Malaysia`s 10 best islands

Transcription

Malaysia's 10 best islands | CNNGo.com
1 of 10
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/island-hopping-malaysia-3...
Register Sign In
CNN International
LATEST
DESTINATIONS
SPECIALS
iREPORT
MOBILE
Follow
TV
Like
247k
Malaysia's 10 best islands
Hardcore foodie? Scuba snob? These Malaysian getaways have everyone covered
By Simon Ostheimer (/author/simon-ostheimer)
Like
Send
7 May, 2012
969 people like this.
Tweet
117
From the cosmopolitan charm of Penang to the hippie getaway of the Perhentians, Malaysia embraces a diverse array
of islands.
Here, in no particular order, we present our top 10. Disagree? Share your favorite Malaysian island in the comments
box below.
Perhentians: Hippie hideaway
While many backpacker haunts have become gentrified over time, the Perhentians have managed to retain their
low-key vibe.
They might not be easy to get to, but the Perhentian islands off the northeast coast of Peninsular Malaysia have
achieved iconic status on the backpacker trail.
And for good reason -- the waters are so clean that you can snorkel right off the beach and still see a diverse array of
aquatic life.
Fishermen turned tour guides will also take you out in their small boat for a day trip to swim with sharks and turtles.
In the evening, beach bars set up cushions on the sand as wandering fire artists do their thing.
Where to stay: For high-end lodgings, check out the Tuna Bay Island Resort (http://www.tunabay.com.my) . Budget
hunters should look up Abdul Chalet (http://www.abdulchalet.com) .
Getting there: Regular buses leave from Hentian Putra bus station in Kuala Lumpur, taking nine hours. Alternatively,
fly from Kuala Lumpur's LCCT airport to Kota Bharu, and then catch a taxi to the port town of Kuala Besut.
Tioman: An island for flashpackers
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
2 of 10
The island of Tioman and the waters surrounding it are protected nature reserves, which has helped it retain its wild
vibe.
Although part of the Malaysian state of Pahang, Tioman is actually reached from the Johor town of Mersing. There's
also a direct ferry from Singapore.
The island has two claims to fame that continue to be hyped by media and marketers. One, the dramatic topography
of this teardrop-shaped isle in the South China Sea was (supposedly) used as a backdrop for the 1958 movie "South
Pacific (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052225/) ," while Time magazine named it one of the world's most beautiful islands in the
1970s.
Though it's now a firm fixture on the tourist trail and has lost a little of its exotic mystique, it retains –- where many of
its Southeast Asian contemporaries have lost theirs –- the natural environment and wildlife that first made it famous.
First among animals, on land at least, are the giant monitor lizards that roam among the kampungs (Malay for villages)
in search of food. Don't worry, they avoid humans. Most of the time.
Where to stay: They don’t come more recommended than Bagus Place Retreat (http://www.bagusplace.com) , winner of a
2012 Travellers’ Choice award from TripAdvisor. For a boutique experience, check out JapaMala
(http://www.japamalaresorts.com)
.
Getting there: There are bus services from all over Malaysia to Mersing,; from here it's a two-hour boat ride to the
first jetty on the island. Tioman also has a small airport, which Berjaya Airways flies to from Kuala Lumpur and
Singapore.
Langkawi: Best for luxury
Don't worry, Lankawai has the same stunning beaches as the rest of these islands. We just thought you might be
tired of looking at white sand.
Located hard by the border with Thailand, Langkawi is part of the Malaysian state of Kedah, not Perlis which is in fact
directly adjacent.
Famously, the island was believed to have been cursed in 1819, when a woman named Mahsuri, was put to death for
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
3 of 10
alleged adultery. Before she died, she uttered the words, “There shall be no peace and prosperity on this island for a
period of seven generations.”
Two years later Langkawi fell to the invading Thais, with much of its population subsequently dying from starvation.
The island was then indeed barren for a long time, before Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed –- the colossus of
