Here is the first of my mini travel series on alectravelguide.com! I will be updating time to time on different destinations that I have travelled to, providing practical travel tips, useful insights, and unbiased and up to date (I will try my best to keep it as accurate as possible) travel information. So here it goes, and hope you find it useful! Enjoy and please do leave your feedbacks!

GO GO GO Genting Highlands – Part 1!

Introduction

My journey begins at Genting Highlands, located in the state of Pahang in Malaysia. So what is unique about Genting Highlands? Genting (pronounced “Gun – Ting”, and not “Jen – Ting”!) is basically the first, and only casino in all of Malaysia. Doesn’t sound so special right? Well did I mention that it was built on top of a freakin mountain?!?!  I heard from some people refer it as the “Las Vegas of Malaysia”, but in my opinion, I would say that is not a good comparison. Not that it is a bad thing….and this is why.

View of the rolling clouds at the mountain peaks of Genting Highlands

Here is a little quick history of Genting…

It was 1964, when the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong had an idea to build a resort on the mountains near KL (Kuala Lumpur). It was one of his dreams and aspiration to build this resort / gaming casino on top of the mountain. Against all odds, he pulled off the impossible, managing to build a resort on top of the mountain. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genting_Highlands).

Now just imagine, him telling people around him that he wanted to build a casino on top of the mountain! Alot of people would say he’s crazy! The engineering challenges (especially since this is the 1960′s were talking about) is enough to sink the entire project. Dealing with the mountainous jungle terrain alone was a tremendous challenge. And at the same time, for a project this scale and this risky, securing financial backing and getting the confidence of his supporters was another major obstacle. Yet against all odds, the first resort was completed a few years later in 1971. And just a few years ago before the honourable Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong had passed away, he was ranked as one of the richest men in the world on the Forbes Billionaire’s list.

In my opinion, eventhough Genting Highlands may not have the glitz, the luxury glamour of Las Vegas, but it is a symbolic landmark that illustrates that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. From humble beginnings to a successful international enterprise, this is one of the major success stories from Malaysia.

This is why there is no need to compare it to Las Vegas, as on its own it has its own unique style and identity…..

Please look out for part 2 of this exciting series on Genting Highlands!  In the next update I will provide updates on the Travel Essentials to Genting Highlands.  Let us know how you like this post by leaving your feedbacks!  I am always looking out for feedback so I know where I can improve on next for you all!  Cheers!  Alec.