Malaysia

While traveling in Brunei on the island of Borneo, I realized the neighboring Malaysian city of Miri was just across the border, so I decided to make the journey overland. Miri had a relaxed, small-town atmosphere, with quiet streets, bustling local markets, and a pace of life that felt refreshingly unhurried. It offered a glimpse of a quieter side of Malaysia that many travelers never experience.

A few years later, I returned to Malaysia, this time after my friend Kuan invited me to celebrate Diwali with him and his Hindu family in Kuala Lumpur. The contrast between Kuala Lumpur and Miri couldn’t have been greater. The sleepy streets of Miri gave way to one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic cities, where gleaming skyscrapers rise above historic neighborhoods and each district has its own distinct character. What impressed me most was the remarkable blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures, reflected everywhere from the food and architecture to the languages spoken on the streets. Celebrating Diwali with Kuan’s family made that cultural diversity feel deeply personal rather than something I was simply observing as a visitor.