Guide to MALACCA, Malaysia’s Oldest Settlement

So here comes a guide to Malacca, Malaysia’s oldest settlement on the Straits of Malacca. Therefore, it is heavily reflecting the country’s ever-changing history.

Chinese Row Houses in Malacca
Colonial Chinese Shop Houses.

Finally, in 2008, the city made it to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For an obvious reason: The city is culturally and culinarily a true treasure box.

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CUXHAVEN – walking on water

“The sun reflects strongly off the puddles, so don’t forget to put sun protection on your knee pits”, orders Ute pointing at my bare legs as we start walking on water off the shores of Cuxhaven.

Crossing the mudflat from Cuxhaven to the Neuwerk island.
Crossing the mudflat from Cuxhaven to Neuwerk island. About twelve kilometers lay ahead of us.

I already did, but under her strict eyes, I repeatedly do as I am told. I do everything Ute marshals. The next four hours, she will guide me together with about two dozen other hikers into the tideland off the shore of Cuxhaven. My life will depend on her knowledge and sense of orientation, after all.

We will be sort of walking on water – so I better listen to my leader.

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MALAYSIA – Asia’s Melting Pot – a complete guide

Since the Malayan people consists of various ethnicities and different religions, Malaysia is definitely Asia’s most fascinating melting pot.

Merdaka Square im Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia - Asia's Melting Pot
At Merdeka Square, the colonial past and today’s modernity come together.

Also, when it comes to tourism, the country has been stepping up a notch. However, it’s by far not overrun by tourists. Apart from the fascinating cultural mix, you’ll still find unspoiled nature and empty beaches.

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Five Highlights of KUALA LUMPUR – literally

Being Malaysia’s capital and one of Asia’s mega-cities, there are many sights and landmarks to experience in Kuala Lumpur – literally. So let me guide you to the five most important highlights of Kuala Lumpur and beyond.

View from the Batu Caves over the Lord Murugan Statue all the way to Kuala Lumpur
View of Kuala Lumpur from the most imposing landmark – the Lord Murugan Statue in front of the Batu Caves in the district of Selangor, 12 kilometers north of Malaysia’s capital.

In all honesty, all in all, it’s not such a great city. However, practically everyone is visiting. Because, basically, everyone has to: Kuala Lumpur has not only two major airports. There is also a reliable system of trains and long-distance buses.

Its location practically halfway between the northern border to Thailand and Singapore in the south makes Malaysia’s capital a great hub.

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Best Street Art in BRISTOL – Part I: From Nelson Street to Stokes Croft

Guys, did you really think I would come back from Bristol and not have a zillion photos of the best street art with me? Is it even possible to visit Bristol and remain indifferent to urban art? If so, I don’t see how to do it. In any case, I’m a weak-willed victim when it comes to street art in general, so Bristol was able to easily lure me into the rabbit hole of incredible tags and murals.
As there are so many works worth featuring, I’ve split my post on the Best Street Art in Bristol into two parts, and in this first one, I’ll introduce what there is to discover from ​​the shopping district around Nelson Street all the way to the rather rough neighborhood of Stokes Croft.

Street Art Bristol Nelson Street Stokes Croft: Mural by the TATS CRU,
A tribute to the cradle of street art by the Bronx-based Tats Cru.
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Guide to IPOH, Malaysia’s Most Underrated City

So here comes a Guide to Ipoh, Malaysia’s third-largest yet probably most underrated city and a two-hour train ride north of the capital. However, it is mostly considered a gateway: To the Cameron Highlands in the east or to Pangkor Island in the west.

Train Station in Ipoh, an Underrated City in Malaysia
Ipoh welcomes its visitors at a colonial building – the railway station, opened in 1917.

Still, Ipoh’s own attractions should not be underestimated: The Hakka Chinese heritage, mysterious cave temples, and bustling Asian city life.

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Guide to GEORGE TOWN in PULAU PENANG

This is a guide to George Town on Pulau Penang, after all, one of my favorite cities in all of Asia.

What makes it so special?
I don’t even know where to start.
It was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia and became – together with Singapore and Malacca –  a British crown colony in 1867.

View of the modern part of the city of George town from the Kek Lok Si Temple on Pulau Penang.
View of the modern part of the city of Georgetown from the Kek Lok Si Temple.

George Town, counting about 710,000 inhabitants, is Malaysia’s second-largest city and the capital of Penang Island.

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Guide to PULAU LANGKAWI – More Than Just a Beach

Guide to Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia’s northernmost island and actually geographically closer to its neighbor Thailand. Hence, it’s the same turquoise waters, white sands, swaying palms, and enchanting long tail boats as in Krabi and on the Andaman islands.

Beach on Pulau Langkawi
Lots of space for anyone on Pulau Langkawi.

But there are so much fewer tourists that you can actually enjoy it.

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Guide to PULAU PANGKOR – a Place for Lazy Dayz

While the most popular islands like the Perhentians or Tioman are on the otherwise very conservative and religious east coast, Pangkor is in the west, three hours from Kuala Lumpur, and even less from Ipoh.

Secluded Coral Beach
Secluded Coral Beach.

So hop on the ferry in Lumut and half an hour later, you’ll find yourself in a tropical paradise.

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PULAU PERHENTIAN, Tropical Paradise in Two Sizes

Pulau Perhentian – where a tropical paradise awaits divers and snorkelers alike with islands in two sizes.

pulau perhentian besar malaysia asia
My corner of the Perhentian Islands.

Perhentian in Malay means stopping point. It is pronounced perhentee-yan and refers to the once thinly populated islands having been a waypoint for traders between Bangkok and Malaysia.

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