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GOURMET FOOD, SINGAPORE STYLE
Sponsored by Asian Home Gourmet

                                  Few places in the world can match Singapore for food. The choice is stag-      Originally from the southern provinces of China, Hakka and Hokkien dishes
                                  gering. Within a few hundred metres, there might be a hawker centre            include yong tau foo, bean curd stuffed with mince meat; and hokkien mee,
                                  selling Singaporean, Peranakan, Chinese and Malay specialities, and a          best-known as ‘Singapore noodles’.
                                  food court with Japanese, Korean and Thai stalls. Next to these might be       The most popular Hainanese dish is chicken rice – simply steamed fowl, rice
                                  a coffee shop serving up barbecued seafood and spicy, soupy laksa, and         cooked in chicken stock, a clear soup and slices of cucumber; so popular it’s
                                  an Indian shophouse making wafer-thin roti pratha and chicken curry.           practically the Singaporean national dish.
                                  It’s hard to know whether this multitude inspired Singapore’s food
                                  obsession, or whether the obsession inspired the multitude. Either way,        Indian
                                  Singaporeans are obsessed with eating. They think nothing of driving
                                  right across the island to sample a renowned sambal stingray or chilli         Broadly, Indian cuisine can be classified into two categories: South Indian and
                                  crab, and whenever a new food fad hits town, they will happily queue for       North Indian. South Indian food tends to be hot, with the emphasis on vegetarian
                                                                                                                 dishes. The typical South Indian dish is a thali (rice plate), often served on a large
                                  an hour to get their hands on it.
                                                                                                                 banana leaf. On this leaf is placed a large mound of rice, then scoops of various
                                                                                                                 vegetable curries and a couple of papadams for good measure. Dishes include
                                  Staples & Specialities                                                         masala dosa, a thin pancake; wrapped around spiced vegetables, with rasam
                                  Malay & Indonesian                                                             (spicy soup) on the side. Another favourite Indian dish is biryani, which is served
                                                                                                                 with a chicken or mutton curry and saffron-coloured rice.
                                  The cuisines of Malaysia and Indonesia are similar. Satay - tiny kebabs of
                                  chicken, mutton or beef dipped in a spicy peanut sauce - is ubiquitous.        North Indian cuisine is most commonly associated with tandoori food, which
                                  Other common dishes include tahu goreng, fried soya bean curd and              takes its name from the clay tandoor oven in which the meat is cooked. The meat
                                  bean sprouts in a peanut sauce; ikan bilis, anchovies fried whole; ikan        is marinated overnight in a a yoghurt-and-spice mixture.
                                  assam, fried fish in a sour tamarind curry; and sambal udang, fiery curried
                                  prawns. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is widely available, but is as much Chi-      Peranakan
                                  nese and Indian as Malay, and each style has its own flavours. Nasi lemak
                                                                                                                 Peranakan cuisine is a unique blend of Chinese ingredients with Malay sauces
                                  is coconut rice served with fried ikan bilis, peanuts and a curry dish.
                                                                                                                 and spices. It is commonly flavoured with shallots, chillies, belacan (Malay
                                                                                                                 fermented prawn paste), peanuts, preserved soybeans and galangal (a
                                  Chinese                                                                        gingerlike root). Thick coconut milk is used to create the sauce that flavours
                                                                                                                 the prime ingredients.
                                  The best-known and most popular style of Chinese cooking is Cantonese.
                                  Noted for the variety and freshness of its ingredients, Cantonese food         Typical dished include otak-otak, a sausage-like blend of fish, coconut milk,
                                  is usually stir-fried with just a touch of oil to ensure a crisp and fresh     chilli paste, galangal and herbs, wrapped and cooked in a banana leaf; ayam
                                  result. Typical dishes include won ton soup, chow mein, spring rolls, mee      buah keluak, chicken stewed with dark nuts; and itek tim, a classic soup of
                                  (noodles) or congee (rice porridge). Less typical and more expensive are       simmered duck, tomatoes, green peppers, salted vegetables and preserved
                                  shark’s-fin and bird’s-nest dishes. One of the most famous Cantonese           sour plums.
                                  specialities is dim sum (literally ‘little heart’), small snack-type dishes,   Peranakan’s best-known dish is, of course, the laksa – noodles in a coconut-
                                  often dumplings.                                                               milk gravy with fried tofu and bean sprouts.
© Lonely Planet Publications
 18




                            Getting Started
                            Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei have travel possibilities to suit all bud-
                            gets. Getting around much of the region is a breeze thanks to its excel-
                            lent transport infrastructure. You will only need to make more-detailed
                            preparations for Malaysian Borneo because of the remoteness of certain
                            locations and the cost and time involved in getting to these more remote
                            locations.

                            WHEN TO GO
                            This being the tropics, year-round travel is possible. Rain falls fairly
                            evenly throughout the year and the difference between the main October
                            to April rainy season and the rest of the year is not that marked. The
                            exception is the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, which receives heavy
                            rain from November to mid-February. During these months many east-
                            coast resorts close and boat services dwindle or stop altogether. Travel
                            along the west coast is not affected. The states of Sabah and Sarawak
                            receive high rainfall throughout the year, but it is heaviest from October
See Climate (p487) in
                            to March.
the Directory chapter for
                               Note that the haze from fires in Indonesia (see p69) is at its worst in
more information.
                            September and October, which could make a holiday across the region
                            during this time a less than pleasant experience.
                               With such broad ethnic diversity, celebrations of one kind or another
                            are held throughout the year. Bear in mind, though, that during the
                            major public holidays (see p492, p578 and p610) many locals travel,
                            putting pressure on transport and hotel vacancies. Chinese New Year,
                            Hari Raya and Christmas are all especially busy. If you’re in the country
                            during these times it’s best to wait until the holiday rush is over before
                            travelling away from the major cities. The main beach and hill resorts
                            also get crowded on Saturday and Sunday but are often deserted during
                            the week.
                               The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is generally not a problem for
                            most travel. Some services in the region may be cut back, especially in
                            the east-coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu in Malaysia, but most
                            transport, hotels and accommodation, restaurants and many businesses
                            function as normal.

      DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…
          Checking the visa situation (p496, p581 & p611). Those travelling on an Israeli passport can-
          not enter Malaysia or Brunei.
          Checking government travel advice (see p488).
          Proof of vaccination for yellow fever (see p613) if coming from infected areas of Africa or
          South America.
          A raincoat for those sudden showers.
          A torch or head lamp, a pair of binoculars, mosquito net and leech-proof socks – all essential
          gear for a jungle trek.
          A sweater or light jacket – but only if you’re planning a trip to the cooler highlands (or going
          to the cinema in Singapore!).
          Sharp elbows – for battling with the locals over shopping bargains!
www.lonelyplanet.com                                   G E T T I N G S TA R T E D • • C o s t s & M o n e y    19


COSTS & MONEY
Malaysia is inexpensive by world standards and caters well to all budgets.
Singapore and Brunei are a bit pricier, but there are still bargains to be
had if you look carefully.
   Fleapit hotels where beds can be as cheap as US$2 a night are plentiful,
but new travellers’ guesthouses are springing up in the tourist centres, of-
fering dormitory beds from US$3, as well as cheap rooms. The midrange
is well catered for and hotel rooms with air-con and attached bathroom                      HOW MUCH?
start at around US$20. Luxury hotels often have bargain rates, especially                   Midrange hotel double
in Malaysia. Food generally is inexpensive. The variety is best in the cities               RM100/S$110/B$100
and you can usually get away with US$3 for a full meal with a couple of                     Cup of coffee
drinks at a food centre or hawker stall – you’ll pay even less if you’re not                RM4/S$4.50/B$4
that hungry. At the other end of the scale, fancy hotels and restaurants in
                                                                                            Bowl of laksa
the main cities offer international cuisine at international prices.
                                                                                            RM5/S$4/B$4
   Alcoholic drinks are expensive, particularly in Singapore, the con-
servative areas of the east coast or on islands. Beer costs about US$2 a                    Restaurant meal
can, almost double in isolated areas. Spirits are even more expensive –                     RM20/S$20/B$18
about 50% more than beer. With no alcohol available in Brunei at least                      Newspaper
you’ll save money there.                                                                    RM1.20/S$1.20/B$0.80
   Transportation is generally a bargain. There are plenty of reasonably
priced taxis for local travel. Drivers are fairly honest and prices are either
fixed or there are meters. For long-distance journeys, Malaysia has excel-                  LONELY PLANET
lent buses, trains and long-distance taxis, all at very reasonable prices,                  INDEX
and even flying need not be too costly.                                                     Litre of petrol
   Besides the travel essentials of food, accommodation and transport                       RM1.90/S$1.25/B$0.56
you’ll find nonessentials and luxuries are moderately priced, even down-                    Litre of bottled water
right cheap.                                                                                RM1.50/S$1.50/B$1
TRAVEL LITERATURE                                                                           Beer – large bottle of
Into the Heart of Borneo (1987) by Redmond O’Hanlon is a hilarious                          Tiger RM10/S$8
account of the author’s, poet James Fenton’s, journey into the Bornean                      Souvenir T-shirt
interior in search of the fabled Sumatran rhinoceros. In a more serious vein                RM20/S$15/B$20
are Eric Hansen’s Stranger in the Forest (1988) and Orchid Fever (2001),                    Street snack – satay stick
proper adventure travel covering Hansen’s walk from Sarawak to Kaliman-                     RM0.50/S$0.40/B$0.25
tan and back and his encounters as an orchid fanatic respectively.
   The Consumption of Kuala Lumpur (2000) by Ziauddin Sardar is an
evocative meditation on the sleepy capital evolving into a techno marvel.
Lawyer and writer Karim Raslan’s Journeys Through Southeast Asia: Cerita-
lah 2 (2002) is worth searching out in the region’s bookshops for his inter-
esting views on contemporary Malaysia, as are The Other Malaysia (2005)
and From Majapahit to Putrajaya – Searching for the Other Malaysia (2005)
by Farish A Noor – both are collections of the local journalist’s trenchant
observations on the country.
   Literary knight VS Naipaul travelled in Malaysia for both Among the
Believers (1982) and Beyond Belief (1999), commenting on his experi-
ence of Islam in the region with his usual insight. For a more historical
perspective, The Golden Chersonese and the Way Thither by Isabella Bird
was first published in 1883; it covers the doughty Victorian-era traveller
wending her way through the Malaysian jungles of Selangor and Perak,
and crossing the Bukit Genting pass on the back of an elephant.
   Among the travel literature on Singapore, the standout is Nigel Bar-
ley’s entertaining In the Footsteps of Stamford Raffles (1992), also titled
The Duke of Puddledock. Julian Davison’s One For The Road (2002) is a
nostalgic collection of short stories drawn from the author’s recollections
of Singapore and Malaysia in the 1950s and 1960s.
20     GE NN NG S EAD • •
       R U T T IIN G H TA R T E•D R•u nTnoi p gTeu b h e a d
                                            n s ns                                      www.lonelyplanet.com



