Malaysia Archives - Caffeinated Excursions

Should You Visit Port Dickson, Malaysia? An Honest Review

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

Should You Visit Port Dickson, Malaysia? An Honest Review

Published October 15, 2019

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Some of my favorite trips have been to almost unheard-of places. For example, my weekend in Corozal, a tiny town in Belize, is one of my favorite travel memories of 2018. The quiet town of Hengchun in southern Taiwan is equally lovely. But not every small town is guaranteed to offer travelers the same level of charm. My recent weekend trip to Port Dickson in Malaysia was probably the most underwhelming trip I’ve taken in 2019.

Long story short, I was sort of disappointed by how run-down the area was. Port Dickson has dozens of massive resorts that are in disrepair and slowly falling apart. Others look like they are barely staying afloat. It’s as if Port Dickson was expected to be the next Cancún and a ton of money was invested, but no tourism boom ever happened (or it came and went very quickly). In addition, the beaches in the area were only okay.

However, Port Dickson (or PD) still had some good things to offer. If you’re considering a trip to this seaside town, read on to learn the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good

I’ll start with the things I enjoyed about my trip to Port Dickson.

Authentic Malaysia

Port Dickson is a uniquely Malaysian experience. Little details here and there will make it hard to forget that you’re in this beautiful and diverse country.

Food Worth Ranting About

All three of my trips to Malaysia so far have been defined by the amazing food I’ve had. Despite Port Dickson’s lackluster vibe, every meal I had here was top-notch. Even something as simple as fried rice (nasi goreng) is packed with flavor, and usually goes for one or two USD.

Most dishes are based on rice, but there’s also plenty of other Indian and Chinese options as well. The area also had a lot of seafood restaurants, but most of them seemed closed.

One recommendation: be sure to try the street food. This burger I ordered from a street stall (pictured below) was excellent; the patty was wrapped in a thinly-spread fried egg, and had a distinctly local flavor.

If you stick to local restaurants, food prices will be very affordable. I don’t think I ever paid more than 10 MYR (approx. 2.40 USD) for a meal.

Street Art

One last thing I enjoyed about Port Dickson was finding all the street art hidden in plain view. Don’t walk around with your nose buried in your phone or you might miss it!

The Bad (And The Ugly)

The following are my biggest complaints about Port Dickson.

Empty Resorts

My biggest complaint about Port Dickson is all of the dilapidated resorts. While many looked open for business, their sprawling, empty parking lots revealed at most a couple of families staying in each one. I stayed at an Airbnb in a high-rise condo, and it was the same; most of the units appeared empty. Some units had windows missing and others looked abandoned, filled with debris. It appeared that maybe 10% of the apartments in the huge complex were occupied.

Other resorts were clearly just abandoned and left to slowly crumble. One on the main road looked like a grand structure when it was in operation, but seagulls were nesting in the swimming pool and nature was starting to take over its tall towers.

Obviously, none of this directly affected me, but it did make Port Dickson seem partially abandoned. Some could argue that it makes for an interesting vibe, but for me it just felt like a ghost town. I’m curious if it’s different during the high season. If you’ve been to Port Dickson and found it to be lively and upbeat, let me know about it in the comments below!

Wild Dogs

I’ve never experienced this on any trip I’ve taken before, but I guess it was a good lesson to learn because wild or feral dogs can honestly appear anywhere in the world. However, I had a pretty close encounter in Port Dickson.

I was walking along this beach when I noticed a ton of paw prints in the sand. I looked up and immediately saw a pack of dogs (at least 10 or 12) in the vicinity. They saw me too and were clearly not happy that I had walked into their territory. They ran towards me, barking. Three of them formed a semicircle around me. I slowly backed up one step at a time, and after about a minute or so, the entire pack decided to run off in another direction.

I was really lucky that the leaders of the pack decided not to bite, because I think all of them would’ve followed suit. It honestly could’ve ended in some serious injury and I’m glad I didn’t try to run (but it was also very clear in the moment that doing so would be a huge mistake). At another point in my journey, I saw a man being chased on a motorbike by a wild dog. Unfortunately, they appeared to be somewhat common in Port Dickson, so I recommend staying alert while walking and being prepared.

Encounters with wild dogs can happen at any time, and it’s something avid travelers should be prepared to deal with. I read this advice article after my close encounter; you might want to read it before you find yourself in a similar situation.

Downtown

The downtown of Port Dickson was one of my least favorite areas. I was expecting a quaint waterfront with local shops and restaurants. On the contrary, the waterfront is dominated by a Starbucks and a McDonald’s. There’s also a sad-looking strip mall with mostly vacant spaces. The water is nice enough if the weather is sunny, but the whole area just felt sort of melancholy.

