Malaysia: It looks pretty

Have you ever considered visiting Malaysia? Yeah, me neither. Most people don’t think about visiting Malaysia until their visa in a neighboring country is about to expire. That’s the main reason I decided to visit. When it was time to leave Thailand, I considered a few options, but Malaysia offers American passport holders a free tourist visa on arrival so I decided to go there. 

First Impression

My first impression of Malaysia was mixed. The people are extremely kind and the landscape is incredible, but the cultural blend confuses me. Malay culture takes influence from India, China, and the indigenous people, but the major religion is Islam. There’s also influence from Europe in regard to the infrastructure, roads, and architecture. It took me a while to figure it out and in the end, my brain concluded that Malaysia is a combination of India meets Europe which feels contradictory, but here we are.

Pros & Cons

Pro #1: Convenience 

Malaysia is convenient. Thanks to colonization, many locals speak English and English is written everywhere. The infrastructure is pretty good in terms of amenities, public transportation, roads, internet connection, etc. I got a monthly membership at a gym which was small, but well equipped. The flight from Thailand is almost always a reasonable price and on arrival, I just scan my passport and walk in. Additionally, the American dollar goes far. The country is affordable with meals costing an average of $2-5 and long distance buses costing $7-15. I rented a room for a month in a shared house of a small city that cost $125 for the month. If you’re looking for an affordable trip, Malaysia is one to consider. 

Con #1: Volume

Malaysia is a country where you don’t need headphones because everyone plays what they’re watching out loud. In general, it seems like everything in Malaysia is louder. Every time I went to a cafe, I always brought ear plugs because the volume of people talking was overwhelming. At the gym, the mall, and in other public places, the volume of music also seemed to be loud. The preschool across the street was loud. The washing machine downstairs, the construction, the sound of the elevator, the sound of traffic… it just seemed inescapable. Please ask me privately about the lady on the bus who watched the same video repeatedly on high volume for one 6 hour bus ride. Oh! And don’t get me started on the Ramadan fireworks that went off every night for a month! It was truly awful, but honestly, now that I’ve survived, it’s kinda hilarious.  

Pro #2: Food

The food here is quite delicious. Even being vegan, the Indian influence meant dahl and other vegan delicacies were readily available. Indian food is categorized into vegetarian and non-vegetarian which I think is cool. From the Chinese side of things, I had my first hot pot which was exceptional! Hot pot is a dish you get at a restaurant where you order a set of items and then cook it in a hot pot on the table. My hot pot had seaweed, mushrooms, tofu, broccoli, greens, and a tomato soup base. It was, by far, one of the best culinary experiences of my life! Also, my favorite vegan spot in Ipoh had these “meaty mushrooms” which were my favorite to eat in rice clay pot. All in all, the food quality and variety is a big plus about this place. 

I had my first hot pot in Malacca

Con #2: It looks nice, but is it actually?

I don’t know if this is accurate, but it seems like Malay culture values appearance above everything. For example, they might have a beautifully designed pool in a building that isn’t maintained. Or they have photos of food that aren’t on the menu. Just for fun, I went on a date with a local Malay and he was more interested in my appearance than my thoughts, ideas, or experiences. I don’t know where this comes from, but it’s the kind of thing that is hard to define. Outwardly, nothing is wrong, but it doesn’t feel great. Another example might be a fitness class I attended. We were working on strength, but the instructor seemed distracted and one lady was in a meeting on her phone… Maybe other travelers have had different experiences, but for me, most of the time, the spaces and places I visited felt empty somehow.

Pro #3: Landscape

Even in the city, the view of the surrounding area is amazing. Malaysia is also filled with a large variety of flowers! In Ipoh, the mountains and cliffs caught my attention while walking to the gym. In Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, there are pockets of green spaces and trees scattered everywhere. The beaches of Langkawi and the surrounding islands were mesmerizing. The tea plantations, mossy forest, and rolling hills in Cameron Highlands were peaceful and eloquent. Its beautiful. The country’s natural beauty is a solid 10 out of 10.

Con #3: Expect the unexpected

One mantra I adopted after 2 or 3 weeks in Malaysia was “expect it to be weird.” I found that any time I tried to do something, it often ended with some cultural confusion or weirdness. Usually, I navigate life with a mantra of “no expectations,” but routinely, my experiences were expectedly awkward. For example, I went on a tour in Cameron Highlands. The guide didn’t really talk to us and just drove us around. We paid an extra entrance to see the “mossy forest” and do a short hike, but in reality, we didn’t hike and spent 30 minutes at a view point instead. There were multiple instances like this and though the people are kind and well intended, more often than not, it just didn’t land as a meaningful experience.

Tea leaves plucked from the field in Cameron Highlands while on a tour

Final Thoughts

I’ve only ever visited Malaysia because of my visa expiring, but after 3 trips and approximately 9.5 weeks, I think I’ve reached a decision about Malaysia. The country will stay in my heart as an affordable place with great food, honest people, and a beautiful landscape, but it’s just not my vibe. I respect the people and the culture and value the positives, but I think I’ll stick to visiting this country for pragmatism over adventure.

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