When you’re eating authentic banana leaf South Indian cuisine, ordering in Malaysian and surrounded by red and gold Happy Chinese New Year greetings on the wall, you know you’ve gotten a real taste of Malaysia.

I would guess that one of the best perks about being Malaysian is the fact that you get to celebrate everyone’s holiday. Meaning, lots of vacation time: Christmas, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali merit you a week off no matter which God you prefer.

As of February 18, we’ve entered the year of the pig. So what happens during Chinese New Year? From a practical point of view you don’t want to get on the road leaving KL on Friday or Saturday. Everyone returns home to be with their family. Aside from family reunions, you’ll be charmed by a lion dance performance, startled by firecrackers during the night and stocking up on your vitamin C intake (mandarin oranges are everywhere).

If you happen to be part of the Chinese youth population, you’ll be receiving “ang pow” from your elders – a cute little red enveloped filled with money. Red lanterns line the streets to substitute the absence of shop-keepers, cars, and people. Most of the shops have closed for the week. KL has become a deserted city to be awakened once again upon the return of its residents on February 26.