Malaysian islands to visit

Behold your very own castaway paradise; the hidden gems of Malaysia unveiled.

Malaysian islands to visit

Behold your very own castaway paradise; the hidden gems of Malaysia unveiled.

If you're an escapist at heart, craving for a taste of tiny well-preserved islands, look no further.

Weather tip:
The east coast is afflicted with monsoon rain from November to March (some islands may be closed); the West Coast, however, has welcoming weather all year round.

Pulau Lang Tengah, Terengganu

Photo: Rachel Lai

Are you ready to experience il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing)? Situated between Redang and Perhentian Islands, this is the perfect respite for those seeking isolation. Occupied by only three resorts development, crowd wrestling will be the least of your worries.

Pulau Rawa, Johor Bahru

Photo: Rachel Lai

Imagine a private island on the South China Sea, a 45-minute boat ride from Mersing, or four hours from Singapore. Secluded and serene, it takes the idea of remoteness to a whole new level. A gorgeous sunset everyday perfects the picture.

Pulau Mabul, Borneo

Photo: Doreen Loo

This 'baby Sipadan' will definitely inspire you to get your diving license! Its sublime sea and the precious world beneath the surface have garnered the interest of divers and photographers from around the world, seeking for exotic creatures amidst the huge coral reefs.

Pulau Tioman, Pahang

Photo: Aina Ghani

Being the habitat to wildlife and lush greeneries, this is home to environmentalists aiming to conserve Mother Nature. Famous for its turtle watching season, many volunteers reside there to help preserve turtle sanctuaries, for shelter and food in return. What better way to contribute to the environment than on a blissful setting? Join The Juara Turtle Project program, for RM120 per day.

Pulau Langkawi, Kedah

Credit: Aina Ghani, Tourism Malaysia

A cluster of 99 islands 45 minutes way from Kuala Kedah, this duty-free haven is a mystical one with much to explore. Pantai Cenang has evolved into a whole new exciting scene. Reggae bar is now known as 'Babylon', and nestled on the beach itself. Don't forget to get onto the cable car on Pantai Kok, unwind by the 7 well waterfalls and island hop to Pulau Payar, Pulau Singa Besar & Pulau Beras Basah.

Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu

Credit: Tourism Malaysia

This heavenly spot, 21km from Kuala Besut Jetty, is a favorite pick amongst international backpackers with a wide array of budget chalets and fancy resorts to choose from.

Pulau Kapas, Terengganu

Credit: Tourism Malaysia

6km off Marang Jetty, this snorkeling sanctuary has cotton like sandy beaches. From diving with dazzling coral reefs, to lazing and sunbathing on soft sands, you'll find creative ways to pamper yourself.

Pulau Sapi, Kota Kinabalu

Credit: Tourism Malaysia

Want to walk underwater with a spacesuit? Try it with the 'Borneo Seawalking Company', in a tiny part of Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, one of Sabah's 5 preserved magic isles. Only 15 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu by boat, this is a perfect destination for a day trip.
Entry fee: RM3 for Malaysians, RM10 for foreigners

Pulau Tinggi, Johor

Credit: Thinkstock.com

As one of the unknown paradises hidden long the Southern tip of Johor, its placidity is one of a kind. A soaring 600 meters above sea level, it's an hour boat journey from Tanjong Leman Jetty. Pay a visit to one of the 3 fishing villages residing on the land for the ultimate local experience

 

Malaysians offended with rapper Nelly’s tweet: “50% of the crowd can’t even speak English”

Rapper’s tweet sparked debate in the Twitter-verse after his performance at ‘Suara Kami’ – but was he misinterpreted?

Wireimage

The Malaysian Twitter-verse was none too pleased when rapper Nelly tweeted that "...50% of the crowd can't even speak English but they can sing every word!"

Twitter

The rapper - who was in town for Astro's 'Suara Kami' concert on Saturday - seemed to have cause offense with his comment, prompting many Malaysians to tweet in response:

Twitter

While Nelly apologised for causing offense to his Malaysian fans, heated responses had already started to flood his timeline.
It wasn't all angry messages though, as some fans (including local songstress Yuna) tweeted 'thank you' messages to the rapper for his performance.
Click through to see the tweets from Nelly and some of the responses from Malaysians.

Top-ranked taxis around the world

London's cabs have been voted the best in the world in a new survey from Hotels.com, coming in ahead of New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Here, a look at some of the other contenders for the title of world's greatest taxis.

1. London



London's cabs are a globally recognized symbol of their city, almost as familiar as its red buses. There are 21,000 on the road.

2. New York



The yellow New York taxi is a favorite with audiences the world over, making regular appearances in TV shows and movies.

3. Hong Kong



Hong Kong's taxis are either red or green, but they're almost always manufactured by Toyota.

4. Tokyo



Tokyo's taxis are expensive but high-tech; many include on-board Wi-Fi.

5. Singapore



Singapore boasts a fleet of over 25,000 taxis.

6.  Bangkok



Bangkok's taxis are cheap and cheerful, often decorated in bright colors that would be unthinkable in London or New York.

7.  Berlin



Almost all German taxis are a neutral beige color, although there aren't that many in Berlin - around 7,000.

8. Dublin



It is said that there are more taxis in Dublin than there are in New York, making getting a lift in the Irish capital very easy.

9. Madrid



There are some 15,000 taxis in Madrid, all white with the diagonal red bar and the Madrid coat of arms.