Malaysia: Rich in Diversity

I did so much travelling during my twenties. However, this was more often living and working abroad; rather than pure ‘backpacking’, so to speak. But there was one place I did manage to travel, in the traditional sense. And that was Malaysia.

The Petronas Towers

A country that I picked purely because I had four weeks to fill, and Kuala Lumpur was the cheapest place to fly to between New Zealand and the USA. What an amazing piece of luck that turned out to be! To follow were astounding meanders amidst new formed friendships, prodigious parties, enviable experiences that you can only read about, and even better ones you don’t.

These unbelievable scenes took place in a travel movie, which was set in the city, the jungle, the beach; more cities, more jungles, a mountain and one mighty hangover.

The shadow of Mt. Kinabalu cascading for miles, as Borneo greets the sun for a new day.

A variety of ancient beliefs, traditions and cultures are hand in hand with the modern Western push. Shiny new cars driving on clean streets between magnificent skyscrapers, under the glow of soft warm restaurant lights with glimmers of vibrant neon from the fancy bars. The ambience of laughter and relaxed, intellectual conversation, hums through in a variety of accents and languages.

But this modern push has a dark side too. So many square miles of jungle are lost every day, just to clear the land to plant palm trees for palm oil. Cultivated in regimented rows, squatted and stunted; these natural factories hide behind walls, whose gates are often guarded by men at arms. None of the previous inhabitants will ever call that land home again.

Of course, it’s not all doom and gloom; but that shouldn’t be ignored either. I stayed with a tribe in Borneo, who lived so remotely that to visit, I had to travel for over an hour across a lake and up a river into the jungle. Yes, it was in one of those narrow boats you always see on TV. Yes, I constantly felt like I was going to fall in; and ever so tightly clutched my camera to my chest, for what it was worth.

 

As traditionally as they live, even the tribes people have modern technology as a part of their lives now. But they embrace it; they told me how proud they were of their children (and grandchildren) for going to study at university. Clearly pleased that their youngsters are also able to take advantage of the ever-expanding opportunities of the modern age.

A man fishing on the Tembeling River, our route into the Taman Negara jungle.

On another boat trip into the jungle. My first, into the Taman Negara. I saw a man fishing using a net, and a group of naked children with their mothers, coming to the river to bathe. People still living traditional lives.

The next day we ventured further still into the jungle, to meet a tribe who lived in cosy huts, constructed from the natural materials around, and raised off the floor on wooden stilts in case the river flooded. They showed us how they lived and we were able to share stories in return. This clearly wasn’t their first rodeo entertaining technological dependent foreigners, and we all had a truly entertaining and captivating day!

A beautiful sunset ends another day, and starts another party, on Pulau Perhentian Kecil.

Then you come back to the city and everyone is on their phone, getting angry in traffic, dancing to loud music. But, it’s still fun. You’re with your new friends, celebrating the shared, inimitable experiences you had in the jungle, and on the paradise island beaches.

Hanging out in the communal area of a traditional and authentic Iban Long House.

And that is why Malaysia is rich in diversity.

 

 

To be continued…

 

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

242 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Pamela1141
Pamela1141
1 day ago
Abigail3493
Abigail3493
5 days ago
Isla1171
Isla1171
6 days ago
trackback

minoxidil male treatment overview

minoxidil male treatment overview

trackback

minoxidil foam vs liquid results

minoxidil foam vs liquid results

bcasinologin
bcasinologin
13 days ago

Fast access and no hassle with the account setup. It is great to have a stable link for bcasinologin that actually works every time.

casinobitcoin
casinobitcoin
13 days ago

Love the anonymity and speed of crypto gaming. This is definitely the most reliable spot for BTC players. Check out casinobitcoin if you hate waiting for withdrawals.

vnjokerbet
vnjokerbet
13 days ago

I’ve been playing here for a few weeks now and the payouts are surprisingly fast. Really enjoying the game variety on vnjokerbet so far!

brt365casino
brt365casino
13 days ago

Super impressed with the speed of deposits and withdrawals. No hidden fees and everything is transparent. Go to brt365casino

