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Everything you need to know before visiting Malaysia

Steamy, multi-cultural, and hugely underrated, Malaysia is Southeast Asia’s unsung tropical hero. Marrying tradition, nature, and modernity, it’s a country of space-age cityscapes, Islamic minarets, and gilded Chinese shrines. A world where South Indian temples back onto million-year-old rainforests. This mish-mash can confuse first-timers.

From what to pack to navigating the nation’s confounding ethnic and religious tapestry, these are the top things to know before you embark on a trip to Malaysia – an experience that can often feel like being in several countries at once.

Planning your trip to Malaysia

Malaysia is a dazzlingly diverse country

Be prepared for many types of culture shock. In multi-ethnic yet predominantly Islamic Peninsular Malaysia, a 69.8% majority of Malay Muslims share the land with ethnic Chinese, Tamil Indians, and a dozen aboriginal groups categorized as orang asli (original peoples). This means that red lantern-studded Chinese temples sit next to Hindu gopurams (temple gates) and the onion-shaped domes of intricate, modern mosques. Prayers go up to the sky in three main languages – Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil – and to three main religions: Islam, Chinese Taoism and Hinduism.

A short flight away across the South China Sea, the East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah in Borneo feel like another world. The former has some 26 different ethnic groups, most of whom are Christian or Protestant, while Sabah is home to another 33 who communicate in over 50 languages and 80 dialects.

Pack for an eternal summer – but carry a light jacket

Tropical Malaysia enjoys steamy temperatures hovering around 86°F (30°C) year long. All you really need to pack are light, loose fitting cotton clothes to best cope with heat and humidity, and a pair of sneakers and flip-flops. If you forget anything you can pick it up here. Also pack a hoodie or light jacket to prepare for the Malaysian habit of keeping air conditioning to frosty levels, especially inside shopping malls, buses and trains.

Technology is widely available…

Kuala Lumpur must be one of the world’s most futuristic cities, with ever-expanding highways, towers and skyscrapers eternally contending for space. Beyond the capital, there’s excellent 4G mobile network coverage and fast wifi at most hotels and guest houses across the nation. Celcom is the best operator when traveling the Peninsula’s jungly interior and Borneo.

…but carry cash in the interior

ATMS (cashpoints) are widely available, but thin out in the countryside, and are often hard to find outside of Borneo’s main cities. Stock up on the local currency, the Malaysian ringgit (equal to US$0.24 at the time of writing) if planning to go off the grid.

The food is something to write home about

The delightfully spicy intricacies of Malaysian food (a concoction of curries, southern Chinese cuisines, and pan-Indian dishes that never stop intermarrying) are best consumed fresh off the street, served without embellishments by cranky local “uncles” – slang for older person – on plastic plates.

The alternative is to sit and rub elbows with locals at a food court, or “hawker center” – large open areas, usually covered by a rooftop, packed with simple food stalls squeezed one against the other.

Partying is a bit more expensive

Compared to its backpacker-centric Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, Malaysia is a more expensive party destination because of heavy taxes on alcohol, which is forbidden to Muslims. The rest of the population is free to drink, but forced to pay a higher price.

Alcohol is widely available in major tourist cities like Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Ipoh, Melaka and Johor Bahru while in smaller towns, beer is most often available at Chinese-run businesses. The best antidote to steep drinks and cigarette prices is a visit to the tax-free islands of Langkawi and Tioman.

Etiquette in Malaysia

Dress casual but modest

Due to the constant punishing heat, Malaysia’s dress code is very casual. Wearing short pants, sandals, flip-flops and t-shirts is the accepted norm everywhere, but is considered rude when visiting public offices, where long slacks, close-toed shoes and collared shirts are expected. In Malaysia’s many kampung (villages), avoid revealing outfits to comply with local religious sensibilities.

Modesty is also essential when choosing your beach wear. Bikinis and speedos are fine at big hotels, resorts and the tourist islands off the East Coast, such as Pulau Perhentian and Pualu Redang. But it’s best to wear one piece bathing suits and knee-length swimming trunks on any other beach, where the locals dip fully clothed.

It’s OK to speak in English, if you don’t know Malay

Picking up some survival Bahasa Malaysia (Malay language), the national lingo, is pretty straightforward – with its Roman alphabet and absence of tones, it’s one of the easiest Asian languages to learn. But it’s fine to speak English, especially with Malaysian Chinese and Indians, whose mother tongues are not Malay. Blame it on the British colonization, but practically everyone can communicate in English, and most prefer to do so when talking to foreigners.

