But our trip starts in the cosmopolitan bustle of Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital. KL, as the capital is called, retains an exotic feel even though it’s dominated by the ultra-modern Petronas Twin Towers that sparkle like gigantic jewel boxes at night.
Often overlooked, as travellers to Southeast Asia are more likely to go to Thailand to the north or Singapore and Indonesia to the south, KL and Malaysia are a fascinating blend of ancient and modern, Western and Eastern, Islamic and secular, urban and unspoiled.
And, of course, there’s the food. Malaysians are foodies whose various regional cuisines take full advantage of local ingredients and ethnic influences.
Among the best-known is Malacca-based Nyonya-Baba cuisine, a blend of Hokkien, Portuguese, Dutch, Indian, British and Malay. We’ll sample it before heading to Borneo, because what I dream about is starting at least one day perched on a plastic stool slurping down a spicy, redolent bowlful of laksa. It’s the local specialty in Kuching, the beautiful capital of Sarawak. Every chef and every cook does it a bit differently and family special recipes are prized and often guarded.
Yet regardless of whether you’re in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak or Sabah, there’s never a reason to be hungry. Day and night there are movable feasts with pop-up food stalls and food carts where for a couple of dollars freshly caught or harvested food is cooked in front of you — often over a tiny charcoal stove.
And, of course, there’s all the bizarre-looking fruits from jackfruit to rambutan to the infamous durian — the thorny “king of fruits� that’s so wickedly fragrant that it’s banned in most hotels and public transportation. (Raw or cooked, the best I’ve ever been able to do is choke it down and try not offend the person who has offered it as a rare and special treat.)
So, come October, I’ll be back to Malaysia, revisiting places I love and looking for new experiences that maybe, just maybe, will include spotting orangutans on their home turf. It will be fun and you’re welcome to come along.
dbramham@vancouversun.com
Join Daphne Bramham in Borneo, Malaysia
Oct. 15 — 27, 2014This tour will be an unforgettable mix of culture, anthropological history and wildlife led by Daphne Bramham, an experienced world traveller who is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm for Malaysian food, culture and the indigenous orangutan with an exclusive group of travellers.
PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
• Kuala Lumpur
• Eco-river tour through a tropical rainforest
• 10 nights accommodation including a renowned eco-lodge
• Expert Canadian guide, assisted locally
• Breakfast daily plus 11 meals
• Foodie tour
• All transfers, tours and flights
$5,860 per person based on double occupancy. Airfare taxes included.
Book today. Phone Adventures Abroad at 1-800-665-3998 or visit thevancouversuntours.com
Daphne Bramham: Bound for Borneo in search of orangutans, Dayaks and the ...
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