Malaysian politics who also built Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers and the Sepang F1 circuit -– decided to turn it into
a resort island in 1986.
He declared it a duty-free island, and ever since then Langkawi's growth has been nothing short of spectacular, with
high-profile resorts dotting its sandy shores.
The best way to take it all in is on the 2,200-meter-long cable car, which rises some 710 meters above sea level.
Interestingly, Mahsuri's husband and son moved to Phuket after the Thai invasion, and it was on that island that her
seventh generation descendant was born –- in the year 1986. Coincidence?
Where to stay: They don’t come much more stylish –- or eclectic –- than Bon Ton (http://www.bontonresort.com) , eight
traditional Malay homes set in a former coconut plantation. Or there’s always the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
(http://www.fourseasons.com)
.
Getting there: Langkawi has by far the best flight connections of any Malaysian island, with dozens of daily flights to
Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Penang.
Penang: Food and heritage
Dusk falls over Kapitan Keling Mosque in Penang's capital, Georgetown.
The Pearl of the Orient has a long and illustrious history. "Discovered" by Captain Francis Light in 1786, Prince of
Wales island, as it once was known, was for a long time one of the jewels of the British empire.
Alongside Melaka and Singapore it was known as one of the Straits Settlements, a string of outposts that dominated
the sea trade between India and the rest of Asia.
However, its importance gradually waned over the centuries, before it was rediscovered as a holiday destination and
reinvented as an IT hub.
Today, under the close eye of Malaysian opposition and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the island is proudly
parading its past –- the UNESCO status granted to historic Georgetown in 2008 guarantees that.
But its greatest attraction is its street food -– from Penang laksa off Macalister Road to banana leaf in Little India to
seafood on Gurney Drive –- you'll find it all here.
Alongside a raft of improvements designed to attract even more visitors, including investment in public transport, a
tree planting program, pedestrianization schemes and a schedule of new cultural festivals and fairs, this magnificent
island –- only slightly smaller than Singapore –- is once again making its mark on the world stage.
Where to stay: Since 1948, the recently restored Lone Pine (http://www.lonepinehotel.com) sits serenely on the north
shore of the island, while for city digs look no further than the Hotel Penaga (http://www.hotelpenaga.com) , heritage
buildings in the heart of town. Attracting a lot of attention among luxury lovers is the Eastern & Oriental Hotel
(http://www.eohotels.com/)
, a restored colonial property.
Getting there: Flights from around the world land at Penang International Airport. From there, inexpensive taxis can
transport you to destinations around the island, or you can catch the airport bus into town.
Labuan: An isle of bankers
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
4 of 10
Clear waters, white sands and offshore banks. What everyone looks for in an island.
Located off the coast of East Malaysia, sandwiched between Sarawak and Sabah, Labuan is one of three Federal
Territories (the others are Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya). Its special status as an international offshore financial centre
and free trade zone has allowed it to attract outside investment from the financial sector (some 6,500 offshore
companies are based here).
Long-term, the Malaysian government envisions the island as becoming one of the world’s major offshore business
centres, akin to the Middle Eastern hubs of Dubai or Bahrain.
While it has some way to go to achieve similar status, the nation has a track record of dreaming big and making it
happen -- the Petronas Towers and annual F1 race attest to that.
If you’re not involved in the financial services, there are other reasons to visit such as wreck diving. Over the years,
numerous ships were sunk in the shallow waters off Labuan, making it ideal for novice divers. These are simply
known as the American, Australian, Blue Water and Cement Wreck.
There is also a well-tended War Cemetery, where an annual remembrance ceremony is held for some 3,900 Allied
