Hi Everyone across the world,
About Me
My Name is Leon Tan, born at year 1990 , I am a Software Engineer and have been working and staying at Guangzhou, China since 2 years ago. Before that, I spent my first two working years at Singapore. I am originally from a very beautiful country, Malaysia.
About Malaysia
I guess Malaysia is not a strange country to most of the people due to the accident of MH 370 and MH 17. But yet, since the day I arrived at China, local Chinese seems have a lot of misunderstanding about Malaysia. So, as today, as part of my introduction and in order for your guys to get better knowing about me, I am pleased to take this opportunity to briefly introduce my country, Malaysia.
Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country which consists of 2 parts, West Malaysia and East Malaysia. The West part of Malaysia is located between Thailand and Singapore while the East part of Malaysia is lying between Philippines and Indonesia. Malaysia is known for her beautiful beaches, rainforests and mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. It has an interesting history behind its beauty and cultures, but in order not to keep this article too dry, for those who want to find more about Malaysia, please visits here.
Malaysia Beaches
When talking about Malaysia, I think most people first though about the Petronas Twin Tower. However, for me, I think first though of beaches , where I can see girls wearing bikini and enjoying their sunbath in front of breathe taking scenery. (Haha, I am just kidding ). In fact, it is mainly because Malaysia beaches are so nature by its beauty because of its quietness and its well protected marine life.
As we can see from the map, Malaysia is surrounded by ocean, and that created me another identity, PADI AOW Scuba Diver, yes, I am an diveaholic !
I love Scuba Diving !
Give a wild guess what these 2 sea bunnies are doing ? :p
I even met my mermaid while we were having our scuba diving together on Bali, Indonesia year back Oct, 2013 (sounds story tales isn't it ? bros, what are you waiting for, get a diving license ! ) and these are my favorite pictures of my mermaid, Doris.
Now I bet your guys should know why I have made my decision to Guangzhou, HAHAHA.
Sorry guys for not sharing much of my self-photos as your guys might notice, I am the one who usually have to sacrificed myself and take photos of someone else... (such a pity of me) :'(
A beautiful sunset that I am expecting every day especially after my scuba diving , it symbolizes the completion of a day light and here the night party fall !
Here comes the night ! Guess what I usually do at night, party ? Night diving ? Counting Star ? Yes , they are in my options list but yet , my favorite is to meet friends around the world, having dinner together and listen up tales about their journey while having some beers with some soft music / live band going on. Guys, please do some imagination , wine is served under the moon roof with countless shining stars along with some pleasant sea breeze that keeps your mind fresh, stories and dream sharing from people of different background , don't you feel life is actually quite simple and happy ? cheers.
Landmark Places
Okay, besides my favorite beaches, let get into the topic and representatives of Malaysia !
Genting Highlands
While speaking of Genting Highland, it reminds me of my childhood. Genting Highland is a perfect spot for a family because of its weather, it is very common that Malaysia is a very hot country, and as Genting Highland is located on top of a mountain with an average of 25 °C over the year in addition close-by to the Kuala Lumpur ( Capital of Malaysia), that gives Genting Highland a perfect spot for Malaysian family to chill over the weekend/holiday. Children loves the Theme Park while parents would go to Casino for trying their luck.
But right now the Theme Park is closed for renovation and it will serve with more surprises with a new 20th Century Fox Theme based, although I have reached the legal gambling age (21 and above), but frankly speaking, I still prefer Carousel better than Casino !
Petronas Twin Tower
In most Malaysian mind, this is the most representative building ever build in our country. According to Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) official definition and ranking, they were the tallest buildings in world from 1998 to 2004 and remain the tallest twin towers in the world. KLCC is now features as shopping complex, meeting rooms, offices and even with an oceanarium located beneath it.
Two jagung (Corns in Malay Language) that are shining under the night. Beautiful isn't it ?
Kuala Lumpur Tower
while we are mentioning of Petronas Twin Tower, we must mention the other landmark building which is Kuala Lumpur Tower. Based on its look (look like antenna) , it is not difficult to tell that it is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 metres (1,381 feet) .
