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Backpacking-Asia.com - Your travel source for South-East Asia
Kuching

Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak on Borneo. Kuching is the most populous city in the state of Sarawak and the fourth largest city in Malaysia. Kuching means “cat” in Malay.

Penang

Penang is the name of an island in the Straits of Malacca, and also of one of the states of Malaysia, located on the north-west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite. The city Georgetown is the 2nd biggest city in Malaysia and traveller′s hub.

Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang
backpackingasia.net would like though say thanks to the following recommended partners:

Red Palm Hostel, Kuala Lumpur

Red Palm Hostel, Kuala Lumpur

Small award-winning hostel for backpackers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.redpalm-kl.com
Blue Guru Dive Centre, Kuraburi

Blue Guru Dive Centre, Kuraburi

Dive centre located in Kuraburi, Thailand offering affordable dive trips to the magnificent Surin Islands and Richelieu Rock.
www.blue-guru.org
Betel Box Hostel and Tours, Singapore

Betel Box Hostel & Tours, Singapore

backpacker hostel in Singapore's Katong and Geylang district offering a variety of tours
www.betelbox.com
Travellers Palm Lodge, Kuala Lumpur

Travellers Palm Lodge, Kuala Lumpur

charming hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.travellerspalm-kl.com
Images From Under, Underwater Video Production Asia

Images from Under

Underwater video production in Asia by Rems Production. Images from Under supplies information and media content for the dive section of Backpacking Asia.
www.imagesfromunder.com
Equator Hostel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Equator Hostel, Kuala Lumpur

vibrant backpacker hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.equatorhostel.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Airport tax

Airport tax is already included in the ticket prices. There is also no fee to pay when leaving the country.

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PRESS ARTICLES
Ethnic unity ushers in a new phase in Malaysia (The Age)

Malaysia had it’s 12th general election on march 8, 2008 and it turned into a political tsunami with a strong opposition. This article sums in up nicely.

STORIES
Thaipusam Festival
Every year end of January / beginning of February it is time for the spectacular Thaipusam Festival which is expected to draw more than one million devotees and visitors to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur but there are also precessions in Georgetown/Penang and Singapore. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. Especially images of devotees piercing their cheeks, tongue, face or other suitable body parts with sharp objects make this event memorable.