soldiers who died during in World War II.
Where to stay: For both service and quality, it’s a close toss-up between the Tiara Labuan (http://www.tiaralabuan.com)
and the Grand Dorsett (http://www.granddorsett.com/labuan) .
Getting there: There are daily flights to Labuan Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Miri in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in
Sabah. There is also an air-conditionied ferry to Brunei.
Layang-Layang: Isolation guaranteed
Would you call this an island? Layang-Layang's isolation makes it one of Asia's best diving experiences.
Little more than a coral reef with a runway, the tiny island of Layang-Layang is located some 300 kilometers northwest
of the Sabah capital of Kota Kinabalu (KK), the state to which it belongs.
A creation of the Malaysian Navy, which reclaimed land from the sea in order to state the nation’s sovereignty over
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
5 of 10
the Spratlys, that South China Sea island group also claimed whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the
Philippines.
Surrounded by pristine waters that drop to 2,000 meters, Layang-Layang is often ranked as one of the top 10 dive
sites in the world due to its remarkable array of marine life.
Due to the Navy's presence, the coral reef has been spared the explosive damage caused by dynamite fishing and
other destructive practices, leading to underwater visibility of more than 40 meters.
Particularly of note are the schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, which can sometimes number in the hundreds,
though you can also expect to see manta rays, dolphins, barracuda and turtles.
Where to stay: Easy one to answer. At the only game in town, the traditional-styled Layang Layang Island Resort
(http://www.avillionlayanglayang.com)
run by the Avillion group.
Getting there: The only way in and out is on a charter flight from Kota Kinbalu, with the price included in the various
packages offered by the only place to stay on the island.
Sipadan: For hard-core divers
In his 1989 film "Borneo: The Ghost of the Sea Turtle," famed underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau said, "I have
seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art."
At the end of 2002, following a long dispute with Indonesia, the International Court of Justice ruled that the island of
Sipadan was Malaysian.
The country, and the state of Sabah which it is part of, have reason to be relieved. Sipadan is often rated as the
world’s best dive site, with a location in the centre of the planet’s most bio-diverse marine habitat.
In order to protect the fragile ecosystem, in 2004 the government ordered all of the dive resorts off the island, banned
night dives and set a limit of 120 divers per day.
The move worked, as the surrounding waters continue to teem with life. It's home to 3,000 species of fish, hundreds of
species of coral, an abundance of rays and sharks and large populations of green and hawksbill turtles –- so much so
there is a famous turtle tomb, an underwater labyrinth that has drowned many of the unfortunate sea creatures.
Where to stay: As you are not allowed to stay on Sipadan itself, stay close by at the Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort
(http://www.sipadan-kapalai.com)
built on stilts over the water or Sipadan Pom Pom Resort (http://www.pompomisland.com) .
Getting there: It’s a 55-minute flight from Kota Kinbalu to the town of Tawau, an hour’s drive to the even smaller
township of Semporna, and then a 40-minute speedboat ride.
Redang: For a "Summer Holiday"
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
6 of 10
If you get tired of white beaches, Redang has plenty of wildlife, including monkeys, deer and monitor lizards.
The Redang archipelago actually consists of nine islands, namely Lima, Paku Besar, Paku Kecil, Kerengga Besar,
Kerengga Kecil, Ekor Tebu, Ling, Pinang and Redang itself.
Together, they form a marine park situated 45 kilometers off the east Peninsular Malaysia state of Terengganu.
Unlike its close cousins, the backpacker-filled Perhentian islands to the north, Redang is very much an upmarket
destination, with mostly resort accommodation on offer.
Accordingly, the island also has its own airport, served by Berjaya Air, which since 2004 has flown daily to Kuala
