Malaysia

A Journey through the Malaysian islands

To be a “Malay” signifies you were born in Malaysia, whereas a “Malaysian” is someone with the nationality of the country. This subtlety in the national language is indicative of the country’s strong, often contrasting identities, both distinct and mixed at the same time. Located in the heart of East Asia, Malaysia has seen waves of immigration as a result of European, Indian and Chinese colonization. It’s impossible to set foot in Kuala Lumpur without being struck by the variety of aromas, colors and materials. This cultural plurality is compounded by the duality between the traditional and the ultra modern. The contrast can be felt by simply crossing the city with its huge skyscrapers and suddenly seeing a virgin forest as old as time itself. When one compares Malaysia’s economic rise and its desire to be an important capitalist world power with the “kampung” (a traditional village) philosophy of living together by and for the community and helping each other mutually, a philosophy still in existence today, the difference is as radical as night and day. The archipelagos on the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula are an ideal setting for understanding the country’s culture and, at the same time, admiring their idyllic scenery.

Pulau Langkawi, the Milan sacré (red backed sea eagle)

Off the coast of Kedah, a region near the border with Thailand, the island of Pulau Langkawi appears. This Malaysian jewel is a very popular tourist destination. Incrusted between land and sea, superb hotels like the Dataï Langkawi offer guests a unique setting for a serene vacation in the midst of ancestral nature. The ten million year old virgin forest is home to an incredibly rich flora and fauna including the elegant red backed sea eagle known here as the milan sacré. The beaches are among the most beautiful in the country. Activities such as visiting a crocodile farm, the Underwater World Langkawi, a tunnel crossing an immense aquarium, and the Taman Legenda, a park dedicated to the islands’ myths and legends make Langkawi an ideal site for a family vacation. The luxurious Andaman hotel complex has a Young Explorer’s Club with a number of other activities for children. Be sure to try the local products from the island’s kampungs, and take advantage of Langkawi’s duty free status to take home one of Malaysia’s delicious liqueurs.

Pulau Rebak Besar, by Taj

The small island of Rebak, also part of the Langkawi archipelago possesses only one structure, the Rebak Island Resort hotel. This exclusivity assures guests of a perfectly tranquil and intimate vacation. Its first class marina is an encouragement for even the most landlocked minded visitors to take to the sea. In the area of dining, the choice is as varied as the culture of the country with restaurants proposing Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Thai cuisine.

Pangkor Laut Island, your feet in the water

In a similar vein, the Pangkor Laut Resort follows the same concept of one island - one hotel. Its luxurious villas, hidden under the leaves of tropical trees or built on stilts for a “feet in the water” ambiance, are bound to delight nature lovers. Since the island has no other life apart from the hotel, a visit to the neighboring island of Pangkor is recommended for discovering the charms of Malaysian culture and for visiting the temples and the Dutch fort dating back to the 17^th century.

Penang and colonialism

The region of Penang bears the scars and the remnants of colonialism and best embodies the country’s colonial exploitation. Facing the coast, on the island of Pulau Pinang, we find Malaysia’s oldest British city, Georgetown, classified a UNESCO world heritage in 2008. In addition to the British colonial influence, the island also has a Little India and a multi-colored Chinatown. In the image of this crossroads of three distinct peoples who live together in harmony, The Blue Mansion, an original and unique hotel with its blue indigo facades, was once the home of Cheong Fatt Tze, a wealthy Mandarin. A few days at the Blue Mansion is an excellent way to plunge oneself in the complex history of Malaysia and its different peoples.