FOR TRAVEL IN CROATIA

Do and Dont's

Croatia was one of the most difficult places we've travelled to. My first draft of this post was a bit less forgiving, but then we went to Korcula and the people became friendlier, the weather cooler and the beaches more inviting. I realized that for as many unfriendly, unhelpful people as there are working in the service industry, there are just as many kind, welcoming and hard-working people who are ready to show you a good time. Chatting with our friendly taxi driver in Zagreb, we caught a different perspective. "People in Croatia don't like to work," he said. "Sometimes the wages are so low that you don't have the will for a smile."

I don't know what to say to that. When I'm travelling in a country I take notice of the socioeconomic conditions. I've travelled to poor regions before, none poorer than Bolivia. And everyone there had a genuine smile on his or her face. Thailand was also full of friendly people, despite the fact that many of them live in substandard housing and I saw a few bathing in the Chao Phraya River.

Economically Croatia is nowhere near as poor as these two examples. Perhaps they feel so because of their proximity to the Schengen area countries? Is this a good excuse for such consistently rude, unwelcoming behaviour to visitors? I'd love to hear from other readers on this issue.

Those who keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter may know that we cut our time there short by two weeks. Croatia is a very beautiful country and we didn't even get to some of the most attractive cities and areas. It isn't cheap, however, and we're celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary this month. We don't want to deal with unfriendly people and a lot of nonsense. But I want to be helpful and for visitors to have the knowledge to make the most of their time. Here are my do's and don'ts for exploring and preparing for your Croatian adventure so that you can have hopefully have a better time than we did.

DO Bring the right gear

Croatia's beaches are not the sandy affair you might be used to. While sand beaches do exist, most of them have pebbles or sharp rocks, so purchase some reef shoes. Don't um and ah about it: it will make the difference between skipping happily into the water or wincing as you tiptoe for fifteen minutes out to the deep part. You'll also probably want some snorkel gear and a beach towel as even the more expensive hotel we stayed at in Supetar didn't provide these. Hats and sunscreen are a must.

DON'T Visit in August

This was probably our biggest mistake. It's stinking hot, teeming with German and Italian tourists (which is fine but you might get tired of constantly being addressed in German when you're speaking Croatian or English) and many locals are absolutely sick and tired of foreigners. I suspect this was our biggest foible but, unfortunately, this was the only time we had this year to visit. Everything is more expensive, more crowded and more aggravating.

DO Bring cash

Even if the door of the establishment has the Mastercard and Visa logos on the door and even if you see the credit card machine sitting there on the counter, don't assume that your card will be accepted. We came across more 'cash only' businesses in Croatia than anywhere in South America. And bring plenty of money in general. The only bargains are beer and transportation.

DO Enjoy the nice local food

We didn't have a bad meal in Croatia. From delicious grilled meats to fresh seafood to excellent Italian dishes, you can't go wrong with restaurants. For those with a sweet tooth, you'll find a gelato shop every 50 metres and bakeries have excellent pastries and desserts. In general, 'caffes' serve coffees, ice cream and specialty drinks while restaurants and takeaway shops have the food. Diversity is not common - restaurants of a similar type will offer pretty much the same menu and we didn't find much in the way of international cuisine. Be sure to try cevapcici and the delicious fish such as Sea Devil, which is like monkfish.

Top 5 Must See Attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is one of the most visited cities in the world with tens of millions of tourists visiting the city every year. It is a melting pot of Malaysia’s three races - Malays, Chinese and Indians, creating a truly cultural experience.

As a result of its rapid expansion of Malaysia’s economy, it has developed a Western look-and-feel that is very unique in Southeast Asia. So we have compiled a list of five main attractions that you simply cannot miss when you visit the great city of Kuala Lumpur.

1-Petronas Twin Towers
These towers were declared the tallest buildings in the world when they were completed in 1998, becoming a symbol of the Kuala Lumpur. Visitors have the opportunity to walk between the towers at the 41st and 42nd floors called Sky Bridge, measuring 175 meters above street level! The towers serve as a complex of office buildings, conference halls, shopping malls and a 50-acre park. Make sure to arrive early because of the towers’ popularity among tourists.

2-Bazaars During Ramadan
If you visit during the month of Ramadan, Kuala Lumpur will offer endless amounts of joy. This month of fasting is one of the best times of the year because of the food that is offered to break the fast. Discover the best bazaars in TTDI, Kampung Baru and Subang’s SS18. Pay attention to which stall has the most people. Also, each bazaar has their own popular dish so make sure that you try them all! Try to visit in the late afternoon so that you can eat the food as it is being made. This is also a great opportunity to meet the locals and learn about their culture.

3-Batu Caves
Located 10 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, this famous Hindu temple and shrine is a must-see. It is best known for its giant golden statue, which you can reach if you are willing to climb the 272 steps to the top. However, the view from the top is worth the trip. Not to mention, there will be monkeys jumping around, following you the whole way. Batu Caves can easily be reached by trains of buses located in the center of Kuala Lumpur. If you visit during the Thaipusam festival, just know that it will be extremely busy since nearly one million pilgrims visit the site for religious purposes.

4-Dip N Dip
If you are a chocolate lover, then Kuala Lumpur is the city for you. When you are on vacation, you are entitled to treat yourself to something special. Dip N Dip is a dessert restaurant that will serve you chocolate in more flavors and ways than you can imagine. Order waffles with ice cream, topped with fresh berries and much, much more. Use Dip N Dip as your reward for making the hike up to the Batu Caves!

5-Bird Park and Butterfly Park
Luckily, these parks are right next to each other so you can visit both in one day. Relax and walk through the parks - practice your photography skills or watch your children try to catch the butterflies in amazement. You can even buy some bird food in the bird park so the birds will come sit on your shoulder for a picture. There is no doubt that these parks will offer a memorable experience for you and your family.

When you visit Kuala Lumpur, you are guaranteed to have a magical experience. Between the diverse cultures, natural beauty and spectacular architecture, you will never forget this vacation. If you’ve ever been to this amazing city, tell us which attraction that was your favorite!

Travelling to Malaysia Tips and Tricks

Kuala Lumpur is my most visited city outside the Philippines.  

I can’t recall how many times I’ve visited this sprawling metropolis.  

Thus, this Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide with itinerary and budget is long overdue.  

Kuala Lumpur has grown into a modern and affluent metropolis from an erstwhile tin mining village. 

 What I like about Kuala Lumpur is despite its success, it remains a culturally diverse city.  

It is a melting pot of ethnic Malays,  Indian migrants, British colonials and Chinese. 

Everywhere you go, you can see how the city managed to preserved its age-old heritage buildings, 

temples and mosques that blend beautifully with towering buildings and opulent shopping malls.

Kuala Lumpur self-sufficient experience is you can find soft goods at Lot 10 that sell genuine clothes at cheap prices. Also, you can also search in Chinatown. This is one of the cheaper areas in the city and especially it is close to many attractions.

For transportation in the city, you can choose a bus, train or taxi. If traveling to Kuala Lumpur alone, you should take the bus or train because the price of each trip is only about 1 – 10 dollars in each location. While traveling with a large group, renting a taxi will help your team move more freely and comfortably. The only note is that you have to pay the price firmly with the driver before boarding.