Ask regular visitors what the name Malaysia conjures up in their minds and they will inevitably tell you the same thing - mystical, enchanting, crisp mountain air, tranquility, long stretches of deserted beaches, legendary islands, fascinating cultures and friendly people - and they will be absolutely right. Malaysia is truly a fascinating country.
While Thailand seems synonymous with glimmering temples, and Singapore is remembered as a bustling modern city with excellent shopping, Malaysia has a bit of the best of what Southeast Asian countries have to offer.
History is what makes a country and Malaysia's history is all the more fascinating as it is the history of many people in Southeast Asia - Malaysia is Asia in miniature. It is a country that still clings tenaciously to its ancient traditions.
Each of Malaysia's ethnic groups adds a distinct heritage to her pluralistic society. The kaleidoscope of Malaysian history unfolds itself with a cast of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, Portuguese, Dutch, English and many others.
Each and every state epitomizes all that is appealing about Malaysia, each with a charm of its own - brought to life in quaint old towns that offer a fascinating retrospect into previous eras, a spectacular range of cultural dances, breathtaking scenery, captivating beaches of white powdery sand that glistens under the Malaysian moon, endless shopping opportunities and a great variety of scintillating Malaysian original delicacies as well as a potpourri of Portuguese, Dutch and English influenced dishes.
Malaysia is a land of delightful contrasts - from cool mountain retreats to sunny beaches; there is a whole battery of attractions to captivate everyone - Malaysia indeed has something for everyone.
With her deep-rooted culture, her fascinating history, her unique beauty and her friendly people who are the key to the country's vitality, diversity and character, Malaysia must surely be one of Asia's most satisfying travel destination. Only in Malaysia can you find the richness and amazing variety of a multi-racial society displaying all the exotic cultures of Asia side by side with a modern cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Malaysia - a name that conjures visions of mystery, legend, adventure, treasures and pleasures, will lure you back again and again and you will likely yield.
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
CHIPS AND DEFENSE: Trump said the US had lost its chip business and Taipei should pay it for defense, and added that ‘we’re no different than an insurance company’ Taiwan-US relations are solid, and both sides are in agreement that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region are everyone’s concern, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday following comments by former US president Donald Trump that Taiwan “should pay” for US defense. Taiwan is thankful to the US for supporting Taiwan’s bid to participate in international organizations, Cho told a news conference in Taipei. “I know the people very well, respect them greatly. They did take about 100 percent of our chip business,” Trump told Bloomberg on June 25 in an interview that was published on Tuesday. “I think
SHOW OF SUPPORT: Taiwan has been one of the largest buyers of US defense equipment, supporting American businesses and jobs, US lawmakers said Taiwan has been paying for its own defense, a US Department of State official said on Wednesday, adding that purchases of military equipment are important to the US economy and for ensuring regional security. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller was asked at a news conference about comments by former US president Donald Trump, the Republican nominee in November’s US presidential election, who said during an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek that Taiwan should pay Washington for its defense needs. “The purchases that they [Taiwan] have made not only are important, we believe, to regional security, but are important to the United States economy,”
Hsu Wen-erh (許汶而) on Friday became the first Taiwanese to swim solo across the English Channel, saying she was very happy to bring Taiwan to the world. Hsu completed the challenge in 12 hours, 17 minutes and eight seconds, after swimming across the Strait of Gibraltar in October last year. She said she had planned to swim the English Channel in August next year, but seized the opportunity when a vacancy became available on the waiting list. She went to the UK in May to train for a test that involves swimming for six hours at 16°C, which people who want to swim