Destination Delicious: Malaysia

Malaysia is the ideal destination for those who crave the flavours and sensations of exotic food and new cultures. AirAsia X has made it easy to experience this sensational destination on an affordable short break, so you can revel in the intense textures, aromas and tastes of this unique part of the world.

Flavours for the Adventurous
In a country where so many cultures have come together to create such flavoursome cuisine, it is easy to see why food is a Malaysian passion.

Malaysian dishes serve up a unique depth of taste, delivering a range of flavours and sensations to the adventurous palate. Rich and aromatic spices accompany a blend of textures to ensure mealtimes are never dull. In fact, the food is so desirable that many Malaysians eat more than the usual three meals that most Australians – and the rest of the western world - are used to. A couple of meal sized snacks on top of breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day...and a late night supper... is quite the norm.

Laksa is the essence of Malaysian food and this dish made its delicious début when the Chinese Princess Hang Li Poh’s married Malacca’s Sultan Mansur Shah. The fusion of the two cultures created many more dishes that defined Malaysian cuisine as we know it today.

Over time, different types of laksa were produced to suit local tastes around the various states of Malaysia. The coconut curry laksa is by far the most popular choice outside of Malaysia. This is a rich curry-like soup served with egg noodles, vermicelli, tofu, bean sprouts and seafood or chicken.

The Penang Assam Laksa, is fish and tamarind based and served on a bed of noodles, fresh mint, cucumber swirls, pineapple slices, onion rings and sweet prawn paste. Unlike the coconut based laksa, the Assam Laksa is tangy and not as ‘heavy’ on the stomach.

Another popular laksa among Malaysians is the Sarawak Laksa, which originated from Kuching, Sarawak’s capital city. It has a combination of ingredients from both the coconut and assam laksa but contains no curry. It is commonly served with vermicelli, seafood and bean sprouts, topped with omelette strips. Absolutely mouth watering!

Malacca - A Marriage of Cultures
Legend has it that Parameswara, a refugee Prince from Sumatra, fled to Malacca at the beginning of the 15th century and established the state as a successful international trading port. The prosperity that flourished attracted invaders so Malacca strengthened ties with China. This relationship was assisted by the marriage of China’s Princess Hang Li Poh to Sultan Mansur Shah of Malacca, and gave birth to a new ethnic group, the Baba Nyonyas.

Two hours south of KL is Malacca. Step back in time as you wander through Heeren and Jonker streets, and admire the antiques. Head to the ‘Peranakan’ restaurant for excellent authentic Baba Nyonya cuisine, or the ‘Famous Chicken Rice Ball’ stall popular for its fragrant signature dish.

A Place of Myth and Wonder
Buckle up as OUTBOUND flies you through the highlights of a fascinating five day break in Malaysia, including two days in Kuala Lumpur and three days in Penang. These exotic locations offer unique ways to relax, recharge, and soak up the incredible mix of cultures. Discover the enriching experiences on offer in this place of myth and wonder…

Day 1 Kuala Lumpur Sights and Shopping
KL is a great place to begin your Malaysian adventure. Why not head straight for the majestic KLCC and Petrona Twin Towers to see the tallest building in the world. Follow this with a good dose of shopping at Chow Kit, KL’s largest market, or the megaplexes of Jln Bukit Bintang, KL’s consumer core. Still want more? Follow the midnight lamps of the Petaling Street night market.

Day 2 Taste Kuala Lumpur
The best place to watch KL wake up is in Chinatown. Grab some breakfast from one of the many street side vendors and do a lap of Chinatown, discovering the many tea shops and backstreet temples. At lunch time head across to Little India. Here you’ll find snacks and sweetmeats on sale from roadside stalls, fresh milk, various Indian breads and delicious mouth-watering fare.

Day 3 Penang Temple Tour
Calm snakes coil around the altars of the Snake Temple, not far from the airport. Khoo Kong Si, the island’s grandest temple and Wat
Chayamangkalaram, houses the world’s third largest reclining Buddha- a whole 33m long. See also the State Mosque, and the Masjid Melayu and Kapitan Keling mosques, and the Hindu Sri Mariamman temple all elaborately decorated. *Remember to dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering places of prayer.

Day 4 Penang Nature Ride
Take in the cooler air of Penang Hill and ride the funicular railway 830m above sea level. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the island and the Andaman Sea. Nearby wait the lush Botanical Gardens, home to beautiful wildlife and waterfalls.

Day 5 Penang Beaches
On the way to popular beaches Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi, experience the lively Gurney Drive. This beach-side street is lined with open-air food stalls. Those who crave a quieter scene might head to the remote beaches at Muka Head, Pantai Keracut, Monkey Beach, Pantai Acheh and Gertak Sanggul.

Penang - The Pearl of the Orient
Penang is an island of enchantment, considered one of the most picturesque and romantic cities in Malaysia. The island is named after a Betel Nut tree, and was established as the first British trading Post in the Far East in the 1786. Its capital Georgetown, along with the historical state of Malacca, was recently listed as a UNESCO heritage site (7 July 2008). Steeped in history, yet a thriving modern city, Penang is a hot-spot for international travellers.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Here are some handy travel tips to help make your holiday in Malaysia a stress-free one.

Arriving Into Malaysia
AirAsia X flies from Gold Coast Airport into the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Low Cost Terminal (LCCT), approximately 45 minutes from Kuala Lumper. There are shuttle buses, public transport and taxis from the LCCT into Kuala Lumpur. All AirAsia flights across Asia and Malaysia also depart from the LCCT.

Passport
Visitors to Malaysia must hold a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Please visit the Malaysian Immigration Department, www.kln.gov.my for more information.

Country
The Federation of Malaysia comprises of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.

People
Malays make up about 57% of the population, and are the predominant group, with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups making up the rest.

Language
Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken.

Climate
Expect a tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures in the lowlands range from 21ºC to 32ºC. The highlands are cooler, where temperatures range between 15°C to 25°C.

Currency
The unit of currency is Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM. AUD1 is roughly equivalent to RM2.90.

Accommodation
Malaysia has a wide range of accommodation at competitive rates. Six-star, medium range, budget hotels, youth hostels, beach chalets and timeshare apartments are just to name a few. Privately operated motor-homes are also available for rent.

For more information on Malaysia and packages please visit www.tourism.gov.my

Fly direct to Malaysia with AirAsia X

AirAsia X is a low cost long haul, no frills, airline that flies direct from Gold Coast Airport to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AirAsia X connects to the vast network of AirAsia flights in Asia.

On AirAsia X you only pay for the meals you want and baggage weight that you have checked in. Pre-ordered full meals are available including Asian, Western, Vegetarian and Kid’s Meal. Light snacks are also available for purchase onboard. There are attractive rates to pre-purchase checked baggage.

If you long for comfortable seats with spacious legroom and a fully reclinable leather seat, then you can upgrade to AirAsia X’s XL seat with a whopping 52 inch pitch, XL seats are as good as the Business Class of a full-service carrier minus the extras.

For more information visit www.airasia.com