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Traveling Malaysia
April 27th, 2010 by Jonathan Asher, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Kuala Lumpur is a fast-paced city which blends the east and west making it a perfect start point to further explore Asia. There is so much to do and see in the city and our Kuala Lumpur travel guide can get you started.
From the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, all the main districts are easily accessible by public transport. If shopping is your thing, then Kuala Lumpur is definitely somewhere you might like to visit. Internationally renowned for its shopping centre’s that range from high end stores to touristy markets. Getting accommodation close to the city centre will make things easier for you and five star hotels here are some of the cheapest in the world. Couchsurfing or hostels are still good options if you’re traveling on a budget although you might be able to spring for a nice hotel.
The Kuala Lumpur guide suggests that the city has a mix of all major Asian cuisines but also has American fast-food chains and coffee shops that will facilitate western tastes. Eating out in Kualar Lumpur is pretty good value and often works out cheaper than trying to conjure up meals from the super markets. Alcohol is relatively expensive in KL though, due to high taxes.
The Indie Travel Podcast Kuala Lumpur guide covers all the major attractions in KL but here are a few options. You might like to check out the Petronas Towers – the tallest twin towers in the world. If shopping is your thing The Golden Triangle is a popular and upper class shopping region. Chinatown and Little India offer more touristy markets and ethnic food. Chow Kit is home to the local food markets and the Central Markets is a great option when the heat strikes as it is indoors and is air-conditioned.
The Batu Caves are also a popular attraction. Located an hour or so out of the city, visitors come to watch over a million Hindu devotees perform Kavadi Attam: a dance involving physical suffering including steel barbs pressed into the skin, which journeys from the city centre all the way to the caves.
To check out the full Kuala Lumpur Travel guide visit http://indietravelpodcast.com/podcast/088-travel-kuala-lumpur-malaysia/ and also have a listen to the Kuala Lumpur guide podcast at http://indietravelpodcast.com/video/first-day-in-kuala-lumpur-travel-talks-14/
For more information on Kuala Lumpur Visit Indie Travel Podcast. Also visit the podcasts section for episodes on Kuala Lumpur.
Road Trip Planning
December 28th, 2009 by Jonathan Asher, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Road trips are a cool way to get around your own country and see all sorts of new things. They’re also fantastic for exploring new countries too. You can do a bit of road trip planning, get behind the wheel and get started with your own awesome tour; you’ll see all sorts of things that others won’t because you’re travelling independently.
I advise a minimalist approach when it comes to planning a road trip. You obviously need a little structure, but the fun is really in the random things you find along the way. By deciding only your final destination and the amount of time you have to get there, you open yourself up for all sorts of possibilities (and save yourself a crazy sprint at the end of your road trip).
Food and drink … the all important road trip snacks!!! The one thing we all eat is high-sugar sweets and drinks, but those sugar highs are followed by deep sugar lows, so it’s wise to eat lollies in moderation. Try to spot fresh fruit sellers on the side of the road or stock up from a supermarket or farmers market. Remember to take a plastic bag to act as a rubbish bin; don’t throw things from the car and pollute for those that follow.
Like sugar in sweets, caffeine and sugar in your drinks are a big problem … especially since the caffeine means you need more toilet breaks. Try to get by on water and fruit juice as much as possible. In the long-run it’ll keep you more alert and safer. That said, I always make use of coffee stops to grab a quick shot … I’m too much of an addict not to.
In terms of budget and fun, the more the merrier. This isn’t always true in terms of comfort though! Four or five people can be a bit of a stretch, so a group of three or four is the perfect match of splitting costs and sharing space. It’s always nice to be able to lean on someone’s shoulder and fall asleep in the back seat.
With more people comes more agendas and, sadly, you can seldom keep everyone happy all the time. Allow everyone to choose one non-negotiable activity and work with those to plan your route. If everyone has their one must-see or must-do activity included, then everything else is an awesome bonus. Make sure you don’t plan in every stop and every place beforehand — crazy stops and weird road side attractions are what makes road trips so much fun.
Looking to find the best information on road trip planning, then visit Indie Travel Podcast to find great tips and a free online travel magazine for download.