Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia - Unmissable experiences
A trip through Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines reveals an authentic and little-known side of Asia. Diverse cultural influences, natural riches, ultra-modern cities and isolated islets make up a dazzling mosaic just waiting to be discovered.
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Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia - Essential guide
Culture, gastronomy, customs… We have put together everything you need to know before setting sail on a cruise to Indonesia, the Philippines or Malaysia.
Read more
Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia - Unmissable experiences
A trip through Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines reveals an authentic and little-known side of Asia. Diverse cultural influences, natural riches, ultra-modern cities and isolated islets make up a dazzling mosaic just waiting to be discovered.
Explore the natural and urban landscape of George Town, Penang - Malaysia
George Town reigns over Penang Island. A patch of heaven on earth, The Habitat Penang Hill is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, accessed via a popular funicular. More than 10 metres above the ground, the park's raised walkway lets you admire the rainforest canopy and take in the spectacular views of the valley and the Andaman Sea. When you get back into town, hop into a trishaw, a three-wheeled rickshaw, to explore the city sights: the Chinese Clan Jetties and their wooden houses on stilts, the Khoo Kongsi Chinese clanhouse and the Blue Mansion, a remarkable residence that belonged to the merchant Cheong Fatt Tze. The house is best known for its role in the film Indochine with Catherine Deneuve.
Succumb to the multicultural charms of Malacca - Malaysia
A two-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, the multicultural city of Malacca entices travellers with its laid-back charm. Its history is inextricably linked to the spice and silk trade routes between Asia and the West. Located on the strait that shares its name, Malacca is the oldest port city in Malaysia. It therefore has a rich colonial history (falling under Portuguese, Dutch and British rule) and long-standing relationships with China and India. These influences can be seen in the monuments and architecture of the various city districts. Exploring the history of an ethnic group descended from Chinese settlers, the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum offers a glimpse inside their opulent homes. A society of wealthy merchants, the furnishings on display are both unique and luxurious.
Meet the Mah Meri - Malaysia
Known as the "masked men of Malaysia", the Mah Meri, an indigenous tribe living on the Malaysian peninsula, still practice their ancient customs. Visitors can attend certain welcome performances, mock wedding ceremonies and rituals in honour of the village guardians or spirits. These rites are accompanied by dances in traditional costumes, including the striking masks associated with their animist beliefs. The Mah Meri are also skilled artisans who have mastered the subtle arts of wood carving and origami with palm leaves.
Take a trip to Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
The economic and cultural capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is one of the fastest-growing cities in Asia. The tallest buildings in the world until 2004, the Petronas Twin Towers are still the tallest of their kind, reaching a staggering 452 metres. Not quite as tall but just as impressive, the Kuala Lumpur Tower (421 metres) offers panoramic views of the whole city. While exploring Kuala Lumpur, visitors should build their itinerary around three main landmarks: Merdeka Square, the National Monument and the National Museum. If you want to escape the urban jungle, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll around the Lake Gardens, with its tropical plants and two large bodies of water, or the ASEAN Sculpture Garden. This amazing open-air museum is filled with creations designed by artists from all over Asia.
Venture into the Taman Negara rainforest - Malaysia
Malaysia boasts one of the most awe-inspiring rainforests in the world, with roots stretching back over 130 million years. In the very heart of the country, Taman Negara National Park offers a wide variety of activities: night-time outings to admire the nocturnal wildlife; scenic hikes on Mount Tahan, the highest peak in the country; access to the forest canopy, 40 metres above the ground; boat rides to the Lata Berkoh waterfalls; swimming; and much more! Not to mention the chance to see many diverse and beautiful creatures including kingfishers, hornbills, monkeys, monitor lizards and water buffalo.
See Singapore at its best
This unique city-state is a land of contrasts, from the shining skyscrapers and bustling streets to the multicultural neighbourhoods and historic monuments. Little India, Arab Street and Chinatown all offer a fascinating insight into Singapore's ethnic diversity. Spices, silverware, brass, carved woodwork, silk, lace, semi-precious stones... The fragrant and colourful stalls that line the streets reflect a more authentic side of Singapore. The city is also known for its ultra-modern buildings, such as the Star Vista shopping centre and the many towers of the financial district, which were constructed according to the principles of feng shui. Finally, no stop in Singapore is complete without a visit to the Gardens by the Bay, a vast eco-park filled with plants from around the world. The jewels in its crown are the two large greenhouses, covering a total area of 20,000 m², which replicate the cool moist conditions of tropical mountain regions and a Mediterranean/subtropical climate respectively. The gardens are dominated by striking structures known as Supertrees, which put on a music and light show after dark.
