BATU CAVES

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Travelling through South East Asia makes me feel like Indian Jones, you go to a temple and you say 'Why does it always have to be monkeys?'.  But why do you ask? Well, through my career at exploring the temples of South East Asia, I have had my water, snacks and dignity stolen.  When I went to a temple with friends, through absolute fear a friend threw an ice cream at me to get the monkeys away from her.  It worked. I suppose the main theme of the story is, to have an ice cream with you at all times. I should really make a sign for that.  The Batu Cave is one of the most popular Hindu sites outside of India, so if your are a Hindu hipster you may be disappointed, it's way too mainstream now.  As with Uluru, we ask the question 'Can we climb it?' and the answer for this site is yes.  So, try your hand at some climbing, abseiling and spelunking, just remember to bring a cornetto.

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TAMAN NAGARA

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Everything in Malaysia is old, the Batu Caves 400 million years old, and Taman Nagara is 130 million years old.  This temperate forest, whilst mild in manners, is home to sun bears, buffalo, tigers and leopards. You can stay inside the park in the Headquarters or over on the other side with the huts and locals.  After hearing the list of animals here, only an insane would go for a walk to sleep in a wooden hut. Completely. So, after around 20 minutes into a six hour walk to our hut for the night I realised I may have made a tiny snafu.  Needless to say, leeches are also quite prevalent here, so bear that in mind when you go full blown explorer.

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CAMERON HIGHLANDS

I do fancy some afternoon tea and strawberries. Well, fear not my Victorian traveller, you can enjoy the freshest of both here.  There is the down side of it being cicada central, but fear not, because these to can be fried and plated up with your refreshments.  How cultural!  The reason for this produce is the climate, cool and wet, perfect relief if you've burnt yourself in other parts of Malaysia.  Cameron Highlands, the after sun of Malaysia.

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PILAU PERENTHIAN : KECHIL AND BESAR

For some reason the ocean temperature on the perenthian islands is warm and inviting, I spent a whole day convinced that there was someone consistently urinating by me.  I even used a mask and snorkel to investigate the fish, but to my surprise, nothing.  These lovely islands bring out your inner snorkelling explorer the break up the beach fun, if you get bored of the beach on one side, you can walk through the jungle to the other beach.  Don't worry it's a tiny jungle in the middle, the biggest, hairiest and smelliest thing you'll find in there is you. 

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SIPIDAN ISLAND

SCUBA, I love saying the word. Well this island is an absolute treat for the underwater oxygen enthusiasts, and only 176 permits are given here a day. Exactly 176? Probably less.  Can you smell the exclusivity?   It's because they do not want to ruin this little gem with me, the tourist. It's diverse, great to look at, and there are a lot less people taking shark selfies.  You can also stay on a diving/oil rig here with artificial reef underneath.  It's great to chill on the rig and look down at the ocean and wonder, would it be a world record cannonball from here? I mean the water is crystal clear, so I'm sure you'll be fine.  So what is even in the water?  Well,  groupers, hawksbill turtles,3,000 species of fish, barracuda, mantra rays, eagle rays, hammerhead, reef, and whale sharks.  Apparently there are whale sharks, I wish you good luck on your hunt for one.  Whilst this is technically in Malaysia, you will have to skedaddle all the way over to Borneo island for this fishy haven. Oh oh, do you have any information on Borneo?

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PILAU PANGKOR

It's duty-free here some one told me when I arrived on this island, I replied 'It's Asia, erm, isn't it all cheap?' The Bob Marley is still strong here.  Stray dogs are quite prevelant on the island, after a heavy night on the beach I was followed by around 5.  Negotiating with the dogs about how your accommodation is not dog friendly whilst the owner looks at you is an unforgettable experience.  Swim to the Pangkor Laut,  I met pirates there, he even sounded like one, or it could have been the Tiger beer talking.  

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