So it's visit Malaysia year, 2007. And the whole world is invited. Lot's of fantastic locations are in abundance throughout this great country. But for the regular globetrotter, sometimes your dream holiday doesn't usually turn out to be what you had expected. So to make thing's as memorable as possible, I've come out with a list of travel tips, that may be of use to the avid traveller out there.
Because as we all know, immersion into a whole new culture is all part and parcel of the travelling experience, chances are, maybe you could be faced with a language barrier in that particular country or you could get pick-pocketed or something even worse. Let's face it, we all want the vacation to be fun and everything to be going according to plan and all, but as they say, prevention is better than cure. So do take some safety precautions when you're out there on your next holiday.
- Make copies of your important travel documents like the passport for example, keep a set at home (so that someone back home in your country can access them for you in case of an emergency) and another copy probably uploaded onto your email inbox (this way you are able to access it from anywhere in the world and print them)
- Do a research of your destination country. What languages are spoken there? Do you need to get hold of a phrasebook, which, believe me, comes very handy and the locals will love you for your effort.
- Find out the telephone numbers and the address of your Embassy in that destination country.
- And if you're planning to stay connected throughout your travel with your mobile, make sure that the bills are paid (no point of taking a phone with no credit...) and don't forget to get the relevant roaming codes as well.
- It's always a good idea of not travelling alone.
- Try to invest in getting a proper money belt for you to store your wallets, purses and passports , rather than placing them all into a normal bag. Also keep small change in your pockets, not in your wallets, because it's not a good idea to be flashing your fully loaded wallet just to get a couple of coins out.
- Assuming you lose or your travel documents are stolen.... don't panic. Stay calm and locate the nearest tourist police station and make a report. This report is essential in order for you to proceed to the next step which is, contacting your Embassy to assist you in getting a new set and also help you with the insurance claims, if any.
Another great destination for all holiday seekers around the world would be, Sabah - the land below the wind. It's situated in Malaysia Borneo, and Sabah has lush tropical rainforest's and stunning tropical islands added with an incredible diversity of marine life.
Sabah has 32 ethnic groups living here and they make it a land of colourful and intriguing cultures. The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu, which is vibrant and it's also the gateway to eco-adventures such as river cruising, diving, mountain climbing, caving and white-water rafting.
Sabah also has a wide range of accommodation to suit any sort of preference and budget. There are loads of well-equipped beach resorts adding into your cravings.
Places of interest in Sabah are :
Mount Kinabalu - The stunning Mount Kinabalu, standing at 4,095.2m, is noted to be one of the highest peaks in Southeast Asia. It's main attraction would be the Kinabalu Park, which is Malaysia's first World Heritage Site. The dense jungle found here contains one of the world's richest assemblage of tropical plants. When you are here, a must visit is, Poring Hot Springs, which is a natural health spa, which offers open air Japanese style baths. Another crowd puller is the annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, which gets participation from around the globe.
Sipadan Island - Sabah is well noted to acquire some excellent dive spots. Topping that list would be the world famous Sipadan. It's located at the heart of the Indo Pacific Basin, making it one of the richest marine habitat's in the world. Here you would get a glimpse of turtles, reef sharks and also a thrilling 600m drop-off await the diving enthusiast's. Originally this island was made famous by world renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau through one of his documentary, 'Ghosts of the Sea Turtle'. If diving is your passion, look no further as Sabah has other famous diving spots within it's belt; Layang-Layang, Pulau Tiga, Mantanani and Pulau Tiga, just to name a few.
Sabah Museum - Located in the capital, Kota Kinabalu. The museum is built in a longhouse style of the Rungus and Murut communities. Here you would discover a wealth of ethnic treasures and handicrafts. One building to have stood the test of time (World War II), would be the Sabah Tourism Building, which in my opinion will satisfy any history lover out there. You also get to enjoy other great locations in this city such as; Atkinson Clock Tower, Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Signal Hill and the State Mosque.
Monsopiad Cultural Village - Going back into the past is possible here, back to the era of the legendary Kadazan warrior, Monsopiad. The uniqueness about this place is that it was founded by the direct descendants of Monsopiad. In a way, it's a living museum where they showcase traditional village houses, sacred House of Skulls and several other fascinating attractions. Oh another thing, do not miss out on their exciting cultural performances held here.
