I can’t decide whether employees of the Malaysian Tourism Board have some of the easiest jobs in the world or the hardest. On the one hand, Malaysia is full of breathtaking scenery, diverse cultural heritage and intricate artistic traditions, all supported by a clean and modern infrastructure that makes tourism simple and inviting. On the other, the tourism board has such an overwhelming selection of tempting destinations and activities to promote that it must be tough to choose which ones to highlight.

The first-time visitor to Malaysia is immediately struck by how ancient traditions remain a part of everyday life, even in the cosmopolitan capital city of Kuala Lumpur (aka ‘KL’). Batik, a form of textile design practiced for hundreds of years, is still worn proudly and is incorporated into high-fashion clothing. Food outlets from the most elegant of restaurants to the ubiquitous hawkers (street vendors) feature distinctive nyonya dishes, an amalgam of Chinese and indigenous influences. Deeply resonating gongs still sound as part of traditional musical performances.

With so many historical influences in evidence, it may come as a surprise to realize that modern Malaysia dates back only to 1965. The British established colonies throughout the region during the 18th and 19th centuries; it is commonly asserted that Malaysians are among the politest of Southeast Asians (at least according to Western standards of conduct) thanks to their long association with English etiquette.

During the Second World War, the territory was taken over by the Japanese. Although the British attempted to reassert authority thereafter, independence movements began to grow in strength and by 1963 the country (including Singapore, which seceded two years later) had declared its sovereignty.

The country benefits from a rich blend of cultures. While the majority of citizens are of Malay heritage, there is a strong Chinese influence as well, dating back to the fifteenth century when Chinese brides were sent to cement a political alliance between China and a local Sultan. The result of the literal and figurative marriages between Chinese and Malay was Nyonya culture, which tourists can easily enjoy in restaurants featuring nyonya cuisine. Favorite dishes include otak-otak (a fragrant pâté of fish and spices steamed in banana leaves) and ayam kapitan (a chicken curry). Indians also make up a significant fraction of the population and contribute to the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. Not surprisingly, among the architectural treasures throughout the country are many temples, mosques and churches reflecting Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and other religious beliefs.

Modern Malaysia has made the most of its human and natural resources. The country has devoted considerable energy to establishing a strong education system, which has paid off with a widely admired workforce. One of the highly successful “Asian Tigers” with a powerhouse economy in the early 1990s, Malaysia rebounded swiftly after the Asian monetary crisis later in the decade. Today, it offers all visitors, whether traveling for business or leisure, a clean, smart, sophisticated environment that can match any country in the world.

Courtesy Malaysian Tourism The bridge connecting the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur offers a panoramic view of the city.

With so much to offer, perhaps the Malaysian Tourism Board did have a difficult job organizing my trip, a promotional tour they arranged for journalists from around the world. I arrived after a 10-hour flight from Cairo, via Doha, but the long, hectic journey was quickly forgotten as we were rushed through customs and whisked away to the Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa, where refreshing ginger welcome drinks awaited us.

The choice of accommodations made a great first impression: The Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa is Cyberjaya’s first and only resort, located just 25 minutes away from the airport and 30 minutes from the city center. (Cyberjaya is a sleek new development focused on providing the latest in ICT — cyber means what you think it does, and jaya implies status and prosperity in the local language). The 74 spacious, fully equipped guest rooms include 68 chalet rooms, two junior suites (complete with two bedrooms and a bathroom), two bungalows (two bedrooms and two bathrooms) and an exclusive honeymoon suite and presidential suite, both with garden-view Jacuzzi tubs. While the lodge appears rustic and tropical, it features up-to-the-minute high-tech facilities. Every room offers a personal computer with free, high-speed access to the internet and its own DID (Direct Inward Dial) telephone line. Complementary wireless broadband is available throughout the resort.

After touring the grounds, we were dropped in the lap of luxury at the breathtaking lakeside Sembunyi Spa, a lavish 10,000-square-foot facility for men and women that offers an array of Asian treatments for mind and body. Afterward, we took a dip in the three free-form swimming pools graced by waterfalls and a Jacuzzi.

