Singapore, Malaysia & Borneo These three destinations offer a kaleidoscope of sights and experiences. The happenings in the urban landscapes have your senses on overload as you beat the feet and explore. Inhale the appetite-enhancing street food aromas, listen to people chat in their local tongue and tilt your head up to see architecture that astounds you. Shopping is easy, with everything from markets to malls. Heading to the less populated areas results in more natural surroundings that are filled with wildlife, some that are unique to the area. The history of these places is a blend of many nations, as is the cuisine, with influences from east to west. You will be guaranteed to find a few spots within these Asian gems that steal your heart, whether that be a beach to yourself, a buzzing nightclub, a nook of a temple or a viewpoint of the forest, this corner of the world will have you returning.
6 Tips for your Holiday
Head to Singapore’s Orchard Road to find international big brands. Then there’s Mustafa Centre, a massive 24 hour department store reminiscent of the emporiums of old. Eight malls are found in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre alone, while 20 minutes away, there are 12 additional shopping complexes to keep you occupied. If you’re after markets, Malaysia’s Gaya Street Fair (Kota Kinabalu) is a Sunday mustdo. Arrive early - sellers are already trading by 6am.
1 / ATTENTION FOODIES In Singapore, the cooler evenings are the perfect time to sample local fare. Drop by the roadside vendors in Chinatown and head for Smith, Temple, Mosque and Pagoda Streets. Smith Street is pedestrianised and an exciting ‘Eat Street’. It’s also a great spot for tasty duck, and the Singaporean specialty, chilli cooked crab. Trying a Singapore Sling is a rite of passage for most travellers. Originating in Raffles Hotel Singapore over a century ago, frequent the Long Bar on the hotel’s second floor and sling back a Sling. In Malaysia, Penang’s Hawker Street is street food supremacy. From Char Kuay Teow to Roti Chanai, each chef showcases their own unique flavours. The options are endless and the ambience electric.
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3 / SHOPAHOLICS BEWARE
2 / BECOME ONE WITH NATURE An oasis in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is 250 acres filled with great sculptures and huge conservatories that entwine with fascinating flora. Explore Malaysia’s Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre and visit the last wild orangutans of northern Borneo. Borneo’s Mulu Caves in Sarawak’s Gunung Mulu National Park is the world’s largest cave passage and a spectacle of size and beauty. Visit the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia’s largest hill-station, with tea plantations and strawberry farms.