Besides of its communication purposes, it reminds me there is a buffet on it and the most surprising is the restaurant is rotating 360 degree and with live band (the time I went is with live band, not sure about it now) ! Imagine, you are having the dinner together with your love one and looking at these breath taking scenery.......
For jumper lovers (120 BASE jump experiences), you can pay attention and take part in the event, but please be cautiously careful and check that you are jumped over with parachute or else you better hope you can fly like a Superman.
Kuala Lumpur
For friend who will be visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the first time, there is a city tour route bus named Hop-On Hop-Off , you may able to visit most of the tourism places around Kuala Lumpur along the route. BUT please remember to get your sunblock & sunglasses ready unless you want to change to a full new skin like snake.
Last I checked, this are 23 stops covered along the route. Famous destination includes
1) Malaysia Tourism Information Centre
2) KL Tower
3) Jalan P. Ramlee
4) KL Concention Centre & Aquaria
5) Karyaneka
6) Bintang Walk
7) Tengkat Tong Shin
8) Chinatown
9) Central Market
10) Little India
11) KL Sentral
12) National Museum
13) National Palace
14) Lake Gardens
15) Bird Park
16) National Mosque
17) Dataran Merdeka (Square)
18) Medan Mara
19) Jalan Raja Laut
20) Bulatan Pahang
21) Lake Titiwangsa
22) Citi Bank
23) KLCC
Batu Caves
Batu Caves is located at the northern part of Kuala Lumpur. The word Batu is a Malay word that means Rock . The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, and is dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. According to Wikipedia, Batu Caves in short also referred as 10th Caves or Hill for Lord Murruga as there are six importantly holy shrines in India and four more in Malaysia along with three others in Ipoh, Penang and Melacca.
Batu Caves inner view and you can do a nature rock climbing over here.
Melaka / Malacca
Malacca is located about 2 hours journey south from Kuala Lumpur. Malacca is a historical place in Malaysia, this is definitely a must go place for those historical enthusiast. I have spent almost 3 years over here while I was studying for my Diploma at Multimedia University. It goes without saying that, this city is rich not only by its historical ( mix of historical from British, Dutch and Portuguese) , there are some uniqueness especially in term of food ,culture and tales of this city. For those who wishes to find more about Malacca , this is a more completed guide by two travel enthusiast, please click here.
Cameron Highland
The Cameron Highland is a bit far (200 km northeast ) from Kuala Lumpur, and it is one of the extensive hill stations in Malaysia. Unlike Genting Highland, the different in temperature is quite obvious over here, with a 25 °C on day and reach as low as 9 °C at night. Cameron highland is very famous with its Tea Plantations, Strawberry Farms, Vegetable Farms and Roses Valley ( yes, you are right, its Roses Valley !)
Ladies, for those who are expecting Roses Valley, please click link as I have tried to take some photos of Roses , but for me they all look the same besides color. So in order not to embarrass my photo skill and also not to disappoint ladies, please Click here for Roses Valley.
My brother and I were taking picture in front of Tea Estate years back.
Sekichan
For your guys information, rice is the main source food in most of the Asian country and this comes no exception to Malaysia. Sekichan is known as one of the suitable place ( sekichan is near to river ) to get planted for rice in Malaysia. There are manufacturing factories next to these paddy fields and over there you might learn the entire manufacturing processes and history of paddy. I went there few moths ago with my family, and I am glad how technology evolves and machines have replaced the workman force on this which plays significant roles in making the entire farming more efficiency and in term of supplies.
How can i miss to take Selfie beneath the blue sky and paddy fields !
Machines used for manufacturing processes and final outcome of rice inside the rice manufacturing factory. Accordingly to the tour guide of the factory, each package (on the floor) is sufficient to supply and feed a person for 19 years ! Imagine how heavy and crazy the amount of it in term of rice quantity!
This is an inn besides the paddy field, I think this is a perfect place for readers, city escapers, and maybe some retirer?