Shopping and Crafts - Sabah is definitely famed for their splendid souvenirs, like beads, bamboo products and accessories. There are plenty of choices throughout Sabah but the main ones to look out for would be places like KK Handicraft Market, Kadaiku and Wawasan Plaza Handicraft in the capital city, Kota Kinabalu.
Kudat Long House - If you enjoy traditional lifestyles then make a visit to the Kudat Long House of the Rungun tribe. Their intriguing culture and traditional attire will surely make your trip a memorable one. And if accommodation is an issue, worry no more, as home stays are available here and what better way to observe their lifestyle.
White-Water Rafting - Endless thrills and spills here for the adventurous hearts, where you get heart stopping experience of contending the rapids. Famous locations to get those adrenalin pumping would be at Kiulu and Padas Rivers.
Sunday Gaya Street Market - It's a open-air market to get local delicacies, handicrafts and fresh jungle produce. There is also the Tamu Kota Belud which is also another popular Sunday market. Here during ceremonial occasions you get to witness Bajau horsemen dressed in their traditional outfits, gaily riding their ponies. For this they are fondly known as 'Cowboys of the East'
To all nature lovers all over the world, this is the place you have to visit. Welcome to Sarawak, the land of the hornbills.
Sarawak is situated in Malaysia Borneo, the largest state in the country. The colourful history under the rule of White Rajahs, rich tapestry of cultures and superb natural attractions make it a mesmerising holiday destination.
It is filled with heritage buildings in most parts of Kuching, its capital city. But most special about Sarawak is it's Eco-adventure land, great for trekking, caving, mountain climbing, kayaking, biking, rafting and diving.
Take your pick as the state has a wide range of international-standard beach resorts, jungle resorts, star studded hotels as well as it's famous longhouse-style resorts.
Places of Interest available in Sarawak are :
Kuching Waterfront - It's 900m long esplanade, with landscaped surroundings and eateries, is a popular place for locals and foreigners alike. You can also find other attractions along the way here like the Square Tower and Chinese History Museum.
Main Bazaar - Reputed to be the oldest street in the city, you will find that the shop houses here enjoy immense popularity for bewildering variety of items, from ethnic crafts, textiles to bamboo mats and also pottery. Fantastic if you're that sort of person who simply loves to take back souvenirs.
Sarawak Museum - Hailed to be the finest in Southeast Asia. The old wing is designed in the style of a Normandy town house. Within the same grounds you would also find an Aquarium, Botanical Garden and a Heroes' Memorial.
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre - Enjoy the amazing experience of standing close to orang utans in their natural habitat. Watch them swing gracefully as they make their way here during the feeding times. Close by you would find Matang Wildlife Centre where you get to see the animals in enclosures.<
Sarawak Cultural Village - This happens to be an award-winning attraction, as it showcases the diverse lifestyles of the state's ethnic groups. Here you get to visit their authentic dwellings and view their crafts, household items and musical instruments. It's lively cultural performance is a major highlight here. Sarawak Cultural Village is the venue for the annual Rainforest World Music Festival.
Damai Beach - The major vacation spot, with some of the state's best beach resorts. Enjoy a wide range of water sports activities at the resorts. Tour's can be arranged to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. Other popular beaches include Siar, Sematan, Penyok, Bandung in Kuching as well as Luak Bay and Hawaii Beach in Miri. The National Parks of Bako, Similajau and Tanjung Datu also boast beautiful beaches.
Gunung Gading National Park - Here you get to see beautiful cascading waterfalls, rare foliage and a chance to see Rafflesia, the worlds largest flower.
Mulu National Park - This UNESCO World Heritage site offers spectacular attractions. Gunung Mulu has the world's largest cave chamber and the world's most extensive cave system with razor sharp limestone pinnacles.
Sunday Market in Satok - Browse through a wide array of goods from handicrafts, flowers, local snacks to traditional delicacies. The bustling atmosphere of things taking place makes a trip here enjoyable.
Melaka (formerly known as Malacca), the third smallest state in Malaysia, is known for it's historical prominence and it's cultural appeal. Taking time off to have a holiday here will be an exciting experience.
Today, Melaka possesses a charm that is all it's own. Many tourist from all over the world come here to admire the historical architectures that are in abundance. In the 16th century, Melaka enjoyed a reputation as being the foremost maritime trading centre in the region. It also set the stage on which the Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch and the English, played their roles in shaping history.
