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Click to watch on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHk-Lxgbzf8

In November 2014, People Express Travel in Kuala Lumpur invited me to experience their new Culture, Heritage and Nature Delight Tour based around a culinary theme.

Over the course of 6 Days/5 Nights, I stayed at –

– Bagasta Boutique Hotel in Kampung Baru, KL

– Suka-Suka Lake Retreat in Kampung Kelantan, Lenggong, Perak

– Belum Rainforest Resort, Perak

I like to call this my Balik Kampung (literally back to the village, or “going home” trip) – since I had grown up in a Kampung Baru back in Seremban.

We also visited and took part in an incredible number of activities including trips to the Gaharu Tea Plantation and the royal city of Kuala Kangsar.

I had initially only agreed to post social media mentions of my stay, but I came away feeling the only way to do justice to the experience is to write a series of posts about it. This photo montage serves as an introduction to my upcoming series.

For more information re: this tour, visit www.peoples.com.my .

Thanks to my tour guide, Mr. Shaukani Abbas, for some of the great photos in this montage. Click on the photos in the gallery below to view them in full-size and read the descriptons.

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The post Culture, Heritage and Nature Delight – Intro first appeared on Jackie M..

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Have you ever visited Malaysia? Thought about it, maybe?

I’ve talked to lots of Aussies at my food stalls over the years. (Contrary to perception I am occasionally approachable. It has been known to happen.)

More than a handful have been to Malaysia. They were there because of work. Or they were transiting elsewhere. Or they have family there – maybe they’re married to a Malaysian.

Some have been to Langkawi or Penang for short breaks. A few backpacked through Malaysia a loooong time ago, in the 70s even.

Still, nowadays when people think Asian holidays, they mostly think Bali or Thailand. Or Vietnam. I’ve yet to visit these places as I write, and am excited about doing so in the next 12 months. But I do know a bit about Malaysia.

I spoke to Mel, the food blogger behind The Adventures of Miss Piggy recently. (Yes, despite my rants about food bloggers I am friendly with some.) She went to Langkawi for a break. While she was there, she visited a pasar malam (night market). She observed that most other holidaymakers never ventured outside the resort.

That seems strange to me. Why fly all the way to Malaysia and not explore?

I guess some just want to get away from it all, and just want to enjoy the luxurious, safe surrounds of their 5-star playgrounds. Maybe they only have a limited number of days and prefer to just relax by the pool.

I totally get that. I’ve been in that mindset. Yet, what would bring them back year after year, short of their total devotion to their favourite resort in Penang or Langkawi?

I’ve travelled to Malaysia four times this year. I’ve been lucky to explore parts of the country that most people never get to see. Tried some foods that I myself had never even heard of. That’s right, not even Malaysian-born-and-bred-ex-Malaysian-restaurateur me.

In the age of Instagram, I see lots of travel photos made up of scenic views and exotic foods. Nothing wrong with that. (Selfies are a different matter – don’t get me started.)

Heck, my trips have often revolved around the topic of food. And I have not been disappointed – Malaysia is right to be proud of her food.

Yet what has really stood out for me in these trips has been the people I’ve met along the way.

Long after all the good food and beautiful scenery are but distant memories, what will stay with me forever are the people I have met and continue to meet in my travels. I’ve realised more and more, that everybody has a story.

But to put things into context, let me start with mine….

 (continues tomorrow…)

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Photos in this post are from my latest trip hosted by People Express Travel, Kuala Lumpur. All rights reserved.

The post How About Malaysia? first appeared on Jackie M..