Cuti Malaysia Night Travel Fair 2011

With the school holidays coming up, time to look for a vacation, so how about the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia Night Travel Fair at i-City Shah Alam?

Tourism Malaysia has many interesting travel destinations, from the pristine Malaysian beaches, lush rainforests (good for eco-tourism, yes?), refreshing hill resorts (such as Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill), relaxing parks and gardens (I like that Japanese Garden at Bukit Tinggi Resort) to bustling metropolis (well actually, I would like to get away from all the mad traffic jam, but for those who has not seen the big city would like to see the frenetic hustle and bustle city life!) and heritage sites (good if you are an avid old building aficionado, there are indeed many Unesco building sites perhaps follow the Ipoh Heritage Walk?), inspiring art and gastronomic delights (aye, aye as we all know Malaysians just love to eat!).

Here's your chance to discover the magic of Malaysia tourism and travel, marvel at her wonders and cherish some wonderful memories as you go exploring good old Malaysia, ya? Go grab the best deals for your favourite travel destinations at this fun filled event in i-City Shah Alam packed with exciting activities, travel bargains, contests and giveaways!

Event: Cuti-Cuti Malaysia Night Travel Fair
Date: 28th to 30th October 2011
Venue: i-City Shah Alam, Selangor
Time: 5pm to 12am
Infoline: 1300-88-5050
Website: www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my

See you there!

Related other travel fairs:
MITM Travel Fair 2011 Tourism Malaysia
MATTA Fair 2011 Packages for Malaysia and Overseas travel

[update on the travel fair]

Tourism Malaysia Targets Sales Of RM500,000 At Night Travel Fair
October 29, 2011 00:02 AM

SHAH ALAM, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia aims to sell about RM500,000 worth of travel packages at the Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia Night Travel Fair 2011 which starts today until Sunday.

The national tourism promotion agency also expects over 60,000 visitors at the night fair located in i-City, here.

In a statement, Tourism Malaysia said the event involves 66 travel agencies including operators of tourism products, homestays and local hotels which will offer over 2,500 domestic tour packages.

Aside from sales and exhibitions, other activities will take place throughout the programme including tourism quiz, lucky draw and a mini concert featuring artistes Lefthanded, XPDC and others under pay-television service provider Astro.

The Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia Night Travel Fair will also highlight programmes organised by the Tourism Ministry such as the 1Malaysia Bersih & Indah campaign, 1Malaysia Contemporary Arts Tourism Festival and Fabulous Food 1Malaysia.

The three-day event, which begins from 5pm to midnight, was officiated by Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit on behalf of Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, here Friday night.

-- BERNAMA

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MITM Travel Fair

Malaysian International Travel Mart Travel Fair 2011 targets 60,000 visitors

THE MITM Travel Fair is back again this year after a successful fair last year.

The MITM 2011 Travel Fair, the 10th edition to be organised by the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), will be held from Oct 28 to 30 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (MVEC).

This year’s fair, which has exhibitors ranging from tour operators, travel agents, national tourism organisations, state tourism organisations and airlines, will feature over 60 exhibitors with 300 exhibition booths occupying all three exhibition halls at the MVEC.

MITM 2011 Travel Fair organising chairman Jackson Thian said they were expecting more than 60,000 visitors to the Kuala Lumpur exhibition.

“I believe the fair will provide a great opportunity for travellers to explore the best bargains and value-for-money tour packages and other travel-related products and services.

“The travel and tourism industry is one of the major contributors to Malaysia’s economy.

“MCTA will continue to support the Tourism Ministry and Tourism Malaysia to promote Malaysia to foreign and local travellers,” Thian said during the fair’s soft launch at Overtime Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur recently.

There will also be RM200,000 worth of lucky draw prizes for visitors and buyers during the exhibition.

For the first time this year, MCTA Perak and Negri Sembilan chapters will be holding their fairs on the same dates in Ipoh and Seremban respectively.

The fairs will be held at the Glamour Square in Bercham, Ipoh and Terminal 2, Seremban.

“Last year we held the fair in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. This year we have included Seremban,” said Thian.

“Next year, we plan to expand and add two more venues in Penang and Ipoh,” he said. -- Jastin Ahmad Tarmizi / Star News

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Lenggong Valley, Perak

Lenggong Valley in the limelight
By Sylvia Looi
Thursday September 22, 2011

PERAK'S bid to have the 50,000-year-old archaeological site of Lenggong Valley listed as an Unesco World Heritage Site looks promising with the recent visit by the organisation's valuer.

State senior executive councillor Datuk Hamidah Osman said the state government was confident of getting the site in Upper Perak into the organisation's list of cultural and natural heritage.

Vast area: A view of the Lenggong Valley where many undisturbed sites await archaeologists.

"A valuer from Unesco visited the site last Tuesday and it went very well. It will be a great boost to the state's tourism sector should Lenggong Valley be given the recognition as a World Heritage Site by Unesco," Hamidah told reporters at a press conference in Ipoh on Tuesday.

