Trifter

Selat Melaka Mosque

When it comes to flying off to our Asian neighbors, Malaysia usually doesn’t top our list of destinations. We think of Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. But in my study, I discovered a Malaysia that can satiate every traveler’s must-try—especially when it comes to shopping and food tripping.

The Berjaya Times Square

Shopping Galore

With over 30 malls around the city, it’s easy to see why Malaysia is quickly gaining a reputation as a shopper’s paradise. Berjaya Times Square is Malaysia’s largest mall with over 700 retail shops including Mango, Debenhams and Elianto. Just a block away is Sungei Wang Plaza, a Greenhills-type of establishment, where you can find stalls of bargain finds. The Creations by Malaysian Designers Block is a good venue to check out local fashion, but since they carry designer clothes, it comes with designer price. If you really want bargain prices every where you turn, trek to Kl’s Chinatown (Petaling Street) and be ready to stick out your elbows and maneuver your way around. It’s jam-packed the way Divisoria gets during the weekends.

Other retail therapy spots: The Bukit Bintang area is well-known shopping district (where both Berjava and Sungei are located) where you can find Bukit Bintang Plaza and the upscale Starhill Gallery and Lot 10; Jalan Masjid India or KL’s “Little India”; and the popular Suria KLCC.

Experience the rides in Genting–you can go kiddie or get scared out of your wits.

Taste Malaysia

The other thing that can definitely rival the shopping in a Malaysian vacation is the food—particularly having it in the street. From cosmopolitan KL to the historical city of Malacca, the street food culture thrives. In Jalan (street) Alor in KL, tables occupy half of the street, where both local and tourists dine. The food is cheap, tasty and comes in generous servings. Now what to order? You can go for the spicy and aromatic Malay food, the stir-fried goodness of Chinese food, the bold and piquant flavor of Indian food, heck, even Portuguese food (in Malacca, which used to be occupied by the Portuguese).

Feast on the street.

Tourist-y Things

What’s a trip without doing requisite sightseeing, picture-taking and having a bit of adventure? Spend a day at Genting Highlands Resort, the “City of Entertainment,” where outdoor and indoor theme park sit atop a mountain. If images of Disneyland and Las Vegas float your boat, then you won’t run out of things to do (or escalators to ride) in Genting. The weather there can get chilly, which is a welcome break from the general warm weather of Malaysia. If you want something more laid back and idyllic, go down to Malacca. With its 600 years of rich history, you can stumble upon churches with Dutch or Portuguese influences and a block away find your self in front of temples and mosques. Then whip out that camera!

You want an explosion of colors? How about this Hotel in Genting.