     TOP TENS
     FESTIVALS & EVENTS
     Festivals and events happen throughout the year in the region – the following are the best
     around which to plan your travels.
       Thaipusam, across the region, January          Rainforest World Music Festival, Kuching,
       (p52)                                          July or August (p345)
       Chinese New Year, across the region, Janu-              Malaysia’s National Day (Hari Kebangsaan),
       ary (p490)                                              Malaysia, 31 August (p492)
       Singapore Arts Festival, Singapore, May to              Thimithi, Singapore, October/November
       June (p528)                                             (p529)
       Singapore Food Festival, Singapore, July                Deepavali, across the region, October to
       (p529)                                                  November (p492)
       Sultan of Brunei’s Birthday Celebrations,               Hari Raya Puasa, across the region,
       Brunei, 15 July (p610)                                  December (p492)


     EATING & DRINKING
     Junk the diet and allow your appetite to lead you around the region – your travels will turn
     into a nonstop feast.
        Join the locals at one of Kuala Lumpur’s       Sample Nonya cuisine, a hybrid of trad-
        ubiquitous mamak (Indian Muslim) stalls        itional Chinese and Malay culinary styles, in
        (p76) and night markets (p110)                 Melaka (p239)
       Sample the classic Ipoh dishes (p148) of                Get your fingers sticky digging into chilli
       kway teow (rice noodles)                                crab in Singapore (p554)
       Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea amid             Hold your nose and let your taste buds
       the plantations of the Cameron Highlands                discover the reason for all the fuss about
       (p158) or at Brunei’s Empire Hotel (p603)               durian (p73)
       Slurp the classic spicy-sour asam laksa                 Savour smoked wild boar and coconut
       (laksa with prawn paste and tamarind-                   pumpkin on a trek through the rainforest
       flavoured gravy) of Penang (p184)                       around Bario (p418)
       Discover blue rice, banana murtabak (filled             Toast your longhouse host in Sarawak with
       roti canai) and other local delicacies at Kota          tuak, the rice wine with an alcoholic punch
       Bharu’s fantastic night market (p326)                   (p374)


     ACTIVITIES & COURSES
     With so many ways to keep happily active in the region it’s a good job there are plenty of gor-
     geous beaches on which to relax afterwards. These are our recommendations for the adventurous
     and inquisitive traveller.
       Reach the summit of Mt Kinabalu (p437),                 Dive at Pulau Redang (p310), nine islands
       Malaysia’s highest peak                                 surrounded by coral reefs
       Explore the giant caves of Niah National Park           Learn to make local dishes at a cooking
       (p394)                                                  course (p532) in Singapore
       Go in search of Bigfoot in the jungles of               Study the local language, Bahasa Malaysia
       Johor (p260)                                            (p98) in Kuala Lumpur
       Take a boat trip down the river deep                    Tee off at one of Malaysia’s many golf
       into Taman Negara (p289), Malaysia’s top                courses; try Penang’s Bukit Jambul Country
       national park                                           Club (p181), a course carved from the rocky
       Accept the sweaty challenges of the Head-               jungle
       hunters’ Trail and climbing to the Pinnacles            Trek with the nomadic Penan in the Kelabit
       in Gunung Mulu National Park (p408)                     Highlands (p415)
© Lonely Planet Publications
www.lonelyplanet.com                                             G E T T I N G S TA R T E D • • I n t e r n e t R e s o u r c e s 21


INTERNET RESOURCES
Cari (www.cari.com.my) Cari means ‘find’, and this great search engine is a good starting point for
all things Malaysian.
Government of Brunei Darussalam (www.brunei.gov.bn) The official website has daily news
updates, links to all the ministries, and brief background info on the country.
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com) The Lonely Planet site offers succinct summaries on
travelling in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, the Thorn Tree bulletin board and much more.
Malaysiakini (www.malaysiakini.com) Find out what’s really going on in the country at Malay-
sia’s best online news site.
Singapore Tourism (www.visitsingapore.com) This is the official site for tourist information,
with plenty of links to things to see and do.
Tourism Malaysia (www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my) The official government site for tourist
information has events calendars, regional links, background information and listings of domestic
and international tourist offices.
© Lonely Planet Publications
  22




                                 Itineraries
                                 CLASSIC ROUTE
                                 THE GRAND TOUR                 Six Weeks / Kuala Lumpur to Bandar Seri Begawan
                                 Start in Kuala Lumpur (KL; p82), for four days of sightseeing and acclima-
                                 tisation. Next, cool off in the lush Cameron Highlands (p150), then warm
                                 up again on the beautiful beaches of Pulau Langkawi (p203).
    The Grand Tour                  Cross the mountainous spine of the peninsula to Kota Bharu (p321), a
    covers 5000km,               great place to encounter traditional Malay culture. Island- and beach-hop
  taking in the key              down the east coast, pausing at Pulau Perhentian (p313), Cherating (p280)
                                 and Pulau Tioman (p265). Swing inland for a week to explore Taman Negara
      attractions of             (p285), then return to the west coast to soak up the historic atmosphere
Malaysia with stop-              of Melaka (p227).
 overs in Singapore                 Singapore (p512) can easily swallow up a week of shopping, museum
  and Brunei. A full             viewing and world-class eating. From here you can fly to Kuching (p339)
                                 in Sarawak, a good base for a longhouse excursion or for arranging a trek
two months would                 in the Gunung Mulu National Park (p405). Your next challenge, should you
       allow a more              choose to accept it, is to climb Mt Kinabalu (p437). Finish up in Bandar Seri
     leisurely pace.             Begawan (p590), the capital of oil-rich Brunei.



                         CAMBODIA


                                                VIETNAM


                                                                                                        PHILIPPINES



       THAILAND
                                                                                                                SULU
                                                          SOUTH                                                  SEA
   Pulau Langkawi                                         CHINA
                                                           SEA                            Mt Kinabalu
                        Kota Bharu                                                         (4101m)
                             Pulau Perhentian                                                           Kinabalu
                                                                                                        National Park
                    Taman                                                          BANDAR SERI
                    Negara                                                          BEGAWAN
    Cameron
    Highlands                                                                  BRUNEI
                                Cherating
                                                                                           Gunung Mulu
                     PENINSULAR                                                            National Park
      KUALA
     LUMPUR           MALAYSIA

                                     Pulau Tioman
                                                                                                              CELEBES
           Melaka                                                                                               SEA
                                SINGAPORE                                       MALAYSIAN
                                                                  Kuching        BORNEO
                        SINGAPORE




            Sumatra                                                          Kalimantan
        INDONESIA                                                            INDONESIA
www.lonelyplanet.com                                                                     I T I N E R A R I E S • • R o a d s Le s s T r a v e l l e d   23



ROADS LESS TRAVELLED
REDISCOVERING MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE                                   Three Weeks /
                                                            Putrajaya to Singapore
From Kuala Lumpur International Airport go directly to Putrajaya (p128),
the nation’s fast-evolving administrative capital and a showcase of mod-
ern Malaysian architecture. Then head to the coast to the sleepy old royal
capital of Kuala Selangor (p131), near to which you can observe the daz-
zling natural display of fireflies. In the tiny hill station of Bukit Larut (p164)
there’s only accommodation for around 70 visitors – but pack your mac,
as it’s one of the wettest places in Malaysia! The really ambitious could
also cram the almost forgotten state of Perlis, on the Thai border, into
their first week of travel; the highlight here is Taman Negara Perlis (p217).
   In week two, if you’re up for a rugged jungle experience, dive into either
the Endau-Rompin National Park (p260) or Kenong Rimba State Park (p295).
Or consider a leisurely tour up the east coast, favouring smaller coastal
towns such as Merang (p310) or a quiet island such as Pulau Kapas (p308).
Alternatively rent a houseboat to explore Tasik Kenyir (p304).
   In week three do some more island-hopping in the Seribuat Archipelago
(p258) before crossing the causeway into Singapore (p512). You might
think it impossible that this island state could have any unexplored
corners but tourists are light on the ground in Pulau Ubin (p522), where
cycling is the best way of getting around. Alternatively forgo shopping in
favour of bird-spotting in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (p523).
                                                                                                                                   On this 2800km
                Perlis
 Taman Negara
    Perlis
                                                                                                                                   alternative
                                     THAILAND
                                                                                                SOUTH
                                                                                                CHINA                              highlights tour of
                                                                                                 SEA
                                                                                                                                   Malaysia and
                                                                                                                                   Singapore you’ll
                                                                             Merang
                                                                                                                                   cover both coasts
                                                                                      Pulau Kapas
                               Bukit Larut                      Tasik                                                              of the peninsula,
                              (Maxwell Hill)                    Kenyir
                                (1019m)                                                                                            trek in the jungle
                                                 Kenong Rimba
                                                                                                                                   interior and laze
                                                   State Park
                                                                                                                                   on lovely islands –
                                                                                                                                   and still avoid the
                                                                                                                                   crowds.
                   Kuala Selangor                     PENINSULAR
                                                       MALAYSIA

                                                  KUALA LUMPUR
                  Selat Melaka
                (Strait of Melaka)   Putrajaya


                                                                                                     Seribuat
                                                                                                    Archipelago
                                                                           Endau-Rompin
                                                                           National Park




                                                                           Sungei Buloh          Pulau Ubin
                  Sumatra                                                Wetland Reserve       SINGAPORE
                INDONESIA
                                                                                 SINGAPORE
24    I T I N E R A R I E S • • R o a d s Le s s T r a v e l l e d                                             www.lonelyplanet.com


                              SARAWAK & BRUNEI COMBINED                      Three Weeks / Kuching to Bandar
                                                                                               Seri Begawan
                              To Whom It May Concern: to discover the very best of Borneo make
                              Sarawak your destination. Spend your first few days in the state’s pleas-
                              ing riverine capital Kuching (p339), using it as a base for trips to various
                              longhouse communities and to Bako National Park (p368), which includes
                              some of the state’s best beaches.
                                 Next head to Sibu (p380) to commence your journey up the mighty
                              Batang Rejang (p380). Go beyond Kapit (p384) towards the atmospheric
                              interior settlement of Belaga (p387), around which are the longhouses of
                              the Kenyah and Kayan. A round trip takes about four days.
                                 Return to Sibu and on to Similajau National Park (p392), a little-visited
                              coastal park with good beaches, to chill out for a day or two. Press on to
                              the Gunung Mulu National Park (p405) – reached by a flight from the city of
                              Miri (p397) – where you’ll find not only fine caves, but also challenging
                              hikes to the Pinnacles and along the Headhunters’ Trail.
                                 Miri is also the jumping-off point for Bario (p415), the lush valley settle-
                              ment 1500m up in the Kelabit Highlands; the really adventurous could
                              then tackle the four- to six-day trek to Long Lellang. Returning to Miri,
                              head across the border into Brunei, spend a couple of days in the capital
                              Bandar Seri Begawan (p593), then make a boat trip to the Temburong dis-
                              trict where the highlight is the Ulu Temburong National Park (p608).