It’s also very clear that a revitalization effort was made here maybe a few years ago, but that it never came to fruition. You can just see from street level that a ton of apartments and businesses are empty.

A little further away from the waterfront (in this general vicinity) looks a bit more traditionally Malaysian, but I was surprised to see that most restaurants and shops were closed at noon on a Monday and Tuesday. I still found a delicious meal from a food truck for lunch, but even this area felt unusually quiet for a town center.

Things That Were Okay

Here are some of the things about Port Dickson that I felt were neither amazing nor terrible.

Beaches

Most of the beaches in Port Dickson were nice enough, but in my opinion they don’t compare to others in the region. If you’re based in Vietnam and in search of stunning beaches, look no further than Phú Quốc Island. Since it’s a domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City, flight tickets are frequently as low as 40 USD round-trip. Meanwhile, round-trip tickets to Kuala Lumpur are usually around 100 USD due to international taxes, etc.

Blue Lagoon and Cape Rachado Lighthouse

This particular beach and small hiking area with a lighthouse on Cape Rachado got good reviews online, but I was ambivalent about both. The weather was pretty cloudy when I visited, so I’m sure the Blue Lagoon would’ve been nicer on a sunny day. However, one thing I did enjoy was seeing the thousands of sand bubbler crabs here, which are fascinating to watch.

Similarly, I think I was expecting panoramic views from the Cape Rachado Lighthouse, which it did not offer. For one, the lighthouse is not open to the public, but also after dragging yourself uphill for twenty minutes or so, you’ll only get to see the lighthouse surrounded by pretty dense forest. Sunnier weather wouldn’t have really made a difference for this one.

The Lexis Hibiscus Resort

If you do a bit of Googling, you’ll see that the Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson is one of the main landmarks of the area. Check out this breathtaking image of the hotel, which of course enticed me to go check it out in person.

Here’s the good news: there is a rooftop bar that you can visit to see the flower even if you’re not staying at the hotel. But the bad news is that you’re not going to get a stunning picture like all the promotional images online (which are clearly taken from a plane, helicopter, or drone). The main building of the hotel is only 13 stories tall, so you’ll have to take a panorama and the picture won’t be great. This is the one I got.

The drinks at the bar were good but also fairly expensive at 32 MYR each (remember that most meals in town are less than 10 MYR).

In addition, this hotel just gave me the vibe that it was trying a bit too hard to be fancy. The actual units making up the flower have such a strange look to them; massive concrete walls separate each room from the next for privacy, but it just gives the place an almost industrial feeling. Although this was the one resort I saw that actually seemed to be full of guests, the whole thing just came off as a bit tacky to me.

Getting Around

Port Dickson is easily accessible by Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It’s about an hour by car without traffic, and expect to pay around 75 to 90 MYR per ride (using Grab).

Port Dickson is too spread out to walk, and as far as I could tell there was no public transportation. However, Grab operates in the area and it shouldn’t cost more than about 15 MYR to get from one end of the town to the other (as far south as Cape Rachado).

The Verdict

So, should you visit Port Dickson? I would say if it’s your first, second, or even third trip to Malaysia, try out another place first. Kuala Lumpur is a lot of fun, and Penang is another destination that has a lot to offer. However, if you’re spending an extended period of time in KL and need a change of pace for a day trip or weekend, PD could be a good option.

Have you been to Port Dickson? If you have, was it eerily empty when you went? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Thanks for checking out this post on Caffeinated Excursions!

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This post was published on Oct 15, 2019

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Should You Visit Port Dickson, Malaysia? An Honest Review appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Penang, Malaysia: Chicken Soup For The Multicultural Soul

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 17:00:54 +0000

Penang, Malaysia: Chicken Soup For The Multicultural Soul

Published July 2, 2019

Greetings, friends! I’m so excited to share with you my most recent excursion: Penang (George Town), Malaysia! This small island state off the coast of West Malaysia near the border with Thailand is a hidden gem of a destination. That’s because it’s so wonderfully multicultural! Travelers who love the vibe of cities like New York or Hong Kong need to check out this island with a population of 1.8 million. If you’re like me and love different cultures, Penang is sure to be your next happy place.

In a time when so much of what’s going on in the world seems to revolve around division and conflict, it can be surprisingly therapeutic to spend a few days in a place like Penang. I didn’t expect that; in fact, I didn’t do enough research to know what to expect. Nonetheless, the multiculturalism in Penang was undoubtedly the focal point of the city. In this post, I’ll highlight some of the ways this city is unapologetically pluralistic while also explaining how you can make the most of a few days here.