22betappios
22betappios
13 days ago

The app performance is incredibly smooth on my iPhone. Betting on the go has never been this convenient. Check out 22betappios

ececuabetquito
ececuabetquito
13 days ago

Finally found a site that actually delivers on its promises. The customer support is top notch and very responsive. Love ececuabetquito

Garrett2811
Garrett2811
14 days ago
Irma4829
Irma4829
14 days ago
Dorian4221
Dorian4221
16 days ago
trackback

terbinafine known side effects

terbinafine known side effects

Florence3555
Florence3555
19 days ago

Последние новинки музыки 2026 скачать бесплатно – https://shorturl.fm/rrdv9

Eric2365
Eric2365
19 days ago
Henrietta4515
Henrietta4515
19 days ago

Новинки музыки 2026 скачать бесплатно https://shorturl.fm/pj0rJ

Frederick4974
Frederick4974
20 days ago
Leslie1455
Leslie1455
21 days ago
Ivy204
Ivy204
25 days ago
Jude1679
Jude1679
26 days ago
Jayden1324
Jayden1324
26 days ago
Giovanni295
Giovanni295
29 days ago
Abby2289
Abby2289
1 month ago
Frances583
Frances583
1 month ago
trackback
1 month ago

orlistat name origin

orlistat name origin

trackback

liraglutide vs semaglutide side effects

liraglutide vs semaglutide side effects

London3196
London3196
1 month ago
Randy3533
Randy3533
1 month ago
Maliyah2828
Maliyah2828
1 month ago
sugarph
sugarph
1 month ago

Sugarph is okay. Nothing spectacular but it gets the job done. Reliable enough. Pwede na! Give sugarph a spin.

nustargameloginregister
nustargameloginregister
1 month ago

NuStarGameLoginRegister process is quick and painless. Registration is easy and logging in is even easier! Check it out here nustargameloginregister

39jili
39jili
1 month ago

39jili’s site is mobile-friendly which is perfect. I can play anywhere I am. Easy access is a + from me. Why not visit: 39jili

Alejandra1150
Alejandra1150
1 month ago
okbetapp
okbetapp
1 month ago

OkBetApp is da best for sports betting and casino games. I always bet here! Always looking forward to more panalo! Try your luck: okbetapp

tg777slot
tg777slot
1 month ago

TG777Slot is my go-to! Super smooth gameplay and the bonuses are lit! Sulit talaga! Check it out here: tg777slot

zcashcoin
zcashcoin
1 month ago

Great resource for beginners and pros alike. I appreciate the detailed breakdowns and the community vibe of the site. zcashcoin

Dorothy2566
Dorothy2566
1 month ago
888bet
888bet
1 month ago

Just found ten minutes to relax and check out this Filipino gaming hub! The 888bet apk download seems perfect for my commute. Love the GCash support too! 888bet apk

365jl
365jl
1 month ago

That’s a great point about balancing skill & luck in shooting games! Platforms like 365jl app casino really emphasize fair play, which is key for a good experience. Transparency builds trust, right? It’s cool to see regulated options emerging in the Asian market.

trackback
1 month ago

kamagra gelis

kamagra gelis

jilicrownapk
jilicrownapk
1 month ago

Interesting breakdown! From a technical angle, mastering the process is key. Check out Jilicrown APK for structured learning; it mirrors solid algorithm deconstruction.

trackback

semaglutide vergoeding zilveren kruis

semaglutide vergoeding zilveren kruis

2222bet
2222bet
1 month ago

The interface seems intuitive, which is key. While the variety mentioned is good, I’m more focused on the underlying structure; check out 2222bet লগইন for a feel for the real action.

James4532
James4532
1 month ago
Brandy4262
Brandy4262
2 months ago
phlwin
phlwin
2 months ago

It’s fascinating how slot mechanics are evolving! Seeing platforms like phlwin focus on teaching new players is a smart move – builds confidence before diving in. A guided start is key to enjoying the experience!

Caitlin185
Caitlin185
2 months ago
jljl77 apps
jljl77 apps
2 months ago

The tension between rapid modernization and ecological preservation is a critical global challenge. Malaysia’s narrative highlights that sustainable economic development requires integrating green tech and ethical supply chains. Balancing these complex systems is as intricate as mastering the mechanics of jljl77 apps games.

242
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x