It is the ideal place for those who are hunting for treasures of the past, if they look deep into it's quaint shops for curios and antiques. Melaka was founded by a fleeing prince from Sumatra, Parameswara, back in 1936. Parameswara named his sultanate after the 'Melaka' tree.
Here you will find a rich multi-cultural heritage of people, beginning from their unique customs and traditions, food, festivals, dances, buildings and lifestyles. There are many places of interest throughout the state.
Stadthuys - built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch governors and it's officers. It was originally white but later given a striking salmon-red colour to match the nearby Christ Church.
St. John's Fort - located on St John's hill, originally used as a Portuguese chapel dedicated to St John the Baptist. The fort has an interesting feature; cannons face inland as during that time attacks on Melaka came mainly from the the hinterland instead of from the sea.
Portugese Square - located within the Portuguese settlement, which is 3km away from the city. Built in the late 1980's the square is inspired by the Portuguese Mercado. There are cultural shows every Saturday evening here.
Porta de Santiago - This is a prominent landmark, almost synonymous with Melaka, was a fortress built by the Portuguese admiral, Alfonso d' Albuquerque in 1511. It was badly damaged during the Dutch invasion in 1641. Timely intervention by Sir Stamford Raffles, a British official, in 1808 saved what remains of the A'Famosa today.
Hang Tuah's Mausoleum - This famous Malay warrior served as the admiral of Melaka's naval forces and defended successfully countless attacks against Melaka. The outstanding military exploits of Hang Tuah and his 4 comrades, made him a legend in the history of Melaka.
Hang Li Po's Well - Built by the followers of Hang Li Po, the well was the only source of water during great droughts. The Dutch enclosed it with stout walls to reserve it for their exclusive use. Today, it enjoys a reputation as a wishing well.
Christ Church - Situated adjacent to the Stadthuys, this bright red structure is testimony to Dutch architectural ingenuity. Interesting features include the church's handmade pews, ceiling beams (constructed without joints), brass bible, tombstone and 'The Last Supper' in glazed tiles.
St Paul's Church - St Francis Xavier was buried in the open grave here in 1553, before his body was transferred to Goa India. The church has a commanding view of Melaka.
The list goes on and on with interesting places here in Melaka, the above are just the tip of the iceberg. The state is also much sought after for medical education, with the setting up of the Melaka Manipal Medical College. Since it's inception in 1997, the college has produced many doctors in and out of the country.
So remember, if you are a treasure seeker, Melaka is a trove of activities and nature pursuits. Come for the fun, hail a trishaw for a ride along streets that wind through a colourful mishmash of architectural styles. This historical city is without a doubt, unbeatable!
Saturday, a day i normally sit back and become the most laziest guy on earth (not in every sense of the word that is..) A cousin of mine, all the way from Sri Lanka has come down to Malaysia, so today would turn out to be a bit different than usual, i had to turn myself into a Tour Guide of some sort. He had a tight schedule due to his short visit here, mostly occupied by business appointments. Cracking my head on where to take a first time traveller to Malaysia and show him something that might not already be available in their country, and after only 10 minutes, decided that we should go this place called 'Genting Highlands'.
Located on the borders of the state of Pahang and Selangor, This City Of Entertainment nestles nicely on the mountains peaks, 1700m above sea level. It took approximately an hour for us to reach this mountain resort. I had plans to show him the beauty of this 'Las Vegas of Malaysia' in it's nightly glitter but failed in the manner that we were unable to take any good outdoor photograph shots of the place due to poor visibility, as it was too misty.
Nevertheless he carried on with the task at hand....and that was, to try his hands at the table. Genting Highlands is the only legally land based casino in this whole country. If you're the sort who would like to try something unique, then you should grab a seat at the longest and fastest Cable Car called 'The Genting Skyway' (but just don't ask me, I'm afraid of heights) Genting City of Entertainment is filled with Theme Parks, Shopping Malls, Sky Diving Simulator, Golf Course, Concert Hall and not forgetting a Snow World as well. Once you find your way here, the fun never ends.