  Travelling around
 Malaysian Borneo
       by road, river
     and sometimes
     air, you’ll cover                                                                                         BANDAR SERI
                                                            SOUTH
                                                                                                                                       Sabah
      some 1900km,                                          CHINA
                                                                                                                BEGAWAN

                                                               SEA                                     BRUNEI
 passing through a                                                                                                            Ulu Temburong
                                                                                                                               National Park
                                                                                                  Miri
  fascinating range                                                                                                    Gunung Mulu
                                                                                                                       National Park
 of landscapes and                                                                                                            Bario

encountering many                                                                 Similajau
                                                                                                               Long Lellang

                                                                              National Park
       of the island’s                                                                                   MALAYSIAN
 native people. It’s                                                                                       BORNEO

    at least a three-                                                                                 Belaga
                                                                                     Sarawak
        week trip – a                                                  Sibu

   month would be                               Bako
                                               National
                                                Park                               Kapit
               better.                                                                         Bata
                                     Kuching                                                       ng Rejang




                                                                                  Kalimantan
                                                                                 INDONESIA
www.lonelyplanet.com                                                      I T I N E R A R I E S • • R o a d s Le s s T r a v e l l e d   25


SABAH SOLO                           Three Weeks / Kota Kinabalu to Semporna
The main reason people come to Sabah is to climb Mt Kinabalu (p437);
assaults on Malaysia’s highest peak can be launched from the state capi-
tal, Kota Kinabalu (KK; p423) – not the most attractive of state capitals,
however, you’ll be obliged to spend a day or two here during which time
you can experience its lively nightlife. All up, a trip to the mountain and
back, plus exploring the trails around the national park headquarters, will
take you five to six days. KK is also the jumping-off point for the Tunku
Abdul Rahman National Park (p434), a cluster of five lovely islands offering
beautiful beaches.
   A six-hour bus ride will take you east to characterful Sandakan (p461),
the base for various wildlife-viewing activities, including a visit to the
Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre (p467) and Sungai Kinabatangan
(p470), Sabah’s longest river and one of the best places for a Southeast
Asian wildlife safari.
   From Sandakan head south towards the Danum Valley Conservation Area
(p474), where you can enjoy various ecotourism activities – including a
not-to-be-missed night drive safari – from the luxurious Borneo Rainfor-
est Lodge. Finish up your trip in the stilt village of Semporna (p476), from
where you can organise diving and snorkelling trips to the Tun Sakaran
Marine Park (p477) including famous Pulau Sipadan, the tip of a limestone
pinnacle that rises a sheer 600m from the sea-bed.




                                                                                                                    The 1300km you’ll
                                                                                                                    cover on this
                                                                                                                    journey will seem
                                                                                                                    like nothing once
                                                 Kinabalu
       SOUTH           Tunku Abdul
                                     Mt Kinabalu
                                                 National Park              PHILIPPINES                             you’ve tramped the
       CHINA             Rahman
        SEA            National Park  (4101m)
                                                                                              SULU                  18km up and down
                         Kota Kinabalu          Sepilok Orang-Utan        Sandakan             SEA
                                               Rehabilitation Centre                                                Mt Kinabalu, so
                                                                      n
                                                                ai ga
                                                              ng an
                                                          Su abat                                                   relax and enjoy the
                                             Sabah          in
                                                          K
                                                   Danum Valley                                                     fantastic variety,
                                                   Conservation
                                                       Area                                                         from idyllic islands
            BRUNEI                                                               Semporna
                                                                                                                    to wildlife-packed
                                                                                         Tun Sakaran
                                                                                Pulau
                                                                                         Marine Park                jungles, of this
                                                                               Sipadan                              three-week
                                                                                                                    itinerary.
           MALAYSIAN
            BORNEO
                                                                                   CELEBES
                                                                                     SEA

      Sarawak




                  Kalimantan
                INDONESIA
26     I T I N E R A R I E S • • Ta i l o re d T r i p s                                    www.lonelyplanet.com



                                TAILORED TRIPS
                                COLONIAL FOOTSTEPS
                                Spend several days soaking up the enduring Portuguese and Dutch influ-
                                ence in Melaka (p227) before seeing how the British shaped Kuala Lumpur
                                (p82) into command central for their adventures in Malaya. A fitting base
                                would be Carcosa Seri Negara, where the British monarchs still stay when
                                they’re in town.
                                   Near the one-time tin boom town of Ipoh is Kellie’s Castle (p150), the
                                eccentric (and unfinished) Indian-influenced mansion of a wealthy rubber
                                                                   plantation owner. Savour the mock-Tudor style
                                                                   of Ye Olde Smokehouse in the Cameron Highlands
                                                                   (p157) or Fraser’s Hill (p127).
                                                                      Kuala Kangsar (p159) was one of the first places
                                                                   the British established control on the peninsula.
Georgetown                                           Kota Kinabalu
                                  North Borneo Railway
                                                                   Georgetown (p173) on the island of Penang is the
     Kuala Kangsar
        Cameron Highlands                      Papar               oldest British settlement in Malaysia.
          Fraser's Hill
         Kuala Lumpur
                                                                      When it comes to grand colonial relics you re-
          Melaka                                                   ally shouldn’t miss out on Raffles (p515) in Singa-
Kellie's
Castle          Singapore           Kuching                        pore; enjoy sinking a G&T in its Bar & Billiard
                                                                   room or taking high tea in the Tiffin Room.
                                                                      Over in Borneo, Sarawak’s capital Kuching
                                                                   (p339) is where you’ll find Fort Margherita built
                                                                   by James Brooke, the state’s first White Raja.
                                                                   And in Sabah you can relive the grand days of
                                                                   the Empire while dining in the restaurant car
                                pulled by a renovated Vulcan steam engine on the North Borneo Railway
                                (p426) between Kota Kinabalu and Papar.

                                ISLANDS & BEACHES
                              From Kuala Lumpur (p82) start by making a day trip to the atmospheric
                              fishing village of Pulau Ketam (p130) for tasty seafood. Moving north, Pulau
                              Pangkor (p138) has good beaches; for something more exclusive, though,
                              spend the night on the resort island of Pulau Pangkor Laut (p143), with access
                              to Emerald Beach .
                                  Pulau Langkawi (p203) is blessed with several lovely beaches including
                              Pantai Cenang and Pantai Kok. You can also make boat trips to the nearby
                              island of Pulau Dayang Bunting (p209) to swim in a freshwater lake.
                                                                   Pulau Perhentian Besar (p313) is less crowded
                                                                and just as gorgeous as its more popular twin,
                                                                Pulau Perhentian Kecil. On gorgeous Pulau
  Pulau
                                                                Tioman (p265) head over to Juara for some quiet
Langkawi Pulau
       Dayang Bunting                     Tunku Abdul Rahman    relaxation. There are numerous other equally
                                               National Park
 Pulau
           Pulau Perhentian Besar                               attractive – and far less touristed – islands off the
            Pulau Perhentian Kecil
Pangkor                                                         east coast; try the Seribuat Archipelago (p258).
     Kuala Pulau
    Lumpur Tioman                             Pulau Sipadan        In Sarawak, good beaches can be found in
   Pulau        Seribuat                                        both Bako National Park (p368) and Similajau Na-
  Ketam        Archipelago
                            Bako
                                       Similajau
                                       National     Tun Sakaran tional Park (p392). For stretches of white sand
 Pulau Pangkor
      Laut
                           National      Park       Marine Park head to the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman National
                            Park
                                                                Park (p434). For underwater adventures don’t
                                                                miss out on the spectacular dive sites around the
                                                                islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, including
                                                                the limestone pinnacle Pulau Sipadan (p477).
© Lonely Planet Publications
www.lonelyplanet.com                                                  I T I N E R A R I E S • • Ta i l o re d T r i p s 27


KIDS’ MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE
In Kuala Lumpur (p82) keep the kids happy with visits to the Lake Gardens
(p89) and to the Skybridge at the Petronas Towers (p88), where you’ll also
find the Petrosains interactive science discovery centre. Within day-trip
distance of KL are the theme parks at Sunway Lagoon (p129) and Genting
Highlands (p125), both of which are ideal places for all the family to cool
down and revive.
   A day trip from KL or as part of a trip into the jungle interior of the
peninsula is a visit to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre (p296),
where it’s possible to feed the elephants and go for a swim with them. To
further experience the wonders of the jungle, head to Taman Negara (p285).
Even if a long hike in this premier national park is out the question, chil-
dren can clamber across the canopy walkway or
float down the river on an inner tube. Out of the
beaches and islands of the east coast, you could
choose Pulau Kapas (p308) or Cherating (p280),
slightly more geared towards family holidays.                                                Pulau Kapas
   Singapore (p512) has tons of child-friendly                        Taman Negara
diversions. You are just as likely as your little                                              Cherating
ones to enjoy the excellent zoo and night safari                                   Kuala Gandah
                                                              Genting Highlands    Elephant Conservation Centre
(p522). Monkeys can easily be spotted on walks
around Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (p523) and               Sunway Lagoon      KUALA LUMPUR

the MacRitchie Reservoir (p523). It’s fun pedal-
ling around Pulau Ubin (p522) and you can hire
bikes on Sentosa Island (p526), which also boasts
a top-class aquarium, dolphin shows, an old fort                                   SINGAPORE        Pulau Ubin
                                                                                 Sentosa Island
and OK beaches.

