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Family Holidays: Malaysia family holidays and breaks
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Why
Malaysia is often overlooked by families looking for exotic overseas holidays and that is a pity, as it is one of the most pleasant, child-friendly and hassle-free countries to visit in Asia. It is wealthy and successful and moving towards a more liberal, inclusive culture. It’s a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian and although predominantly Muslim, it is proud of its indigenous cultures and customs. It is also very beautiful, and although missing some of the remarkable ancient ruins of its neighbours, Thailand and Indonesia, it does have nevertheless, fabulous beaches, spectacular wildlife and the oldest rainforest in the far-east on Sabah, which together with Sarawak, are for the wildlife enthusiasts, absolute musts. Go before the rainforest does!
- Top left: Malaysia Rajah Brooke Butterfly
- Top middle: Malaysia Girl in Water Festival
- Top right: Malaysia New Central Market
- Bottom left: Malaysia Traditional fishing boat
- Bottom right: Malaysia Houseboat on Lake Kenyir
When
Climate considerations will play a role in your plans. Malaysia's climate is tropical, hot and steamy due to high humidity and rainfall year-round with a double rainy season. In East Coast resort areas, the low season is between November and March, when the monsoon tides make the water too choppy for water sports and beach activities. On the West Coast, the rainy season is from April through May, and again from October through November.
The temperature is pretty much static year-round. Daily averages are between 21 °C and 32°C. Temperatures in the hill resorts get a little cooler, averaging 21°C during the day and 10°C at night.
Do
Visitors typically stay in the insanity of Kuala Lumpur far too long and therefore use up all the energy they have, which would have been better spent going to the restful Cameron Hill station, or Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo to climb the extraordinary Mt. Kinabalu and visit longhouses and urangatans. Go to the original British settlement George Town on the island of Penang, or the birthplace of Malay civilisation in Malaka, just down the coast. Go to the rainforest of Taman Negara, a fabulous wildlife park, best seen by boat and full of many beautiful and endangered animals and birds.Eat
Malysian cuisine is a melting pot of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Eurasian and indigenous foods. You can eat street food, (often the best way, but make sure it’s properly cooked) or from a wide variety of restaurants. Typical dishes include: satay (skewers of beef or chicken with a delicious spicy peanut sauce); glutinous rice, served often rolled up in banana leaves, great fun for kids to eat as its always done with your hands; sambal, a fantastic hot sauce made out of very old shrimps and used with beef, chicken and seafood dishes, Malaysian food can often be very spicy, moderated with coconut milk, rice and noodles and spices such as tamarind and belacan.Travel reading
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