THE best Malaysian road trips are ones which are not hurried. I have found that the route scenery appears to be more eye-catching in the northern half of the peninsula,where you see more hills and plantations.

(From top) Wang Kelian in Perlis, a Penang street, Penang Bridge, Malay College in Kuala Kangsar, the Stadthuys in Malacca.

Johor

After entering Johor, it might be worthwhile to drive to Pontian to see fishing villages built on stilts over the sea. Or stop over at Kukup to enjoy a seafood meal.

Farther up, there is the old garrison town of Kluang, where a heritage railway station is sited. Make a short stop in Muar for its hawker food.

Malacca

Move on to Malacca, where you might want to try its famous chendol (an Indian dessert) from a stall across the road in front of the red Stadthuys in Jalan Kota.Malacca is a living museum, and monuments of former Dutch and Portuguese occupations are everywhere.

Negeri Sembilan

Should you want to stop in Serem-ban, go to the Central Market and try the beef noodles from a family run stall on the second level of the building. It is out of this world.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has so many interesting places that you might want to spend more than a day there.

Go up Petronas Towers, visit the old railway station, the historic City Hall and the Lake Gardens.

Take a trip to Batu Caves but be prepared to walk up its 272 steps.

At night, you must take a walk through Jalan Bukit Bintang, which is abuzz with activities.

And don't forget to wander about in Petaling Street in Chinatown.

Perak

Good food always enhances the enjoyment of any holiday. This is why when you arrive in Ipoh, ask for directions to Yau Tet Shin Street. At its junction to Osbourne Street are shops selling the famous Ipoh chicken and bean sprouts rice noodles. Ipoh sar hor fun, another rice noodle dish, is also a favourite.

Next stop is Kuala Kangsar, which is Perak's royal town, as it is the official residence of the sultan.

The town is well-known in the country for its two schools, Clifford Secondary School and the Malay College.This is a historic town where Malaysia's first rubber tree was planted by British botanist Henry Ridley. The tree still stands today, near the police headquarters.

Penang

Penang at last! You can cross over to this island by ferry or by bridge.

The kids will probably enjoy the ferry ride more as they can get out of the car and stand by the ferry rails for some sea breeze and scenery.

Ask your hotel for a free booklet that contains details of the best restaurants and hawker stalls on the island.

Places to see include Penang Hill, Chowrasta Market in Penang Road, Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Hitam, Little India in the Pitt Street area and Chinatown in the Campbell/Chulia Street vicinity.

It would be nice to take a round the-island car ride starting from Tanjong Tokong and all the way alongthe seaside resort areas of Tanjung Bungah.

Perlis

Penang is not Malaysia's Land's End. At the northernmost tip of the peninsula is Perlis, the country's smallest state.

If you find time on a Sunday, go to Wang Kelian, where there is a sprawling and bustling Sunday market along the Malaysian-Thai border with vendors from both countries plying their wares.

Happenings

NOW TO JUNE 3
Johor Bahru International Orchid Show 2007 (Danga Bay, Johor Bahru): This is the largest orchid show in the region, with 27 foreign participants from 20 countries, including Japan, China, Asean countries, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Europe.

More than 800 species of orchids will be on display. Johor is the largest orchid producer in Malaysia and the world's second largest exporter of cut orchids.

Free direct shuttle bus services:
- From Singapore to Johor : departs from Queen Street Terminal at 10am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm.
- From Johor to Singapore : departs from Danga Bay at 3pm, 5pm, 7pm and 9.30pm; or departs from City Square at 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm and 10pm.

PHOTOS: FILE, NST, THE STAR, TOURISM MALAYSIA