LAND & SEA ADVENTURES
Top of the list is Taman Negara (p285), which includes Gunung Tahan, Penin-
sular Malaysia’s highest peak. The far less tourist-frequented Endau-Rompin
National Park (p260) has Malaysia’s largest population of Sumatran rhinos,
although don’t count on spotting these elusive beasts.
   Pulau Redang (p310) is a spectacular dive site – nine islands surrounded by
fine coral reefs and clear water. An alternative dive destination is the much
less visited gem of Pulau Lang Tengah (p312). The Seribuat Archipelago (p258)
offers super dive conditions less the crowds; the most accessible islands are
Besar, Sibu and Rawa, but the best diving is around Pemanggil and Aur.
   Malaysian Borneo has 23 national parks including marine reserves and
the rarefied heights of Mt Kinabalu (p437); set aside three days to reach
the summit. In Gunung Mulu National Park (p405)
allow four days to tramp the Headhunters’ Trail
and climb to the jagged Pinnacles. A day is suf-
ficient for Niah National Park (p393) with its giant
                                                                                                       Pulau Layang
caves. Give yourself two days in Bako National Park                                                       Layang
(p368) to hunt out exotic flora and fauna, and to               Pulau Lang Tengah
                                                                                                      Mt Kinabalu
                                                                   Pulau Redang
enjoy walks along the rugged coastline.                        Taman Negara
                                                                                                 Crocker Range
                                                                                                         Danum Valley
   Don’t miss the spectacular Tun Sakaran Marine                 Endau-Rompin                    Niah
                                                                                                National
                                                                  National Park                                Tun Sakaran
Park (p477) or Pulau Layang Layang (p437), part                       Seribuat
                                                                                                 Park          Marine Park
of the famous Borneo Banks, where shallow                           Archipelago
                                                                                 Bako
                                                                                                    Gunung Mulu
                                                                                                      National
reefs and impressive drop-offs both play host                                   National                 Park
                                                                                 Park
to shoals of tuna, barracuda and hammerhead
sharks. For adventurous trekking both the
Danum Valley (p474) and the Crocker Range (p447)
are recommended.
© Lonely Planet Publications
 28




                           Snapshot
                           Let’s face it. After 22 years of calling the shots, former Malaysian prime
                           minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was never going to shuffle quietly off
                           into retirement. The 80-year-old held his tongue for a few years after
                           Abdullah Badawi (popularly known as Pak Lah) assumed the top job
                           in October 2003 and went on to a landslide election win for his party
                           United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the ruling Barisan
                           Nasional (BN) coalition government in 2004. But since then Abdullah’s
                           government has, in Mahathir’s eyes, been steadily chipping away at his
                           legacy of an economically strong and politically independent Malaysia.
                           The government’s decision in April 2006 to can one of Mahathir’s pet
                           projects – the so-called ‘crooked bridge’ across the Strait of Johor (see
                           p249) – was the straw that broke the doctor’s back.
                              The mainstream media that had so slavishly towed the Mahathir line
FAST FACTS:                during his premiership – surprise, surprise – sided with the government
MALAYSIA                   and largely ignored the former PM’s outbursts against his successor and
GDP per person:            against a country that, in his frank opinion, no longer had any ‘guts’. Ma-
US$10,400                  hathir turned to the internet to get his views across and raged against press
Life expectancy:           censorship – which many found pretty rich given his own autocratic record
72.5 years                 while in power. At the same time the ever-outspoken Mahathir was finding
                           himself at the sharp end of a lawsuit for defamation from Anwar Ibrahim,
Inflation: 2.9%
                           relating to the since-disproved charges of homosexuality against his former
Unemployment: 3.6%         deputy (see p43). Despite all this, Mahathir retains much respect in Malay-
Number of mobile phone     sia, and Abdullah – just getting back into his political stride following the
users: 14.6 million        death of his beloved wife Endon Mahmood Ambak from breast cancer in
                           October 2005 – has reason to be concerned for his position.
                              In an effort to regain the political high ground in March 2006 Abdul-
                           lah unveiled a new five-year plan for Malaysia, the ninth such economic
                           and social agenda in the country’s independent history, thus known by
                           the shorthand ‘9MP’. Unlike Mahathir’s previous plans – sometimes
                           referred to as Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020) – which focused on major
                           construction and industry projects such as the Multimedia Super Corri-
                           dor (a development of high-tech infrastructure, businesses and the cities
                           of Cyberjaya and Putrajaya between Kuala Lumpur and the international
                           airport), the 9MP seeks to tackle Malaysia’s crisis in education. Not one
                           of Malaysia’s universities featured in a recent independent ranking of the
                           top 200 universities around the world and many poorly educated Malay-
                           sian graduates are finding themselves jobless at the end of their degrees.
                           Of the 9MP’s RM200 billion (US$54 billion) budget, a fifth will be spent
                           on education. There are also plans to spend more on the poorest areas
                           of the country, namely Borneo and on Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast
                           (not entirely coincidentally, areas where UMNO has typically fared badly
                           with voters) and on bolstering the privileges that bumiputra (Malays and
                           other indigenous races) enjoy, namely creating a RM2 billion fund to help
                           them buy chunks of prime real estate.
                              It’s a curious fact, though, that despite such positive discrimination
                           policies being in place now for over 30 years, the position of bumiputra in
                           the economy remains more or less the same. A handful of well-connected
                           Malays have certainly benefited but the vast majority remain poor. The
                           only politician openly advocating the scrapping of the bumiputra policy
                           is Anwar Ibrahim, who since his release from prison in 2004 has been
                           steadily rebuilding his political platform in the country. Anwar is barred
© Lonely Planet Publications
www.lonelyplanet.com                                                             S N A P S H OT 29


from running for political office until 2008 and for this reason – as well
as to capitalise on the inevitable feel-good factor following the 50th an-
niversary celebrations of Malaysia’s Independence (Merdeka) in August
2007 – it’s widely suspected that Abdullah will call an election towards the
end of 2007, even though he doesn’t actually have to until 2009.
    Elections come and go in Singapore (the latest being in May 2006) but
it’s never really in doubt what the outcome will be. The People’s Action          FAST FACTS:
Party (PAP) has held on to power by all means fair and foul since Lee             SINGAPORE
Kuan Yew led it to victory in 1959. Lee may have retired as prime minister        GDP per person:
in 1990, but he still keeps a watchful eye on government in his role as the       US$27,800
island state’s ‘Minister Mentor’. To ensure his will is followed through          Life expectancy: 81 years
his eldest son Lee Hsien Loong has been in the top job since 2004. Lee Jr
                                                                                  Inflation: 1%
hasn’t dropped the ball, steering Singapore out of an early-2000s slump,
maintaining a practically corruption-free environment and a per-capita            Unemployment: 3.3%
GDP to match the big boys of Western Europe.                                      Fine for littering: up
    Meanwhile the nanny state continues to loosen its paternalistic grip,         to S$2000 for repeat
actively promoting Singapore as an arts hub, relaxing liquor licensing            offenders
laws, allowing a casino to operate, and generally letting its good citizens
enjoy the spoils of 40 years’ hard work. There has been no relaxation,
though, of its zero tolerance stance on drugs, as the execution of Nguyen
Tuong Van, an Australian and convicted heroin smuggler, illustrated in
December 2005. Nguyen’s hanging caused such a furore both in Australia
and Singapore that, in a rare break with the government line, Singapore’s
Straits Times ran an article discussing the mandatory death penalty and
the possibility that it should be revised.
    Executing drug smugglers is one of the few areas where Singapore and
Malaysia see eye to eye. The saga over the replacement of the causeway
linking the two countries is only the latest in a series of ongoing battles
that have raged between the two since 1965, when Singapore was uncer-
emoniously kicked out of its short-lived union with Malaysia. The bridge
negotiations faltered over Singapore’s preconditions that Malaysia pro-
vide it with sand for reclamation projects and that Singaporean military
jets have access to Malaysian airspace. Other squabbles continue over
territorial claims to small islands in the Singapore Strait, payment for
water (Singapore gets 40% of its water from Malaysia but plans to make            FAST FACTS:
itself self-sufficient by 2061, when the current agreement runs out), and         BRUNEI
Malaysian Railway land-holdings in Singapore.                                     GDP per person:
    While relations between Malaysia and Singapore are likely to remain           US$24,000
touchy for the foreseeable future, those between Malaysia and Brunei              Life expectancy: 75 years
are far more cordial. The two countries may have minor disputes over
                                                                                  Inflation: 2.7%
the rights to possible offshore gas and oil exploration sites and over the
land border around Limbang, but they share Islam as a common faith                Unemployment: 4.9%
and further goodwill was forged in August 2005 when Sultan Hassanal               Daily oil production:
Bolkiah, aged 58, took 26-year-old former TV journalist Azrinaz Mazhar            203,000 barrels
Hakim, a Malaysian, as his second wife. Love must be in the air in Brunei
because in 2004 the 30-year-old Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bol-
kiah married a 17-year-old half-Swiss commoner, Sarah Salleh.
    Change is gradually creeping into the world’s longest-running absolute
monarchy. There are growing indications that Brunei is moving towards
some degree of political reform: the legislative council has been restored
for the first time in 20 years and an opposition political party has been al-
lowed to form. The emphasis on Muslim culture has relaxed slightly, with
the education minister losing his job for pushing unpopular and obscure
Islamic studies. The government is also trying to move beyond the oil-
and gas-rich nation’s habitual economic reliance on hydrocarbons.
© Lonely Planet Publications




The Authors
                               SIMON RICHMOND                           Coordinating Author, Kuala Lumpur
                               This is the second time Simon has filled the coordinating author role on
                               this title and it was by far one of his most interesting trips to Malaysia and
                               Singapore, of which there have been many over the last decade and a half.
                               Over those years Simon has travelled through most of both countries – from
                               the sun-kissed beaches of Langkawi to the deepest jungles of Sarawak. When
                               not knocking about the region in the selfless pursuit of the next great meal
                               or adventure activity, Simon can be found either in London, Sydney or Boston,
                               writing and enjoying his nontravelling life.


My Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
I love train travel and while Lonely Planet’s budget doesn’t
                                                                                                 Kota Bharu
quite stretch to the plush Eastern & Oriental Express, I did
have the good fortune to be a passenger on the now-defunct
                                                                               Jungle Railway
but equally luxurious Peninsula Line service from Tampin near
Melaka (p229) to Singapore (p512) back in 1996. My most                                           Taman Negara

memorable Malaysian train trip, though, was riding the ‘jungle                                   Jerantut
railway’ from Wakaf Baharu near the fascinating east-coast town
                                                                          KUALA LUMPUR
of Kota Bharu (p321) to Jerantut, the gateway to the premier
                                                                                      Tampin       Gemas
national park Taman Negara (p285). It’s decidedly nonluxury                           Melaka
and very slow, but acts like a local bus in an area of Malaysia
where roads are rare, thus providing a wonderful insight into                                   SINGAPORE
the daily life of the country’s interior.


