Oh, you pretty things
July 2012

Malaysia has two lovely, perfectly placed little shops both called Bon Ton -- one each on holiday islands Penang and Langkawi. All the fabulous original stuff here is sourced by Australian Narelle McMurtrie -- who also owns the quirky historical hotels Bon Ton, Temple Tree and Straits Collection. [...]

A string of quiet gems
December 10, 2011

I first went to the Perhentians in 1997 after meeting an American woman in Hong Kong who was on a round-the-world trip and, having criss- crossed south-east Asia, spoke passionately about these two small specks cast out from Malaysia in the South China Sea. [...]

A string of quiet gems
December 10, 2011

I first went to the Perhentians in 1997 after meeting an American woman in Hong Kong who was on a round-the-world trip and, having criss- crossed south-east Asia, spoke passionately about these two small specks cast out from Malaysia in the South China Sea. [...]

A string of quiet gems
December 10, 2011

I first went to the Perhentians in 1997 after meeting an American woman in Hong Kong who was on a round-the-world trip and, having criss- crossed south-east Asia, spoke passionately about these two small specks cast out from Malaysia in the South China Sea. [...]

The other side of Malaysia
November 19, 2011

In the water, the wide-eyed fish are so curious they butt my goggles. By night, the only sound is the croaking of geckos and the rhythmic chirruping of crickets. [...]

Malaysia's unsung islands
November 19, 2011

There were beach shacks for a dollar a night. For another dollar you could eat three meals a day: fried rice, spicy curries, mangoes and fresh lime juice. I wanted to stay for ever – and could nearly have afforded it. [...]

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
November 2011
A serious new player on Malaysia’s spa scene, set between astonishing fingers of karstic limestone and lime-green tropical vegetation. [...]

Detours de force
October 7, 2011
From city towers to tea plantations, seeing the sights - and then some - is a doddle in a hire care, writes Michelle Jana Chan. [...]

Malaysia: the road to Penang
September 17, 2011
Want to explore Malaysia from city towers to tea plantations? It's a doddle in a hire car, says Michelle Jana Chan. [...]

Malaysia Airlines v Air Asia X
September 17, 2011
Michelle Jana Chan compares Malaysia Airlines, the country's national carrier with Air Asia X, its no-frills rival. [...]