Embrace your inner castaway in the Tambelan Archipelago - Indonesia
Indonesia's most remote archipelago, the Tembelan Islands are home to just 4,000 people. In fact, many of these isolated islands are entirely uninhabited. Their deserted beaches are ideal for a relaxing day of swimming. Away from the shore, the pristine waters are teeming with dazzling underwater wildlife just waiting to be discovered with a snorkel and flippers!
Come face to face with the orangutans - Indonesia
A recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1977, Tanjung Puting National Park is truly one of a kind. Its success can be attributed to the work of a single woman: Canadian primatologist Biruté Galdikas. In 1971, she founded Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting to study the orangutans. Today, the park is inhabited by 6,000 wild apes. It also serves as a rehabilitation centre for orphaned and abused primates released from captivity. With care and a special diet, they are able to recover and gradually reacclimatise to life in the wild.
Experience a unique way of life among the Tapkala people in the Alor Archipelago - Indonesia
Landing in Kalabahi, on Alor Island, is a rare and privileged experience. In this remote corner of the world, the Tapkala people have lived a traditional way of life for hundreds of years. They build their houses from bamboo and coconut leaves and weave their clothes by hand. Their dances, accompanied by the sound of mokos, a type of prehistoric bronze drum, are a remarkable sight. A visit to the Alor Archipelago is a chance to immerse yourself in the Indonesia that time forgot.
Go wild in Komodo National Park - Indonesia
One of the most iconic stopovers in Indonesia, maybe even the whole of Asia, Komodo National Park was founded in 1980 to protect the famous Komodo dragons, several varieties of cetacean, and other local flora and fauna. Spread over several islands, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers many opportunities for walking and wildlife watching. From the giant lizards, which can reach up to 3 metres in length, to the splendour of Pink Beach, Komodo National Park is well worth a visit!
Lose yourself on Sibuyan Island - the Philippines
Known as the "Galapagos of Asia" because of its many endemic species, the wild and isolated Sibuyan Island is part of the Romblon archipelago in the heart of the Philippines. Dominated by Mount Guiting-Guiting, which rises over 2,000 metres above sea level, the island epitomises the natural beauty of the Philippines. Not far away, the desert island of Cresta de Gallo is straight out of a storybook: a strip of fine white sand, endless turquoise seas and cloudless blue skies.
Step back in time in Banda Neira - Indonesia
Visitors to the Banda Islands, in the province of Maluku, can enjoy a glimpse of an unknown Indonesia. The wealth of spices in the archipelago brought it to the attention of several Western countries in the 16th century, but it gradually fell into oblivion over the following four centuries, becoming a haven of peace for its inhabitants once again. Despite its population of 7,000, the capital, Banda Neira, still feels like a village. Certain buildings, like the Fort Belgica, are a testament to the past presence of Europeans. The streets of the town are very peaceful. Down by the small port, children leap into the water while a few fishing boats come and go. People live quiet lives in this verdant landscape, overlooked by the Gunung Api volcano: the perfect place to get away from it all.
Witness the natural beauty of North Sulawesi - Indonesia
The Indonesian province of North Sulawesi is a real paradise for nature lovers. Covering 75,000 hectares, the Bunaken National Park is a haven of marine biodiversity: coral gardens and immense drop-offs shelter almost three quarters of the fish species found in the Western Pacific. An underwater world just waiting to be discovered by intrepid snorkellers! Back on land, the Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve can be explored on foot. The rainforest is home to more than 120 species of mammals, including the Celebes crested macaque and the spectral tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world. With 233 species of birds, the reserve is the ideal destination for any twitcher.
Find your own personal paradise in the Kai Islands - Indonesia
In the Kai Islands, in the southern part of the Maluku Islands, time seems to pass slowly. These 27 islands are set apart by their long white sand beaches and breathtaking landscapes, surrounded by clear water brimming with marine wildlife. Their near-deserted beaches and friendly inhabitants, whose ancestors arrived from Bali, make this tranquil archipelago the perfect place to escape from reality.
Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia - Essential guide
Culture, gastronomy, customs… We have put together everything you need to know before setting sail on a cruise to Indonesia, the Philippines or Malaysia.
