Cruise Update 4: Malayasia - Diverse in Attractions, Ethnicity and Religions

Known for its incredibly diverse array of attractions, blending vibrant urban life, rich history, beautiful islands, and ancient rainforest, Malaysia is a country of two halves: Peninsular Malaysia, and Malaysian Borneo.

Our half-day tour today focused largely on several attractions in the Kuala Lumpur area.

Here we explored Malaysia’s city of delightful contrasts and one of the most vibrant metropolises in Asia.

Our first attraction was at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial, official residence of the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, better known as the Father of Development.

Tun Abdul Razak Memorial

Next we stopped at the National War Monument, built in tribute to the valiant soldiers who gave their lives during the Communist Insurgency of the 1950s.

National War Monument

We also enjoyed photo stops at the historic 1910 Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the National Mosque of Malaysia, and saw the influence of Britain at the iconic Independence Square or Merdeka Square.

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and National Mosque

Finally, we drive through the Golden Triangle, the city’s entertainment district, before viewing the soaring twin Petronas Towers, resembling a pair of steel-clad rocket ships linked by a towering catwalk. This architectural wonder is the pride of Malaysia.

Twin Petronas Towers

Our tour ended with a view of the the iconic Independence Square or Merdeka Square, where independence from Britain is celebrated every year on August 31.

Independence Square.

Malaysia is known for its ethnic and religious diversity. Major ethnic groups include Bumiputera (Malays and indigenous groups like the Orang Asli, Dayak, and others in Borneo), Chinese, and Indian.

Among the religions, Islam is practised by over 60 per cent of the population. Other major religions include Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism.

Thank you for joining us on our cruise. Please watch for our next update on our visit to Singapore.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Our Viking Cruise from Bangkok to Bali: Update 1

Image
This weekend marks the start of one of the most exciting adventures of our lifetime as we join a Viking Cruise to four Southeast Asian countries. In the next three weeks, we hope to share updates with family, friends and colleagues through this blog. The ocean cruise will take us to Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; and Bali, Indonesia. After leaving Regina, SK on Sunday evening, we will arrive 20 hours later in Thailand for our first port in Bangkok before traveling to the other ports in Southeast Asia. Please join us on our cruise through these travelogues. We look forward to sharing sights and scenes in these beautiful countries as well as to offer glimpses of life on the Viking Orion. Please visit this site periodically for updates and share with others who may be interested. Moses and Cintra
Read more

Bangkok, Bali & Beyond Update 2: Panoramic tour of Thailand’s capital

Image
Our Viking Cruise, labeled “Bangkok, Bali and Beyond,” began appropriately today in the Thailand capital of Bangkok. Thailand is known to be one of the most, if not the most, popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The first day of a cruise is always a mix of anticipation and exhaustion. That is mainly because of a tedious flight from Regina starting Sunday evening and arriving in Bangkok some 20 plus hours later after flying in total darkness. We were naturally wiped with no chance to rest upon our arrival in the Bangkok International Airport. The Viking representatives met us at the airport and took us to the fabulous Estin Hotel and Golf Resort for breakfast followed by an eye-opening glimpse of the countryside around Bangkok. Once on the Viking Orion, we were registered and given safety instructions, a ship’s tour, cocktails and visiting with fellow passengers until our state room was ready. Our evening included a delightful halibut dinner and wine pairings in...
Read more

Cruise Update 5: A visit to Singapore, a city state that is an example to the world

Image
Our visit to the country and city of Singapore remains one of the most enjoyable of our travels anywhere in the world. Singapore, unlike most countries, is fascinating as well as distinct because of its history, its people and exceptional beauty. Our cruise docked in this stunning city for two days. During that time, we had three separate tours that allowed us to see most of the popular attractions. We had the opportunity to do a walking tour with friends, a river tour at night and a coach tour of the city highlights. Perhaps the most interesting, and somewhat unique attraction, is the world famous Marina Bay Sands complex. This site marks perhaps the most photographed and visited landmark in the country. Marina Bay Sands It is well-known for its unique architecture and unusual features, including the largest cantilever in the world, sometimes called a skateboard or ironing board. But the building is also a multi-use structure, from a business office, to residences, entertain...
Read more