Totally rested, we found ourselves in for another treat: lunch at the Verandah Restaurant, which is nestled among a profusion of greenery. Dinner was a mouthwatering open buffet that included a variety of seafood, chicken and beef sate, the Southeast Asian version of kebabs.

After breakfast, we began our city tour of Kuala Lumpur. First stop: Bukit Bintang. This bustling street is home to a wide variety of malls, hotels and shops, the most concentrated shopping area in KL. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés along the road if you want to take a break from the shopping for a quick bite. Bargain hunters should head straight to BB Plaza, which houses the department store Metrojaya as well as shops offering quality items at moderate prices. For those who crave everything designer, check out Suria KLCC, a tasteful shopping venue located at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers, two of the tallest buildings in the world.

When the shopping bags became too heavy to carry, we headed back to the resort where dinner awaited. Music and dance are integral components of Malaysian culture, and we had a surprise in store: an exclusive performance all to ourselves. Classical dance traditions in Malaysia take many forms, but all include exquisite costumes in sumptuous colors. Dazzled by the spectacle, we headed back to our rooms early to rest up for the next day’s adventures.

A shuttlebus transferred us to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where we took a 45-minute flight to Terengganu, also known as ‘the Texas of Malaysia’ for its massive oil industry. Perhaps this sobriquet also refers to an aspect of Terengganu that tourists probably won’t notice: The region is famous among Malaysian speakers for its distinctive accent and dialect.

En route to our hotel, a two-hour drive, we sampled nasi lemang, rice cooked in bamboo. It was delicious, and those with an adventurous palate will enjoy the accompanying pickled mango, grapes and other fruits. Also worth trying is nasi dagang, a local Terengganu specialty of rice cooked in coconut milk with tuna fish curry.

Courtesy Malaysian Tourism Board An artisan paints cloth with wax as part of the elaborate process of creating batik.

We alighted at Awana Kijal Golf, Beach & Spa Resort, where we were greeted with music and dances and were offered a delicious welcome drink: a heady mixture of guava, orange, mango and rose syrup from locally grown fruits.

Eight hundred acres of abundant natural greenery and a 7.6 km private white sandy beach make Awana Kijal the number-one resort in this area, known as the East Coast. The only five-star resort in Terengganu, it combines rustic charm with modern amenities. Its wide range of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities include an 18-hole golf course, table tennis, tennis, a fitness center with gym equipment, sauna, Jacuzzi, outdoor chess, beach games and a fun pool.

The resort features a total of 343 spacious, fully equipped rooms and suites, along with a choice of food and beverages outlets. The high point in all this luxury is the Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa — the place to be pampered.

Our first stop of the morning was Kuala Terengganu, the Terengganu capital. En route we visited Noor Arfa, a large handicraft center. The complex showcases the much acclaimed batik industry in Malaysia and explains the process (designs are drawn with wax on cloth, which is then dyed; the waxed areas resist the dye) and its variations (the wax designs can be applied by hand, with special stamps, or by machine).

Midway between Kuala Terengganu in the north and Kuantan in the south, we dropped in at Tanjong Jara Resort, where we were again greeted by music and dances. The welcome drink here is a concoction named ‘roselle’, made of roselle plants high in Vitamin C (10 times that of an orange) as well as essential minerals with anti-oxidant properties that are said to slow the aging process and ward off cancer. Health aside, the taste was intriguing and well worth sampling.

The 17-hectare resort has 99 rooms intricately designed using a mixture of woods, including teak, highly prized for its lovely grain and reddish hue. All rooms are positioned to offer panoramic views of the South China Sea as well as the scenic tropical landscaped gardens. The resort was awarded a Five-Diamond rating in 2002, 2003 and 2004 by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, making it the first Malaysian property to receive the prestigious accolade. Recently its Tanjong Club Spa made the list of Top Ten Overseas Hotel Spas, Asia category. It was also listed in the 100 Top Spas Worldwide in Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Spa Awards 2004.

