Having spent close to eight months visiting the interiors of Malaysia, it feels like home now (preceded by Kolkata and Bengaluru) but it never ceases to pop a surprise in any of it visits. So, when it came to choosing between Taiwan (our honeymoon destination which is another great country for a re-visit) and Malaysia, I was eager to re-live my Postgrad moments. Of course, with a twist that included 10 Unique Things to do in Malaysia (that not many know) – after all we were celebrating ten years of legal togetherness that needed to be wrapped in an explosively curated travel! Unlike the usual unique activities a place offers, these experiences are what creates those deeply etched memories, the proof of which isn’t captured in a frame but stored permanently in your brain bank.

The 10 unique things that we indulged in were:

Founded by Sylvester Juli, Miri International Tattoo Festival (MITF) is a three-day affair that has garnered acclaim over the past four years since inception. Over 200 artists across the world registered to showcase their talent. A festival that focuses on the Borneo’s traditional tattoo arts and local culture and music, this couldn’t have escaped my hawk-eyed research. Quite an intriguing experience watching the artists at work, focussed on the intricate details that would earn them the grand trophy. We had kept a budget for ours too and a minimalistic one that reflects our love for the furries.

Performances by the indigenous hunter-gatherers of Borneo – the Penan tribe is also a focal point of entertainment at the festival. Their headgears, body tattoos, accessories, and astounding performances of suspended from a pulley by a rope attached to the hooks piercing the skin on the back that is sure to send a chill through your spine. The performance that left me dumbfounded also allowed me a peep into what a festival in the Borneo might look like. Next time you are in Miri, Sarawak during October or November, don’t miss the Miri International Tattoo festival. It’s fun, queer and you have a whole buffet of talented artists who will treat your body like a canvas for their masterpiece!

Entry fee – RM 10

Tattoo fee – depends on the artists, the artwork and the size.  

This was on my laundry-list of places for way too long. While most have heard of Kinabalu National Park, Gunung Mulu in Miri, Sarawak is another gem of the Borneo cluster. A 30-min flight from Miri will place you right in the middle of a short runway in the middle of wilderness. From the top, it appears nothing more than a barren strip. As you get closer to landing, the runway comes into sight. No major hotel chains (thankfully), except for Marriott, there are a handful of homestays run by locals offering a modest stay. We were hosted by one, just 400 metres away from the entrance of Gunung Mulu National Park. With a five-day pass issued all we did was walk the million-year-old rainforest floor – watching birds, insects and the famous Bat Exodus.

Entry Fee: A 5-day pass costs RM 50/ person (INR 1,070 approx.)

While I had my share of Durian (which btw I am crazy about), I made my spouse try this on the day of our anniversary! In fact, he loved it. If you are having one, ensure you sit at the cart and have it. All the establishments in southeast Asian countries prohibit Durian (for its smell) and mangosteen (it bleeds red and that stain is hard to remove) to be brought inside. Also be advised there are varieties of it so you need to check before purchasing.

P.S. – Post consumption you may reek of Durian and so can your sweat. It is advisable to carry a mist to spray.

Cost of one – RM 35

One of my favourite Malaysian states, Perak, has so much to offer. And I have a particular bias for it because majority of my study data came from here. Ipoh, known for its white coffee was our nesting ground, while driving hundreds of kilometres each day. One such day our exploration took us to an off-grid cave temple in Lembah Kinta that had a tiger fossil embedded within its karst limestone walls belonging to an extinct species of the Big Cat – Panthera paleojavanica . Discovered in 1992, the age of the fossil was determined to be 320,300 years old by the Uranium-Thoriam dating method.

Steep slippery steps and an army of mosquitos waiting to ambush intruders is how we were welcome. A board that read ‘dangerous hike’ along the way, did not help much. After what seemed like ages to my calf-muscles, we finally reached the top. Our eyes darting across all surfaces especially trying to steal a glance between the gaps of the blocked greasy glass, the fossil was not to be seen anywhere. We peeled to check the annotations and started tracing along every curve of the cordoned off space when finally, our eyes rested on the skeletal outline. Soon my eyes also fell on a lazy green viper curled up within the crevices of a flat overhead rock, inches from where my husband was minutely cross-referencing the undulations!

Entry fee: Zilch  

Kayaking was something we thought of pursuing in Georgetown but as fate would have it, Mulu organized guided kayaking trips along the Melinau River. I wish I could describe in words what we exactly endured. But I am willing to risk that with the readers of my newsletter. Not divulging the details here. The only thing I am willing to spill is that – despite this being my favourite day (second to bat exodus), we have not ONE picture of this absolutely chaos-ridden fantastic day!

