How Two Travelers Found Confidence (and Baby Turtles) in Malaysia
Two friends, Emily and Mette, recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Malaysia, a prize won through a competition with KILROY and Tourism Malaysia. The journey provided not only breathtaking landscapes and encounters with exotic wildlife but also a significant opportunity for personal growth.
Malaysia, often overlooked as a travel destination - sitting between popular Thailand and Indonesia - proved to be an impressive, well-functioning, and incredibly welcoming country.
Here is the story of their adventure, from the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur to the remote jungles of Borneo, offering inspiration for your next South East Asia trip.
Winning a trip to Malaysia is nice, timing is key
Mette & Emily were the lucky winners of our competition in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia back in the fall of 2024. And while most of us would probably be desperate to take off as soon as possible, our two friends remained patient. For Mette, the trip was a much-needed breath of fresh air after submitting her master’s thesis this Summer. For Emily, the months leading up to the departure were crucial for managing anxiety, allowing her the mental preparation needed to face a new continent. What they returned with was not just a collection of stamps in their passports, but a testament to how stepping outside your comfort zone - even into the chaos of a foreign city - can build genuine confidence.
Sandwiched between the popular tourist hubs of Thailand and Indonesia, Malaysia often gets overlooked. But what started as a lucky prize quickly became a profound journey of self-discovery, culminating in surprising encounters with wildlife and a realization of the country’s amazing hospitality.
The Challenge of starting over
The first stop, Kuala Lumpur (KL), immediately put Mette’s nerves to the test. Navigating a large, new metropolis was challenging, despite the city's surprisingly excellent infrastructure and public transport. KL, however, proved frustratingly unwalkable for the two friends. Despite an equally challenging start for Emily, the process of facing her fears head-on alongside a supportive friend like Mette was empowering:
“This trip, for me, has helped give me the belief that I can do it, despite the anxiety. I realized that already from the beginning of the trip.”
Mette observed that Emily grew significantly during their time away, particularly as she managed the challenges that hit hardest at the beginning of the journey.
From City to Nature’s Contrasts
Their itinerary quickly moved from city streets to the breathtaking natural beauty of the mainland. A short drive brought them to the intense jungle environment of Taman Negara National Park and the cool elevations of the Cameron Highlands. This section of the tour provided "insanely beautiful" natural contrasts in a short amount of time.
They attempted a walk in Taman Negara to reach a viewpoint, but anxiety forced them to turn back before reaching the summit, serving as a reminder of the emotional challenges still present. Although they did not spot much wildlife in the national park, they were still able to immerse themselves in the jungle atmosphere.
The Perfect Break: Relaxation and Conservation on Gaya Island
Following the high pace of the first week - where they rarely stayed anywhere longer than two consecutive nights - the friends acknowledged they were "pretty exhausted". Well-knowing that this could be the reality, they added a necessary break on Gaya Island prior to departure. This small island, mostly comprised of jungle with only a few resorts, offered five-star luxury and a focus on conservation. They visited a private beach where marine biologists managed a coral reef nursery and treated large, sick sea turtles.
The break was invaluable. They recommend integrating such downtime into any similarly packed tour, allowing travelers to "switch off the brain" after intense periods of sightseeing.
Borneo: Group Dynamics and a High-Stakes Highlight
Refreshed, the girls flew to Kota Kinabalu to join an 8 day structured group tour on Borneo. The group was small (10–12 people) but surprisingly diverse in age, with the oldest member being 72 and Emily being the youngest. Initially, Emily was nervous about the structure of a group tour, particularly concerning the fixed schedule and the potential inability to take time for herself. However, she quickly found the program easy to follow, noting that the group quickly bonded and that everyone was such sweethearts.
Borneo delivered the expected encounters with wildlife, including elusive Orangutans at Sepilok and a lucky coincidence where turtles were hatching near Pulau Libagan. Especially the last experience witnessing the hatchlings race down the beach and into the ocean was the defining moment of the journey, and a memory that has stuck with the girls.
“We were allowed to release the baby turtles - twice. Both in daylight and at night. That was a magical moment”.
The Unexpected Verdict on Malaysia
Overall, both Emily and Mette enthusiastically recommend Malaysia. They were continually impressed by its high level of organization, felt very safe and the locals they met were welcoming and friendly. While we could easily have told them this before they traveled to Malaysia, it's always nice to get it confirmed.
Regarding cuisine, while they enjoyed the food and noted that especially the fried rice was good, they often stuck to safer choices to avoid getting sick. Mette was in particular proud to report that this was the first time she had traveled in Asia without getting sick.
The Final Lesson in Balance
For future travelers, Mette and Emily concluded that the perfect trip involves a blended approach: structured group tours, self-planned elements (like the Gaya Island break), and solo exploration. While the group tour allowed them to "switch off the brain", it was also a (good) challenge to let go of control and not being able to immerse with the surroundings in their own pace.
Ultimately, their prize trip to Malaysia - a country that exceeded expectations in terms of functionality and hospitality - was far more than a vacation. It was a healthy challenge that taught them the value of flexibility and allowed Emily to leave her anxiety behind. Their journey stands as a testament to the rewards of embracing new environments, whether that means taking the leap to join a group tour or simply stepping onto a plane despite personal fears.
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