I think you can hear relatively little of Malaysia. Chill was already three times each in Thailand and the best in Vietnam or Indonesia, perhaps even in Cambodia. Malaysia comes in stories before little. After three weeks, I would say without justification.
You can spend three weeks here very varied without problems and even then you can come back, at least if one still drives the Malaysia on Borneo.
Squeezing Borneo in three weeks, however, is difficult. I had only recently, but it would have been much more travel stress and with two additional flights also not negligible expensive.
My route is now the following have been: Mersing / Rava – Melaka – Kuala Lumpur – Cameron Highlands – Penang / Georgetown. I have found that many others take a similar route (up to Mersing / Rava), but in less time. Can definitely make, especially if you “only” three weeks to arrive is. To avoid unnecessary stress me, I am in each case remained always takes 1-2 days longer than it would have been necessary. Most travelers who I met are still moved to the island of Langkawi to Penang. Then I have omitted, because I’m going to jump in the next few weeks anyway from one island to another and Thai islands are much better and should be as Langkawi in Malaysia.
culture
In Malaysia three cultures come together: Malaii, Chinesich and Indian. In the religions of Islam is clearly in the foreground, but I would regard as moderate. Me as atheists has certainly not bother it. Accordingly, there’s also a lot of Islamic architecture, which is a nice change here. However, the Islamic government discriminates probably much the other cultures and religions. Of course, I get as a tourist with nothing, unless someone tells me. In this respect, the Government launched the campaign “One Malaysia”, which aims to strengthen the cohesion of the different cultures in this country, probably only Humbug.
Striking and pleasing are the good English spoken by Malaysians. Non-Singapore level, but very useful, partly very good indeed. The British have played a major role here until the mid-20th century.
diversity
I think Malaysia has some great variety. There are small and large, very beautiful and not so beautiful islands such as Rawa, Perenthian Islands, Langkawi, Tioman or Pangkor. But here you could spend an island lovers an entire vacation. Also you can dive out of the islands. Then there are beautiful World Heritage cities such as Melaka or Georgetown. Many opportunities for hiking in the Highlands and interesting tea plantations. With Kuala Lumpur there is also a big city, but better still is the close proximity to Singapore. If that’s not enough, you can fly to Borneo and climb Mount Kinabalu there or explore the animal kingdom in Sandakan.
tourism
One can not say that Malaysia would be overrun. Since I expect in Thailand completely different crowds. It is here, however, currently still rather low season, especially on the east coast, where now close to the end of October and most resorts on the islands. Until the Cameron Highlands, I was in the buses often the only white or one of very few. At the latest there I ended up being on the tourist trail. But there are also a lot of Asian tourists, I can make up as such not always here.
The majority of tourists that I met (sometimes only heard in passing), are German, then come the Netherlands and the rest is distributed. Others have confirmed that especially the Malaysians. We Germans are everywhere!
Worth mentioning, I find that it is usually not cut here as a tourist on his ear. The “Touts” not nervous constantly here. So all in all you get pretty relaxed through the country, and most people have an honest smile left (in Thailand I had at this honesty often my doubts).
transfer
Malaysia can travel very well. Domestic flights are cheap, even after Borneo. Often only 50-70 euros, but I have not noticed. The paths are here anyway not so long. I had no bus ride over five hours. The bus network is very good with regular buses. It’s all a little less professional than I’m used to from South America, but one has to arrive no problems anywhere and it is always cheap. All trips were between three and eight euros (2 to 5 hours). City consumption can take a taxi, but I’ve rarely done. In most places you could Walk on foot or even take a bus.
accommodation
I have been here mostly in guest houses, all of which were of good quality also. This often means only that they were clean and hospitable. The are dearer to me than hotels. Basically, the price level is a bit higher than I had thought of accommodation. On the average I have 17 euros per night paid (in northern Thailand there were three years ago only 12 euros). Rawa is explicitly not included there. With Rawa average rockets to 30 Euro high 😉 All accommodation (up to Rawa) had free Wifi, usually also useful. As a rule, I have everything booked 1-2 days in advance (booking.com, agoda.com or hostelworld / hostelbookers). My accommodations were (for the record): Alang’s Rawa, Riverview Guest House, Classic Inn, Fathers Guesthouse, Chulia Heritage Hotel and Annie’s Homestay.
Price level
Accommodation and buses above. For food see separate article. But what’s up here otherwise: public toilet usage usually costs 7 cents, six postcards with stamps to Germany have cost 2 Euros. T-Shirts in decent quality from 2,30 Euro. In very poor quality even under 1 Euro. Taxi depending on length of trip 2-15 euros. A bottle of water from 20 cents, 50 cents to 3 euro museum, a role Mentos 35 cents, 50 cents can of Coke. So all in all, cheap.
Conclusion
My three weeks Malaysia I do not regret and I would recommend it as a tourist destination. It’s cheap, easy to travel, very varied, very safe and the people are friendlier than in Thailand or not have the hang of it, how to deal with tourists for profit maximization 😉
So at least my experience was three years ago in Thailand and after what I hear here from other, this has probably not changed. More on this in my Conclusion Thailand in less than three weeks.