bakedbean

This should really be Strider's thread (thanks for the idea ) Which areas do you consider unspoilt and worth a visit?

I like Taiping Lake Gardens. I think they're superb.

Strider24

It would take a book to describe all the relatively unspoilt areas in the country. For a start you could say a large part of Sarawak is still lovely in spite of logging. Happily trees regrow and reasonably quickly. Taking local buses from Miri to Kuching with plenty of stop overs in towns along the way and side trip to Niah Caves is well a backpack week or two. Really can almost say the same about Sabah although many towns are quite sophisticated. Again local buses the way to go and see things. Part of the beauty is the local people throughout East Malaysia who all have hearts as big as the the mountain of the Chinese widows (Kinabalu)

The Peninsular has the east coast. Actually that's a bad description as really its east of the mountain range which is seriously big. The caves, waterfalls, lakes including the monster Kinyir and lovely Temenggor, Taman Negara, old mining towns like Sungai Lembing, elephant sanctuaries north side Kenyir and excellent one near Lancang. A trip from say from KL via Raub, Kuala Lipis, Gua Musang to Kota Bharu or cut across to Terengganu with its traditional boat building and spectacular mosques. Then the coast itself is mostly still in good order and the islands lovely.

We have only scratched the surface and want to see so much more, get off the highways and slow the pace down.

dreadsoc

I appreciate the advice re buses, but is it feasible to hire a car and drive around these areas?
If so, what sort of costs would you be looking at for hiring a car for say one month?
Also how safe would it be for a single female to drive around Malaysia?

Dread - x

bakedbean

You can sure hire a car from Penang. If you google labelle Penang it will give you some idea. I think from RM1000 per month. Don't expect a gleaming new car tho. Petrol is very cheap however.

I would have thought it is safe enough for a single woman. Just take normal precautions. Some friends did the east coast last year and said it was gorgeous but 'dry' in a few places. Maybe pack a few beers in the car ;-)

Strider what do you reckon about traveling on own?

Strider24

No such thing as 100% safe, but Malaysia is safer than most places I have been, and I include UK, USA, Oz etc. Car hire not so cheap, but doable. As you say fuel is cheap and if you don't mind 2/3 star hotels then they are cheap enough. In country towns usually under RM100 a day. I have been staying in a real Chinese hotel in Seremban for RM40 a day, but dont advise that unless you are used to it. Don't knock public transport as it cheap and reliable. Malaysia is famous for its long distance buses which can be very comfortable. I once did a circuit of the Peninsular for under RM150 using long distance buses.

ex reg

We hired a car from la Belle about 6 years ago.
A French guy delivered it and upgraded us to a better car for no cost.
Of course we continued hiring from them for a few more years but never saw the French guy again and the cars are now a bit old and tired.
We now use a rental company beginning with 'K' can't remember the name but offices along Jln Ferringhee.

We'd say a single woman traveling around Malaysia on her own would have to be very careful, can be done of course but needs a lot of care and thought of exactly where you go and at what time of day or night.

dreadsoc

Thanks for your advice folks.

Malaysia is definitely shaping as as somewhere I shall be visiting at some point.

Dread - x

bakedbean

Before we moved to Penang and had numerous visits, we used Labelle. Guy called Joe Tan is a real nice guy. Used to meet us at Penang airport with the car. We'd pay him cash and got all the paperwork. Then just said leave the car at the airport with keys in the boot when we fly back out. Very trusting. We see him around occasionally.

Agreed that the cars are not exactly tip-top but if Dread is comparing with Goa then she might not get too much of a shock.

bakedbean

Strider or anyone else, how long would it take to drive from Penang island to Lake Temenggor? Do you think that's a day trip? It doesn't look so far on the map but are you going up and around mountains?

Strider24

I think it was about 2 hours to the lake. Its very fast out on the Kulim expressway and well signposted on to Gerik. The turnoff to the lake is just before you get into Gerik and I think the signpost says Kota Bharu. It does get hilly, but good road, The last 50km to the lake has a few turns.

Just across the first bridge (you actually go onto an island in the lake) there is a nice eating verandah attached to a resort. Just before the second bridge, there is a side road on the left that takes you to waters edge.

The lake is long...about 75km and narrow with many islands. There are a few eco resorts around and by boat you soon get away from any development.

Strider24

While on unspoilt areas and Temenggor, there is a group of us currently building a 30ft houseboat. First unit will be for the Dinding River at Lumut and the second bigger 40ft one is planned for Lake Temenggor.

bakedbean

Strider, you never cease to amaze me

ajw

Thanks for the travel ideas. Its great to hear of some places which are off the main tourist trails. I like the idea of getting to places by car. saves a lot of trouble if we dont have to drag two small children onto planes. And we can carry all our crap with us :-)

dreadsoc

In Goa if you hire a car - you get a donkey with 4 wheels attached to it
(or at least it feels like a donkey as it kicks about 10 times every time you try and raise the clutch !!)

Dread - x

bakedbean

Sounds like the Penang cars might be a tad better than Goa then.

You'll be pushed to find a manual car though. First time we hired, we asked for manual, but still got automatic. Around south-east Asia, automatic is popular.