Lumpur’s Subang Airport and Singapore’s Changi.
With excellently preserved coral, the main attractions of Redang are snorkeling, diving and the crystal clear waters.
You’ll need to stick close to the shoreline regardless, as the interior is mostly impassable, apart from a road that
connects the airport with the coast.
In 2000, the island was the setting for Hong Kong movie "Summer Holiday," which featured Cantopop star Sammi
Cheng and Taiwanese heartthrob Richie Ren. The success of the film led to a sudden influx of tourists.
Where to stay: The same company that owns the only airport and airline to fly in, also has the best place to stay,
The Taaras (http://www.thetaaras.com) , by Berjaya. However, film fans should head to the Laguna Redang Island Resort
(http://www.lagunaredang.com.my)
, where the colourful souvenir shop was a key setting in the movie "Summer Holiday."
Getting there: If you don’t want to pay to fly in directly, the alternative is to fly to Kuala Terengganu, and then
continue by car and take a ferry from the port of Merang.
Rawa: For a weekend break
Not all of us have opportunities to stay in a sultan's lair. Rawa is the next best thing.
There aren’t many chances to stay on a Sultan’s private island. Rawa is one. Owned by the family of the Sultanate of
Johor, Rawa is a small island 16 kilometers off the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia.
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
7 of 10
Only two resorts hug its white-sand fringed west coast, which is accessible by boat from the mainland port of Mersing
(also the departure point for more distant Tioman).
Because of this exclusivity, Rawa attracts tourists looking for a more secluded vacation. While the west coast is
postcard perfect, the rest of the shoreline consists of inaccessible, dramatic rocky cliffs that plunge directly into the
sea.
To check these out, take the easy way and rent a canoe or hike up steep steps to the summit of the island, from
where you have vantages of the eastern shore, the coast of Johor and the other 12 small islands that make up the
Johor Marine Park.
As your choice of accommodation is limited -- it can often fill up quick with young Singaporeans looking for a weekend
getaway -- so book up early.
Where to stay: There are only two places to stay on the island: Rawa Island Resort (http://www.rawaislandresort.com) or the
smaller Alang’s Rawa (http://www.alangsrawa.com) .
Getting there: From Kuala Lumpur, catch a bus or drive to Mersing, from where regular ferries depart. Note that
during low season (November to March), ferry frequency can drop sharply.
Pangkor: Loved by locals
Tiny Pulau Pangkor lies off Perak on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia.
Despite measuring just eight square kilometres, Pulau Pangkor (pulau is the Malay word for island) is one of the most
popular beach getaways in Malaysia -- among locals, that is.
Pangkor is one of the country's most accessible islands, yet it is overwhelmingly the preserve of Malaysians, who
head there every long weekend for a little rest and relaxation.
There is little in terms of nightlife but instead you'll find uncrowded sandy beaches, a huge variety of amazing local
cuisine and friendly people.
Where to stay: For a splurge, book a sea villa at the exclusive Pangkor Laut (http://www.pangkorlautresort.com/)
resort. This stunning one-of-a-kind property has a small island all to itself. Or, try the Pangkor Island Beach Resort
(http://www.pangkorislandbeach.com)
, part of the YTL group of hotels.
Getting there: There are direct flights to the island from Subang's Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport via Kuala Lumpur,
or it's a 30 minute ferry ride from the town of Lumut.
Brought up in Hong Kong, Thailand-based editor and writer Simon Ostheimer has
worked at publishing houses in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and
(/author/simon-ostheimer)
now Bangkok. As well as writing for CNNGo, he also regularly contributes to
numerous international travel magazines and guidebooks.
Read more about Simon Ostheimer (/author/simon-ostheimer)
Like
969
Tweet
117
0
Share
6
You might like:
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
8 of 10
(http://www.cnngo.com
10 of the world's
/explorations/life/10most hated
most-hated-airportsairports
