4 Towns in Malaysia how do they compare.

Day 25: Living in Thailand

Needed a few groceries so a quick trip to Big C the equivalent of Win Dixie in the states, and home.

• Groceries 165 Baht - $5.55

Total for the day: 165 Baht $5.55 - Total Remaining: 600 Baht





Malacca, Pangkor Island, Penang and KL
The Malaysian visa situation for most nationalities, is that on arrival you will get a three-month visa totally free of charge a major plus over Thailand. The next plus is the food, as Malaysia comprises of three very diverse ethnic groups food choices are in abundance, making it easier for myself to find food that I really liked. I found Malaysia to be "cheaper / better value" than Thailand, except in one single area nightlife and alcohol. Malaysia will become very expensive if you need to go out and party on a regular basis.

I stayed in three different places, the first is Penang better known for it�s very Small Island called Georgetown. A world heritage site and well worth a visit. It is probably one of the better places in Malaysia and extremely westernized yet without been modern in the true sense, many westerners have chosen to make Penang home for good reason. Then I continued on down to Pangkor Island, a tiny island situated exactly midway between Kuala Lumpur and Penang "that�s the only reason I found it" I really like this island staying a lot longer than expected. Relatively cheap for an island its primary tourists come from KL for the weekend. Great people, food, beaches, laid back lifestyle with all mod cons. I spent a couple of nights in Kuala Lumpur, and was extremely impressed with it as a capital. Expensive yes, with a little bit of money one could live what could only be described as a western-style lifestyle at about one third of the cost, one would need to spend in a western capital, without missing a beat.

The last place I stayed in was a town called Malacca in the south of Malaysia on the coast, I had high hopes for this coastal town. Been predominantly Chinese it was as good as any place that I have stayed in Thailand; with one huge exception not a single beach anywhere within 100k if you can do with out the beach, Malacca can be considered a gem, very cheap, easy accommodation, great people, choice of food off the scale, and all mod cons. I came very close to calling it a day and hanging my hat here.

To sum it up in Malaysia has a lot to offer, and is somewhere that I consider be a good option if you're coming to Asia to work on your own projects and live cheaply without sacrificing western conveniences.

   Continue Reading Day 26: Two border towns on the west coast of Thailand.