immigrants from the Fujian province in China, this dish in Kuala Lumpur has yellow noodles that are fried. In Penang they are cooked in a savory orange-red prawn stock and sprinkled with greens, prawns, and pork.
•Asam Laksa. While there are slightly different styles of cooking Asam Laksa depending on the location, they are thick rice noodles in a hot and sour fish gravy topped with a local mix of herbs making for a distinctive Malay dish that is one of the favorite dishes of the country.
•Rojak. This is a mix
of fresh fruits and vegetables like pineapples, cucumber and apples with
cuttlefish slices that is served with a dark,thick, local prawn paste
sauce that imparts a unique flavor which the locals crave.
•Ais Kacang. The favorite dessert of
Malaysia, this is a bowl of ice shavings covered in evaporated milk, red
beans, sweet corn, glass jelly and syrup. This is the perfect ending to
any Malaysian feast!
Malaysian food uses many exotic
spices for distinctive flavor profiles.
Photo by Michael Reiss
Diane Sukiennik, Associate Editor, Food
and Wine Access
Michael
Reiss, Editor, Food and Wine Access
Where to Stay
The Grand Millennium- Kuala Lumpur is a 468-room,
five-star luxury hotel located along Bintang Walk, the heart of downtown
Kuala Lumpur’s prime business, shopping, and entertainment district.
The facilities available to guests of this elegant Kuala Lumpur hotel
include the "Executive Club," spa with a fully equipped fitness
center and an outdoor swimming pool, business center, vibrant restaurants
and bars with adjacent access to The Pavilion, one of the most upscale
shopping malls in the city.
The hotel is the recipient of numerous international awards including
the "Hospitality Asia Platinum Award for Service Excellence"
and "Hospitality Asia Platinum Award for Best Executive Club Lounge."
Here one can experience superb service with an open bar at cocktail hour
and cooked- to-order chef's breakfast. Particularly noteworthy is the
superb buffet lunch and dinner offered in the hotel's restaurant. Asian
and Western delicacies are offered that reflect great skill and quality.
G Hotel - Penang
Chic and stylish, Penang's latest gem is the G Hotel, which is a new urban
icon along Penang's bustling Gurney Drive. With its stunning interiors
and contemporary design, the G Hotel received the prestigious Best Hotel
Construction and Design in Asia Pacific Award for 2010. The G Hotel's
logo, "G," is inspired by its location, near Gurney Drive, a
hub of activity and vibrant nightlife both within the hotel and in the
surrounding neighborhood.
The G Hotel is an urban oasis for discerning travelers, offering
service and sophisticated facilities. The "Executive Level"
is particularly memorable for its Champagne breakfast and Executive Cocktail
Hour. The G Cafe's "International Buffet" is a must to experience
the breadth of Malay and Western specialties prepared with panache. Every
evening offers a different theme. The "Lobster Feast" features
"endless lobster" served five different ways, along with superb
salads, pastas, and diverse Asian items making for an unforgettable gourmet
experience.
The lobby of the G Hotel in
Penang boasts sleek, upbeat decor.
Photo by Michael Reiss