But the resort isn’t just about luxury and pampering, it also offers glimpses of the best of Malaysia’s wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas, river crabs and sea eagles.

Feeling serene, we continued our drive to Primula Beach Resort, which is undergoing soon-to-be-completed renovations. The resort is located on the beachfront, very near the city center. Owned by the Malaysian government, the resort does not serve alcohol, in accordance with Islamic teaching. For recreation, the venue features a pleasant swimming pool and tennis court.

Early in the morning we set out for the countryside, where we visited the State Museum, considered one of the most comprehensive in Southeast Asia. At the main entrance, the original Batu Bersurat (Inscribed Stone) of Terengganu is located, physical evidence of Islamic proselytizing in the Malay Archipelago. Terengganu was perhaps the first Malay state to receive Islam, as attested by the stone.

We then stopped at Pulau Duyung, the oldest traditional boat-making center in Malaysia. Here you can watch the work of craftsmen famed for building boats and luxury yachts from memory.

Early in the morning we were transferred to Kuala Terengganu Airport, where we departed to Kuala Lumpur and the five-star Hotel Nikko, located along the prestigious Jalan Ampang, the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s business, shopping and entertainment district.

The Nikko is just a heartbeat away from Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The hotel has 473 spacious, fully equipped guest rooms with a range of deluxe amenities. After a tour of its luxurious facilities we spent the day discovering the bargains, cafes and restaurants of KLCC.

After breakfast we took a trek out to Berjaya Times Square, billed as “the world’s largest building ever built in a single phase.” Almost 7.5 million square feet in size, it was constructed at a total development cost of RM 1.75 billion (LE 2.7 billion) and is nothing less than an architectural masterpiece. The distinctive landmark offers entertainment, shopping, dining and luxurious accommodation, all under one roof.

We couldn’t pass up the chance of a little excitement and we got our fill at the Square’s Cosmo’s World Theme Park, which was conceived as the largest indoor, all-weather, all-ages entertainment theme park in the region. The ultimate in excitement and themed attractions, it will amaze visitors with its gigantic size — 380,000 square feet of pure fantasy. Don’t pass up the thrill of riding the 800-meter long roller coaster, the Asia-Pacific’s longest multi-inverted indoor roller coaster.

On the tenth floor is the DIGI IMAX 3D and 2D Theater, boasting the largest movie screen ever created in Southeast Asia. With crystal-clear images up to five stories high enhanced by 12,000 watts of uncompressed digital surround sound system, IMAX shows offer dizzying sensory experiences than can be even more vivid than reality.

For lunch we went back to the Impiana Hotel, after which we headed to Aquaria. Boasting over 150 different species of captivating and colorful marine life from Malaysia and around the world, Aquaria offers a multi-sensory voyage of entertainment and education. You can even touch some of the unique creatures in the touch pool.

The rest of the day we spent exploring the city on our own. We decided to go to China Town, famed for its open-air market that sells just about anything under the sun — antiques, traditional crafts, clothes, shoes, toys, you name it. Hone your bargaining skills before you buy and look out for ripoffs; all of the major brands are perfectly copied here.

On our last day we visited the Menara Telecommunications Tower: The world’s fourth tallest at a towering 421 meters, it’s the best place for a 360-degree aerial view of KL, boasting a terrific location and a great revolving restaurant. For another breathtaking view of the city, stand in the middle of the 41-story bridge connecting the Petronas Twin Towers. Entrance to the tower is free but remember that it is closed on Mondays and only a limited number of timed tickets are given out each day.

After spending the rest of the day roaming the city, treating ourselves to mountains of bargains, coffees and massages, we headed back to our hotel to prepare for the long flight home.

Whether planning our itinerary was easy or hard, the Malaysian Tourism Board had definitely succeeded in making the trip a nonstop delight.  et