Kuala lumpur
Itinerary for Kuala Lumpur
KL, as it is called by visitors and locals alike, is the melting pot no one would think possible if you are an outsider. You would be surprised to see how similar everyone is in their beliefs, as KL is modern, but decidedly Eastern in thought.
Before you go to Malaysia or Asia in general you should download maps.me (https://maps.me/) and Grab (https://www.grab.com/) taxi app. These are necessities throughout Southeast Asia, as Uber is not available everywhere and you might not always have cellphone service. So downloading the local maps ahead of time is a lifesaver.
Where to stay? KL has a very good train system and cheap Grab cars are plentiful in between. If you can make sure to stay near the Petronas towers around KL JW Marriot ($108/night) or Chow Kit area. This will give you a central location where you can walk to the night market, bars and night life.
Day 1
The best way to begin is to hit the National Museum. If only to understand how the Peninsula got it shape, broke from Dutch & English rule by converting the nation to Islam, picks their King in a rotational fashion, and understand the strange relationship with next door neighbor Singapore. After trying to get through it all you WILL be hungry.
You can stop by the Coley cocktail bar for a drink and hit the Nu Central shopping mall food court. Repeat, yes mall food court. Mall food courts in Malaysia host some of the best restaurants, as they typically have many independent businesses; see Lot 10 Hutong Food Court which has arguably the best Chinese roast pork in Asia. If that doesn't float your boat Grab it back to Jalan Alor Night Food Market. This is a collection of restaurants and stalls offering local ingredients and food of mostly Chinese variety. Again Malaysian Chinese might not be exactly the same as China but sometimes better.
Some of the best are Restoran Nasi Ayam Chee Meng, Nasi Lemak Alor Corner, The Roof Cafe, and almost any hawker without a physical space and a line is a good place to try. This is definitely an area to get your seafood as it is right in your face and refreshed daily by the restaurants. From there go to one of the many rooftop bars or if you got a good Airbnb or booking (http://www.booking.com/Share-VxGtpw) then head to your pool for the night time view. The view from our pool was amazing (see below) and if your on a budget this is the way to go. If you aren't on a budget, then Heli Lounge Bar is good priced and has a good view. If you want to go out the Zouk Bar is liberal and open late into the night.
Site Content
Day 2
After a night of gluttony it's time to cleanse yourself.
You can head out by train to the Batu caves, which is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, buit into a limestone cave. With its bright colors, and even colored steps if you go around the Hindu festival of Thaipusam, it is a beautiful place and an amazing workout to get to the top. Just make sure not to go around the day of the festival unless you are okay with religious piercing with large spears and self whip[ing and mutilation in dedication to their beliefs. After the hike up the mountain, there is Restoran Amutha that serves tea and fresh bread with sweet milk on top. It is not the best but a good snack before the ride back into the city.
After arriving in the city head to Bakti Woodlands Vegetarian Food Cafe. This is arguably the best vegetarian restaurant in KL, so you shouldn't be disappointed. Right across is the Masjid Jamek Kl, which is my favorite mosque in the city. It is small and beautiful, not too restrictive (women are given coverings if needed), and a good place to ask questions as there is always women attendants or an imam there to answer questions.
Afterwards head over to the art deco Central Market. It is a bit small but if you need to pick up any trinkets and such its a pretty good place for this. After a bit a retail therapy Grab or train over to KLCC (KL City Center) where you have the Petronas towers for a good picture. Personally I did not go up the towers, instead I walked around the small museum where they talk about how Malaysia became a petro-state and is able to afford the infrastructure and social security for their people. In KLCC they also have a pretty good aquarium, which for $10 has a lot of aquatic wildlife from Borneo (which is also part of Malaysia, though not connected by land to the main peninsula).
At this point you might want to head back to your hotel and cool down before another night out, because if anything is true, is that Kuala Lumpur is HOT!!! Plus you need to rest up before you continue the journey to the next part of Malaysia
Malaysia
Cameron Highlands
A hikers paradise. In a country where the average temperature can only be described as hot, this area remains constantly cool.
Penang
The former British colony, has evolved into the food capital of Malaysia and possibly all Southeast Asia.
Langkawi
Where the jet-set and wealthy of the Middle East come to party. No taxes, cheap liquor, and expensive everything else.
The Perhentians
What Asia felt like in the 1970s. Show up, find a hut, no ATMs, power 8 hours a day, no worries, can I stay?