Malaysia

For a large number of us looking to enjoy a spot of backpacking in Malaysia, entering the country is relatively simple.

Citizens of the following countries are granted a 90-day visa-free experience: All EU citizens, Iceland, Norway, UK, Switzerland, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Albania, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United States, Canada, Cuba, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Sudan, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

The following countries citizens can enjoy a 30-day visa-free experience in Malaysia; Andorra, Vatican City (it’s you Mr Pope), Ukraine, Moldova, the Caribbean nations, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay, Russia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The following countries will require a 30-day e-Visa; China, Indian, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Serbia and Montenegro.

To apply for an e-visa, you must be outside of Malaysia or Singapore. The e-visa is valid for up to 3 months and grants a single entry. Indian nationals have the luxury of a multi-entry.

Those needing a visa before arrival are citizens from countries, generally, located around Central and West Africa, Colombia and Afghanistan.

If your country doesn't appear on the lists above, please check with your government website before flying. You are likely to be on the 30-day visa-free list. There are 97 countries on that list, and I couldn't list them all off.

Due to Malaysia’s location, the majority of the country is surrounded by water, thus there very few land crossings. Malaysia only shares a land border with Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia, and even then the majority of the Indonesian border is dense jungle within the heartlands of Borneo.

The easiest, and by far the best way of entering Malaysia will be through one of its seven international airports. The chances are, the majority of us will be passing through Kuala Lumpur.

You are meant to carry proof of identity with you at all times, so have a photocopy to hand should your documentation be lost or stolen.

It is well documented that the dense, biodiverse jungles of Borneo, in both Malaysia and Indonesia are being destroyed at an alarming rate, often being replaced with palm oil fields.

Whilst the few who profit from palm oil are benefiting from the destruction of the forests, the loss of this rich and natural world is causing havoc for the wildlife, locals, and global ecosystem.

Borneo is losing species quicker than ever, with magnificent plants and animals being added to the endangered list daily. The clouded leopard and the pygmy elephants are just two of an evergrowing list of animals now being classed as endangered.

Whether you're backpacking Malaysia or sat in the comfort of your armchair planning your trip, you can help prevent deforestation. When buying products, especially foods and toiletries, check the label and do some research.

The RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) label is a step in the right direction, but is owned by the palm oil companies, and they are dragging their feet on enforcing their own rules on deforestation.

Education is the first step to recovery, and this Greenpeace article talks about the issues still plaguing the palm oil industry. Be aware of the problem, and help be part of the solution.

Those of you who are fortunate enough to be in the country, there is more you can do. Visit national parks, nature and conservational reserves. The entrance fee helps in combating deforestation and protecting Malaysia's endangered species of trees, plants and animals.

Furthermore, you should avoid zoos in Malaysia, these animals are here purely to entertain and wow the crowds, and not necessarily for their own good. Plus, you're in a country with amazing wildlife. Go to the national parks.

Other ways of travelling ethically through Malaysia involve spending your money in the right places, and this can be a difficult choice when you're travelling on a shoestring. All we ask is that you consider where your money goes once it leaves your hands, and be conscientious.

Outside the capital, the Malayan people are very poor. Treat them with the respect they deserve, spend your money wisely, and help where possible, whilst not flashing your cash. Be kind, and they'll be kind to you. And after all, locals are the most useful people to know when travelling.

In general, Malaysia is a safe country to travel.

As with any country, crime does occur, so be sensible, and don't do anything you wouldn't do back home. If you feel a particular area seems a 'bit off', leave. Trust your gut: it's based on thousands of years of evolution and your subconscious picks up on things you don't.

The most common crimes on tourists are bag snatches and scams. If you have valuables, keep them somewhere safe, and do not wear light strappy bags which can easily be ripped from the shoulder. Be careful where you use credit cards and check the machines before use.

The general rule I use when travelling in Asia is don't show off. If you act like you have money and are dripping in fancy jewellery, you will attract attention.

That said, at no point did I ever feel unsafe, in danger, or otherwise upset by anything. Ok, having an elderly gentleman on a bus gyrate at me whilst offering a massage was a little odd, but he was effectively harmless, and you get strange people everywhere.

As with much of Asia, female travellers, especially solo females, will attract extra attention. Even more so, if you are white, blond and blue-eyed. I'm afraid its a case of judge each situation on a case by case basis. The majority of people just want to have a photo with you, or will stare at you. The staring is a cultural thing across Asia and isn't malicious, just a bit weird if you're not used to it.

A female backpacker friend of mine was attacked by a local just outside Kuala Lumpur, along with a friend. Her advice is "Never leave the touristic routes by yourself". She added that once she did that, she felt safe, and both her and her friend were okay after the incident.

These kind of incidents are very rare in Malaysia in recent times, and Malaysia is, in general, is a safe country for all. Please know, I'm giving you worst-case situations

The one location where you'll have to pay extra attention to safety is the northeast of Malayan Borneo and the islands scattered across its beautiful shores. Piracy and armed skirmishes by (mostly) Filipino pirates do happen, albeit infrequently.

Armed forces now patrol the area, as well as the Malayan government implementing water curfews due to the heightened threat at night. If you are planning to visit the Sabah area, I suggest you check the local tourist page first.

The biggest no-no whilst backpacking Malaysia is drugs. Backpackers and drugs are a common combination, but don't chance it in Malaysia. They aren't worth the risk. There is a mandatory death sentence for carrying a particular amount (cannabis 200g, 40g cocaine, 15g of heroin). Anything less, well you won't be backpacking Malaysia anytime soon, or anywhere for that matter.

On that note, if you've dabbled in other countries before, check your bags and pockets for drugs before flying into Malaysia, unless you want to call your embassy and explain why you've been arrested as an international drug trafficker.

Malaysia does not fuck around with drugs, so neither should you.

Malaysian history is, in a word, dynamic.

Just about everything has changed: the culture, religion, borders and people. Malaysia holds some of the earliest evidence of man, with stone tools dating back to around 1.8 million years. That said, the oldest known human bones in Malaysia only date back 40,000 years.

The rise of international travel and trade in the first century BC allowed Malaysia to grow rapidly, with Malayan people becoming some of the most powerful in the region. Trade with China, India, and Indonesia brought wealth and power, and it also brought religion.

Hinduism entered Malaysia around the 3^rd century, followed a few years later by Buddhism after the 7^th century. It wasn’t until the 13^th century that Islam was introduced to the Malaysian people, again through trade with the Arab nations. The last of the major religions that are still practised today arrived with the Europeans in the 15^th century; Christianity.

The Portuguese began an era of European rule, not just in Malaysia but in South East Asia as a whole. This occupation lasted until World War II, with small pockets of Malaysia remaining under British control until as late as 1957.

Independence followed, leading to running battles resulting in the independence of Singapore in 1963 as well as skirmishes with Indonesia over the borders. Today, political unrest still murmurs throughout the country, but in general, peace and safety reigns throughout Malaysia.