Excitement is in the air and patriotism is at an all-time high with Independence Day, as well as the plethora of public holidays presented for the month of September. While most Malaysians head to the city to check the parade or have a night out. others look forward to relaxing at home. Then there are the travel aficionados who take the opportunity to recharge themselves by going on a vacation with their family or friends.
Speaking of vacations, instead of heading to the usual travel spots in Malaysia, why not be different this time? Malaysia as we know, is a gem of a country that has variety of destination waiting to be travelled to and discovered. So what better way to celebrate our love and patriotism for our beloved country than to go off=the=beaten trail and explore some of Malaysia’s best kept destinations while ensuring that you’ve packed your essentials to bring along!
1. Telaga Tujuh, Langkawi
Photo credit: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas
This picturesque Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells Waterfall) in Langkawi is touted as the island’s most beautiful waterfall. Known for its crystal-clear beaches and duty-free goodies, Telaga Tujuh is a must-visit place especially for nature lovers and those who fancy a hike.
What to pack: The rough nature of hiking may bring about cuts and bruises. Therefore, it’s best to be safe by packing a first aid kit box and including essentials such as hiking shoes, water, food and also the 3M Nexcare Clear Waterproof Bandages as it ensures 360 degree sealing of the wound. You can get the Nexcare Tattoo Waterproof Bandages that comes in a variety of colour and designs for your kids if they are joining the trip.
2. Tusan Cliff Beach, Sarawak
Borneo Travel Network
If you’ve been dreaming of travelling to Maldives, well dream no more as we have our very own Maldives right here in Malaysia.
Situated just 40 kilometres from Miri City, Tusan Cliff Beach or better known as “Blue Tears” beach offers a rare sight that is not to be missed. This spot has been garnering popularity in recent years thanks to its electric blue waves which is due to the presence of bio-luminescentphytoplankton. The Tusan shoreline is also famous among locals and photography enthusiasts for its stunning sunsets and beautiful landscapes.
What to pack: Beaches are fun but let’s be honest, it can be pretty irritating when the sand is stuck to our skin and clothes as it’s a hassle to remove it. Here’s a lifehack for you! Use talcum powder to remove the sand on the skin.
3. Royal Belum Forest Reserve Park, Perak
Photo credit: Belum Temenggor Facebook
Celebrating 130 million years of history, our very own Belum Forest Reserve Park is one of the oldest rainforests in the world that surpasses the age of the Congolese rainforest and even the Amazon!
Catch a glimpse of the Malaysian Tiger, the Malaysian Sunbear, and the Malayan Tapir in their natural habitat by trekking along Sungai Papan. So if you belum had the chance to see these exotic animals, now is the right time! August is also a great time to check out the great hornbill migration where you will be able to catch over 200 of these birds flying overhead.
What to pack: Ensure that you have a first aid travel kit, mosquito repellent and comfortable walking shoes during trekking, Also, it’s hard to predict the weather in Malaysia, even the weatherman gets it wrong at times. So in case of rainfall while trekking, be sure to bring along your trusty rain jacket in the backpack. Don’t forget to protect your outdoor gear with the Scotchgard Fabric Protector as it helps to repel liquids and block stains at the same time.
4. TITI Eco Farm, Negeri Sembilan
Credit: Titi Eco Farm Facebook
Located in the quiet state of Negeri Sembilan, TITI Eco Farm Resort is the perfect place for families who wants to enjoy a farm-style holiday. The resort prides itself for its 40-acre covered land that is filled with organic vegetables and fruits.
At TITI, you can get in touch with your gardening skills as guests will have the opportunity to plant and harvest vegetables and learn all about organic farming. Kids are also able to experience the farm-life by feeding rabbits, observing ostriches and even tasting their organically grown vegetables.
What to pack: Don’t forget to bring some extra clothes and a pair of shoes as you wouldn’t want to miss out on the fun of getting your hands dirty during gardening. While you are at it, protect your arms from the harmful UV rays by using the 3M UV Cool Arm Sleeves PS2000. The high absorbency, quick-drying and cool-to-touch functional fiber is sure to keep you minty fresh all day!
5. Bukit Keteri, Perlis
Photo credit: Malaysia Travel
An outcrop of limestone located at a village in Perlis, Bukit Keteri (Keteri Hill) is a well known rocky climbing site in the northern region of Malaysia. If you are a self-proclaimed adventure geek, get ready to get your muscles worked out to climb the hill as it begins with an arched opening. From there onwards, the climb is a straight walk up till you reach the limestone phase of the hills. Although the hill is one of the most challenging hikes in Asia, rest assured that a special treat awaits you at the peak- panoramic views and a beautiful sunset.
What to pack: When it comes to extreme sports such as rock climbing, safety should be your number one priority. Don’t forget to pack some safety equipment such as a harness, helmet and fitted gloves for your trip. The sport is a strenuous activity and may cause tension n some parts of your body, especially your knees. As such, the 3M FUTURO Moisture Control Knee Support can help to relieve joint pain and of support, comfort and fit – anytime, anywhere.
6. Lenggong Valley, Perak
If you are a traveler with an interest in archaeology, the Lenggong Valley is a must-visit in North Malaysia. Marked as Malaysia’s fourth UNESCO Heritage Site, the Lenggong Valley is one of the best places to visit in Perak not only for its prized seafood – particularly the delicious river fish belly – the main reason to come here is to get up close and personal with the mysterious Perak Man, Southeast Asia’s oldest and most complete human skeleton.
What to pack: While you’ll have your travel essentials, certain experiences can’t be completely captured through photographs. So why not journal your experience instead? Keeping a notebook is especially handy for this purpose. To add a dash of colour, why not include Post-it Super Sticky Notes by filin in some fun facts about the places you have visited or using them to section your journals neatly. There’s no need to worry about your notes dropping off whilst travelling due to its super sticky adhesiveness.
There you have it – a list of Malaysia’s best kept destinations which are more than worthy of a visit! So get adventurous and be different this Merdeka by taking the road less traveled and appreciate our country in the best way possible with your family or friends!