Activity Cost – RM 60/ person (INR 1,280 approx.)

The moment I glanced through the list of activities I knew my ‘other-half’ would love it! What I did not know was this is the longest tree-based canopy walk in the world that’s connected to the trees without a proper platform. Which means in case someone ahead of you is crossing, your connecting bridge is happily wobbling behind. Thankfully it was just the two of us and we got the VIP treatment (read otherwise as the guide’s romantic endeavours over a period of three or perhaps five years on how he travelled three days by the river to meet his beloved whom he fell in love with through letters – a plot worthy of Bollywood theatrics, KJo intended). Once we reached the canopy, it was a different ballgame. It looked way different from what I presumed. I had hoped to stand and marvel the beauty from atop the canopy. However, I ended up watching my steps to not compromise my balance on the narrow, wobbly, wooden bridge. Was it worth it? Hell ya! Although I kept a look-out for a sturdy back-up branch in case I flipped and descended abruptly, it was a mighty good experience.

Activity Cost – RM 50/ person (INR 1,065 approx.)

I had a look of disdain when I had heard of ‘Cham’ the first time. In my prim (read rigid) head this blend of coffee and tea, served either hot or iced was blasphemous! All I had to do was take a sip and that changed my entire perspective on beverage decoctions. And you get the best version ONLY in PERAK. Since then, I have been suggesting everyone taking a trip to Malaysia to try ‘cham’, a drink that changed my take on blending beverages.

My beloved had the same outraged look as I explained cham with a smirk (I knew he would love it!). It was a delight to watch his demeanour shift from disgust to disbelief and wonder. That felt like an accomplishment!

Next time you are in any of the parts in Perak, be sure to try ‘cham’.

Cost: Varies but usually within RM 4 (INR 86 approx.)

It’s kaya toast or ‘roti bakar’. Kaya, a sweet spread made egg, sugar, and a hint of pandan for its distinct flavour, brought together with a base of coconut milk is slow-cooked into a rich, creamy, custard-like consistency. A generous amount is spread on the toasts along with a thick slice of butter (sometimes) that sweeps your tastebuds with its contrasting sweetness and savouriness. The must-have sides are half-boiled eggs that you must sprinkle with white pepper and few decadent drops of soy sauce. Trust me, you don’t need salt! If you aren’t open to the idea of half-boiled eggs, you can order half-fried ones too (sunny side up). In this fine marriage of opulence do not forget the ‘cham’!

Cost of the breakfast: Varies but usually within RM 12 (INR 260 approx.)

What started as a not-so-fruitful day changed course once we entered the premises of this botanic marvel. An ancient Chinese Emperor, a foresighted royal physician, a Japanese heir and an open-minded entrepreneur – that’s how Gaharu Tea Estate was born. Not the quintessential tea estate with dwarfed brushes of tea immaculately line along a stepped landscape, instead there are more than 25-year-old hybrid Gaharu (Agarwood) trees that make up for the valley that prides itself as being the first organic sustainable Gaharu plantation in Malaysia. You can either indulge in easy, medium and hard treks or take a hop-on hop-off ride along the winding path of the plantation that houses more than 200,000 Agarwood tress.

Entry Fee: None

Hop-on Hop-off Minibus fee: RM 13 (INR 280 approx.)

When was the last time you took a walk without a lamp guiding your way? I did, two weeks back, in the blanket of darkness in Mulu. By the time we had stepped out of our homestay it was pitch dark that left us wondering about ‘safety’ protocols. As we walked past the penumbra from the last standing lamppost guarding the entrance of a church, that partially lit the path we were on, a morsel of anxiety crept in, only to be relieved by the lit-up ground around. Initially I couldn’t quite comprehend the origin of the lit-up street, until I looked up to find the big bright moon shining her blessings on us. Under the moonlight, we watched thousands of twinkling fireflies dancing around treetops and bushes lining either side of the path that witnesses an occasional automobile zooming past. A nostalgic knock to the time when fireflies were common in cities, often wound in back pockets of wanderers of the wild, lost from the swarm.

To many, these may seem like the most ordinary of quotidian practices as opposed to the ones beckoning us to check it off our bucket list. Somehow these ‘ordinary’ experiences are my joie de vivre moments that supersedes colouring checkboxes of must-visits and must-dos. Next time you plan your itinerary, keep an open mind to allow yourself the creation of your own set of ’10 unique things to do in Malaysia’ – a reflection of your travel choices.