If successful, Lenggong Valley will become the fifth site in Malaysia to be listed as a world heritage site after Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabalu Park and the cities of George Town and Malacca, which are listed as historic cities of the Straits of Malacca.

Hamidah, who is also state tourism committee chairman, said Lenggong Valley was the only paper submitted by Malaysia currently.

"The World Heritage Committee, which is made up of 21 members, will be vetting proposals submitted to it in June next year.

"Our Commissioner of Heritage, Prof Emeritus Datuk Zuraina Majid, will represent Malaysia in presenting our proposal then," she added.

Awesome site: A filepic of participants of the Perak Heritage Society's
Lenggong Valley Trail admiring the cave where the skeleton of the
famous Perak Man was found in Gua Gunung Runtoh.

Lenggong Valley is reportedly a jewel in Malaysia's archaeological crown.

Dubbed an "archaeologist's dream valley", the undisturbed site is said to have many more discoveries to be unearthed in years to come.

Excavations between 1987 and 1990 had revealed that Kota Tampan was a stone age workshop dating as early as 50,000 years ago.

It had also been discovered that there was a stone age community living around Lake Cenderoh.

Several other findings also had considerable impact on regional and world archaeology.

Old treasure: The Perak Man skeleton is
being preserved with special care.

Among them are the Perak Man, the only prehistoric skeleton in the world born with the congenital deformity Brachymesophalangia Type 2 in Gua Gunong Runtuh, Palaeolithic stone tool-making techniques in Kota Tampan, the migratory route of Homo sapiens from Asia to Australia, and the revelation that Southeast Asia was not the backwaters of civilisation as claimed by earlier archaeologists. -- The Star

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Bukit Tinggi Colmar Tropicale and Japanese Gardens

Bukit Tinggi Colmar Tropicale and Japanese Gardens / Tea House

French-themed square a cool respite in Bukit Tinggi
By Melinda Roos
Monday September 12, 2011

THERE is no shortage of bustling and vibrant sceneries in Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes, you can feel the city pulsating at your fingertips just by sitting in the middle of where the action is.

Driving through its major thoroughfares on the way home at three in the morning from a night out at Changkat Bukit Bintang, I've seen the traffic congestion similar to that of rush hour. The city doesn't sleep.

Bukit Tinggi Colmar Tropical French Village

We have frequent guests staying with us in our home, so we tend to go out quite often.

In the five months since we've moved I am counting six arrivals on our doorstep so afr

And Hotel Roos has no shortage of future bookings. Our guestroom has reservation dates blocked already for upcoming visits.

Too many nights out in town for weeks in a row can be dizzying.

And it is really no fun to wake up to a throbbing headache the following morning when you have two energetic young children jumping on your bed.

So to avoid these from occurring too often, I welcome the fresh mountain air as always the better alternative, a much-needed break from the usual frenzy and the heat that accompanies city living.

Bukit Tinggi Colmar Tropical French Village

Bukit Tinggi is a sight for sore eyes if you just want a respite from the regular Malaysian city landscape and a reprieve from the humid and soaring temperatures.

Nestled up at 762m above sea level and about an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur's city centre is a little French village reminiscent of the Colmar in the northeastern part of Alsace, France.

The Colmar Tropicale is a picturesque themed hotel that looks like its been lifted out of a fairy tale storybook illustration and planted on a mountain scenery.

You'll just feel glee at the sight of this magical castle setting made up with buildings styled in typical French medieval architecture complete with clock towers, cobblestones and tiled roofs.

There is non-stop lively singing, dancing and all other kinds of live entertainment in the "town square's" stage and there is enough mix of restaurants for al fresco dining.

Whether you're in the mood for pizzas and pastas, local Malaysian cuisine, roast chicken and mashed potatoes, bakery items and cakes from their French boulangerie or even a French fine dining restaurant is on your list of choices.

I wouldn't count on the "authentic" claim though.

The pizzas and pastas are quite good actually.

Children will be more than occupied with the game machines, kiddie rides, carnival atmosphere, clowns strutting their stuff and playrooms that abound.

Or just by simply running around such a festive setting.

The place is apparently popular for company team building activities.

It is best to visit when there are no company conferences going on as the place could get really busy with groups of people running around and performing team building games and exercises.

Bukit Tinggi Rabbit Park

A few minutes drive outside of Colmar Tropicale is a Rabbit Park. Children can play and cuddle with the rabbits for a very small fee of RM3.

Bukit Tinggi Japanese Garden, Village and Tea House

There is also a Japanese Village where you can watch women in their kimono outfits conduct a one-hour tea ceremony in the Japanese Tea House or you can opt to go for a walk in the lush botanical garden.

Bukit Tinggi Golf and Country Club and Horse Riding

The mountain range is also home to the Bukit Tinggi Golf and Country Club, which has an 18-hole golf course and other facilities like a bowling alley, badminton, squash and basketball courts.

My favourite activity however is saddling up and going for some relaxing horseback riding and terrain exploration.

The Bukit Tinggi Horse Riding Trails offers just that kind of experience.

You can go on your own or with a group, together with a trail guide to discover the different hills and valleys and admire the panoramic vistas of the countryside.

