Hey all,

I am headed to Singapore (mix of mileage run/seeing friends etc). Has anyone been to Malaysia lately? I was looking through the US state dept travel warnings and they issued one back in December. Anyone been recently?

I have never been and figure I might as well.

All replies are greatly appreciated!

Richard

Any warnings about M'sia being a dangerous place is greatly exagerrated. I fly SIN-KUL/PEN/KBR/KCH on a regular basis. Life is normal, the Dec warning was such a joke for people in these parts of the world.

I was in Malaysia last month and felt perfectly at ease. There are enough westerners around that you will not particularly stand out.

Malaysia is an attractive destination, free from the restlessness found in parts of Indonesia and the southern Philippines.

Malaysia is very safe.

I was in Kuala Lumpur last month and I really enjoyed it, the people were very nice except one cab driver who was very opinionated towards the US.

As an aussie in malaysia, it's absolutely fine. I found myself much more uncomfortable in thailand and indonesia.

If you are going to kuala lumpur it is pretty much like singapore.

Joh and I flew in from KUL today.

Caught a taxi downtown (about 75 kms EACH way - an hour flat out on good freeways 99% of the way!) and walked around the markets and Chinatown etc for half a day. Felt totally safe at all times for what that is worth.

Could not believe the wide range of major brand watches, clothing etc on open sale. DVD's about $US1 each etc. Masses of leading software CDs for same sort of prices. Much more than even Bangkok, which usually is more bold with this pirate stuff.

The best thing we saw were heaps of major brand perfumes for about 10 ringgit a bottle - about $3. These were boxed, cello wrapped, and in orginal looking glass bottles and atomisers. Totally perfect fakes. And all huge sized. Everything from Chanel 5 and Chanel 19 down. Scores of leading brands, mens and women. We tested many fragrances and they smelt a pretty perfect match to us. Bought a few as joke gifts - my Mum will just love her $500 half gallon type bottle of Chanel!

I bought home some cartons of Camel cigarettes for my houseminder - about $US 8 a carton.

------------------
~ Glen ~

I had an American seatmate I met on one of my SIN trips. She is married to a Malaysian native living in KL. I asked her about safety of going to KL. She told me if you do not go to the native (ie. Malaysian) residential areas, I would do just fine. Thought that was very good info.

[This message has been edited by chemist661 (edited 06-16-2002).]

I was there in early May. It's was fine but very hot. You should try the Ritz Carlton Hotel. At ~$80.00 a night it is a real steal. I booked it through their web site. As far as safety goes it's probably safer than Thailand. Stick to the central places and daytime.

Thank you everyone for the reply! One more question please. Is it better to go by train or fly from Singapore?

Thanks.

Richard

This was a neat site for booking 5 star Hotels for like $75!

http://www.aaahotels.net/malaysia-hotels

Fly! The train is a very slow means of transport as it stops very often. Even the bus is a more popular option compared to the train, and there are loads of buses leaving from SG to KL.

Yes, I hear the residential areas are pretty woolly.

Fly it or bus it. Train service evein in first class is poor.

"Residential Areas???"

Everyone in Malaysia lives in a residential area so I do not exactly understand what this means. I have been in many residential areas, and such a broad statement is crap.

I suppose this is a euphanism for the shanty towns by the river?? (Which would be akin to saying stay away from the Favelas in Rio or Bedford Sty in Brooklyn).