Malaysia

Why I Always Come Back to Taiping, Malaysia – Stunning Lake Gardens & Cool Mountain Retreats

August 18, 2019 by Bino 9 Comments

There are times when I obtain the resolve to go somewhere just because of a picture that I’ve seen. That pretty much led me to Taiping, Malaysia; a seemingly nondescript town in between Penang and Ipoh. Taiping – translated in Chinese as “Everlasting peace” – is not a tourist town, with its claim to fame being the rainiest city in Peninsular Malaysia. This has benefited the town with an extremely verdant vegetation, the kind that even others from the tropics would envy over. As for me, all it took was one picture of the beguiling Taiping Lake Gardens, with its lush greenery and calm waters with almost perfect reflection for me to get smitten.

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Things to Do & Eat in Ipoh, Malaysia (2019) – Of Crumbling Colonial Architecture, Heritage Trails, Limestone Caves & Hipster Cafes

August 17, 2019 by Bino 19 Comments

Exploring Ipoh while on an impromptu heritage walk, I had my doubts on how such a sleepy town could actually be the 3rd largest city in Malaysia. Seeing Ipoh for the first time, I felt like I had stepped into a bygone era when people still traveled by rickshaws and opium dens were the order of the day inside the many Peranakan-style shophouses. The quietness of the old town’s streets coupled with the charming but crumbling colonial architecture only seemed to add to the allure.

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Exploring Alor Setar in Kedah, Malaysia

July 23, 2019 by Bino 9 Comments

My latest Malaysian trip took me to the state of Kedah, a place that many people don’t realize they have visited. If you have been to the resort island of Langkawi then yes, you would have been to this state in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. In my case, my visit to Kedah led me not to the emerald isles of Langkawi but to the city of Alor Setar, the royal and administrative capital of the state, for some sightseeing.

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Why You Should Visit Kota Bharu in Kelantan, Malaysia

July 21, 2019 by Bino 9 Comments

Those searching for a more traditional side to Malaysia would be hard-pressed to find anywhere more fitting than the northern city of Kota Bharu in the state of Kelantan bordering Thailand. Coming from my short trip to Kuala Terengganu which in itself is a pretty laidback and conservative town, I was still pleasantly surprised with the overall look and feel of Kota Bharu when I stepped out of the bus following a 3 hour journey.

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8 Seriously Underrated Places in Malaysia You Can Easily Visit Over a Weekend

September 5, 2016 by Bino Leave a Comment

While Malaysia is one of the most visited countries in Asia, few ever make it outside the trio of Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Melaka. Other cities such as Ipoh are seeing renewed interest lately but many parts of Malaysia amazingly still lie below the traveler’s radar.

Here are some seriously underrated destinations that you can visit in Malaysia. The great thing about these destinations is that you can visit most, if not all of them on a weekend jaunt so all you have to do really is to pack your bags and go!

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Things to Do in Kuala Terengganu – More Than Just a Transit to Redang & the Perhentians

July 26, 2015 by Bino 2 Comments

They say that those wishing to experience a more traditional Malaysia should head out to the states of Terengganu and Kelantan at the peninsula’s quieter east coast. Filled with a distinctly Malay character and fringed with excellent beaches, it’s the side of Malaysia that remains relatively unknown to most travelers, save for the beach resorts at the Perhentian Islands or Redang.

As I wanted to experience something different than the usual Kuala Lumpur this time, I headed out to Kuala Terengganu, the capital of Terengganu state for a short trip. Using the excellent Tanjong Jara Resort as my base, I explored the easygoing seaside capital known for its excellent seafood and impressive mosques and found it filled with interesting places and worthwhile as a destination in its own right.

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First-Timer’s Guide to Traveling in Malaysia

August 2, 2014 by Bino 5 Comments

masjid putra in putrajaya

A melting pot of cultures, Malaysia is a wonderful destination for those wishing to have a good balance between modern creature comforts and a bit of the unfamiliar. As a rapidly industrializing country, Malaysia may not be as exotic as other Southeast Asian nations such as Myanmar or even its neighbor, Thailand, but its natural attractions, colonial towns and accessible street food are a major draw for most travelers.

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Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour Nusajaya – A Weekend Getaway

March 22, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

The spanking new Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour in Johor, Malaysia, which opened just less than a year ago, finally marks the rise of a Johor hotel of international quality. Those who venture out to the nearby theme parks – Legoland and Hello Kitty Town – no longer have to scurry back to Singapore for the night for a worthwhile place to stay.

Some weeks back, I had the opportunity to check out the property. From Singapore, a hotel van picked us up and whisked us through the border and directly to the property. The hotel itself is located in a suburb of Johor Bahru, in a new town development called Nusajaya which is currently being touted as the next mega-hub in Johor and where Legoland is located. It is also one of only a handful of decent chain hotels in the Johor Bahru area, the other one being the Doubletree by Hilton Johor Bahru.

The hotel’s layout is quite distinct. At only 4-storeys high, Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is actually spread across several adjoining towers, and shares space with commercial outlets and even a theme park! At the opposite end, the hotel is fronted by a picturesque harbour where yachts are docked, creating a mellow sea-side atmosphere that is enchanting especially at dawn and dusk. The property is practically surrounded by a small commercial village, with shops and dining options to satisfy the savvy traveler. Those who come with kids will be pleased to know that the Hello Kitty Town theme park is just a few steps away from the hotel.

lobby of traders hotel puteri harbour

The hotel’s interior cleverly mimics its seafront setting, with the lobby and other public areas painted in shades of warm, natural colors and protrusions in the ceiling that emulate the undulating waves of the sea.

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