Is it? The hidden perspective
Malaysia is known to the world as peninsula attracting tourists from all over the world. Once a hometown for world highest Petronas towers , this country accommodates beautiful beaches and islands.
My journey to Malaysia
I was quite excited after being super amazed by the diverse range of attractions Malaysia would offer. I imaginedabout visiting sandy beaches, spending vacation at resorts and enjoying the best of time. The deciding factor for me was that Malaysia is an Islamic country as compared to neighboring countries. Moreover, I love to try all kinds of different food as long as it is Halal. Finally I decided to have an exotic time ahead and traveled to Malaysia,I had a perspective of Malaysia being a Muslim country. But wait, i was wrong. As of the time of writing this blog, what many don't know that in Malaysia (Malay -sia) , three cultures have sub-communities.
1. Malay - 50.4%
2. Chinese - 23.7%
3. Indian (of South Indian Origin mostly speaking Tamil)
4. Others 10% -
The dilemma is people from Chinese origin and Indian origin are Buddhist and comprise around half of the Malaysia population. Thus to my shock, Malaysia is not only a Muslim country, but Buddhist practices are quite common everywhere. There are temples almost at all KTM (train) stations. Strangely, mosques are also nearby. Strange enough is that at an Islamic prayer time, one could hear the whistles and music from nearby Temple. Those who don't believe me, take a direct KTM commuter from Kuala Lumpur central station to Batu Caves, it will provide a splendid view of stronghold of Buddhists in this supposed to be an Islamic country
Malaysian Breakfast
I decided to lunch-out and dine-out for first couple of weeks to get our taste buds working. There is plenty of street food. For breakfast, Malay prefer Nasi Lemak. It includes a fried or a boiled egg, some rice, peanuts and smelly tiny fish called Anchovies. Believe you me, smell at the restaurants at the time of breakfast is unbearable. On my second day, i tried Nasi Goereng (Fried Rice) and it came with red chilly sauce. After tasting this sauce i had to gargle for sometimes to get rid of smelly taste. On checking with restaurant management it dawned on us that this sauce is actually a paste of red chillies and Anchovies (that same little smelly fish). Similarly, at another occasion, when I ordered Chicken Pizza from Domino's, it had Anchovies topping. I have lived in different cities of Malaysia for about 18 months, i still find it strange why Malaysians would happily eat a smelly tiny fish.I would like to mention here that when flying from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur via Royal Brunei airline, next to me was an elderly chatty British couple seated. There son was living and working in Kuala Lumpur for many years and the have visited him many times. As they learned i was going to Malaysia for the first time, they warned me. Old man revealed to me that his very last visit was ruined by food poisoning due to unhygienic street food and was hospitalized for a week.. Not paying heed to advice form elderly couple, in my 9th month of stay, i was hospitalized for 5 days due to food poising and excessive diarrhea
But i enjoyed good food as well. First few months into my stay in Malaysia, i continued eating out and used to visit a well known local restaurant at lunch time where i usually order Fried fish, Udang Tapung (Prawns dipped in Gram flour and deep fried),
Haze In Malaysia
Due to smoke from illegal forests
burning activity in neighboring Indonesia, Malaysian air reaches 'unhealthy'
levels off and on, for
three months in a year. Malaysia , Truly Asia is covered with low to medium haze, specially the cities such as Port Klang and Shah Alam which are withing 30 minutes drive of the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. I consider it a health hazard as it leaves people with Asthama and breathing related complications.
Rise in Dengue fever in Malaysia
Dengue fever, a topical virus spread by mosquito, is a global
burden. It has grown significantly around the world in recent decades. But in Malaysia Dengue
fever cases have increase by 3 folds in 2014 as compares to cases recorded in
2010. Every other week in our condominium, they would spray to kill mosquitoes.
Even then, all of my friends and myself were infected by dengue fever. I was hospitalized
for three days.
Comments