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Malaysia travel adviceWith our Malaysia tours and holidays in Malaysia, you'll travel the way we like to travel; by really getting to know the country and people, and discovering a whole new culture and way of life. And who better to teach you all about the country and pass on any Malaysia travel advice than the Malaysians themselves? After all, when you’re visiting a new country it’s nice to know more about local customs and etiquette.On the Malaysian east coast, we met taxi driver, Faizal, who lives in a kampong just outside Kuala Terengganu with his wife, two sons and his parents. Every day Faizal drives his taxi to the airport and has a friendly chat with his passengers. He’s always interested in learning more about their families, because to him family is one of life’s most valuable things. When he gets home at the end of his shift, his mother will have a late supper of rice with sambal daging waiting for him. The shoes are neatly lined up by the front door as it’s customary to take off your shoes before entering the house. The next morning Faizal and his family prepare for Eid Al-Adha. The whole village has spent weeks preparing for this important Muslim religious festival, which, like many other multicultural festivals, is an important national holiday in Malaysia. Take a look below for more Malaysia travel advice and information about local traditions and customs, celebrations and how you can experience real Malaysian life. |
Malaysia travel advice: Shake hands or bow your head?In Malaysia, it’s very easy to get to know the local people; whether they’re Malaysian, Indian or Chinese. Malaysians greet each other by shaking hands and placing their hand over their heart as a gesture that you have embraced them in your heart. An older person is greeted by taking both hands and kissing them as a sign of respect. Peers call each other ‘abang’ (brother) or ‘kakak’ (sister), regardless of whether they’re actually related.Food plays a major role in the daily life of Malaysians and just as Faizal enjoys a late night supper when he comes home at the end of his shift, he’ll be eating all day long, from early in the morning until late in the evening. During you’re Malaysia travels, you can join the locals at the many little food markets, where the food is the most authentic and affordable. |
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Around 60% of Malaysians are Muslim, 25% Chinese and Buddhist or Christian like the Iban tribe on Borneo which you’ll meet on our Borneo visit to Sarawak. The rest of the population is Indian and primarily Hindu, or of other ethnicity and religious background. On Borneo for example you’ll find tribes that worship the gods of nature. All these different religions are interwoven in the Malaysian calendar. The average Malaysian may have just 12 holidays a year, but on top of that there’s all the national holidays of every religion. Faizal may go to see the lion dance at Chinese New Year with his Chinese neighbour Jo, and in turn Faizal will invite Jo to join his family for the Celebration of the Feast. Faizal and Jo live in a kampung. Faizal’s house is made of wood and built on stilts in traditional Malaysian style and Jo’s house has a brick ground floor with a wooden second floor and a veranda. Both of them have chosen the peace & quiet of their village over life in the city. In the Malaysian cities most people live in a condominium, a large apartment complex with shared facilities like a pool. On the outskirts of the city you’ll find districts with larger, terraced houses where it’s also quieter than in the hectic city centre. But no matter where they live, shoes off at the front door…. |
Malaysia travel advice: Learning from the localsTravelling to a foreign country means you’ll soon find yourself in a completely different culture, different sights and smells and different faces on the streets. It can be tricky figuring out how best to approach the locals because the social etiquette and customs may be different from what you’re used to. Back home it may be acceptable to speak your mind, in Malaysia you’ll rarely see someone become angry or lose their patience.Eating habits are different wherever you go as well. In Malaysia we usually eat at smaller restaurants and food stalls, where the food is good and affordable and you’re surrounded by local Malaysians. It’s a way of supporting the local economy as well. That’s also why we buy fruit at the market or in smaller shops instead of the 7/11 supermarkets. During our traditional Malaysia experience, you’ll stay the night on a homestay with a local Malaysian family, joining them for dinner and meeting the rest of the family in the village. It’s a great way to experience real Malaysian daily life as well as support their local culture. |
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Malaysia travel advice: Party timeFor Faizal and his family, the Celebration of the Feast and the Festival of Sacrifice are the highlights of the year. At Hari Raya Aid il-Fitri the cities empty out as the Malaysians go balik kampung or back to their home village to celebrate the end of the Ramadan with their families. Everyone opens up their homes and families come together to enjoy the trays full of sweets and sticky rice cookies. Everyone dresses to the nines, with the men in a Baju Malayu and the women wearing a colourful Baju Kurong. The date of Hari Raya is different each year, depending on the lunar calendar. Are you in Malaysia during Hari Raya? Then don’t be surprised if you’re invited by the Malaysians to join them in the celebrations.In January or February the Malaysian Chinese celebrate their New Year, usually with a lot of racket and lots of colour as fireworks, drums and lion dances make up the street parades. Children get an ampau, a small envelope with money. For the Indian Malaysians one of the most important religious festivals is Deepavali or Dewali. It’s also known as the Festival of Light signifying the conquest of good over evil, and finding your inner light. Dewali is celebrated with fireworks and lighting candles, handing out flowers and sweets and worshipping the Hindu gods. With all these festivals, the focus is on celebrating with family and friends, so whatever their religions, the Malaysians will be happy to let you join in their party spirit. |
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