Malaysia

By Sebastian LaTorre

Kuala Lumpur Petronas Towers

Neon Streets, Green Hills, and the Momentum of the Road

Crossing North

I leave Singapore by bus, choosing a VIP coach with oversized seats and claiming the front row. This is my first independent bus journey in Southeast Asia, and I’m glued to the window as the city fades into greenery and I cross into Malaysia.

The ride itself is uneventful, but stepping off the bus in Kuala Lumpur feels electric. I walk two miles from the station to my hostel in Chinatown, weaving past food stalls, neon signs, and endless motion. Somewhere in the distance, a massive spire cuts into the skyline.

I stay at Mingle Hostel Chinatown. Before I can even check in, I wander through Petaling Street, soaking in the noise, smells, and color. Kuala Lumpur feels layered and alive, cultures stacked on top of one another without apology.

Kuala Lumpur Nights

That first night, I meet Sam from Scotland. We become friends instantly. Over dinner, we make plans for the days ahead.

The next morning, we head to the Batu Caves. Giant statues, rainbow staircases, monkeys darting between tourists. We climb step after step into the cave, surrounded by humidity and echoes bouncing off stone walls.

That night, back at the hostel, a free dinner turns into one of those evenings where strangers become friends effortlessly. I meet Sophie and Ella from Australia, and later we all walk toward the Petronas Twin Towers to watch the light show. We end the night hopping between bars and rooftop terraces, talking under the glow of the towers. A long conversation high above the city turns into a friendship that carries forward through the rest of the trip.

Cameron Highlands and Rain

Sam and I leave the city for the Cameron Highlands, chasing cooler air and greenery. It rains nonstop. We go anyway.

We hike muddy trails, drink local beer and cider, and wander through tea plantations disappearing into mist. We climb toward Puncak Gunung Jasar, surrounded by silence and fog. One afternoon, we sprint after a pickup truck full of French travelers and jump into the back, hitchhiking through the hills.

At night, a jungle hostel bar centers around a pool table. A confident guy from Pakistan runs the table all evening until I beat him on my first try. He is not pleased.

Penang and the Climb

Sam and I split ways, and I take a bus to George Town. I arrive late, soaked and exhausted. The next morning, I throw away my waterlogged shoes and switch to sandals that will last the next two months.

I decide to hike Bukit Bendera. No ride to the trailhead means a seven-kilometer walk before the climb even begins. Two thousand feet of elevation. Endless stairs. No water. I meet a guy from Leeds on the way up, and we push through together.

At the top, a Hindu temple overlooks the island, with views stretching all the way to mainland Malaysia. It’s worth every step.

That night, I reconnect with Sophie, who happens to be in Penang. We meet for drinks, catching up like old friends. Penang feels creative, vibrant, and full of energy. It’s easy to settle into.

A long tailed macaque sits calmly on a rounded stone post, holding and eating a bunch of bananas. Behind it, the bright rainbow colored stairs of Batu Caves rise toward the limestone cliffs, capturing a playful and iconic moment of wildlife and culture in Malaysia.

Onward

From Penang, I board a van toward Krabi, crossing into Thailand and feeling the shift immediately.

Malaysia carries momentum. Friendships form quickly. The road keeps pulling forward.