                               DAMIAN HARPER                      Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang
                               Born in London, Damian fled the UK book trade to secure a degree in mod-
                               ern and classical Chinese from the School of Oriental and African Studies,
                               a journey that bundled him from the Big Smoke to Hong Kong, Singapore,
                               Beijing and on to the even bigger smoke of Shanghai. A contributor to a
                               dozen guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Damian has an affectionate interest in
                               overseas Chinese communities in Malaysia, other Southeast Asian nations
                               and Europe.
www.lonelyplanet.com                                                               THE AUTHORS         17




                           TOM PARKINSON                                       Sarawak, Sabah & Brunei
                           Tom has worked for Lonely Planet since 2002, covering a variety of far-flung
                           destinations, but Borneo has been a dream assignment ever since he read
                           Redmond O’Hanlon and Kinky Friedman back in his youth. Luckily he didn’t
                           actually have to kill to land the gig, and even got to tack Brunei on as a
                           bonus. In the course of researching this edition Tom sprained his foot, cut
                           himself on a rusty machete and got a malaria tablet stuck up his nose – and
                           he still aims to come back as soon as humanly possible for more wild boar,
                           Bario pineapple, secret skull caves, karaoke and longhouse jungle treks.




                           CHARLES RAWLINGS-WAY                                                Singapore
                           Charles’ earliest memories of Singapore involve being awestruck by air-
                           conditioners and attempting to drown his father in the Hilton pool when
                           he was seven. He’s not as easily impressed or murderous these days, but
                           Singapore still lures him back for regular pitstops. A lapsed architect, shame-
                           less chilli addict and laksa aficionado, Charles worked in Lonely Planet’s
                           Melbourne office for many years before making a break for the open road
                           in 2005. Singapore, with its lapsed architecture and chilli-laden laksas, made
                           him feel right at home. A freelance travel writer, Charles keeps one eye on
                           the next adventure and the other on fellow LP wordsmith Meg Worby.




                           RICHARD WATKINS                               Perak, Penang, Kedah & Perlis,
                                                                                 Terengganu, Kelantan
                           After studying ancient history at Oxford, Richard embarked on a brief career
                           teaching English as a foreign language, and soon ended up in Singapore.
                           Although he enjoyed his first taste of the not-so-mysterious Orient, teaching
                           grammar points to tired businessmen in the evenings was less appealing,
                           and at the end of his contract he went travelling through Southeast Asia,
                           Australia and New Zealand. Richard has written for other guidebooks, news-
                           papers and more than a dozen Lonely Planet titles, including Italy, Bulgaria
                           and the previous edition of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei.




CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
Dr Trish Batchelor wrote the Health chapter (p613). Dr Batchelor is a general practitioner and travel
medicine specialist who works at the CIWEC Clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal, and is a medical advisor to the
Travel Doctor New Zealand clinics. She has travelled extensively through Southeast and East Asia.

Alan D’Cruz contributed to the History chapter (p30). Alan is a Malaysian writer and documentary film
maker. He directed the acclaimed Guardians of the Forest (2001) about Malaysia’s indigenous people.

Su-Lyn Tan contributed to the Food & Drink chapter (p70). Su-Lyn is a freelance food writer based in
Singapore and was the managing editor of Wine & Dine magazine, the most established food publication
in the region. She is also the author of Lonely Planet’s World Food Malaysia & Singapore.
© Lonely Planet Publications
www.lonelyplanet.com                                                                                      19




© Lonely Planet Publications. To make it easier for you to use, access to this chapter is not digitally
restricted. In return, we think it’s fair to ask you to use it for personal, non-commercial purposes
only. In other words, please don’t upload this chapter to a peer-to-peer site, mass email it to
everyone you know, or resell it. See the terms and conditions on our site for a longer way of saying
the above - ‘Do the right thing with our content.’

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Malay Sing Brunei 10 Getting Started