Good to consider

So the next time you have guests and you're wondering where to take them after you've visited the Petronas Towers for the umpteenth time, the mountains beckon and offer a different kind of view from those of the city's towers.

It is a refreshing alternative to consider and its unhurried pace is soothing.

Bukit Tinggi is perfect for a full day's visit unless you want to do more horseback riding on the mountain trails and can't get enough of that fresh air tickling your skin.

But I am told it is monsoon season now.

I look forward to the late afternoons to evening rains that sometimes go on for the rest of the night.

The lightning and thunder rouse me up on certain nights, light sleeper that I am. But I welcome waking up to cooler mornings, refreshed by the colder breeze.

The city is starting to chill and the mountain escape will have to wait for a while now until summer dishes up its heat once again. -- The Star Metro

Bukit Tinggi Colmar Tropicale and Japanese Garden / Tea House

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Kuala Selangor Tourism

Latar Expressway acts as window on wonders of Kuala Selangor
Monday August 29, 2011

WITH the Hari Raya break around the corner, some people may prefer to go sight-seeing. Interesting places abound for the family to explore when on the new Latar Expressway — a 33km dual carriageway stretch of easy driving — and a whole array of travel gateways opens up for the entire family. And it is toll-free until Aug 31.

If your idea is to spend time watching birds in a Nature Park, trace the historical sights of Bukit Malawati or feast your eyes on fireflies by night in Kampung Kuantan in Kuala Selangor, then take the Latar Expressway and be there in less than an hour.

Homely: Rustic scenery and homestay can be found
in Sungai Sireh along the Latar Expressway.

Working closely with the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS), Latar Expressway is promoting the tourist spots that one can access through its expressway and four interchanges.

"Local tourism here in Kuala Selangor will see a big boom given that one can reach Ijok in Kuala Selangor in 18 minutes using the expressway.

"In fact, interest has mounted for these tourist spots as many have discovered from our Facebook promotions,” said KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Berhad chief executive officer Amran Amir.

Green View: Latar Expressway takes you past the
refreshing padi fields of Sekinchan"

Opened to the public since June 23, the Latar Expressway has charted all the places of interest that are accessible from the expressway by the motoring public.

Said Shahrein Zainal, a father of four: "We had such a fabulous time at the bird sanctuary in Kuala Selangor Nature Park. We exited at Ijok and were at the bird park within minutes.”

Another local tourist, Maniam Selvadurai, 28, said getting to the firefly colony in Kampung Kuantan with his family was a breeze.

"My family and I were travelling from Rawang to Kuala Selangor. We took the Latar Expressway at the Taman Rimba Templer Interchange and from there on, it was a straight route in the direction of Kuala Selangor to watch the fireflies. What a treat it was for my younger siblings,” said Maniam. -- The Star Metro

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Ulu Muda, Kedah

How about hiking adventure in Ulu Muda, Kedah?

Wild escapade in Ulu Muda
By Tan Cheng Li
Saturday August 20, 2011

The hidden realm of Ulu Muda astounds a group of nature-lovers.

WE must go. The place is really wild. People have seen tigers there!" exclaimed Lai Choy one evening in May, when we were on a birding trip at Taman Negara Merapoh and were mulling over where to go next.

The mere mention of the word "tiger" had us sold on the idea. So one sunny morning in July, the six of us – Lai Choy, Tuck Kong, LK, Mei, Captain and myself – found ourselves loading our backpacks into three narrow sampan on the shore of Muda Lake near Baling, Kedah.

Our destination was Ulu Muda forest, and leading us into the wilderness tucked away in the north-eastern corner of the state was eco-guide Hymeir Kamarudin. Some six hours earlier, we had set off from Kuala Lumpur for the drive which took us along the North-South Expressway to Gurun, then Sik, Gulai and finally, the lake.

Sight to behold: Wearing of water on limestone has created
impressive formations in Gua Labua, in Ulu Muda forest.
-- Photos by Chou KS

The last leg of the journey was a scenic one as we passed idyllic kampung with plenty of durian and rambutan stalls. Just as our boats set off, a group of sea otters showed up on the lake shore – a promising sign of better things to come, we all declared.

Traversing the lake, we passed forlorn-looking tree trunks that emerge from the depths, the only hint that a forest once sprawled beneath the water body which was formed when Muda River was dammed in 1969 for the irrigation of paddy fields.

The impoundment of the dam, coupled with past logging, have altered the natural landscape here. Nowhere is this more evident than along Muda River as there is none of the huge trees that hang over the river – the type of riverine scenery typical of untouched areas such as seen in Taman Negara, Pahang.

Nevertheless, wild dwellers are still there. Rounding a bend of the river, we startled a herd of wild boars and their striped juveniles. They promptly disappeared into thick foliage. Monitor lizards lumbered on muddy banks while birds darted past us, moving too fast for us to identify them. Trampled riverbanks marked spots where elephants had crossed the stream.

A relaxing moment beside Muda River.