You might be unknowingly rude

When pointing at someone or something, use the thumb and not the index finger, which is considered rude in Malaysia. Always keep your voice down, for raising the tone is an absolute no-no – like asking direct questions, which many Malaysians may take as “losing face” or an invasion of their personal space.

When shaking hands, always remember to use your right hand, for the left is considered “toilet hand” in any Islamic culture. The only dining etiquette that matters in Malaysia is to never use the left hand when trying to eat with fingers like many locals do.

Respect nature, and its spirits

When a bunch of foreign tourists bared their bottoms on top of Mount Kinabalu in 2015, enraged Kadazan-Dusun locals blamed their act for the consequent magnitude 5.9 earthquake that killed at least 16 and snapped one of the sacred mountain top’s two iconic “Donkey Ear” outcrops.

Malaysians are very superstitious: The animist beliefs that predate the arrival of Islam to the Malay Peninsula have helped foster an uncanny supernatural world in which nature plays a crucial role. For example, it’s common to “ask for permission” before urinating in the jungle, from where locals never bring anything back for fear of piggybacking a curse into their own homes.

Whenever a group enters a forest, it’s best to give out nicknames or not call out each other at all – spirits are always listening. The orang bunian (invisible forest-dwelling creatures comparable to elves) can trick hikers and campers into following them deep into the jungle to never be seen again.

Health and safety in Malaysia

Call 999 for any emergency

A single three-digit number, 999, connects to the police, the fire department, the ministry of health, the maritime enforcement agency and the Department of Civil Defence. Dial 999 112 if calling from a mobile phone.

Boil the tap water

Because of increasing pollution of water sources and aging buildings fitted with rusted pipes, it’s always best to boil tap water before drinking, or buy mineral water. Most hotels allow guests to refill their water containers. Carrying a water filtration system or purifying tablets can come handy when striking out on multi-day hikes.

Vaccines are recommended

It is advisable to travel to Malaysia after being inoculated against Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid. Malaria is generally not an issue in cities and most forested areas, so a prophylaxis is not strictly necessary. Dengue fever occurs sporadically in cities, but as there are no vaccines for it, the best strategy is to not get bitten by mosquitoes – use heavy duty insect repellent.

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fashion

How to Find Your Personal Style: 5 Tips for Defining Your Style

The key to looking great isn’t following all of the latest fashion trends. It’s staying true to your personal style. But what if you don’t know what your style is? You can develop your unique style by searching for inspiration, creating a mood board, and experimenting with fashion.

What Is Personal Style?

Style refers to a person’s particular way of expressing themselves—whether that’s through clothing, writing style, or a style of architecture. In the fashion world, “style” is usually shorthand for “personal style,” or the way an individual expresses themselves through aesthetic choices such as their clothing, accessories, hairstyle, and the way they put an outfit together.

Style is timeless. Someone who is stylish may or may not follow fashion trends, but they always stay true to their own aesthetic. Personal style is about developing a sense of self rather than simply absorbing trends.

How to Find Your Personal Style in 5 Steps

Finding your personal style isn’t something you can do overnight. But there are strategies you can use to learn more about the clothing that works for you.

1. Look to your own closet. Think about the clothes you have that make you happy. What are your favorite items in your closet? Pull these pieces out and think about why they make you feel good. Notice what they have in common.

2. Find fashion inspiration. When looking for fashion inspiration, start with family and friends whose style you admire. Spend time on social media, and observe how friends and celebrities dress, from casual outfits like crop tops and leggings to work-ready blazers and turtlenecks. Blogs are full of fashion tips and inspiration, so find a few fashion bloggers whose style interests you and search through their archives for your favorite outfits. If there is a celebrity or an influencer whose style you like, try to find out who that celeb’s stylist is, and look to them for inspiration. Fashion magazines are another great source. Learn about different style types, and identify the ones with which you most align.

3. Create a fashion mood board. A mood board is a great way to work toward developing your personal style. Once you’ve gathered your fashion inspiration, compile the images into a mood board. Even if your inspiration feels all over the place, you might discover that a lot of your models are wearing denim jeans, a lot of them are wearing maxi dresses, a lot of them are wearing tops with ruffles—that’s still an overarching vibe or mood that you’re going for. Choose two or three images that exemplify the aesthetic of the group, and keep those images on your phone so that you can look at them when you’re out shopping.

4. Create a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of basics that you can mix and match to create effortless looks. These are classic pieces in neutral colors that go with everything: a little black dress, a denim jacket, simple T-shirts, a leather tote. You might already have some of these in your closet: Keep the ones that make you feel great, and replace everything else with basics that really work for you. These items may be simple, but they’ll help you show off your unique style by providing a foundation for more exciting pieces.

