While getting away for a week or two is wonderful and can provide you with that break from the hustle and bustle of life, the fact is that it never feels like it’s enough. You return from your holidays feeling refreshed, but usually within a few days or weeks back at work, you’re back to feeling stressed and pulled in all directions. This is exactly why long stays can be such a popular option. They give you a chance to truly relax, immerse yourself in the culture of another destination, and step away from the responsibilities of everyday life at home.
If you’ve been planning an extended stay in Malaysia and you want to be sure you get the absolute most out of the experience, then these tips are a must-read. They can help you with the planning portion, as well as how you spend your time in Malaysia.
Plan to Stay as Long as Possible
This first tip may seem obvious, but it really needs to be said. Ideally, you want to go for as long as possible so you can get the best possible experience. If you’re able to work remotely, then it makes the extended stay all the more doable. The whole point of a long stay holiday is that you get to unpack, settle in, and really get to know the destination. You can’t do this if you’re feeling rushed and on the countdown to returning home.
Make Sure You Hit the Tourist Spots
It’s also important to come up with some sort of loose plan or list of things you want to do, see, and visit while in Malaysia. This doesn’t mean you’re living by an itinerary, with your time scheduled each and every day, it’s just a list of things you want to be sure you do before your holiday finishes. You may want to schedule one item a day, every other day, or once a week. It all depends on how long you’re staying, and how busy you want to be.
Some of the tourist spots, attractions, and sites worth seeing while in Malaysia can include:
- Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur
- Menara KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur
- Georgetown Historic City
- Melaka Historic City
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Petaling Jaya
- Redang Island
- Penang Hill
- Sky Bridge, Pantai Kok, Langkawi
- Kinabalu National Park
Skip the Hotel and Opt for a Rental Property
Here’s a tip that will likely not only save you money but provide you with a lot more comfort and convenience for your long stay in Malaysia. While a hotel stay is wonderful for a week or two, it’s not ideal when you’re thinking about a long stay. This is why you may want to consider a rental property while in Malaysia.
You can use the Property Guru site to find a house for rent in Kota Kinabalu, as well as many other areas, and ensure your stay is comfortable and luxurious. Many of the places are quite large in terms of space and available bedrooms/bathrooms, which means you can really stretch out, settle in, and call it your home away from home. Use the filters to find exactly what you want, and then be sure to check out the many photos of the properties to help you make a decision.
Rentals tend to be located in some of the most sought-after areas of cities and towns, located nearby to location attractions, dining, shopping, entertainment, and even public transportation. It will allow you to get a taste for Malaysia and feel more like a local rather than a tourist.
Get to Know the Locals and the Culture
In order to truly get all you can from the experience, it’s also important to get to know the locals and the culture. This means visiting the spots that locals hang out – not so much the tourists. You can start to meet friends, branch out, and get a real feel for Malaysia.
Learn the Language – Start Before You Leave
The moment you make the decision to book a long stay in Malaysia, you’ll want to start to learn the language. This will make it much easier for you to get around and communicate with people while you’re there, and it also makes the stay that much more special and authentic.
Malay is the official language and is something you can learn through online courses, books, or even a language app. You’ll want to focus on the important and basic words and sentences to start, and then you can start to branch out.
An Experience of a Lifetime
These tips will help you to make the most of your extended stay in Malaysia and make sure it’s not only comfortable and relaxing but also allows you to dig deeper into the culture and all the country has to offer. All it takes is a little planning on your part.