At times, the river turned shallow and boatman Emi had to slowly manoeuvre the boat, so it was almost two hours before we reached Earth Lodge in Kuala Labua. Completed only in April, the state government-built chalets have back balconies that open into the forest. Towering trees, fortunately not felled during the construction, shade the area and provide wild habitat.

From the steps of our chalets, we saw birds (monarch, woodpecker and drongo) and the black bearded gliding lizard flit from tree to tree. Hanging out by the riverside in the evening, we spotted the first of what would be many, many sightings of Ulu Muda's renowned flocks of plain-pouched hornbills. There were some 15 of them, feeding on juicy-looking round fruits (probably figs) on a tree on the opposite bank.

The hornbills were to become the staple of our trip. They showed up every morning and evening, in flocks of threes to 20s. Most times, we saw them fly overhead in V-formation. Ulu Muda is one of only two known sites (the other is Belum-Temenggor forest) where the species gather in huge numbers.

Several forest reserves collectively make up the 160,000ha Ulu Muda forest which stretches into the Malaysian-Thai border.

Forest giants amaze a trekker in Ulu Muda forest.

The ecological wealth of Ulu Muda has long been known. It was proposed as a wildlife reserve and national park as early as the 1960s and 70s. These failed to materialise, and instead, parts of the forest were logged.

In 2002, Kedah wanted to helicopter-log the area but shelved the plan following public outcry.

In 2009, the state government revealed plans for a 27,196ha Ulu Muda state park but this has yet to happen.

Caving delights

The next morning, we awoke to a symphony of forest calls, the loudest of which came from the gibbons. Ulu Muda harbours the agile and white-handed gibbons but these shy primates remain elusive and are not commonly sighted. That morning, we headed into the jungle towards Labua Caves, suitably garbed in leech socks. The blood-suckers literally smothered the trail!

We deduced that the leeches were drawn to the smell of cow hide – how else would you explain why, 10 minutes into the trek, Tuck Kong, who wore leather boat shoes instead of trekking boots, already had some 10 wrigglies crowding around his ankles?

Hidden treasure: Lush greenery surrounds the
chalets of Earth Lodge in Ulu Muda forest.

The trail initially followed an old logging road. Ulu Muda was logged between the 1960s and 80s but the Communist insurgency prevented loggers from advancing deeper into the forest. The years of isolation have allowed logged areas to regenerate, and the small trees ignored by chainsaws have since matured into soaring giants. We could not resist stopping for photographs each time we came across a huge buttress. So it was well over two hours later before we reached the caves.

Hymeir, a speleologist who has explored caves for over 20 years, had earlier told us that Gua Labua was among the best he had ever seen, and he did not lie. Where the cliff wall had caved in, there were skylights that brought the sun into hidden chambers, creating dramatic cave scenes. We gawked and gaped at impressive cave formations shaped over millions of years.

Back on the trail later, we heard the calls of the crested argus pheasant ring through the forest, and soon enough, we reached its "dancing ground" right in the middle of the path. To attract the female, the male would clear a spot of all debris to create a "stage" for it to perform by way of displaying its gorgeous plumage. A few dropped feathers hint at the show we had just missed.

Calls of the banded pitta joined the cacophony of forest sounds as we made out way back to our chalets. To nurse our tired limbs, we soaked ourselves in the "jungle jacuzzi" of Sungai Labua which flows just beside the lodge, letting the gurgling ice-cold water massage our aches away.

Night stake-out

That night, three of us opted to spend the night in the hide beside the salt lick. Sira Air Hangat is a rare combination of a hot spring and a salt lick. As hot water bubbles up from the ground, it fills the air with steam. We bravely waded into the stream – the water was scalding hot!

Dusk and dawn are the best times to see animals at salt licks. Unfortunately, it was already dark when we reached the hide; the animals would have gotten their dose of much-needed soil minerals and left. With little chance of seeing animals, Captain and I decided to sleep.

Lai Choy decided to keep vigil – well, kind of. He woke up every half hour or so to scan the salt lick with his torch. But he spotted nothing. At dawn, we scrutinised the area from our high perch but still saw nothing. When we made our way pass the salt lick to reach our boat, we saw the tracks of frequent visitors – tapirs, deer, pigs and elephants. Some prints looked fresh. Guess we were heavy sleepers.

Next up was a shot at "tubing". The riverine vegetation grew more dense, and the river a lot clearer, the further upriver we went. We had entered pristine territory which had eluded loggers. We got down to push the boat several times when it became grounded in shallow waters. Hymeir said the river used to be deeper, with pebbled beds. Now, it had a sandy bottom which he suspected was caused by upstream land-clearing.

The tubing was good fun. Wedged inside over-sized inner tubes of tyres, we slowly floated downriver. The two rapids we passed created some excitement. Otters, monitor lizards, hornbills, pigeons, a falconet, hill mynahs and doves kept us company during the slow cruise.

Arriving at the lodge, a familiar, welcoming scent greeted us – durian! LK, the undisputed durian queen amongst us, had that morning shrewdly given RM50 to the boatman who was sending three other visitors back to the jetty, asking him to buy some durian. And so it was durian for dessert for the next three meals.

