A gap year in Malaysia
Gap years in Malaysia
Travelling around Malaysia reveals its dramatic contrasts: you’ll see ancient tropical rainforest; gleaming cities; rural villages built on stilts; and temples with more bling than you can imagine. Malaysia is one of the world’s most ambitious countries, with plans to become First World classified by 2020 – which will mean vast improvements to its economy and living standards over the next ten years. Now is definitely the time to go. And with friendly people, clean accommodation and excellent food, it’s an ideal place to spend your Gap Year… or even just a couple of weeks.
Malaysia is an arrangement of states: Peninsular Malaysia is attached to Thailand (in the north) and Singapore (in the south), and then Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) are a 600km flight away, attached to Brunei and Indonesia. It’s thus easy to extend your Malaysian trip and include Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand in your itinerary. Flying between the five is better value than you might expect – buy a Circle ASEAN pass and you can take a return trip from Kuala Lumpur with three stopovers for around £400. If you’d rather travel overland, the KL-Bangkok line is very popular: it runs four times daily, and the journey takes 16 hours.
Volunteer Projects
Whether you want to build dens in the rainforest, care for orphaned orangutans, teach English, or coach children, find out more about the opportunities in Malaysia below.
Getting Around
Travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo or Brunei is best done by air. Driving is mostly smooth and hassle-free, but public transport between main towns is fairly regular; in Borneo, make sure you get on a mini-bus, which is much cheaper (albeit slower) than the jeeps you’ll see charging around!
Places of interest
If it’s wildlife that pushes your buttons, head for glorious Borneo (with lots of insect spray and a loaded camera!). If you’re a shopaholic, Kuala Lumpur is your holy grail – the place to buy DKNY and Armani at favourable prices. It’s all here…
Sarawak and Sabah
The Malaysian population is a mixture of native Malays, Chinese and Indian people who have brought their own cultural and gourmet influences with them. Sarawak and Sabah provide opportunities to witness this diversity: you’ll see floating villages built by Philippino communities, breathtaking Buddhist temples, and rural homes teetering on the river-banks. But let’s face it: you didn’t come to Borneo look at homes on stilts. Where do the orangutans hide out?
Malaysia’s most popular tourist attraction has been extremely well-protected over the years so if you’re expecting to swing with monkeys, best go back to Disney. Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, near Sandakan in Sabah, is just one piece of rainforest where young or orphaned orangutans are gradually reintroduced to the wild. Nearby, Turtle Islands National Park is also worth a visit. Stay in the main island’s hostel accommodation and you might be lucky enough to watch a giant turtle laying her eggs on the beach at midnight.
Kuala Lumpur
The airport at Kuala Lumpur has a worldwide reputation. It’s so sleek and shiny you’ll be looking for a place to wipe your feet. And arriving in the city reveals that it isn’t just the airport that looks that clean. Malaysia’s well-managed capital has one eye on world domination. Business and economy are thriving – and, with great nightlife, efficient services and impeccable hotels, KL also happens to be a great place to be. Despite being Islamic (you’ll hear the daily calls to prayer all over the city), there’s a liberal attitude here, and you needn’t worry about dress code. Which is good, because KL can get very hot, and you’ll be doing plenty of walking. After the Petronas Towers and the Art Gallery, if you’re not a hardened shopaholic you could end up twiddling your thumbs. Best to keep your visit short and move on …
The West Malay Coast
Powder-white beaches and coral reefs: ahh. This is the place to relax and revive after your first gap month or two. Along the West Coast are dotted Malaysia’s most popular tourist islands and there are some excellent budget options to be found. Popular destinations include Pulau Perhentian (incredible snorkelling and cheap love-shacks) and Pulau Redang (with protected coastline: excellent for scuba). But don’t stop here. Keep going, and explore Thailand, Indonesia and more.