As we were having loads of fun, the idea of spending the night cropped up. Unfortunately, luck was not on our side, as not even a single room was available. I mean, this place has got 6 huge hotels and with the biggest hotel (First World Hotel) boasting a total of 6,118 rooms (surpassing MGM Grand Las Vegas)....and we still couldn't get a room, imagine the number of visitors they get??
Majority of the KL folks head up here to enjoy the very cool climate and their unique first in Asia, Hang-Gliding Roller Coaster (four riders "flying" together, side by side and experiencing zero gravity) called the Flying Coaster. Another attraction that one can enjoy here is their Water Park. This time around, the water here is heated so that you don't turn out to be a ice man, if you know what i mean.
So parents with lots of children, make sure you pay a visit to this place.... but with a thick wallet!!! Trust me, whoever invented the video game, should be shot down.....the whole place is filled with all sorts of video games!
Overall, Genting Highlands to me, is a great one stop entertainment city, for the whole family.
My relatives from abroad always ask me this same question, "Where should we go?" Well there's lots of interesting places that you could go to in KL, Malaysia. For starter's, everyone who comes to Kuala Lumpur, should not leave the city without paying a visit to this place. Where am i talking about?
Batu Caves of course, if you translate this directly into English, it would simply mean, Stone Caves. The caves here are made up of lime stones. 400 meters long and 100 meters high is how huge these caves are. It is said that Batu Caves was first discovered back in 1891. I wonder how anyone at that time would have gone up?? Anyway, it was not until the year 1920 that wooden steps were built for people to make their way to the top. In total there are 272 steps that you would have to take, before reaching the top.
Generally, Batu Caves consist of 3 main caves, and is added with a number of other smaller ones. The main cave here holds the shrine of Lord Subramaniam, a Hindu deity. The other one has been transformed into a cave gallery, located at the foot of the caves, featuring clay figurines and also wall paintings depicting scenes and figures from Hindu mythology.
From here, you could sense that this place is special and sacred for every Hindu. Batu Caves serves as a focul point for the Hindu Community when it comes to their yearly Thaipusam festival, attracting almost 1.5 million people to one place. People from all parts of the world have come here and every time you reach the top, it gives a sense of spirit to all who enter, regardless of your religion.
In Malaysia, Batu Caves is noted to be the most holiest Hindu shrines in the country and it's also one of the most frequented tourist destinations in KL. Did you know that it's also listed in the Guinness Book Of World Record's? "Why?" you ask... Well, after taking 3 years to build, in January 2006, the Worlds Tallest Standing Lord Murugan Statue was unveiled at Batu Caves. It stands at 42.7 metres (140.9 feet). They used 1550 cubic metres of concrete, 250 tonnes of steel bars, 300 litres of gold paint, among other things to complete this work of art. I also heard that the whole project cost them RM2.5 million.
There are also daily tours conducted by the Malaysia Nature Society, if you fancy having a look into the Dark Caves, but a one day advance notice must be given in order for you to gain entry. Besides this, Rock Climbing which is quite popular amongst the younger generation, has been seen many a times at the surrounding caves.
As you make your way here, remember one thing, there could be loads of mischievous monkeys (if you're unlucky, that is) waiting to greet you at the stairs. They will try to grab at your plastic bags or on anything that seems to have food in them. Trust me, don't ever feed them.
So, get your camera's ready folks (and that flight ticket...) and let your mind go free with calmness, for that truly unique Malaysian experience!
Name : Batu Caves, Sri Subramaniam Temple
Location : 11km north of KL city, along the Gombak District
Tel : 03-6089 6284
Open : 6am - 9pm (Mondays thru Sundays)
So, anyway we decided to join my brother and headed to Melaka around 10.30am last Tuesday and reached Ayer Keroh's R&R by 12.00pm to have a quick bite at KFC. The thing I was amazed with, was that it takes me the same time to get to work, and that's in our city itself!
This is a picture of my two boys, Akmal Ashwin (R) and Afiq Eshan (L).
After a good rest, the two families were ready to venture out for some good food. I suggested to have a go at some great sea food (ikan bakar, for us local's) and after much confusion into the directions on getting there, we finally arrived at Medan Ikan Bakar Pernu/Umbai, which is on the way to Muar, Johor.
The next day was dedicated to the kids where they spent almost half the day in the pool, swimming. After all, the holiday was for them! Looking at the picture, you'll notice that they're tired but they're not giving up, yet.
