Malaysia Tourist Traps

by raabenb
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Culture Show

At our stop at a pewter factory, we were able to see a "culture show". This show showed us traditional Malaysian dancing. The people were dressed in traditional clothes and performed a couple dfferent dances. I knew from the begining that this was just a tourist trap. When they were finished, they asked everybodyfor tips and then led the crowd in the store which sold pewter with raised prices. The whole thing was an act to get the tourists money.

The dancing was good, I just wish I could have experienced it under different circumstances.


	Batik in Johor

By raabenb

on October 26, 2005

by raabenb
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Batik

Batik is a traditional South-East asian way of designing fabric, usually silk. What they do is put hot colored wax on the fabric and let it air dry so it stains the fabrics in whatever design they intend.

Unfortunately, Batik has become a way for the locals to rip off tourist. Many Johor Bahru day tours will take you to a batik factory but the batik is massed produced and the prices are raised for these tourists.

If you are in Johor Bahru and you want to buy Batik, look for the stores that are not on the tourist trail. You can probably find some downtown which are actually made by families in their houses are small shops, not in the large tourist traps.


	Danger?

By JoanPhua

on December 22, 2002

Before your get there, please have at least one travelling guide with you!

When you wanna travel around the city area, before you get into any taxi/cab, please ask for a few to compare the prices, you may want to check the market rate with local people, they can tell you.

Some of the market are prominenet in selling fake products, you may need to argue for price, if you really interested to buy, or else don't ask how much!


	Beware of Taxi Drivers

on January 16, 2005

Being a local doesn't exclude you from the occasional mountebank. Taxi drivers are required to use the meter, yet many charge a fix rate.

Always discuss with the driver before actually getting in to the car about the destination and the rates they charge... tip is not obligatory, though i do it on habit.


	Beware of pick pocket, keep...

By sarawakgirl

on August 26, 2002

Beware of pick pocket, keep your important things safe specially when u are around busy street.


	Beware of touts, those guys...

By Purd

on August 27, 2002

Beware of touts, those guys trying to sell you bus tickets NOT at the ticket counters. Very prevalent at the PUDURAYA Bus Station in KL. I'm Malaysian, but I was sucked into this blood-suckers tactics. Wanted to go to Kuantan and DESPERATE too. So, I bought this ticket sold by these touts and guess what? We were suddenly aboard this old bus, no air cond, hard seat, even Intrakota buses look 'express bus' enough to me.


	Borneo is not sophisticated...

By travelcat1

on August 25, 2002

Borneo is not sophisticated enough to have traditional tourist traps -- they love tourists -- we were treated with respect.


	Melaka Christ Church

By imreVDlubbe

on July 18, 2003

by imreVDlubbe
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Build from stones from the netherlands


	Compare the price before you...

By ykboon

on August 24, 2002

Compare the price before you buy anything.


	DO NOT ENTER A TAXI UNLESS YOU...

By JonsMum

on August 25, 2002

DO NOT ENTER A TAXI UNLESS YOU ARE SURE THAT a METER IS BEING USED.
some cabbies like to bargain prices with you before they take you there...if you are not sure of how much to pay do not take the taxi..i recommend the best way is to find a cab that is running on a meter anything else is unacceptable....you have to be firm with the drivers and dont be the innocent tourist......