On our last evening at Ulu Muda, we parked ourselves on boats moored by the riverbank – "You must build a viewing platform here," we told Hymeir – to wait for hornbills.

The birds did not disappoint us. Across the river, dusky leaf monkeys jumped about in bamboo clumps, and beside us, butterflies and dragonflies danced among the reeds. One red-and-black broadbill showed up in the canopy above. As dusk crept in, the now-familiar jungle orchestra filled the air. It was a tranquil forest moment which I secretly wished would go on forever.

So, never mind that there was no tiger to be sighted (seriously, does anyone know of anyone who has seen, or even heard, a tiger in the forest?). Just being in the pristine wilderness left us with smiles as we drove away from Muda Lake the next morning. We told ourselves that we would be back – same time next year, of course, to coincide with the durian season.

For more on Ulu Muda, go to earthlodgemalaysia.webs.com or e-mail hymeir@gmail.com. -- The Star Lifestyle

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Tanjung Sepat, Selangor

Fishing village with much to offer - Selangor Tourism
By Sam Cheong
Saturday August 13, 2011

TANJUNG SEPAT is one of the most prosperous districts in Selangor.

Located southwest of Klang, this fishing village is known for two things — fresh seafood and Bak Kut Teh.

It is also a popular destination for wedding shoots and one of the locations here called the 'Lover's bridge' is the village's main draw.

Quaint sight: In-shore fishing boats
moored along the river in Tanjung Sepat.

Apart from that, there is also a fungi farm that offers homestay services for tourists who prefer an overnight stay here.

You can find an array of products from mushrooms to the black fungus that are harvested daily for consumption in the Klang Valley.

The Mushroom farm in Tanjung Sepat
where a homestay option is available for out-of-towners

In Tanjung Sepat village alone, there are several noteworthy places of interest such as the pau factory and seafood steamboat restaurant that caters mainly to visitors.

Highly recommended is a trip to the Hai Yew Hin coffeeshop (non-halal) which serves the best char siew pau and kopi-O peng (iced black coffee) in the village.

The Tanjung Sepat village sees more
traffic on a Saturday morning

This is a popular haunt for day-trippers and is also perpetually packed. You can also take a look at how the pastry is made at a bakery opposite the coffeeshop.

For the adventurous type, the best way to see this fishing village is by cycling from Banting to Tanjung Sepat covering a distance of 29.1km.

Tourists seeing the area on their bicycles.

Along the way, you can see some tourists on bicycles plying this route to access cities in the far South like Malacca and Johor.

The drive from Kuala Lumpur's city centre to this location is 88.3km via the Kesas highway.

Tanjung Sepat waterfront dwelling,
a fisherman's wharf in the village

For the tech savvy person, the GPS coordinates to Tanjung Sepat are: N 02 39 762, E 101 33 460.

On the social media front, this village has a facebook account and on twitter, you can find them at http://twitter.com/tanjung_sepat and a blog in Chinese: http://www.tanjung-sepat.blogspot.com

A popular site, the Tanjung Sepat lover's bridge.

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Sabah Tourism

More to Sabah tourism than Mount Kinabalu
Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, northernmost tip of Borneo, a place like no other
By Joshua Hendry
Friday August 5, 2011

Mention Sabah and most people will immediately think of Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia.

Not many are familiar with the name Tanjung Simpang Mengayau.

The name refers to the location of the northernmost tip of Borneo, in the district of Kudat, Sabah.

Located about 215km from Kota Kinabalu, it takes three to four hours to get there by car.

The tip of Borneo: This is the northernmost point of Borneo where the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea meet.

The roads leading up to the point are fully sealed. However, being rural roads mostly used by villagers and plantation vehicles, some stretches are quite uneven with potholes here and there so care must be taken while driving.

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Avillion Port Dickson Chalets

Avillion Port Dickson has very interesting and peaceful surrounding for quick tourism Malaysia getaway holiday. With their recent refurbishing of chalets, give it a go and try!

'Rejuvenated' chalets
By Chitra S. Nathan
Saturday July 30, 2011

I WAS immediately enveloped with a sense of calm the moment I stepped into a recently "rejuvenated" water chalet at the Avillion Port Dickson.

The spacious room was a sight to behold with a large four poster bed, a comfortable pangkin (daybed) to lounge on and a big bathroom which had a tub as well as an open air shower.

The sliding glass doors of the chalet opened out to a private balcony which affords guests gorgeous and uninterrupted views of the sea

Nostalgic: At Avillion Port Dickson, guest can get a gorgeous uninterrupted view of the seas.

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Central Market Pasar Seni KL

Central Market or Pasar Seni is one of the popular tourist destination in Kuala Lumpur. It can be reached via the Pasar Seni LRT station. I still remember the time when it was converted from a wet market to its current art and craft market when I was a school boy studying nearby. It is still a draw for tourist now and with many activities and busking giving this place a very lively attraction.

Central Market / Pasar Seni, Kuala Lumpur

Central Market: Keeping heritage relevant
By Anansa Jacob
29 July 2011

THE Central Market has been a Malaysian cultural focal point for many tourists visiting Kuala Lumpur, but these days, few city folk actually visit the 123-year-old landmark themselves.

