Remember extreme couponing? Avid couponers would pour over weekly ads and find ways to maximize their savings by stacking coupons on top of other offers.
26.07.2024 - 13:33 / lonelyplanet.com
Jul 25, 2024 • 7 min read
Dynamic, multi-cultural and hugely underrated, Malaysia is Southeast Asia's unsung tropical hero. Marrying tradition, nature and modernity, it's a country of space-age cityscapes, Islamic minarets and gilded Chinese shrines. It's a world where South Indian temples back onto million-year-old rainforests, and this mish-mash can be a lot to process for first-timers.
From what to pack to navigating the nation's ethnic and religious tapestry, these are the top things to know before you embark on a trip to Malaysia – an experience that can often feel like being in several countries at once.
Be prepared for many types of culture shock. In multi-ethnic yet predominantly Islamic Peninsular Malaysia, a 69.8% majority of Malay Muslims share the land with ethnic Chinese, Tamil Indians and a dozen aboriginal groups categorized as orang asli (original peoples). This means that red lantern-studded Chinese temples sit next to Hindu gopurams (temple gates) and the onion-shaped domes of intricate, modern mosques. Prayers go up to the sky in three main languages – Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil – and to three main religions: Islam, Chinese Taoism and Hinduism.
A short flight away across the South China Sea, the East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah in Borneo feel like another world. The former has some 26 different ethnic groups, most of whom are Christian or Protestant, while Sabah is home to another 33 who communicate in over 50 languages and 80 dialects.
Tropical Malaysia enjoys steamy temperatures hovering around 86°F (30°C) year-round. All you really need to pack are light, loose-fitting cotton clothes to best cope with heat and humidity, and a pair of sneakers and flip-flops. If you forget anything, you can pick it up here. Also pack a hoodie or light jacket to prepare for the Malaysian habit of keeping air conditioning to frosty levels, especially inside shopping malls, buses and trains.
Kuala Lumpur must be one of the world's most futuristic cities, with ever-expanding highways, towers and skyscrapers eternally contending for space. Beyond the capital, there's excellent 4G mobile network coverage and fast wifi at most hotels and guest houses across the nation. Celcom is the best operator when traveling the Peninsula's jungly interior and Borneo.
ATMS (cashpoints) are widely available but thin out in the countryside, and they are often hard to find outside of Borneo's main cities. Stock up on the local currency, the Malaysian ringgit, if planning to go off the grid.
The delightfully spicy intricacies of Malaysian food (a concoction of curries, southern Chinese cuisines and pan-Indian dishes that never stop intermarrying) are best consumed fresh off the street, served without
Remember extreme couponing? Avid couponers would pour over weekly ads and find ways to maximize their savings by stacking coupons on top of other offers.
The U.S. Department of State issues a limited number of emergency passports on a case-by-case basis for U.S. citizens who need a passport to travel.
If you're based in the US like me, June and July are some of the most expensive months to fly internationally, so I think summer is a great time to explore what my own country has to offer.
Jul 25, 2024 • 11 min read
While commercial air service was slowly recovering on Friday after a technology outage caused thousands of flights worldwide to be canceled or delayed, the ripple effect from the disruption left airports crowded with passengers and airlines working to get planes and crews back in position.
In a shift in global mobility rankings, Singapore has claimed the top spot in the 2024 Henley Passport Index released on Wednesday, granting its citizens visa-free access to 195 countries.
I graduated from college two years ago and set a goal for myself to visit at least 50 countries before I turn 30.
A new first class cabin is on the way at Qatar Airways, but it might take a little longer to arrive than expected. Speaking to , Badr Mohammed Al-Meer revealed that he is due to see a prototype of the new top-tier seat on Thursday.
An airline in India, IndiGo Airlines, now allows female travelers to see the gender of the passenger sitting next to them in an effort to make women more comfortable.
Jul 18, 2024 • 6 min read
Great news for deal-seeking shoppers: Amazon Prime Day is here once more. The annual two-day savings event includes the retailer's best deals of the year, with sales on everything from luggage and electronics to home goods and shoes. This year, Prime Day began Tuesday, July 16, and runs through today, July 17. Whether you've got a wish list ready or are new to the retail giant's mega-deals, we've put together a quick rundown of everything you need to know to make the most of this July's Amazon sale—including editor-recommended favorites to consider adding to your travel gear haul. Keep scrolling for a complete breakdown of Prime Day and our top picks of the best deals for travelers to shop now.
Jul 16, 2024 • 8 min read