  • 1. ADVERTISING FEATURE ADVERTISING FEATURE GOURMET FOOD, SINGAPORE STYLE Sponsored by Asian Home Gourmet Few places in the world can match Singapore for food. The choice is stag- Originally from the southern provinces of China, Hakka and Hokkien dishes gering. Within a few hundred metres, there might be a hawker centre include yong tau foo, bean curd stuffed with mince meat; and hokkien mee, selling Singaporean, Peranakan, Chinese and Malay specialities, and a best-known as ‘Singapore noodles’. food court with Japanese, Korean and Thai stalls. Next to these might be The most popular Hainanese dish is chicken rice – simply steamed fowl, rice a coffee shop serving up barbecued seafood and spicy, soupy laksa, and cooked in chicken stock, a clear soup and slices of cucumber; so popular it’s an Indian shophouse making wafer-thin roti pratha and chicken curry. practically the Singaporean national dish. It’s hard to know whether this multitude inspired Singapore’s food obsession, or whether the obsession inspired the multitude. Either way, Indian Singaporeans are obsessed with eating. They think nothing of driving right across the island to sample a renowned sambal stingray or chilli Broadly, Indian cuisine can be classified into two categories: South Indian and crab, and whenever a new food fad hits town, they will happily queue for North Indian. South Indian food tends to be hot, with the emphasis on vegetarian dishes. The typical South Indian dish is a thali (rice plate), often served on a large an hour to get their hands on it. banana leaf. On this leaf is placed a large mound of rice, then scoops of various vegetable curries and a couple of papadams for good measure. Dishes include Staples & Specialities masala dosa, a thin pancake; wrapped around spiced vegetables, with rasam Malay & Indonesian (spicy soup) on the side. Another favourite Indian dish is biryani, which is served with a chicken or mutton curry and saffron-coloured rice. The cuisines of Malaysia and Indonesia are similar. Satay - tiny kebabs of chicken, mutton or beef dipped in a spicy peanut sauce - is ubiquitous. North Indian cuisine is most commonly associated with tandoori food, which Other common dishes include tahu goreng, fried soya bean curd and takes its name from the clay tandoor oven in which the meat is cooked. The meat bean sprouts in a peanut sauce; ikan bilis, anchovies fried whole; ikan is marinated overnight in a a yoghurt-and-spice mixture. assam, fried fish in a sour tamarind curry; and sambal udang, fiery curried prawns. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is widely available, but is as much Chi- Peranakan nese and Indian as Malay, and each style has its own flavours. Nasi lemak Peranakan cuisine is a unique blend of Chinese ingredients with Malay sauces is coconut rice served with fried ikan bilis, peanuts and a curry dish. and spices. It is commonly flavoured with shallots, chillies, belacan (Malay fermented prawn paste), peanuts, preserved soybeans and galangal (a Chinese gingerlike root). Thick coconut milk is used to create the sauce that flavours the prime ingredients. The best-known and most popular style of Chinese cooking is Cantonese. Noted for the variety and freshness of its ingredients, Cantonese food Typical dished include otak-otak, a sausage-like blend of fish, coconut milk, is usually stir-fried with just a touch of oil to ensure a crisp and fresh chilli paste, galangal and herbs, wrapped and cooked in a banana leaf; ayam result. Typical dishes include won ton soup, chow mein, spring rolls, mee buah keluak, chicken stewed with dark nuts; and itek tim, a classic soup of (noodles) or congee (rice porridge). Less typical and more expensive are simmered duck, tomatoes, green peppers, salted vegetables and preserved shark’s-fin and bird’s-nest dishes. One of the most famous Cantonese sour plums. specialities is dim sum (literally ‘little heart’), small snack-type dishes, Peranakan’s best-known dish is, of course, the laksa – noodles in a coconut- often dumplings. milk gravy with fried tofu and bean sprouts.
  • 2. © Lonely Planet Publications 18 Getting Started Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei have travel possibilities to suit all bud- gets. Getting around much of the region is a breeze thanks to its excel- lent transport infrastructure. You will only need to make more-detailed preparations for Malaysian Borneo because of the remoteness of certain locations and the cost and time involved in getting to these more remote locations. WHEN TO GO This being the tropics, year-round travel is possible. Rain falls fairly evenly throughout the year and the difference between the main October to April rainy season and the rest of the year is not that marked. The exception is the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, which receives heavy rain from November to mid-February. During these months many east- coast resorts close and boat services dwindle or stop altogether. Travel along the west coast is not affected. The states of Sabah and Sarawak receive high rainfall throughout the year, but it is heaviest from October See Climate (p487) in to March. the Directory chapter for Note that the haze from fires in Indonesia (see p69) is at its worst in more information. September and October, which could make a holiday across the region during this time a less than pleasant experience. With such broad ethnic diversity, celebrations of one kind or another are held throughout the year. Bear in mind, though, that during the major public holidays (see p492, p578 and p610) many locals travel, putting pressure on transport and hotel vacancies. Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Christmas are all especially busy. If you’re in the country during these times it’s best to wait until the holiday rush is over before travelling away from the major cities. The main beach and hill resorts also get crowded on Saturday and Sunday but are often deserted during the week. The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is generally not a problem for most travel. Some services in the region may be cut back, especially in the east-coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu in Malaysia, but most transport, hotels and accommodation, restaurants and many businesses function as normal. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT… Checking the visa situation (p496, p581 & p611). Those travelling on an Israeli passport can- not enter Malaysia or Brunei. Checking government travel advice (see p488). Proof of vaccination for yellow fever (see p613) if coming from infected areas of Africa or South America. A raincoat for those sudden showers. A torch or head lamp, a pair of binoculars, mosquito net and leech-proof socks – all essential gear for a jungle trek. A sweater or light jacket – but only if you’re planning a trip to the cooler highlands (or going to the cinema in Singapore!). Sharp elbows – for battling with the locals over shopping bargains!
  • 3. www.lonelyplanet.com G E T T I N G S TA R T E D • • C o s t s & M o n e y 19 COSTS & MONEY Malaysia is inexpensive by world standards and caters well to all budgets. Singapore and Brunei are a bit pricier, but there are still bargains to be had if you look carefully. Fleapit hotels where beds can be as cheap as US$2 a night are plentiful, but new travellers’ guesthouses are springing up in the tourist centres, of- fering dormitory beds from US$3, as well as cheap rooms. The midrange is well catered for and hotel rooms with air-con and attached bathroom HOW MUCH? start at around US$20. Luxury hotels often have bargain rates, especially Midrange hotel double in Malaysia. Food generally is inexpensive. The variety is best in the cities RM100/S$110/B$100 and you can usually get away with US$3 for a full meal with a couple of Cup of coffee drinks at a food centre or hawker stall – you’ll pay even less if you’re not RM4/S$4.50/B$4 that hungry. At the other end of the scale, fancy hotels and restaurants in Bowl of laksa the main cities offer international cuisine at international prices. RM5/S$4/B$4 Alcoholic drinks are expensive, particularly in Singapore, the con- servative areas of the east coast or on islands. Beer costs about US$2 a Restaurant meal can, almost double in isolated areas. Spirits are even more expensive – RM20/S$20/B$18 about 50% more than beer. With no alcohol available in Brunei at least Newspaper you’ll save money there. RM1.20/S$1.20/B$0.80 Transportation is generally a bargain. There are plenty of reasonably priced taxis for local travel. Drivers are fairly honest and prices are either fixed or there are meters. For long-distance journeys, Malaysia has excel- LONELY PLANET lent buses, trains and long-distance taxis, all at very reasonable prices, INDEX and even flying need not be too costly. Litre of petrol Besides the travel essentials of food, accommodation and transport RM1.90/S$1.25/B$0.56 you’ll find nonessentials and luxuries are moderately priced, even down- Litre of bottled water right cheap. RM1.50/S$1.50/B$1 TRAVEL LITERATURE Beer – large bottle of Into the Heart of Borneo (1987) by Redmond O’Hanlon is a hilarious Tiger RM10/S$8 account of the author’s, poet James Fenton’s, journey into the Bornean Souvenir T-shirt interior in search of the fabled Sumatran rhinoceros. In a more serious vein RM20/S$15/B$20 are Eric Hansen’s Stranger in the Forest (1988) and Orchid Fever (2001), Street snack – satay stick proper adventure travel covering Hansen’s walk from Sarawak to Kaliman- RM0.50/S$0.40/B$0.25 tan and back and his encounters as an orchid fanatic respectively. The Consumption of Kuala Lumpur (2000) by Ziauddin Sardar is an evocative meditation on the sleepy capital evolving into a techno marvel. Lawyer and writer Karim Raslan’s Journeys Through Southeast Asia: Cerita- lah 2 (2002) is worth searching out in the region’s bookshops for his inter- esting views on contemporary Malaysia, as are The Other Malaysia (2005) and From Majapahit to Putrajaya – Searching for the Other Malaysia (2005) by Farish A Noor – both are collections of the local journalist’s trenchant observations on the country. Literary knight VS Naipaul travelled in Malaysia for both Among the Believers (1982) and Beyond Belief (1999), commenting on his experi- ence of Islam in the region with his usual insight. For a more historical perspective, The Golden Chersonese and the Way Thither by Isabella Bird was first published in 1883; it covers the doughty Victorian-era traveller wending her way through the Malaysian jungles of Selangor and Perak, and crossing the Bukit Genting pass on the back of an elephant. Among the travel literature on Singapore, the standout is Nigel Bar- ley’s entertaining In the Footsteps of Stamford Raffles (1992), also titled The Duke of Puddledock. Julian Davison’s One For The Road (2002) is a nostalgic collection of short stories drawn from the author’s recollections of Singapore and Malaysia in the 1950s and 1960s.
  • 4. 20 GE NN NG S EAD • • R U T T IIN G H TA R T E•D R•u nTnoi p gTeu b h e a d n s ns www.lonelyplanet.com TOP TENS FESTIVALS & EVENTS Festivals and events happen throughout the year in the region – the following are the best around which to plan your travels. Thaipusam, across the region, January Rainforest World Music Festival, Kuching, (p52) July or August (p345) Chinese New Year, across the region, Janu- Malaysia’s National Day (Hari Kebangsaan), ary (p490) Malaysia, 31 August (p492) Singapore Arts Festival, Singapore, May to Thimithi, Singapore, October/November June (p528) (p529) Singapore Food Festival, Singapore, July Deepavali, across the region, October to (p529) November (p492) Sultan of Brunei’s Birthday Celebrations, Hari Raya Puasa, across the region, Brunei, 15 July (p610) December (p492) EATING & DRINKING Junk the diet and allow your appetite to lead you around the region – your travels will turn into a nonstop feast. Join the locals at one of Kuala Lumpur’s Sample Nonya cuisine, a hybrid of trad- ubiquitous mamak (Indian Muslim) stalls itional Chinese and Malay culinary styles, in (p76) and night markets (p110) Melaka (p239) Sample the classic Ipoh dishes (p148) of Get your fingers sticky digging into chilli kway teow (rice noodles) crab in Singapore (p554) Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea amid Hold your nose and let your taste buds the plantations of the Cameron Highlands discover the reason for all the fuss about (p158) or at Brunei’s Empire Hotel (p603) durian (p73) Slurp the classic spicy-sour asam laksa Savour smoked wild boar and coconut (laksa with prawn paste and tamarind- pumpkin on a trek through the rainforest flavoured gravy) of Penang (p184) around Bario (p418) Discover blue rice, banana murtabak (filled Toast your longhouse host in Sarawak with roti canai) and other local delicacies at Kota tuak, the rice wine with an alcoholic punch Bharu’s fantastic night market (p326) (p374) ACTIVITIES & COURSES With so many ways to keep happily active in the region it’s a good job there are plenty of gor- geous beaches on which to relax afterwards. These are our recommendations for the adventurous and inquisitive traveller. Reach the summit of Mt Kinabalu (p437), Dive at Pulau Redang (p310), nine islands Malaysia’s highest peak surrounded by coral reefs Explore the giant caves of Niah National Park Learn to make local dishes at a cooking (p394) course (p532) in Singapore Go in search of Bigfoot in the jungles of Study the local language, Bahasa Malaysia Johor (p260) (p98) in Kuala Lumpur Take a boat trip down the river deep Tee off at one of Malaysia’s many golf into Taman Negara (p289), Malaysia’s top courses; try Penang’s Bukit Jambul Country national park Club (p181), a course carved from the rocky Accept the sweaty challenges of the Head- jungle hunters’ Trail and climbing to the Pinnacles Trek with the nomadic Penan in the Kelabit in Gunung Mulu National Park (p408) Highlands (p415)