Langkawi
Langkawi is known as Jewel of Kedah, and it has been very commercialized. Its name is believed to have originated from the abundance of eagles on the islands. I had my trip to Langkawi from Penang two years ago, well, I can say this place could be a good place for Family because of its maturity ,but not really for me as its over commercialized, over-prices for its water sports and food, it is very inconvenient without a transportation as the island is BIG ! However, there are some good side out of it, this diving spot has some spectacularly colorful soft and hard coral gardens, it was a great spot and the best coral I had seen so far (Langkawi only got 1 diving spot, so, for diveaholic, maybe you can try to search for Koh Lipe for more diving activities). Moreover, wine , cigar & chocolates are considered cheap as they are duty-free over here and also most of the islands across Malaysia.
Legoland & Hello Kitty Town
Sorry guys, I was away from Malaysia when Legoland & Hello Kitty Town officially opened in Malaysia, and I never been to there. Well, here are some basic background of Legoland and Hello Kitty Town. They are located in the Southern cities of Malaysia, Johor Bahru, and northern of Singapore. Legoland is launched on Sep. 2012 with over interactive rides, it is the first Legoland theme part in Asia and sixth in the world.
Hello Kitty Town
and there are still maaaaaaaaaannnnnny more places around the Malaysia for me to explore.
Shopping Centers
For those shopaholic , here are your favourites, Malaysia does have a lot of great shopping complex and as a common guy, I am not a big fan of those shopping centers but in order not to disappoint ladies, here you go:
Sunway Pyramid
There are a lot shopping mall in Malaysia but still for me Sunway Pyramid is the most attractive for me. It is located at Bandar Sunway Subang Jaya, Selangor. As we can tell from the name, Sunway Pyramid, the mall is themed based on Egyptian with the pyramid and a lion guard at the main entrance. Despite of its "hot" appearance, its offer many choice for Malaysians and tourists to shopping, cuisine, entertainment, clubs and many more. The Sunway Hotel is rated with 5 stars and with Sunday Lagoon Theme Park besides it.
Sunway Pyramid is also one the very fewest places in Malaysia to do the Ice Skating and it makes a very common and perfect place to date and also , finding a date especially for those guys who are skillful on ice skating, cheers !
1 Utama / One U
1 Utama is largest Shopping Mall in Malaysia and 6th largest in the mall according to wikipedia.
Pavilion
Pavilion KL is located at Bukat Bintang, one of the oldest street in Malaysia that never sleeps. Thinking of dancing, drinking and partying in the night of Kuala Lumpur? believe me there is no place better than Bukit Bintang.
It is a must to try out the local beer, Tiger with Radler, its the mixture of beeeerrr with lemon, taste fresh and smoothy.
Lastly, although there are recent corruption and bribe about Malaysia ( BBC source) and also some society issues within the country, but yet it is a fact that politic is dark, and I believe it happens everywhere around the world and still, I love my country not because this country consists of all my memories, my friends, my family, it is simply because this is a place who made me who I am today ! a lucky guy who is given a chance to live in his own lifestyle and able to persuade his dream, who is given a chance to share his beautiful country with new friends over Steemit ! Thank you everyone for reading this.
Excellent, interesting, picturesque post. I'm sorry that I didn't see it a week ago when you first posted it. I must have been asleep at the time. We are, after all, on opposite sides of the world.
thank you @marginal for the upvote , haha, it's okay, at least I know there is someone in this community who does appreciate my effort, it does really keep my momentum going on ! thank you for your feedback
i read this a year letter.. thanks. u make me proud of u. u talk from your heart. trully Malaysian..
Hi fellow Malaysian! Thanks for the thorough introduction - I didn't even talk in length about my country when i first posted. Hope you enjoy your stay here. Keep in touch!
wellcome
fellow malaysian here. good pics on your post. keep up the good work.
thank you boon for your support , hope I didn't miss out much places.
that was a lot of scrolling, welcome and have fun!
thank you @simoneighties , i was trying to introduce more about myself throughout my journey and hobbies.
I was lucky enough to spend a month in Thailand... very sad I didn't get around to seeing Malaysia. But there's still plenty of time!
You do it right man. Your introducing is owesome!
Malaysia truly is a lovely country and with such amazing food!