In 2004, Central Market was taken over by Kha Seng Group, which also runs other key building projects like Viva Home and the upcoming Kenanga Wholesale City.

Since then, this tourist hub has been revamped, with new facilities and additions to emphasise its status as a showcase for Malaysian arts and handicraft.

The efforts to improve Central Market have paid off with the place earning an Excellence award at the Kuala Lumpur Mayor's Tourism Awards in June.

At a recently organised media tour, Kha Seng Group public relations executive Julia Emmanuel gave a group of journalists and bloggers a firsthand look at the new Central Market.

"One of the most obvious additions is the Kasturi Walk, located next to Central Market," she said. "We built a covered roof over the various kiosks that sell food and souvenirs over the sidewalk, and gave it a local touch with giant wau bulan structures located at both ends."

Kasturi Walk is also a venue for nightly cultural performances, as well as a Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia dance performance every Saturday night.

Within Central Market itself, where tourists can purchase unique souvenirs and traditional handicrafts, it looks as though not much has changed. But upon exploration, the layout of the shops are better organised, with handicrafts from specific cultures organised into 'streets' such as Malay Street, Straits Chinese, Little India, Jonker Street and Blue Mansion.

There are also several new eateries there, most of them selling popular versions of local cuisine. These include Oldtown White Coffee, Ginger Restaurant, Annexe Nasi Kandar and Rainforest Bistro & Restaurant. There is also a food court located on the upper floor for those looking for a more varied F&B experience.

The Central Market Annexe, located behind the main building, has also been revived as a space for the local art scene, with galleries and an area for performances or events.

There is also a daily free Heritage Walk tour, organised by Be Tourist. The tour guides are all volunteers, and they take interested visitors on a leisurely walk through areas in the city that showcase local Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures.

Our tour guide that morning was Connie, who was chirpy despite the wet weather we were having that day. She explained the history of Central Market, telling how it had evolved from its humble origins as a wet market in 1888 to its current incarnation.

After that, she took us on a roundabout trip through parts of old Kuala Lumpur and Masjid Lebuh Ampang. Our first stop was the century-old Masjid Jamek, which overlooked the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers. The historic mosque usually opens its doors to visitors, who are allowed to walk in and take photographs.

Later, we arrived at Little India to visit a chettiar building, one of the last few traditional moneylenders in the city. After that, we were taken through a narrow alley which housed three stalls manned by owners from the three main races in Malaysia. According to Connie, because of this, the place was known as the 1Malaysia Food Street.

We also visited the Sin Sze Ya temple, a Taoist temple that was built by the city founder Kapitan Yap Ah Loy in 1864, and is still visited by those wanting blessings and guidance for themselves or their families.

Throughout the journey, Connie also pointed out several old buildings that had historical value, including the city's oldest pawnshop, as well as a building with a balcony where she said maidens used to choose their husbands by throwing handkerchiefs for prospective suitors to catch.

Sadly, she added, most of these buildings were run down and not well cared for, and like many other historical sites, had been overlooked or sacrificed for the sake of rapid development.

Later, over lunch in Precious Old China, a restaurant serving fusion nyonya cuisine on Central Market's first floor, Julia said that there were more events planned at Central Market to reintroduce it to Malaysians.

"Everyone knows that it is a tourist destination, but we also want Malaysians to come and visit it," she said.

Among the activities planned are a photo contest to capture the essence of Central Market, a postcard-making workshop and a Chinese Opera performance in August. Not to mention the various cultural performances every day.

"We want people to come and visit Central Market and just see how much things have changed over the years," Julia added. "We want them to come and maybe even learn something new about the different cultures in their own country, and by teaching the public, we hope to be able to keep our heritage alive for many generations to come."

Source: thesundaily.my/news/94300
Find out more Info: centralmarket.com.my

It's been a long while since my last visit to Central Market Pasar Seni. Good for revisit for us locals too!

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Sandakan, Sabah Borneo

Sandakan, Sabah Borneo is located on the north-eastern coast of Borneo facing the Sulu Sea. This little town is home to the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Kinabatangan River and Sandakan War Memorial Park. Do give this tourism Malaysia a visit if you happen to be in Sabah and find out its many charms!

Sandakan's many charms
By Aida Ahmad
Friday July 29, 2011

THE one question most people asked me when I returned from my familiarisation trip to Sandakan was, "How many orang utans did you see?"

Granted, that was one of the highlights during the tour of Sabah's second largest town. However, Sandakan has more to offer than just primates.

Located on the north-eastern coast of Borneo facing the Sulu Sea, Sandakan is home to the famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Kinabatangan River and Sandakan War Memorial Park.

A few media members were taken on this trip organised by Firefly. From the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), it takes two hours and 40 minutes to reach Sandakan.

Popular cruise: The lower Kinabatangan area is a hotspot to bird-watch.

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Teluk Intan's Leaning Clock Tower

Teluk Intan's Leaning Clock Tower is a crowd puller for this small town in Perak. You definitely want to view this famous icon if you drop by this place. Make a detour to this small town when you are making your way to Pulau Pangkor and explore the charms of this little town in Perak!