  • 5. © Lonely Planet Publications www.lonelyplanet.com G E T T I N G S TA R T E D • • I n t e r n e t R e s o u r c e s 21 INTERNET RESOURCES Cari (www.cari.com.my) Cari means ‘find’, and this great search engine is a good starting point for all things Malaysian. Government of Brunei Darussalam (www.brunei.gov.bn) The official website has daily news updates, links to all the ministries, and brief background info on the country. Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com) The Lonely Planet site offers succinct summaries on travelling in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, the Thorn Tree bulletin board and much more. Malaysiakini (www.malaysiakini.com) Find out what’s really going on in the country at Malay- sia’s best online news site. Singapore Tourism (www.visitsingapore.com) This is the official site for tourist information, with plenty of links to things to see and do. Tourism Malaysia (www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my) The official government site for tourist information has events calendars, regional links, background information and listings of domestic and international tourist offices.
  • 6. © Lonely Planet Publications 22 Itineraries CLASSIC ROUTE THE GRAND TOUR Six Weeks / Kuala Lumpur to Bandar Seri Begawan Start in Kuala Lumpur (KL; p82), for four days of sightseeing and acclima- tisation. Next, cool off in the lush Cameron Highlands (p150), then warm up again on the beautiful beaches of Pulau Langkawi (p203). The Grand Tour Cross the mountainous spine of the peninsula to Kota Bharu (p321), a covers 5000km, great place to encounter traditional Malay culture. Island- and beach-hop taking in the key down the east coast, pausing at Pulau Perhentian (p313), Cherating (p280) and Pulau Tioman (p265). Swing inland for a week to explore Taman Negara attractions of (p285), then return to the west coast to soak up the historic atmosphere Malaysia with stop- of Melaka (p227). overs in Singapore Singapore (p512) can easily swallow up a week of shopping, museum and Brunei. A full viewing and world-class eating. From here you can fly to Kuching (p339) in Sarawak, a good base for a longhouse excursion or for arranging a trek two months would in the Gunung Mulu National Park (p405). Your next challenge, should you allow a more choose to accept it, is to climb Mt Kinabalu (p437). Finish up in Bandar Seri leisurely pace. Begawan (p590), the capital of oil-rich Brunei. CAMBODIA VIETNAM PHILIPPINES THAILAND SULU SOUTH SEA Pulau Langkawi CHINA SEA Mt Kinabalu Kota Bharu (4101m) Pulau Perhentian Kinabalu National Park Taman BANDAR SERI Negara BEGAWAN Cameron Highlands BRUNEI Cherating Gunung Mulu PENINSULAR National Park KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA Pulau Tioman CELEBES Melaka SEA SINGAPORE MALAYSIAN Kuching BORNEO SINGAPORE Sumatra Kalimantan INDONESIA INDONESIA
  • 7. www.lonelyplanet.com I T I N E R A R I E S • • R o a d s Le s s T r a v e l l e d 23 ROADS LESS TRAVELLED REDISCOVERING MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE Three Weeks / Putrajaya to Singapore From Kuala Lumpur International Airport go directly to Putrajaya (p128), the nation’s fast-evolving administrative capital and a showcase of mod- ern Malaysian architecture. Then head to the coast to the sleepy old royal capital of Kuala Selangor (p131), near to which you can observe the daz- zling natural display of fireflies. In the tiny hill station of Bukit Larut (p164) there’s only accommodation for around 70 visitors – but pack your mac, as it’s one of the wettest places in Malaysia! The really ambitious could also cram the almost forgotten state of Perlis, on the Thai border, into their first week of travel; the highlight here is Taman Negara Perlis (p217). In week two, if you’re up for a rugged jungle experience, dive into either the Endau-Rompin National Park (p260) or Kenong Rimba State Park (p295). Or consider a leisurely tour up the east coast, favouring smaller coastal towns such as Merang (p310) or a quiet island such as Pulau Kapas (p308). Alternatively rent a houseboat to explore Tasik Kenyir (p304). In week three do some more island-hopping in the Seribuat Archipelago (p258) before crossing the causeway into Singapore (p512). You might think it impossible that this island state could have any unexplored corners but tourists are light on the ground in Pulau Ubin (p522), where cycling is the best way of getting around. Alternatively forgo shopping in favour of bird-spotting in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (p523). On this 2800km Perlis Taman Negara Perlis alternative THAILAND SOUTH CHINA highlights tour of SEA Malaysia and Singapore you’ll Merang cover both coasts Pulau Kapas Bukit Larut Tasik of the peninsula, (Maxwell Hill) Kenyir (1019m) trek in the jungle Kenong Rimba interior and laze State Park on lovely islands – and still avoid the crowds. Kuala Selangor PENINSULAR MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR Selat Melaka (Strait of Melaka) Putrajaya Seribuat Archipelago Endau-Rompin National Park Sungei Buloh Pulau Ubin Sumatra Wetland Reserve SINGAPORE INDONESIA SINGAPORE
  • 8. 24 I T I N E R A R I E S • • R o a d s Le s s T r a v e l l e d www.lonelyplanet.com SARAWAK & BRUNEI COMBINED Three Weeks / Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan To Whom It May Concern: to discover the very best of Borneo make Sarawak your destination. Spend your first few days in the state’s pleas- ing riverine capital Kuching (p339), using it as a base for trips to various longhouse communities and to Bako National Park (p368), which includes some of the state’s best beaches. Next head to Sibu (p380) to commence your journey up the mighty Batang Rejang (p380). Go beyond Kapit (p384) towards the atmospheric interior settlement of Belaga (p387), around which are the longhouses of the Kenyah and Kayan. A round trip takes about four days. Return to Sibu and on to Similajau National Park (p392), a little-visited coastal park with good beaches, to chill out for a day or two. Press on to the Gunung Mulu National Park (p405) – reached by a flight from the city of Miri (p397) – where you’ll find not only fine caves, but also challenging hikes to the Pinnacles and along the Headhunters’ Trail. Miri is also the jumping-off point for Bario (p415), the lush valley settle- ment 1500m up in the Kelabit Highlands; the really adventurous could then tackle the four- to six-day trek to Long Lellang. Returning to Miri, head across the border into Brunei, spend a couple of days in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan (p593), then make a boat trip to the Temburong dis- trict where the highlight is the Ulu Temburong National Park (p608). Travelling around Malaysian Borneo by road, river and sometimes air, you’ll cover BANDAR SERI SOUTH Sabah some 1900km, CHINA BEGAWAN SEA BRUNEI passing through a Ulu Temburong National Park Miri fascinating range Gunung Mulu National Park of landscapes and Bario encountering many Similajau Long Lellang National Park of the island’s MALAYSIAN native people. It’s BORNEO at least a three- Belaga Sarawak week trip – a Sibu month would be Bako National Park Kapit better. Bata Kuching ng Rejang Kalimantan INDONESIA
  • 9. www.lonelyplanet.com I T I N E R A R I E S • • R o a d s Le s s T r a v e l l e d 25 SABAH SOLO Three Weeks / Kota Kinabalu to Semporna The main reason people come to Sabah is to climb Mt Kinabalu (p437); assaults on Malaysia’s highest peak can be launched from the state capi- tal, Kota Kinabalu (KK; p423) – not the most attractive of state capitals, however, you’ll be obliged to spend a day or two here during which time you can experience its lively nightlife. All up, a trip to the mountain and back, plus exploring the trails around the national park headquarters, will take you five to six days. KK is also the jumping-off point for the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (p434), a cluster of five lovely islands offering beautiful beaches. A six-hour bus ride will take you east to characterful Sandakan (p461), the base for various wildlife-viewing activities, including a visit to the Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre (p467) and Sungai Kinabatangan (p470), Sabah’s longest river and one of the best places for a Southeast Asian wildlife safari. From Sandakan head south towards the Danum Valley Conservation Area (p474), where you can enjoy various ecotourism activities – including a not-to-be-missed night drive safari – from the luxurious Borneo Rainfor- est Lodge. Finish up your trip in the stilt village of Semporna (p476), from where you can organise diving and snorkelling trips to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park (p477) including famous Pulau Sipadan, the tip of a limestone pinnacle that rises a sheer 600m from the sea-bed. The 1300km you’ll cover on this journey will seem like nothing once Kinabalu SOUTH Tunku Abdul Mt Kinabalu National Park PHILIPPINES you’ve tramped the CHINA Rahman SEA National Park (4101m) SULU 18km up and down Kota Kinabalu Sepilok Orang-Utan Sandakan SEA Rehabilitation Centre Mt Kinabalu, so n ai ga ng an Su abat relax and enjoy the Sabah in K Danum Valley fantastic variety, Conservation Area from idyllic islands BRUNEI Semporna to wildlife-packed Tun Sakaran Pulau Marine Park jungles, of this Sipadan three-week itinerary. MALAYSIAN BORNEO CELEBES SEA Sarawak Kalimantan INDONESIA
  • 10. 26 I T I N E R A R I E S • • Ta i l o re d T r i p s www.lonelyplanet.com TAILORED TRIPS COLONIAL FOOTSTEPS Spend several days soaking up the enduring Portuguese and Dutch influ- ence in Melaka (p227) before seeing how the British shaped Kuala Lumpur (p82) into command central for their adventures in Malaya. A fitting base would be Carcosa Seri Negara, where the British monarchs still stay when they’re in town. Near the one-time tin boom town of Ipoh is Kellie’s Castle (p150), the eccentric (and unfinished) Indian-influenced mansion of a wealthy rubber plantation owner. Savour the mock-Tudor style of Ye Olde Smokehouse in the Cameron Highlands (p157) or Fraser’s Hill (p127). Kuala Kangsar (p159) was one of the first places the British established control on the peninsula. Georgetown Kota Kinabalu North Borneo Railway Georgetown (p173) on the island of Penang is the Kuala Kangsar Cameron Highlands Papar oldest British settlement in Malaysia. Fraser's Hill Kuala Lumpur When it comes to grand colonial relics you re- Melaka ally shouldn’t miss out on Raffles (p515) in Singa- Kellie's Castle Singapore Kuching pore; enjoy sinking a G&T in its Bar & Billiard room or taking high tea in the Tiffin Room. Over in Borneo, Sarawak’s capital Kuching (p339) is where you’ll find Fort Margherita built by James Brooke, the state’s first White Raja. And in Sabah you can relive the grand days of the Empire while dining in the restaurant car pulled by a renovated Vulcan steam engine on the North Borneo Railway (p426) between Kota Kinabalu and Papar. ISLANDS & BEACHES From Kuala Lumpur (p82) start by making a day trip to the atmospheric fishing village of Pulau Ketam (p130) for tasty seafood. Moving north, Pulau Pangkor (p138) has good beaches; for something more exclusive, though, spend the night on the resort island of Pulau Pangkor Laut (p143), with access to Emerald Beach . Pulau Langkawi (p203) is blessed with several lovely beaches including Pantai Cenang and Pantai Kok. You can also make boat trips to the nearby island of Pulau Dayang Bunting (p209) to swim in a freshwater lake. Pulau Perhentian Besar (p313) is less crowded and just as gorgeous as its more popular twin, Pulau Perhentian Kecil. On gorgeous Pulau Pulau Tioman (p265) head over to Juara for some quiet Langkawi Pulau Dayang Bunting Tunku Abdul Rahman relaxation. There are numerous other equally National Park Pulau Pulau Perhentian Besar attractive – and far less touristed – islands off the Pulau Perhentian Kecil Pangkor east coast; try the Seribuat Archipelago (p258). Kuala Pulau Lumpur Tioman Pulau Sipadan In Sarawak, good beaches can be found in Pulau Seribuat both Bako National Park (p368) and Similajau Na- Ketam Archipelago Bako Similajau National Tun Sakaran tional Park (p392). For stretches of white sand Pulau Pangkor Laut National Park Marine Park head to the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park Park (p434). For underwater adventures don’t miss out on the spectacular dive sites around the islands of the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, including the limestone pinnacle Pulau Sipadan (p477).
  • 11. © Lonely Planet Publications www.lonelyplanet.com I T I N E R A R I E S • • Ta i l o re d T r i p s 27 KIDS’ MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE In Kuala Lumpur (p82) keep the kids happy with visits to the Lake Gardens (p89) and to the Skybridge at the Petronas Towers (p88), where you’ll also find the Petrosains interactive science discovery centre. Within day-trip distance of KL are the theme parks at Sunway Lagoon (p129) and Genting Highlands (p125), both of which are ideal places for all the family to cool down and revive. A day trip from KL or as part of a trip into the jungle interior of the peninsula is a visit to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre (p296), where it’s possible to feed the elephants and go for a swim with them. To further experience the wonders of the jungle, head to Taman Negara (p285). Even if a long hike in this premier national park is out the question, chil- dren can clamber across the canopy walkway or float down the river on an inner tube. Out of the beaches and islands of the east coast, you could choose Pulau Kapas (p308) or Cherating (p280), slightly more geared towards family holidays. Pulau Kapas Singapore (p512) has tons of child-friendly Taman Negara diversions. You are just as likely as your little Cherating ones to enjoy the excellent zoo and night safari Kuala Gandah Genting Highlands Elephant Conservation Centre (p522). Monkeys can easily be spotted on walks around Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (p523) and Sunway Lagoon KUALA LUMPUR the MacRitchie Reservoir (p523). It’s fun pedal- ling around Pulau Ubin (p522) and you can hire bikes on Sentosa Island (p526), which also boasts a top-class aquarium, dolphin shows, an old fort SINGAPORE Pulau Ubin Sentosa Island and OK beaches. LAND & SEA ADVENTURES Top of the list is Taman Negara (p285), which includes Gunung Tahan, Penin- sular Malaysia’s highest peak. The far less tourist-frequented Endau-Rompin National Park (p260) has Malaysia’s largest population of Sumatran rhinos, although don’t count on spotting these elusive beasts. Pulau Redang (p310) is a spectacular dive site – nine islands surrounded by fine coral reefs and clear water. An alternative dive destination is the much less visited gem of Pulau Lang Tengah (p312). The Seribuat Archipelago (p258) offers super dive conditions less the crowds; the most accessible islands are Besar, Sibu and Rawa, but the best diving is around Pemanggil and Aur. Malaysian Borneo has 23 national parks including marine reserves and the rarefied heights of Mt Kinabalu (p437); set aside three days to reach the summit. In Gunung Mulu National Park (p405) allow four days to tramp the Headhunters’ Trail and climb to the jagged Pinnacles. A day is suf- ficient for Niah National Park (p393) with its giant Pulau Layang caves. Give yourself two days in Bako National Park Layang (p368) to hunt out exotic flora and fauna, and to Pulau Lang Tengah Mt Kinabalu Pulau Redang enjoy walks along the rugged coastline. Taman Negara Crocker Range Danum Valley Don’t miss the spectacular Tun Sakaran Marine Endau-Rompin Niah National National Park Tun Sakaran Park (p477) or Pulau Layang Layang (p437), part Seribuat Park Marine Park of the famous Borneo Banks, where shallow Archipelago Bako Gunung Mulu National reefs and impressive drop-offs both play host National Park Park to shoals of tuna, barracuda and hammerhead sharks. For adventurous trekking both the Danum Valley (p474) and the Crocker Range (p447) are recommended.
