ARRIVAL
Kuala
Lumpur is served by a comprehensive modern network of
transportation systems. More than 30 foreign airlines
fly in from various parts of the globe through the KL
International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang. Every effort
has been made to create a homely airport with a serene
environment combined with high technologies attractions.
Nature and greenery are part of the airport in line
with the "airport in the forest and forest in the
airport" concept.
Recently,
KLIA won for the second consecutive year as THE WORLD
BEST AIRPORT in the 15-25 million passengers per annum
(mppa) category for the Airports Council International–Airport
Service Quality (ACI – ASQ) Awards 2006.
WEATHER
CONDITIONS
Hot
and humid all year round, Malaysia enjoys an equatorial
climate of temperatures ranging from 22 to 32 degrees
Celcius in the lowlands. However, it is cooler in highland
areas. The annual rainfall here averages 200-250 cm.
It is advisable to dress in clothing of breathable and
light materials. Comfortable and warm garments need
to be worn only at hill resorts.
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MONEY
MATTERS
Money
exchange facilities are available in all major
towns. The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) comes in denominations
of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM100, and coins from
one cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents.
All major credit cards are accepted in most establishments.
All commercial banks are authorised foreign exchange
dealers and open from 9.30am to 4.00pm on weekdays.
Only selected banks at selected locations are
opened on Saturday, they are closed on Sunday.
In Kelantan and Terengganu, banks close on Friday
instead of Sunday and open from 9.30am to 12.00noon
on Thursday. Other licensed moneychangers operate
in key entry / exit points and shopping malls.
Most hotels exchange foreign currency and accept
travellers’ cheques. |
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MOVING
ABOUT
Most
international airlines serve Kuala Lumpur and
also Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia (low-cost carrier)
provide connections to all domestic destinations
within the country. Air Asia is a budget carrier
and is good for those on a shoe-string budget.
It also serves selected destinations to other
countries, especially around Asia.
Peninsular Malaysia has road and rail links to
Singapore and Thailand. Many car rental companies
have counters at airports, some shopping complexes
in the city and major towns in the country. Local
transport is efficient and cheap, and these include
air-conditioned express buses and long distance
taxi services. Driving on the left side of the
road is observed throughout the country.
KL Convention Centre is centrally located with
the availability of public transportation. It
is easy to move around by bus and by Light Rail
Transit (LRT) trains.
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COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone,
facsimile, telegraph, postal and e-mail facilities are
available for local and international communications.
Cybercafes with Internet services can be easily found
in urban centres. KL Convention Centre provides wireless
connection throughout its venue. Most hotel rooms also
provide in-room internet facility, check with the respective
hotels on the rates charged.
TIME
DIFFERENCE
The
standard Malaysian time is eight hours ahead of GMT.