Lighting up Teluk Intan’s leaning pride
By Anthony Law
Tuesday July 19, 2011

A crowd-puller: The leaning clock tower of Teluk Intan.

THE iconic leaning tower of Teluk Intan, which is popular among visitors by day to this coastal town, has found a new niche by night – thanks to the local municipal council thatlighted up the clock tower.

This 25.5 m pagoda structure is decorated with red, blue, yellow, orange, purple and green lights that gradually change colours at intervals, making it a majestic sight in the middle of the town at dusk.

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Kota Kinabalu Guide

Kota Kinabalu can be a pretty cool place to be; it’s also a great base from which to discover more of Sabah.

Laid-back and cool
Saturday May 21, 2011
By S.S. Yoga

Kota Kinabalu is a sprawling and quite charming city. Most of the buildings were erected post-WWII as the British burnt KK (then known as Jesselton) down during the war to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands.

There are just a few survivors from the pre-war era, though — four to be precise. They are the Atkinson Clock Tower, the former Post Office building (which now houses Sabah Tourism) and the Old Welfare building, which unfortunately was razed in a fire a few years back. All that is left standing are the columns that the city authorities have wisely allowed street artists to get creative with.

A stretch of beach at Pulau Sapi off Kota Kinabalu.

But hold on, isn’t that only three buildings so far?

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Homestay programme in Kampung Melayu Tebakang, Sarawak

Homestay programme in Kampung Melayu Tebakang, Sarawak

Refreshing rural experience
By Reen Reira
Wednesday May 4, 2011

A place where rivers are clean, air is fresh and the greens are greener.

10 families have set up a homestay programme in Kampung Melayu Tebakang, Sarawak, to provide visitors a feel of the traditional Malay village.

It is the latest eco-tourism destination managed by the state’s Urban Development and Tourism Ministry.

The place to be: Crystal clear water
awaits tourists and locals alike.

It offers an excellent opportunity to experience the exotic culture, warmth and hospitality of the villagers along with nature at its best.

The village has existed since the beginning of the 18th century after its initiation by a merchant and scholar named Haji Laer, who came from Kampung Bintangor in Sarawak.

The name Tebakang is from Sungai Tebakang which flows by the village.

During a war between the Netherlands and Indonesia, a small group of Melayu Sambas migrated to the village and helped its population to increase.

Home sweet home: One of the homestay houses in Kampung Melayu Tebakang.

In the 1920s, when Sarawak was under Rajah Brooke’s rule, a representative from Kampung Melayu Tebakang known as a native officer was appointed to manage the Ulu Sadong area.

While native officer Abang Samsudin Abang Matusin was in charge, a mosque on a hill adjacent to the village was transferred to the village.

Sekolah Atap was then established in the village and was known as the Combined School. It is now known as Sekolah Kebangsaan Tebakang.

The homestay was started in 2009 with 10 operators.

Welcome sight: Kampung Melayu Tebakang’s very own cafe.

Kampung Melayu Tebakang chairman Pauziah Mohd Yussup said that nine more people had passed a basic homestay course and would join in the programme.

The two-day, one-night package costs RM130 and includes basic facilities and three meals per day.

Traditional games, rafting, picnics, barbecues and other activities are also offered.

Pauziah said the Ministry of Tourism had allocated RM200,000 to build a concrete jetty and a tourist information centre.

"We hope the toilet and bathroom facilities of the houses in the programme will be upgraded.

"We also hope that the ministry will accept our proposal to build a multi-purpose hall in the village, which has been growing from year to year.

One of the draws: This suspension bridge
never ceases to attract visitors.

"The upgrading can attract more people, and this can help the state and country to earn tourist dollar," said Pauziah.

Kampung Melayu Tebakang is a unique Malay village that has a clean, green environment and not exposed to pollution.

Location of Kampung Melayu Tebakang

It is located in Serian District, about 80km from Kuching, and takes only a one hour to reach from the city.

It has amazing natural beauty and offers unique cultural activities.

The population of 2,000 is predominantly Bidayuh and Malay.

The village is divided by the Sadong River. The settlement on the bank reached by the main road is named Kampung Bidayuh Tebakang while the one on the other side of the river is Kampung Melayu Tebakang.

In 1929, during the era of Charles Vyner Brooke, Fort Tebakang was built as an administrative centre near the village.

This is the life: Visitors enjoying their food by a stream.

The Tebakang area has some striking limestone hills with vertical cliffs.

While the older generations were mostly farmers, the village youths now work in government departments and the private sector.

Farming and the planting of trees and vegetables provides resources for the village.

Among the crops are pepper, rubber, cocoa, rambutan and durian.

There is also the cultivation of padi huma and normal padi.

Some villagers raise fish on a small scale while others raise it commercially in freshwater ponds.

Various types of fish are raised, one of which is the red tilapia.

The village has infrastructure such as sundry shops, school and mosque.

