6 Years and Counting: Malaysia Anniversary

Today marks my 6^th Year Anniversary of living in Malaysia. It makes me look back at everything I have been through. Gratitude is an understatement. Where has time gone? I can’t believe I am still here knowing that I don’t really like sticking to one place, judgment, outlook, and I’m so in constant change of pace and track. Looks like I truly love Malaysia because of its diversity like meeting friends from different walks of life, unlimited food selection of local and international cuisines, low cost of living, laid back people, heck they’re even multilingual and English is widely spoken everywhere, 365 days of summer, and most of all it’s one of the gateway to travel the world with cheap flights! Ha!! No wonder why I never left. There are times when I wanted to move somewhere new, but the reasons always far outweighs the thought of leaving.

In 6 years, I fell in love with so many things in the country I call home. It’s definitely not all good here, but I wanted to reflect in the awesomeness and just leave the rock bottom days into oblivion. I have come up with my top favorites in Malaysia.

It is summer all year long in Malaysia and the country boast with so many islands. Some are good, some are bad, and some are really amazing like my favorite beach holidays would be Pulau Rawa, Babi Island, and only one part of Redang Island called Wisana Village. I’m not really a fan of Malaysia Beaches, but each to his own. I promise you, these three islands I mentioned will never disappoint you.

Food! I have never looked spicy food the same way ever again. No one warned me that you need to have chili with everything! Through the years I fell in love with Malaysian food. When you combine Malay, Indian and Chinese influences in one dish, that’s where the real deal start! It would take forever to enumerate my favorite Malaysian food, but my top 5 would be: Pudu Chan Fatt Wanton Mee, Curry Laksa, Bak kut teh dry At Son Fung, Beef Rendang, and of course Nasi Lemak!

Rooftop bars are my favorite to explore in KL. It is a great way to see the city in a whole new angle. There are so many rooftop bars and it is so hard to choose which is number one since all of them has its own charm. Marini’s on 57 (one of the most romantic spots in Malaysia) is my all-time KL night out. It is also where I take my visitors from out of the country for a sunset drink. Moreover, I would second the motion to Trader’s Hotel mantra, “You haven’t been to Kuala Lumpur, unless you’ve been to SkyBar!” The view from SkyBar is such a killer!

Coffee shops are always my “thing”. I have been hunting Cafes since day one in Malaysia. I would travel back to Malacca all for Calanthe Art Café. They have the most amazing Coffee Shop and not to mention the best Laksa, imo. I am also stunned by Mod’s Café chic combi Van coffee shop, they’re the only café that pull coffee shots like a true blooded barista! Burps n Giggles in Ipoh is so cool, too! I also love Café Chasing in Selangor and Rimba n Rusa captivates me with their unique style of food and beverage. Café Amo and Green Tomato Café has definitely the best Coffee Art in town. I even made my own art latte at Tomato Café! Undoubtedly, the best Café for the ultra-hip would be Merchants Lane, it is not easy to find, but once you do, you will keep coming back like I do.

Weekends are my best respite for a quick escape. Cameron Highlands and Malacca are on top of my great hideaway. There is always something new in Melaka and I am always close to nature when I am in Cameron Highlands. They also have the best scones and tea which I am really obsessed!

I got used to people asking me how can I afford to travel (Oh I have an old article for that If you’re curious and also I have a job, yes, I did not quit my job to travel!) and now people ask me what’s my job that I could splurge on expensive hotels. Well, let me tell you the secret aside from Sponsored hotel breaks. Luxury Travel in Malaysia is less expensive than any other parts of the world. I noticed that Malaysians love to binge on extravagant hotels and treats! Malaysia is so generous with excellent deals for 5 star hotel stays and buffets at high end restaurants. Sounds nice, right? My best Lux stays would be Ritz-Carlton KL, The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands, Shangri-La KL, Majestic Hotel Malacca, Mandarin Oriental, and the new Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara.

I have welcomed New Year in Malaysia and the best place to spend New Year’s Eve is at Pantai Cenang Langkawi. Literally good vibes! People dancing at the beach and lighting Sky Lanterns. It illuminates the whole beach, it’s the most mesmerizing place in Malaysia to celebrate the New Year.

I am also hunting down Speakeasy bars in Malaysia, PS150 is definitely my #1 Hidden bar in KL. The atmosphere, the vibe, the drinks and the crowd is so unpretentious! I super love it!

Cultural and religious festivals in Malaysia bring people together, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Holi Festival, Putrajaya Floria and Hot Air Balloon Festival are my top 5 fave!

I am into rooftop hotels with infinity pools. Face Suites, Regalia Residence and WP hotel are affordable hotels with infinity pools and best views of KL.

My obsession for High Afternoon tea is never-ending. Thirty8 High Afternoon Tea, Majestic Hotel Afternoon Tea, Newens Tea House, Shangrila Afternoon Tea, Senja @ Saujana and Le Gouter Hotel Stripes are my top 6. As a matter of fact, I will be celebrating my KL Anniversary in Arteastry High Afternoon Tea at Element Kuala Lumpur with my friend, Nona! I heard they have the most artistic High Tea in Town!

Long weekends are the best here! Public Holidays in Malaysia is crazy! Like they won something at Sea Games and the next day is a holiday celebrating that achievement WTH right?! Instant Declaration of Public Holiday! They’re one of the countries in the world with the highest numbers of Holiday per year! Gosh, they even have two National Day (Merdeka / Independence Day and Malaysia Day). I was like errrr what’s the difference?, and my Malaysian friends will just shrugged and say “Malaysia Boleh Lah!”

My best Invite in Malaysia as a blogger would be: Hotel Quickly, Avenue K, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara

I also love to go around the city to take photographs and I would say that my favorite photography spots in Kuala Lumpur would be Bukit bintang, Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur Station and Merdeka Square.

There are so many things I would like to share. I think it would be best to put it in a Travel Guide.

Thailand and some Southeast Asian Countries are the stars of backpacking. Malaysia is usually just a stopover, rushed, or skipped! It is such a shame because Traveling in Malaysia is such a wonderful journey! It is even a great place to be an Expat, too! I’m on my 6 year in Malaysia, and I feel like there are so much to explore! My travel buddies Joey & Krissy (Boundfortwo.com) and Nick already left Malaysia! (Newsflash: Looking for new Travel Buddy now!)

Malaysia Bucket List: Pangkor Laut, Pinnacle Trail Mulu, Dive in Mabul Island, Climb Mt. Kinabalu, Rainforest World Music Festival, Dining in the sky & St. Regis Langkawi.