World Airport
/explorations/life/worldAwards: The
airport-awards-winnerwinner
is ...
324645)
(http://www.cnngo.co
World's 10 most
/explorations/life/worldsunderrated cities
097986)
(http://www.cnngo.co
Finding my inner
/explorations/escape
beach bum on the
/finding-inner-beachPerhentian
bum-perhentian-islandsIslands
m/explorations
m/explorations
(http://traffic.outbrain
525171)
/life/worlds-
/life/10-most-hated-
/life/world-airport-
.com/network
underrated-cities-
airports-324645)
awards-winner-
/redir?key=7f5bca069
139934)
(CNNGo)
097986)
bbd58b199034e56bcb
(CNNGo)
(CNNGo)
8da13&
/explorations/life/10-
rdid=315387554&
/explorations/life/worlds-
most-hated-airports-
/explorations/life/world-
type=YLD_d/t2_prd&
underrated-cities-
324645)
airport-awards-winner-
in-site=true&
139934)
097986)
req_id=b394dc2d6fc0
underrated-cities(http://www.cnngo.co
139934)
m/explorations
a4997959d91865d7d1
89&
agent=blog_JS_rec&
[?] (javascript:void(0))
Showing 9 comments
Sort by
Subscribe by email (#)
Subscribe by RSS (http://cnngo.disqus.com/gallery_may_3_gallery_may_3_gallery_may_3_gallery_may_3_gallery_may_3/latest.rss)
houston90
well..malaysia is a muslim country with multi race, cultures and languages! =)
Yesterday 09:00
PM (#comment(http://disqus.com
not so sure why "muslim" country make you feel bad~
blessing
527830298)
/houston90/)
Like
Reply
Like
Reply
Like
Reply
litaii chen
hit america，it stands war and evil!
05/12/2012 12:31
AM (#comment(http://disqus.com/google-
526456491)
730a28fe68338f2efc647edd97fc4073/)
rob (http://twitter.com bah muslim nation.. not going there
/arbiter429)
(http://disqus.com
05/11/2012 10:56
PM (#comment-
/twitter-
526373081)
471286105/)
3 people liked this.
mcalleyboy
I got the once in a life time privilege of spending some time on many of the
islands around Indonesia and it was awesome I alway's wanted to be on
/dashboard/)
Gilligan's island and if you ever want to do the same thing this is where it's
05/11/2012 05:49 really at the people are very friendly and the prices are dirt cheap except
PM (#commenthotels I would work out a package deal.
(http://disqus.com
(http://disqus.com
/mcalleyboy/)
526153519)
Like
Reply
Michael SuppanerWell, that's also not true! But it's a bit shallow and partly inaccurate
description. Unless Layang Layang I know all islands, some very well. Could
say much more about it if I had time.. Pangkor is a no no for me because of
05/10/2012 03:51 dirty sea water..
PM (#comment-
(http://twitter.com
/michaelsuppaner)
(http://disqus.com
/twitter88610788/)
525266662)
Like
Reply
Mellisa
No doubt, Malaysia is having the best islands than any other country.
Malaysia is fairly
self-catering.co.uk/)
crime-free and Malaysian food is delicious and varied. One alert would be
05/09/2012 03:18 avoid visit these islands in monsoon [rainy] season when some hotels are
PM (#commentclosed, boat rides are rough,
(http://www.mackays-
(http://disqus.com
/Mellisaturner/)
523987543)
Like
Reply
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
9 of 10
skyfiremage
Seems quite accurate to me!
05/08/2012 11:49
PM (#comment(http://disqus.com
522995098)
/skyfiremage/)
14/05/2012 10:17 AM
10 of 10
Iye Ping Foo
Like
Reply
Like
Reply
You miss the best of the islands in East Malaysia.
(http://www.facebook.com
/profile.php?id=78442803
(http://disqus.com
1)
/facebook-
05/08/2012 11:11
AM (#comment-
784428031/)
522326264)
(http://disqus.com/Mellisaturner) Mellisa
Luca Viola
(http://twitter.com
/luca_naturalis)
(http://disqus.com
and 5 more liked this (#)
CNNGo is my favourite travel channel, but this time i have to say the article
of Ostheimer has nothing to do with reality. As travel expert in Malaysia, i
totally disagree!
05/08/2012 09:39
AM (#comment-
/twitter398622630/)
522239800)
Like
Reply
Add New Comment
Required: Please login below to comment.
(#)
(#)
(#)
(#)
Type your comment here.
Image
Post as …
Trackback URL
14/05/2012 10:17 AM

Malaysia`s 10 best islands

Transcription

Similar documents

Chapter XIV. In C,onclusion - Man-O

Citrawarna Malaysia

3 nights INCENTIVE

ing as well as ideal for growing macadamia nuts, coffee, tropical

immediate press release 11th aug`2014

Fort George Island…Did You Know? Flyer

fechaduras de madeira do corvo - centro regional de apoio ao

MIGHTY SAINT LAWRENCE 2016

Enchanted by the Azores

Nosy Iranja - Nosy Be Original