AboutRon Egerton Expertise I can tell you a great deal about air travel, coach travel and train travel througout Malaysia and Thailand
Also tourist destinations, hotels and shopping.
Also about the people.
Experience I have been travelling to Malaysia for almost ten years, and living in Malaysia full time, married to a Malaysian, for the past four years.
I have travelled extensivly throughout the country also.
I do not know whether you need a separate form filled in, but I have also travelled extensively through Thailand and as I mentioned above, I am an Australian, having lived in Queensland for my earlier life and travelled the length and breadth of that stae.
I am now semi retired and have the time, and the inclination to help people out.
Thank you,
Ron Egerton
Publications Australian Trotting Register, Trotting Record, Harness Racing Monthly and some occasional items in the press.
Expert: Ron Egerton Date: 7/25/2008 Subject: Reg my honeymoon trip to Malaysia
Question QUESTION: Hi.I am Preethi, based in Chennai, India. I am getting married on the 30th of Nov this year. I plan to be on my honeymoon the first 2 weeks of Dec. Myself & my fiance are nature lovers. So we plan to go to Sawarak for the rainforests, Sabah or Terengannu for the beaches & pick up one of the rivers for a day or twos houseboat ride. I am not entirely sure about the climatic changes in Malaysia in Dec. Is it ideal to go to these places during Dec? If so what do you suggest. We are not a fan of staying indoors. So I dont want anything spoiling our trip. :) Please advise.
Thanks,
Preethi
ANSWER: Hi Preethi,
Well I live in Terengganu and can help you good here.
Firstl over here on the east coast and Sabag can be bad time weatherwise as the Monsoons are around.
Now if you take the risk on that, i would have to recommend Sabah for all your requests. Terengganu beaches not all that good and definitely not great for swimming.
Again no rivers here really great but Tasik Kenyir te big lake that is also the water supply is fantastic. Plenty, plenty of water and some great nature experiences.Plenty of all sorts of hotels and lodges up there. about 1 hour drive from the vapital Kuala Terengganu.
Whereas if you have a look around Sabah I think you would find everything you mentioned.
Air Asia has some great prices to KK.
Also Kuala Lumpur is a good city. Worth a day or two if you can on your way home.Know one good hotel there too managed by an indian man and cheap.
Let me know if I can help a little more.
Regards,
Ron
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Ron
Thanks for the advice. That was really helpful to get a better picture. I actually had kenyir lake on my list and have been speaking to few travel agents here. Everyone seems to be suggesting, Kula Lumpur, Penang/Langkawi, suggesting that the climate is better. I am not sure if there are any river houseboats operating in any parts of Penang. If you do know of any, please do let me know. Terengannu seems to be a lovely place, but i guess its just wrong timing. May be sometime next year I can visit Terengannu. And Sabah is nice as well, not sure if i can take the risk. Can you suggest any good places to visit in Sabah & langkawi?
Firstly have a look here,not a bad site and tell you about weather in Sabah and other sites there.
Sabah is beautiful. Forget your agents many of them have not been there. A little research and you will find out about the lovely old steam train trip,beautifull beaches, the old long houses that you can go along the rivers to see. Has about all over there. There was also some very cheap air fares with Mas and Air Asia. Also from memory Singapore airlines/Silk Air fly there.
Yes Lake Tasil Kenyir is beautiful and big. There are houseboats on the lake. To me though they were overpriced and under quality.However the Resort is beautiful with little private cabins(ideal for honeymoon) great ,old style elegant reception, dining and pools with access to plenty of days on the lake.Also other resorts there also.
Penang? No rivers or houseboats.To me typical crowded city.Shopping yes. Some sites yes.
Langkawi? I have been there twice and do not like it. An island with beaches,aquarium and a a few museums.No mountains and no rivers.
From the sound of it you do not want cities?
I would still maybe think of Sabah as the monsoons the last few years have been a bit unpredictable,late.
Look at maybe booking your own airlines and hotels.Online can be cheaper.Many of the travel agents have never been to Sabah, but they can get plenty of information about the other 2.
Like staying in KL.The Replica Inn about a $120 a night(no breakfast) right in the right place for just about everything,clean,comfortable.Next price up bigger room, and shopping a plenty literally at your doorstep.
Take a tour out to Putra Jaya and look at the new government centre, a couple of hours on the lake.The city is great, just like all big cities congested.
Hope I have not confused you too much.
Regards,
Ron
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Ron
I have been looking up both Sabah & Langkawi on the internet. Well.... most sites try to potray the best, so quite confusing. But on first instance, I liked Sabah a lot. However the weather predictions scare me. I have read about the old steam train trip... sounds fun. Ron, I need your help here. Sabah is a big island & I am sure there are so many beaches, riversides & jungles out there. Can you suggest what are the best places to visit in Sabah, considering the distance between them as well such that we dont spend a lot of time travelling. And we would like to have a lot of fun - trekking, snorkelling and all sorts of activities... Based on your suggestions I plan to put forth sabah before my travel agent & see what he has to say. I really love the place & I hope I can visit the place...
Regards,
Preethi
Answer Hi Again,
Darling very difficult to plan for you.
But of course we keep saying Sabah. I would or should be saying Kota Kinabalu, or KK as they refer to it.
Now you only have 2 weeks and you are on your honeymoon.
Kota Kinabalu is worth a visit of 2 weeks.
There are beaches there and resorts.
Aru beach is very popular.
The train trip we have mentioned and there is one or two different types of trips,(or used to be)
Up to the north to Mengayau is pretty.
Seeing the Orangatan, if you are interested in that is great.
Some very good and well kept buildings around the town are worth a look , and this is a city where u can walk safely and to many places.
The markets are worth a walk through, I love doing that and seeing waht there is.
Taxi drivers, no different to India, like to rob tourists so make sure you have an idea of what the trip should cost.
The food in KK is good.
Have a look at this site it very good http://www.sabahtourism.com/en/home.php?lg=1
But if you think that 2 weeks is too long there then think of Kuching and Sibu
I like Sibu, some beautiful buildings,I cannot think of the name but there is lovely walk along an old esplanade(great for honeymooners) and you can go and an old style long house.
Well I hope this has confused you. The roads are okla and you can drive between the cities
Regards
Ron
In my order of preference. 1. KK 2 Sibu 3 Kuching
Take a little gamble with the weather sometimes in the rain things look goo also
