Travel Plans Summer 2011: Malaysia

I was fortunate enough to have been born overseas in Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia - my second home. My mother is from Malaysia and her family still lives there, so we've been able to go back every two or three years. We have so many family and friends there and it's such a long journey that there would be no way they could all make it here for the wedding so the solution is we get to go there next summer!

Limestone cliff faces covered by jungle

Malaysia has it all: cosmopolitan cities, lush jungles full of diverse wildlife, beautiful beaches, and the most amazing food. I'm so excited to go back and even more stoked to bring D with me for a second honeymoon/wedding over there. We get to celebrate again with family and D gets to experience what I know of Malaysia. In addition, because it gets increasingly harder to travel as I get older, just because of school or jobs and other "adult-life" ventures, we will be trying to visit several other countries in the area to get the most out of our trip. This will be the first of several posts about where I want to visit and what I want to see when we travel back next summer. I know it's a little early to be thinking about it, but I can't wait! (Heck, I'm already planning a trip to Europe for D and me in 2012!)

 My eldest aunt's house

We'll be staying with my family, most who live in and nearby Kuala Lumpur (KL), the capital city. KL is home to the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world. KL also is known for its incredible shopping, from megamalls to stalls in outdoor markets. The towers shown at the right have a several-story mall, KLCC, at the base.

While in Malaysia, I will definitely be exposing to D to the different foods and flavors I love, from nasi lemak to roti canai to the simple chicken rice. Hawker stores serve such amazing food here that while it is definitely a different way of fast food than here in the States, it's worth every bit. He may not be the most adventurous eater but he usually tries for me and there's enough McDonald's and fried rice everywhere to keep him happy otherwise.

A hawker store in Penang. Many are open until all hours for late night cravings.

A beautiful sunset in Penang, Malaysia

The view of a cluster of hotels in Penang as I was parasailing

 I'm also planning on visiting several other areas of Malaysia, like Penang (where my mom grew up and her mom still lives there) and perhaps a couple other islands like Pulau Langkawi. I want to explore the Batu Caves (also a Hindu religious site) and some national parks, maybe show D the Formula One circuit, and just relax with my fam to give D a taste of life here.

My grandma and aunt setting up a wonderful meal