The trip was beyond great. It was out in the pinch-me-I’m-really-livng realm. The Malaysia part was terrific. Went off smooth as silk.
Having good guides in Malaysia was key. Made the trip. They explained everything, gave us history, context, humor… For example, at one point all of us were in need of help for various ailments. “Do you want to see a Chinese medicine doctor,” asked the guide. Thus began one of the highlights of our trip. We all saw the Chinese doc in a shop filled with herbs and potions, with the guide acting as translator, and got acupuncture and herbal remedies etc. It was fantastic.
Similarly, finding and having the courage to go in to weird and interesting restaurants, and trying foods etc… all are made possible and enhanced by the guides. WHICH WERE AWESOME. Great, smart people with lots to say about Malaysia. It was a huge education.
Loved Georgetown, in the state of Penang. Lots to see and do, fun. Bike tour was a good way to see the city. Totally safe. Food was amazing.
Muntri Grove was fine. Comfy, Very central, Walk to everything. For the price, perfect. Now that I have seen the hotel offerings, if I were to do it over I would stay at the Eastern and Oriental, the classic, grand old English hotel on the water, More expensive and fancier.
The big highlights were the street markets and street foods both in Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown. Kuala was perfect in 1.5 days. Georgetown is a three-day thing max. Should have hit the hill country if we had had more time.
Our surfing two weeks was totally out of the this world. The resort was on this remote island in the Telo island chain. reachable only by small boat. Fantastic resort, great food, great service, nice accommodations, great surfing and snorkeling and fishing, STUNNING setting, water not to be believed…. wonderful trips to local villages. Best trip ever,. Very well run boutique resort.