Signs of Many Cultures (Both Literal and Otherwise)

Languages Galore

The first thing I noticed about Penang was how many languages are spoken here. During my time here, I had the opportunity to practice bits and pieces of Mandarin, Cantonese, and Malay (which has significant linguistic similarities to Indonesian, a language I studied briefly back in 2014). English is also widely spoken. If you take a few Grab cars to get around the city, you’ll likely hear all four of those languages on the radio.

The majority of signs around Penang are written at least in Bahasa Melayu and Chinese, and many also include English and Tamil. If you’re a linguistics nerd like I am, you’ll feel right at home among all the different languages spoken in Penang!

Places of Worship

The other obvious sign of multiple cultures in Penang is the plethora of churches, mosques, and temples there. In many parts of the city, mosques with beautiful domes and minarets sit across the street from Buddhist temples. The variety in architecture is one of the city’s best assets (as I discuss more below), and many of the city’s most stunning buildings are dedications to the wide variety of faiths practiced on the island.

To learn more about the city’s incredible diversity of built structures, read on!

Penang's Varied Architecture

Perhaps the best way to experience Penang is on foot. That’s because the city is home to an amazing variety of building styles. Beautiful colonial mansions stand in front of towering condos and office buildings.

In fact, the center of George Town (the island’s biggest city) has such culturally significant architecture that it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Much of this area reminds me a bit of Havana and Mérida, despite being almost on the other side of the world. Restrictions on construction and renovation mean that this neighborhood’s historic character will (hopefully) be preserved for generations to come.

In contrast to the preservation efforts within the boundaries of the World Heritage Site, many of the old buildings outside of the city’s old center appear to have been abandoned. They tend to be huge private estates surrounded by grassy lawns that must’ve housed the city’s most wealthy residents in centuries past. Some have been left to disintegrate, with roofs partially caved in and plants taking over. Others, such as the one pictured below, have been converted into a parking lot.

Some could definitely argue that these abandoned homes add character to the city. And while I guess it’s good that they haven’t just been bulldozed and paved over, it’s too bad that they may not last due to lack of upkeep. Take your photos now, because you never know how long these beautiful and ornate buildings outside the UNESCO site will continue to stand.

Another Testament To Penang's Multiculturalism: The Food

Penang is home to more than just interesting buildings; it also has an amazing culinary scene! If you’ve never had Malaysian food before, you’re in for a treat. Typical local food has an undeniable Chinese influence while also incorporating spices that will remind you of Indian fare.

Penang’s most famous local delicacy is called nasi kandar. It’s basically a rice dish served with multiple sauces and your choice of veggies, meat, and eggs. It’s especially good with chicken, squid, okra, and cabbage.

Over my two days here, I ate nasi kandar three times. That’s how good it is! You should start off at Deen Maju, which is considered the best place in the city to get it. When I went, there was a line out the door, but it’s worth the wait! It also moved fairly quickly.

Once you’ve had nasi kandar from Deen Maju, you’ll be craving it again. Restaurants serving it are everywhere, and many of them are open 24 hours a day. Perhaps that’s because in addition to being a wholesome lunch or dinner, it’s also the perfect food after a couple drinks (more on bars below). Be sure to try it from a couple of places at least! Comparing the flavors and styles from different restaurants is part of the fun!

Penang also has a ton of street food. I didn’t get to try as much as I would’ve liked because I was so busy eating as much nasi kandar as my stomach would allow! I’d love to explore more of street food offerings if (when) I go back again.

Beyond that, Penang is also home to typical international options. I ended up trying Il Bàcaro, an upscale Italian restaurant in the city’s historic district. Their bruschetta was amazing, and their black dough pizza was definitely interesting (and tasty too).

At 35 USD (including two glasses of wine), this was the most expensive meal I had in Penang. On the other end of the spectrum, nasi kandar typically goes for under 2 USD per plate, so there’s something delicious to enjoy no matter what your budget is.

How to See the City from Above

Another reason to love Penang is its amazing skyline. Its modern skyscrapers, green hills, and ocean views are reminiscent of Hong Kong, but the historic buildings’ distinctive red rooftops give Penang’s urban landscape a unique flare. There are two main ways to see the city from above, and you should try to check out both if you can.

Option 1: From one of the city’s many skyscrapers

Penang is home to many skyscrapers with rooftop bars and observation decks. The most obvious one is the city’s tallest building, the Komtar Tower. At 68 floors tall, it’s much taller than the other apartment and office buildings nearby and impossible to miss. Both its design as well as the interior look quite dated, but it’s nevertheless the best place to get a 360-degree view of the city.

