TRAVEL

7 Things That Scare Me When I Visit Malaysia

Who would have known?

Everyone knows I love to visit Malaysia. It’s food and shopping heaven, what is there not to love? Ugh…apparently, there is. Would you even believe this? There are things that I dread every single time I make the trip.

Here are the 7 things that scare me when I visit Malaysia….

1️⃣ Unbearable Heat

I mean I love hot weather, but “hot” means something else in Malaysia. The heat is there all year round and it never lets up. Maybe it gets a tiny bit cooler in the morning and evenings, but it’s still very muggy.

Sometimes, I just tell people..”hey, just pick up this pile of Linda because she’s melted from the heat”.

The heat also means you have to deal with a lot of new problems that you never had before. My hair looks like I’ve dumped oil on it because it’s so sweaty and greasy. And you know when you sit on a plastic stool and when you get up, you rip your skin off your butt? Yep, it’s because it is so hot and sweaty, your bum is sticking to the stool. Gross!

2️⃣ Food Poisoning

It happened to me once in Malaysia and it wasn’t fun. Thankfully, it wasn’t terribly severe, but stomach bugs are never fun. However, I have seen a stomach bug spread among people who I travelled with and it was ugly. They vomited and had violent bathroom episodes. I didn’t envy them at all. I suspect they contracted the bug at a night market, but you never know where the bug came from.

To avoid food poisoning, I sometimes take some prescribed medication before I go. I’ll also avoid buying food at places that seem shady or dirty.

It’s best to be careful!

3️⃣ Language

This seems like a strange one, but it’s embarrassing to me! I was shopping in a mall once and two girls came up to me and started speaking non-stop. They spoke in Malay. I couldn’t even stop them because they were speaking so fast. Of course, I had no idea what they were saying. After they were finished, I expressed my confusion and spread my hands helplessly.

It happens quite often because since I am Asian, people think I am from Malaysia and can understand the language.

I do know a few of the numbers in Malay, but there is nothing else I can do!

4️⃣ Commute

The trip from Toronto to Malaysia is ridiculously long. We’re talking hours upon hours, and multiple flight changes. I’ve already talked about it in a separate story. I don’t want to relive it right now!

5️⃣ Bugs

I know bugs come with visiting tropical countries. I was just not prepared for the sheer size! The only bugs I see in Canada are a few house spiders and mosquitos. Imagine my horror in Malaysia — the bugs and insects are an entirely different breed.

Even the mosquitos are different — they leave HUGE red welts on my legs and they itch like no tomorrow. Mosquito repellents also have zero effect on them. Ugh!

6️⃣ Restrooms and Squat Toilets

Ah — me and my issue with toilets in Malaysia. I don’t think I will ever get used to squat toilets. The fear of slipping in feet first or dropping a shoe will forever haunt me.

Thankfully, many public washrooms have traditional toilets available.

PHEW!

Oh, also many restrooms have no soap. Yep, even when I went in October 2022. So it’s a fabulous idea to carry hand sanitizer with you all the time!

7️⃣ Restaurants and Food Courts

I’m always a little afraid to visit restaurant or eateries. A lot of the best food are from the tiny outdoor stalls and the food is often available only at night.

What am I afraid of? The main thing that scares me is the hygiene factor. Outdoor food places aren’t the cleanest and I’m always a bit paranoid.

One time, I saw a customer leave his food on the table to go to the washroom. Guess what happened? A flock of birds SWOOPED down and started feasting on his food! They were having an absolute party.

Someone told the customer when he came back. He shrugged and continued eating from the same plate! I almost died. I mean I love birds, but you have to keep your food clean.

Although these things are a bit of a turn off for me, it’s not enough to stop me from going to Malaysia. I just have to think of ways to overcome my fears and to prevent myself from getting into bad situations.

Food poisoning? I can make good choices and take meds to prevent it from happening. Long commute? I can prepare myself by making sure I am comfortable and entertained for the long trip. These are no excuses.

I love to travel and there is no stopping me.

How about you? Have you run into anything that has turned you off from travelling? Please share with me!

Here are more stories about Malaysia that you might be interested to read.

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