Helpful tips
Dos. It is customary to take off your shoes before entering someone's house or a temple or mosque. Self-control is extremely important in this part of the world: any unpleasant situation should be resolved calmly with a smile.
Don'ts. In Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, touching someone's head is extremely rude, as the skull is believed to be the seat of the soul. You should never enter a place of worship without proper attire: always ensure that your legs and shoulders are covered.
Unique features
In May 2019, the House of Representatives of the Philippines passed a law requiring primary school, high school and university students to plant a certain number of trees in order to graduate. However, the Senate rejected this proposal, which means it will not be implemented. 175 million new trees would have been planted each year in the archipelago, which is experiencing significant deforestation. Unfortunately, the wooded area decreased from 70% to 20% of the territory over the course of the 20th century.
Essential phrases
| English | Malaisie | Philippines | Indonésie |
| Hello/good evening | Hello | Ayo/Maayong udto | Selamat pagi / Selamat malam |
| Goodbye | Selamat tinggal | Paálam / Adyós | Selamat tinggal |
| Welcome | Dialu-alukan | Welcome | Selamat datang |
| Excuse me/please | Maafkan saya / Sila | Pakí | Permisi |
| Thank you | Terima kasih | Daghang salamat | Terima kasih |
| Yes/no | Ya/Tidak | Oo/Dili | Ya/Tidak |
| How are you? | Apa khabar anda? | Kumustah ka? | Apa kabar? |
| Very well, thank you, and you? | Sangat baik, dan anda? | Ok lang. salamay, ikaw? | Sangat baik, terima kasih dan Anda? |
| My name is... | Nama saya... | Akong ngalan kay... | Nama saya... |
Gastronomy
Malaysian cuisine reflects the country's multiculturalism. One of the most iconic dishes is nasi lemak, rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, often accompanied by a hard-boiled egg, cucumber and sambal, a spicy condiment. Rice and coconut milk are also a major part of the Filipino diet, where spit-roasted suckling pig marinated in vinegar and soy is a popular delicacy and fish is enjoyed at every meal. Finally, the Indonesian national dish, nasi goreng, literally means fried rice. This rice is mixed with shallots, garlic, sweet soy sauce, egg, meat, fish or shrimp.
In the spotlight
Launched in 1991, Vision 2020 is an economic development project aimed at bringing Malaysia into a new era by 2020, as well as earning the country its G20 membership. The objectives include economic prosperity with a fair distribution of wealth, political and social stability and a first-rate education system. Over the past 25 years, Malaysia has gone from a developing country to a developed country. In 2017, the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) found that Malaysia had eliminated absolute poverty and reduced ethnic inequality.
Reading
Malaysia. "Here the slightest breath and faintest flicker are received by all senses at once". When Lescale arrives in Malaysia, he has no idea of the wonders that await. He is reunited with Rolain, who he met in the trenches during the First World War. Rolain is running a plantation deep in the jungle, and Lescale discovers a new sense of freedom in the vast equatorial forests. Combining vivid descriptions of the landscape, a semi-autobiographical story, surprisingly modern writing and quotes from local poems, Malaisie won Henri Fauconnier the Goncourt Prize in 1930
The Philippines. Contes et Légendes des Philippines (Tales and Legends of the Philippines) from the Aux origines du monde collection offers a unique insight into Filipino culture, bringing together a collection of stories and myths that have shaped the collective imagination:
The first woman had a long, pointed beard. Lazy by nature, she always fell asleep when she was breastfeeding. Her husband had to hold her beard so that it wouldn't hurt the baby's eyes.
One day the woman said:
– There is no more meat. Take the dogs! Go kill a deer!
– But who will hold your beard while you breastfeed?
– I will! Don't worry, I won't fall asleep.
The husband went hunting, the wife began breastfeeding, and... fell asleep. When the husband returned, the baby, injured by its mother's beard, had gone blind. The husband pulled off his wife's beard so that his future babies would not risk losing their sight.
Indonesia. In The Girl from the Coast, the author, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, recounts his grandmother’s life story A fisherman's daughter from a modest background, she was married at the age of 14. Finding herself in feudal Java at the turn of the 20th century, she was intimidated and unhappy, but was able to quickly adapt to the language and customs of her new surroundings. The Girl from the Coast is the story of a stolen life. This young woman, who struggled to hold onto her freedom until the end, embodies the strength of the Indonesian people.
Facts and figures
18 306Made up of 18,306 islands, of which 6,000 are uninhabited, spread over 1,904,570 km², the Indonesian archipelago is the largest in the world.