  • 12. © Lonely Planet Publications 28 Snapshot Let’s face it. After 22 years of calling the shots, former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was never going to shuffle quietly off into retirement. The 80-year-old held his tongue for a few years after Abdullah Badawi (popularly known as Pak Lah) assumed the top job in October 2003 and went on to a landslide election win for his party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition government in 2004. But since then Abdullah’s government has, in Mahathir’s eyes, been steadily chipping away at his legacy of an economically strong and politically independent Malaysia. The government’s decision in April 2006 to can one of Mahathir’s pet projects – the so-called ‘crooked bridge’ across the Strait of Johor (see p249) – was the straw that broke the doctor’s back. The mainstream media that had so slavishly towed the Mahathir line FAST FACTS: during his premiership – surprise, surprise – sided with the government MALAYSIA and largely ignored the former PM’s outbursts against his successor and GDP per person: against a country that, in his frank opinion, no longer had any ‘guts’. Ma- US$10,400 hathir turned to the internet to get his views across and raged against press Life expectancy: censorship – which many found pretty rich given his own autocratic record 72.5 years while in power. At the same time the ever-outspoken Mahathir was finding himself at the sharp end of a lawsuit for defamation from Anwar Ibrahim, Inflation: 2.9% relating to the since-disproved charges of homosexuality against his former Unemployment: 3.6% deputy (see p43). Despite all this, Mahathir retains much respect in Malay- Number of mobile phone sia, and Abdullah – just getting back into his political stride following the users: 14.6 million death of his beloved wife Endon Mahmood Ambak from breast cancer in October 2005 – has reason to be concerned for his position. In an effort to regain the political high ground in March 2006 Abdul- lah unveiled a new five-year plan for Malaysia, the ninth such economic and social agenda in the country’s independent history, thus known by the shorthand ‘9MP’. Unlike Mahathir’s previous plans – sometimes referred to as Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020) – which focused on major construction and industry projects such as the Multimedia Super Corri- dor (a development of high-tech infrastructure, businesses and the cities of Cyberjaya and Putrajaya between Kuala Lumpur and the international airport), the 9MP seeks to tackle Malaysia’s crisis in education. Not one of Malaysia’s universities featured in a recent independent ranking of the top 200 universities around the world and many poorly educated Malay- sian graduates are finding themselves jobless at the end of their degrees. Of the 9MP’s RM200 billion (US$54 billion) budget, a fifth will be spent on education. There are also plans to spend more on the poorest areas of the country, namely Borneo and on Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast (not entirely coincidentally, areas where UMNO has typically fared badly with voters) and on bolstering the privileges that bumiputra (Malays and other indigenous races) enjoy, namely creating a RM2 billion fund to help them buy chunks of prime real estate. It’s a curious fact, though, that despite such positive discrimination policies being in place now for over 30 years, the position of bumiputra in the economy remains more or less the same. A handful of well-connected Malays have certainly benefited but the vast majority remain poor. The only politician openly advocating the scrapping of the bumiputra policy is Anwar Ibrahim, who since his release from prison in 2004 has been steadily rebuilding his political platform in the country. Anwar is barred
  • 13. © Lonely Planet Publications www.lonelyplanet.com S N A P S H OT 29 from running for political office until 2008 and for this reason – as well as to capitalise on the inevitable feel-good factor following the 50th an- niversary celebrations of Malaysia’s Independence (Merdeka) in August 2007 – it’s widely suspected that Abdullah will call an election towards the end of 2007, even though he doesn’t actually have to until 2009. Elections come and go in Singapore (the latest being in May 2006) but it’s never really in doubt what the outcome will be. The People’s Action FAST FACTS: Party (PAP) has held on to power by all means fair and foul since Lee SINGAPORE Kuan Yew led it to victory in 1959. Lee may have retired as prime minister GDP per person: in 1990, but he still keeps a watchful eye on government in his role as the US$27,800 island state’s ‘Minister Mentor’. To ensure his will is followed through Life expectancy: 81 years his eldest son Lee Hsien Loong has been in the top job since 2004. Lee Jr Inflation: 1% hasn’t dropped the ball, steering Singapore out of an early-2000s slump, maintaining a practically corruption-free environment and a per-capita Unemployment: 3.3% GDP to match the big boys of Western Europe. Fine for littering: up Meanwhile the nanny state continues to loosen its paternalistic grip, to S$2000 for repeat actively promoting Singapore as an arts hub, relaxing liquor licensing offenders laws, allowing a casino to operate, and generally letting its good citizens enjoy the spoils of 40 years’ hard work. There has been no relaxation, though, of its zero tolerance stance on drugs, as the execution of Nguyen Tuong Van, an Australian and convicted heroin smuggler, illustrated in December 2005. Nguyen’s hanging caused such a furore both in Australia and Singapore that, in a rare break with the government line, Singapore’s Straits Times ran an article discussing the mandatory death penalty and the possibility that it should be revised. Executing drug smugglers is one of the few areas where Singapore and Malaysia see eye to eye. The saga over the replacement of the causeway linking the two countries is only the latest in a series of ongoing battles that have raged between the two since 1965, when Singapore was uncer- emoniously kicked out of its short-lived union with Malaysia. The bridge negotiations faltered over Singapore’s preconditions that Malaysia pro- vide it with sand for reclamation projects and that Singaporean military jets have access to Malaysian airspace. Other squabbles continue over territorial claims to small islands in the Singapore Strait, payment for water (Singapore gets 40% of its water from Malaysia but plans to make FAST FACTS: itself self-sufficient by 2061, when the current agreement runs out), and BRUNEI Malaysian Railway land-holdings in Singapore. GDP per person: While relations between Malaysia and Singapore are likely to remain US$24,000 touchy for the foreseeable future, those between Malaysia and Brunei Life expectancy: 75 years are far more cordial. The two countries may have minor disputes over Inflation: 2.7% the rights to possible offshore gas and oil exploration sites and over the land border around Limbang, but they share Islam as a common faith Unemployment: 4.9% and further goodwill was forged in August 2005 when Sultan Hassanal Daily oil production: Bolkiah, aged 58, took 26-year-old former TV journalist Azrinaz Mazhar 203,000 barrels Hakim, a Malaysian, as his second wife. Love must be in the air in Brunei because in 2004 the 30-year-old Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bol- kiah married a 17-year-old half-Swiss commoner, Sarah Salleh. Change is gradually creeping into the world’s longest-running absolute monarchy. There are growing indications that Brunei is moving towards some degree of political reform: the legislative council has been restored for the first time in 20 years and an opposition political party has been al- lowed to form. The emphasis on Muslim culture has relaxed slightly, with the education minister losing his job for pushing unpopular and obscure Islamic studies. The government is also trying to move beyond the oil- and gas-rich nation’s habitual economic reliance on hydrocarbons.
  • 14. © Lonely Planet Publications The Authors SIMON RICHMOND Coordinating Author, Kuala Lumpur This is the second time Simon has filled the coordinating author role on this title and it was by far one of his most interesting trips to Malaysia and Singapore, of which there have been many over the last decade and a half. Over those years Simon has travelled through most of both countries – from the sun-kissed beaches of Langkawi to the deepest jungles of Sarawak. When not knocking about the region in the selfless pursuit of the next great meal or adventure activity, Simon can be found either in London, Sydney or Boston, writing and enjoying his nontravelling life. My Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei I love train travel and while Lonely Planet’s budget doesn’t Kota Bharu quite stretch to the plush Eastern & Oriental Express, I did have the good fortune to be a passenger on the now-defunct Jungle Railway but equally luxurious Peninsula Line service from Tampin near Melaka (p229) to Singapore (p512) back in 1996. My most Taman Negara memorable Malaysian train trip, though, was riding the ‘jungle Jerantut railway’ from Wakaf Baharu near the fascinating east-coast town KUALA LUMPUR of Kota Bharu (p321) to Jerantut, the gateway to the premier Tampin Gemas national park Taman Negara (p285). It’s decidedly nonluxury Melaka and very slow, but acts like a local bus in an area of Malaysia where roads are rare, thus providing a wonderful insight into SINGAPORE the daily life of the country’s interior. DAMIAN HARPER Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang Born in London, Damian fled the UK book trade to secure a degree in mod- ern and classical Chinese from the School of Oriental and African Studies, a journey that bundled him from the Big Smoke to Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and on to the even bigger smoke of Shanghai. A contributor to a dozen guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Damian has an affectionate interest in overseas Chinese communities in Malaysia, other Southeast Asian nations and Europe.
  • 15. www.lonelyplanet.com THE AUTHORS 17 TOM PARKINSON Sarawak, Sabah & Brunei Tom has worked for Lonely Planet since 2002, covering a variety of far-flung destinations, but Borneo has been a dream assignment ever since he read Redmond O’Hanlon and Kinky Friedman back in his youth. Luckily he didn’t actually have to kill to land the gig, and even got to tack Brunei on as a bonus. In the course of researching this edition Tom sprained his foot, cut himself on a rusty machete and got a malaria tablet stuck up his nose – and he still aims to come back as soon as humanly possible for more wild boar, Bario pineapple, secret skull caves, karaoke and longhouse jungle treks. CHARLES RAWLINGS-WAY Singapore Charles’ earliest memories of Singapore involve being awestruck by air- conditioners and attempting to drown his father in the Hilton pool when he was seven. He’s not as easily impressed or murderous these days, but Singapore still lures him back for regular pitstops. A lapsed architect, shame- less chilli addict and laksa aficionado, Charles worked in Lonely Planet’s Melbourne office for many years before making a break for the open road in 2005. Singapore, with its lapsed architecture and chilli-laden laksas, made him feel right at home. A freelance travel writer, Charles keeps one eye on the next adventure and the other on fellow LP wordsmith Meg Worby. RICHARD WATKINS Perak, Penang, Kedah & Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan After studying ancient history at Oxford, Richard embarked on a brief career teaching English as a foreign language, and soon ended up in Singapore. Although he enjoyed his first taste of the not-so-mysterious Orient, teaching grammar points to tired businessmen in the evenings was less appealing, and at the end of his contract he went travelling through Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Richard has written for other guidebooks, news- papers and more than a dozen Lonely Planet titles, including Italy, Bulgaria and the previous edition of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei. CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS Dr Trish Batchelor wrote the Health chapter (p613). Dr Batchelor is a general practitioner and travel medicine specialist who works at the CIWEC Clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal, and is a medical advisor to the Travel Doctor New Zealand clinics. She has travelled extensively through Southeast and East Asia. Alan D’Cruz contributed to the History chapter (p30). Alan is a Malaysian writer and documentary film maker. He directed the acclaimed Guardians of the Forest (2001) about Malaysia’s indigenous people. Su-Lyn Tan contributed to the Food & Drink chapter (p70). Su-Lyn is a freelance food writer based in Singapore and was the managing editor of Wine & Dine magazine, the most established food publication in the region. She is also the author of Lonely Planet’s World Food Malaysia & Singapore.
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