5. Experiment with unique style choices. Once you’ve built your capsule collection, it’s time to add unique pieces to your wardrobe that show off your style personality. This might involve some experimentation, so remember that it’s okay if you change your mind. Personal style is all about playing with fashion to discover which clothes make you feel your best. Start with bold accessories and pops of color and then work on mixing and matching prints and textures.

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travel

10 Manali Travel Tips To Vacay Like A Pro In This Himachali Paradise

10 Manali Travel Tips

Here, we have discussed the top 10 Manali travel tips for all types of tourists. Read them and keep in mind while holidaying in the beautiful hill station.

1. Manali Climate

Manali is situated 6,730 ft above mean sea level on the Himalayas. The highest peak in Manali is 19,683-ft. These varying mid to high altitude make this place a versatile climate in all 4-seasons. One can experience cool weather throughout the year due to its high-altitude. The summer season starts in April and ends in June. The day temperature may vary from 30-degrees Celsius to 37-degrees Celsius. Yet the night temperature may drop below 20-degrees Celsius in summer. July to November is the monsoon season. Heavy rainfalls happen in July and August. December to March is the winter season. Heavy snowfall happens during this season. It is best to avoid the rainy season, as roads are prone to get blocked due to landslides and falling of trees. The rest of the seasons are best to go for adventure sports and recreational activities in Manali.

2. Clothing For Manali Trip

Manali trip tips on clothing are to carry a sweater in all seasons. This is because one can experience cold wind during the day and night. If you are visiting in summer, pure cotton fabrics are the best to wear during the day. You may need warm clothing during the night as the temperature drops down. You may feel some heat if you stand in the same place. It is advisable to carry raincoats and rain boots if you are visiting here during the monsoon. The winter is too cold in Manali. You must pack a bunch of woolen clothing. The temperature drops down below freezing point too. You must carry a woolen sweater, scarf, shawl, and warm jackets. You can also buy the best in woolen fabrics from Manali. Most of the hotels do provide woolen blankets.

3. Foods To Eat In Manali

Food is not a problem for vegetarians and non-vegetarians once in the Manali tour. The Manali is famous for Himachali Apples. One of Manali travel tips is that you must try some garden fresh apples. Lamb is the main meat available than chicken in Manali. You can get fry, gravy and tandoori forms in restaurants and hotels. The vegetarians can try some baked items of flour and vegetable curries. It is not advisable to eat from street vendors. It can create stomach problems. It is advisable to drink mineral water. On your way, you can find many cafes. They are the best to beat the cold by drinking hot tea and coffee. However, you must enter one, which is in hygienic condition. This is because; most of these vendors are like quick delivery.

4. Accommodation In Manali

You can find the Kullu Manali travel guide with a wide range of accommodations. All-inclusive Manali tour packages are the best to book in peak season to avoid inconvenience to find the right stay in and around Manali. There are many Mountain View resorts for the honeymoon couples to stay with food and comforts. You can find many budget-friendly hotels in Manali town. A few hotels are attached to a bar and restaurant. It is advisable to check they provide food or not. If you hop and search, you can find one during the non-peak season. There are chances to get a homestay too. You can find marketing people approaching you for a homestay with food. Whichever accommodation you find, you must check for HVAC, woolen blankets and they provide hot water 24-hours. Without these, you cannot stay at night due to the very cold temperature prevailing in the night.

5. Currency

You can find a Manali travel guide with many ATMs and banks. Yet, foreign tourists must carry Indian Rupees for making all types of financial transactions. If you are traveling from Delhi, it is advisable to exchange your nation’s currency from the airport itself. You can find many money exchange service providers in the airport lounge. There are also Forex service providers in Manali Town. Moreover, there are many nationalized and private banks in Manali. They do accept currency exchange. You can find many ATMs of private and nationalized banks. Most of the shops and establishments accept credit cards and debit cards. It is advisable to utilize them and save liquid cash. This is because; you have to give cash for all modes of transportation available in Manali. The domestic travelers can make use of various UPI and e-modes of payments through various payments apps. Therefore, saving liquid cash is not a constraint once in Manali. It is advisable to carry adequate cash since this is a mountainous region.