Tickets to the observation deck on the 65th floor sell for about 10 USD, or you can pay an additional 7 USD to visit the “Skywalk,” an anxiety-inducing U-shaped walkway with a glass floor that’s built overhanging the side of the building on its open-air rooftop bar level (on the 68th floor).

If you really want to get a photo on the Skywalk, then go ahead and buy the ticket. However, I recommend you skip this entirely and ask staff on the lower levels if you can go up to the The Coco Cabana Bar & Bistro for a drink. There may be a minimum purchase amount, but I’m almost sure it’s cheaper than the entrance ticket. You’ll also get the exact same view.

The bottom three or four floors of Komtar are a maze of shopping stalls, arcades, restaurants, and an aquarium that honestly look really tired and worn out. You’ll likely spend at least five to ten minutes trying to figure out how to finally reach the elevator that will bring you up to the observation deck. They likely designed it to be purposefully confusing in hopes that you spend some money as you try to figure out how to make it up to the top.

That was my biggest complaint about the experience, but I’d say the view from the rooftop bar was worth the hassle. Especially at sunset, watching the city slowly light up was such a treat!

If you’re looking for a more straightforward and less touristy alternative, I enjoyed the DSRT Sky Room at the The Wembley Hotel. It doesn’t have a 360-degree view, but it’s still a nice place to see most of the surrounding city. And while many hotel bars can feel cold and impersonal, the staff here were friendly and the decor was endearing and cozy.

Option 2: From Penang Hill

If a rooftop bar isn’t exactly your style, the other option for a great view of the city is Penang Hill. It’s not exactly centrally located, but the views are worth the 20 to 30-minute Grab car ride over. Once you arrive to the base of the hill, you can either hike up or take the funicular. I recommend the latter as it’s not very expensive (30 MR, or approx. 7 USD), plus it’s much quicker.

As you can see, Penang Hill offers a much more expansive view than the Komtar Tower. However, it’s a bit harder to see details of the city from up there. The benefit though is that you’ll get to see the rolling hills of forests beyond the city. If you have time to check out Penang Hill and the Komtar Tower, I recommend doing both!

Bars

Last but not least, I’ll speak briefly about where you can find a cocktail in Penang! Although Malaysia’s state religion is Islam, drinking didn’t appear to be restricted at all here. However, drinks were generally not cheap; expect at least about 7 USD per cocktail or glass of wine.

The city’s most famous bar street is called Love Lane. It’s definitely touristy, but there are a bunch of options here as well as ample late-night food.

Another bar I liked was the HiddenTiki. The location on Google Maps is accurate, but it’s still pretty hidden and figuring out how to get in is a mini adventure. The ambiance was cool and relaxed, but the drinks were even more expensive than in other places. However, it’s still worth a visit if you want to check out a cool bar that isn’t on Love Lane.

In Closing...

I can say one thing about Penang that I can’t say about all the places I’ve visited: I was really happy during my short stay there. Maybe it was just the locals’ friendly attitudes or the delicious food, but Penang felt like a genuinely joyful place. I honestly think it’s because of all the cultures that coexist there.

I’m obviously no expert in local Malaysian race relations, politics, or history. Colonialism has definitely played a role in the history of Penang, and I’m not under any impression that Penang is perfect. However, it did feel like a place where people of diverse backgrounds with a variety of ideas came together. And it felt like a sneak peak of what cities of the future could be like: numerous languages, religions, and cultures coexisting together while still retaining their own unique qualities.

Have you ever been to Penang? Did you get the same sense about it that I did? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for my next post featuring Kuala Lumpur!

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This post was published on July 2, 2019

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Penang, Malaysia: Chicken Soup For The Multicultural Soul appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Malaysia Archives - Caffeinated Excursions

Should You Visit Port Dickson, Malaysia? An Honest Review

The Good

Authentic Malaysia

Food Worth Ranting About

Street Art

The Bad (And The Ugly)

Empty Resorts

Wild Dogs

Downtown

Things That Were Okay

Beaches

Blue Lagoon and Cape Rachado Lighthouse

The Lexis Hibiscus Resort

Getting Around

The Verdict

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Penang, Malaysia: Chicken Soup For The Multicultural Soul

Signs of Many Cultures (Both Literal and Otherwise)

Languages Galore

Places of Worship

Penang's Varied Architecture

Another Testament To Penang's Multiculturalism: The Food

How to See the City from Above

Option 1: From one of the city’s many skyscrapers

Option 2: From Penang Hill

Bars

In Closing...

Share This Post With Fellow Travelers!

Recent Posts

Meet Your Caffeinated Blogger: Kevin!

Where I Am Now

Categories

Where I’ve Been

Upcoming Trips

Archives

Click To Follow!

Support the Blog!

Subscribe Via Email

Meta