To know Malaysia

Last week, I was sitting next to a lady from India in an open lecture class. We were chitchatting while waiting for the lecture to start. She told me about her holiday plan to Malaysia this summer and she has never been in Malaysia before. She asked briefly about Malaysia, the weather, the places and all. Since she has 2 children below 12 years old, I was suggesting places which I think would be fun for kids. 

I remembered when a colleague to hubby whom previously an expatriate in Malaysia told us that he and his family enjoyed being in Malaysia. He quoted: "if you drive in any direction within 2 hrs from Kuala Lumpur, you'll always find interesting places for family activities, unlike in Doha" I couldn't agree more. 

Map of Peninsular Malaysia - google pix

So in my entry this time, I'm suggesting 10 interesting places for family with kid/s. It would not be the best places but those I think are fun and suitable for family activities and they are either in KL or within +/- 2hrs drive from KL. Most importantly my family & I have been there. Been there, done that! I can't suggest places that I've never been before ;p

I just throw the list and for further info, one can google about it. The sequence is of no particular order. 

Let's start with KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre), the highest twin tower in the world and the centre of attraction in Kuala Lumpur. In Klcc itself, there are fun places for kids. Bring them to Petrosains and Aquaria. Bet they'll love them :)

Klcc at night

1. Petrosains - on level 4 in Klcc.

The pix dinosour was taken in the Petrosains.

2. Aquaria - Concourse level in Klcc.

3. Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

A favourite water park among children, 30 minutes drive from Klcc unless stuck in the traffic jam during peak hours. 

Let's go to the zoo!

4. Zoo Negara (National Zoo) 
The location is in Kuala Lumpur itself, 20 minutes from Klcc.

For more info, pls visit: http://www.zoonegaramalaysia.my

For those who love nature, they can go to Sungai Congkak in Ulu Langat, approximately 50km away from Kuala Lumpur and 1 hour drive.

5. Sungai Congkak

For those who love cool weather, they can go up to Genting Highland which approximately 1 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Cable car to the peak of Genting Highland

Genting Higland Theme Park

6. Genting Highland

Let's go to the beach. Within 1hr drive, we can reach Port Dickson. There are quite a number of good hotels and resorts along the beach. If you stay in Avillion, apart of wading pool (as most hotels will provide) they have pet farm for children and kids obviously love it.

7. Port Dickson

I love travel to Malacca for its heritage values and it has been among the top tourist spot. Driving there from Kuala Lumpur takes around 1.5 to 2 hrs and on the way within 45 mins drive, we'll pass the A Famosa Resort. Other than water park, it has the animal world theme. 

Drive further to Malacca, to be specific in Ayer Keroh, we can go to the Malacca Zoo, a comparable zoo to the National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur.

A Famosa Resort map - google pix

A Famosa Animal World

8. A Famosa Resort

Safari Park in Malacca Zoo

 9. Zoo Melaka (Malacca Zoo)

Let's drive to Kuantan, another nearby city in Pahang. Pahang has a lot to offer especially for those who love nature and outdoor experience such as hiking and camping in Mount Tahan and National Park and also famous for its beautiful beaches and resorts. By the way, the focus in this entry is for the near distance travelling for family with kids. Another option is to go to Gambang water park in Kuantan and driving there from KL via highway is approximately 2hrs.

10. Gambang Water Park

Again, the 10 places above are only few among interesting places for family within Kuala Lumpur and nearby areas (+/-2hrs drive from Kuala Lumpur). At least to give some ideas for the first timers to Malaysia :)