BY ANGELA MAYALL | DESIGNER TRAVEL
Angela Mayall, from Designer Travels, talks about a once in a lifetime trip to Malaysia and Singapore
Having just returned from a fabulous multi centre trip to Malaysia and Singapore I cannot wait to share my experiences. I had the great pleasure of experiencing first-hand these amazing cultural destinations and the luxury products on offer.
Home to the world’s most ancient rainforest, Malaysia offers a fascinating mix of historical charm, jaw-dropping nature and cosmopolitan sophistication.
Taking advantage of the new BA direct service from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur you can connect very easily to Kota Kinabulu (Borneo) which is one of the most talked about destinations in Malaysia.
Our first stop was the beautiful Gaya Island Resort which had the real wow factor. Accessible only by boat the idyllic resort lies in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park off the coast of Kota Kinabulu. Perfect for honeymooners or those looking for peace and tranquility in a beautiful tropical environment.
The resort is in a marine conservation area and welcomes transport on foot. Guests are invited to engage in cultural and diving excursions, forested trails, culinary lessons or simply kick off their shoes and relax at the onsite Spa Village.
A highlight for me was the Tavajun Trek through the jungle – watch out for the bearded pig and the cheeky proboscis monkeys!
After three nights, we continued our journey to Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort and Spa which houses its very own nature reserve and many activities such as guided treks and a tree-top canopy walk.
This is where I experienced a rare opportunity to meet orangutans in the reserve’s rehabilitation centre – what an amazing experience to see these creatures in their natural habitat.
My final two nights were spent at Raffles – Singapore. This has to be Singapore’s most graceful landmark and is the absolute essence of colonial luxury.
Sip cocktails in the Long Bar, home of the legendary Singapore Sling, enjoy afternoon High Tea in the Tiffin Room or indulge in the Sunday Champagne Brunch.
I also had the chance to visit the Mandarin Oriental, another favourite of mine – great location with incredible views of the racetrack for Formula 1 fans.
Finally, Singapore has an international reputation for its unrivalled shopping, so pack some comfy shoes so you can shop til you drop!
For further information regarding these fabulous destinations/hotels or ideas for things to see and do there please email angela@designertravel.co.uk or call 01457 829797
You can also find out more online at: www.designertravel.co.uk/angelamayall
I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed your trip in Malaysia. For those of you inspired to visit Malaysia sometime, I’d highly recommend a mobile app that helps travellers compare currency exchange rates on the ground and locate the best money changers around them. Given the significant exchange rate disparity in the market, the app can help you save as much as 30% of your holiday cash depending on where you’re based in town. It can save you a lot of hassle running around to compare and find reasonable rates. Do check it out here http://www.currenseek.com and welcome to Malaysia!