6. Local Transportation In Manali

Kullu Manali travel tips are the best to read once you start from Kullu to reach Manali. Yet most of the tourists do come from New Delhi via road and flight. Most of the tourists land in Shimla. They travel by road to reach Manali. It is advisable to try the Kalka Shimla rail route, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site in Himachal Pradesh. The most affordable way to travel by road is through state government bus services. There are many private travels in Manali. They serve many types of SUVs to tourists to reach various attractions of Manali. Your all-inclusive Manali adventure tour will include local transportation too. Locally, you can find pony and yak to carry you to various tourist attractions of Manali. They are the best to hire to climb rough terrain.

7. Adventure Sports In Manali

Manali tips of adventure seekers are to book in advance during the peak season. This is because the paragliding timings and the number of parachutes available with sports club are limited. Moreover, this is a tandem paragliding. It is advisable to book online and come to Solang Valley one hour before your paragliding time. This is because they give proper safety instruction to the tourists willing to take paragliding in Manali. This is the finest way to see the enchanting beauty of the Solang Valley. Similarly, you can learn to ski from Manali. It is advisable to book a weeklong vacation and learn skiing from the Manali sports club. You can learn to ski within a week. You must also take permission for various trekking trails, which are close to the China international border. Visiting under any of the best Manali adventure tours are the best to come here in peak season. You must also take permission to trek in high-altitude mountain ranges in Manali.

8. Documents Necessary For Manali Travel

Travel tips for Manali foreign and domestic tourists are to keep handy more than one ID proof. The foreign tourists must carry their passport. You must also report your Manali tour with the local police station with your Manali itinerary. This is because the domestic and foreign tourists must show their identity to take part in various mountain adventure sports available in Manali. Moreover, it is necessary to show while taking permission to trek in the valley and passes of Manali. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board asks every tourist visiting here must carry more than one ID proof. International driving license is necessary for the foreign tourists if they are going to self-drive in the entire Manali tour by hiring a private travelers SUV. Most of the hotels do ask for your ID to permit you a room. You must also show your ID proof if the local police ask so.

9. Hiring A Local Guide

The foreign tourists and the first-timers are advised to hire a local guide once in the Manali tour. If you book an all-inclusive Manali tour package, you must check a local guide is included or not. If not, you must hire a registered travel guide only. They will plan according to your attraction visit preference and save you time and money. This is the best for a solo woman tourist too. A local guide is the best to hire if you come here for a 3-day visit. They will take you to all of the major attractions to see in Manali. It is advisable to hire a guide who speaks English and any foreign languages by foreign tourists. It will be better to fix their guide charges in advance. They usually never cheat the tourists. You can also give some tips if they have served you the best to explore Manali tourist attractions.

10. Tipping Culture In Manali

Manali is an international tourist destination under the Himalayan tour and skiing. Therefore the tipping culture is prominent in all hospitality serving places. You can give a tip below INR 100 in restaurants and bars. The hotel you stay does need to pay tips the day you vacate. You can pay together or individually as you wish. This can include your room cleaners, servers, and laundry. However, they will not compel for tips.

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travel

Five Tips That Will Make Your Travel Skincare More Effective

While it is extremely important to keep our skin hydrated, most of us usually forget to pay attention to it while travelling. Dermatologist Shari Marchbein tells Cosmopolitan, “Any change to your typical humidity, air quality, temperature, or sun exposure levels can lead to things like dryness, redness, and acne.” Meanwhile, an in-flight cabin crew member who has been flying for 13 years told the beauty site Byrdie that dehydration of the skin is one of the major concerns while flying.

So how do you keep your skin at its best while travelling? Worry not! We have curated a list of tips that might help you:

1. SPF

Do not forget to pack your sunscreen whenever you travel. Dermatologist Marchbein tells Cosmopolitan, that dry cabin air sucks the moisture out of your skin which causes premature ageing or even cancer. It is recommended that you use a cleanser, apply your moisturiser, and finish the skincare routine with a sunscreen with SPF 50 or more.

2. Hydrate yourself

While a topical application of moisturiser is recommended, it is also necessary that you consume enough water while travelling. Drinking water will help you deplaning with happy skin.

3. Sheet Masks

Loaded with moisturising serum, sheet masks will be your best friend during flight or even after it.

4. Lip Balm

It is not just your skin that needs moisture, but your lips as well. Speaking to Byrdie, a flight crew member for Monarch said that she uses lip balm which she can’t live without. “My lips get so dry on the plane, but that lip balm is amazing,” she said.

5. Vaseline

This basic and multi-purpose cosmetic item will be your saviour in many situations. The petrolatum jelly will moisturise, and even work as a highlighter for your skin if applied on the cheekbones and the tip of the nose.

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