Inselhopping Malaysia: Penang & Baden auf Perhentian

About the destination: Penang is a Malaysian state situated on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, bordered by the Strait of Malacca. It is divided into two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is found, and Seberang Perai on the Malay Peninsula. Penang is one of the most advanced and economically significant states in Malaysia and is a popular tourist spot. George Town is currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. KEY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS - UNESCO World Heritage Zone & Armenian Street: This is an ancient historical area located in the heart of the UNESCO Heritage Zone in downtown Georgetown. - Penang Hill: This location likely offers the best view of Georgetown, particularly at night. - Penang Botanic Gardens: Established by Britain's Charles Curtis in 1884, these gardens are often referred to as the Waterfall Gardens by locals due to a small waterfall within the gardens. - Pulau Jerejak Resort: This tropical island is situated directly across the channel from the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, on the southeastern coast of Penang Island. The island is now open to the public as a recreational resort. - Tropical Fruit Farm. - Penang Durian Farm: The Snake Temple was built in 1850 in honor of the famous Chinese monk Chor Soo Kong. Located in the small town of Bayan Lepas on the edge of a highway, the Snake Temple is known for housing pit vipers within its grounds.

About the destination: The Perhentian Islands (Malay: Kepulauan Perhentian) are a group of islands in Besut District, Terengganu, Malaysia. The two main islands are Perhentian Besar (“Greater Perhentian”) and Perhentian Kecil (“Lesser Perhentian”). The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara (Virgin Milk), Serengeh, and Rawa lie off the coast of Kecil. Like Besut, people here generally speak Kelantanese Malay; however, English is widely spoken and understood to serve the growing tourism market. The Perhentian Islands have become a popular travel destination for both families and backpackers due to the wide range of lodging options that fit almost any budget. Nature-based tourism is the main driver of the islands’ economy. Both main islands feature palm-fringed white coral-sand beaches and turquoise-blue sea. Popular tourist activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming. On most beaches, the water is shallow and home to many rays, cuttlefish, and parrotfish. For divers, there are dozens of dive sites around both of the main islands, as well as several offshore sites. In addition, visitors can enjoy camping, canoeing, fishing, jungle trekking, and banana boat rides.