The accommodation facilities for the homestay comprise clean rooms with fans, common bathrooms and toilets, electricity and basic amenities.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with the beat of kompang played by the locals.

Among the activities are rafting or kayaking down the Kayan River, longboat river safari, fishing, trekking, farm activities, picnic in Kerangan and making local delicacies such as kuih jala, ragi and ayam pansuh.

There is also a package for visitors to see a traditional Malay wedding and dances for visitors to participate in.

Those interested in arts and crafts may see how furniture is made and carved with motifs.

Pauziah said that many students from abroad and local universities had participated in the homestay.

"Last year, 35 students from UiTM in Shah Alam, Selangor, stayed in the village under the Program Explorasi Bumi Kenyalang while 120 students from Unimas joined in under the Program Rakan Muda Wawasan Desa," said Pauziah.

Those interested can experience what life is like in a Malay community.

The villagers are ever ready to welcome and show visitors their way of life, which has been practised for a very long time.

For more information on the homestay programme in Kampung Melayu Tebakang, Sarawak, call Pauziah at 082-874 263 or 019-858 2078 or send email to pauziahhail@yahoo.com

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Closure of Aero Train Shuttle Service at KLIA International Airport

Closure of Aero Train Shuttle Service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Please be informed that Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has announced that they will be shutting down the Aero Train Shuttle Service between the Main Terminal Building (MTB) to Satellite Building with effective from 01st November 2010 to 15th March 2011.



This closure of the Aero Train Shuttle Service is for planned maintenance depot checks and repairs which will take about 04 months period for completion.

During this period, MAHB will be using a fleet of 12 buses to shuttle passengers between the Main Terminal Building (MTB) to the Satellite Building.

As such, to avoid inconvenience to your passengers, with immediate effect, at Point of Reservations and Ticketing, the travel agent staff must ensure to inform the passengers who are travelling on MH flights from 01 Nov 2010 onwards that they must be early at the Airport for check-in in order not to miss their flights.

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MATTA Fair Sept 2010

Matta fair returns with bigger and better deals
Friday September 3, 2010

THE much-awaited Malaysian Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair is back at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) Kuala Lumpur from today to Sunday.

The travel fair is the second to be organised this year after a successful one in March.

Matta Fair organising chairman John Tan said there would be more than 185 exhibitors.

"Although September is always a smaller fair compare with March, we are expecting 80,000 visitors and RM1.9mil turnover from this exhibition," said Tan.

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MATTA Fair Sept 2010 KTM Discount

Rail discounts at Matta Fair
By Tho Xin Yi
Saturday August 28, 2010

VISITORS to the Matta Fair planning a cross-state or cross-border journey take note, KTM Intercity will be distributing discount coupons at its booth during the fair.

The coupon will entitle the holder to a 25% discount on the train fare, with a minimum purchase of four tickets for off-peak period.

The coupons must be used within three months from the date of issuance.

Added draw: (From left) Mohd Khalid, Mohd Noordin and Tan giving details on the offers at the Matta Fair.

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KTM SBU Intercity Services marketing manager Mohd Noordin Kimi said KTM Intercity had prepared 5,000 coupons for the fair, to be held from Sept 3 to 5 from 10am to 9pm at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.

“In addition to KTM Intercity goodies for those who visit our booth, we also contribute one premier class ticket and 10 superior class tickets to the organiser as contest prizes, as well as six superior class tickets for the lucky draw,” he said.

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MATTA Fair Perak September 2010

30,000 visitors expected for Matta Perak Travel Fair
Tuesday August 17, 2010

IPOH: About 30,000 visitors are expected for the Matta Perak Travel Fair 2010 from Sept 3 to Sept 5.

Organising secretary Aminur­rashid Abas said more people were expected to travel during the year-end school holidays.

The fair, he said, would be held at the Leong Wan Chin Hall at SMJK Perempuan Perak on Jalan Tuanku Bainun (formerly Jalan Kampar), adding that the previous fair in March had attracted 20,000 people.

Aminurrashid said the 60 exhibition booths at the fair would be opened to public from 10am to 10pm daily.

“Customers who buy tour packages worth more than RM300 will be entitled to enter a contest and win airline tickets,” he said, adding that the organising committee was still negotiating with airline companies on the destinations for contest winners.

The fair is organised in cooperation with the Perak government and Tourism Perak Sdn Bhd.

State Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Hamidah Osman is expected to launch the event on the first day at 6pm. -- The Star


MATTA Fair September 2010 KTM Promotion and Discounts
MATTA Fair September 2010 PWTC
MATTA Fair Perak September 2010
MATTA Fair August 2011

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Sarawak River Cruise

Sarawak River has witnessed some great events such as when it welcomed Sir James Brooke's ship, the Royalist about 100 years ago. It was also the start of the White Rajah rule. So why not give this river cruise a try!

Sarawak River cruise promises a memorable experience for visitors
By Rintos Mail
Photo By Zulazhar Sheblee
Thursday April 29, 2010

BE IT a leisurely sunset cruise, a starlight cruise party, a romantic wedding party or a corporate function, a cruise along Sarawak River from the Kuching Waterfront on board the mv Equatorial promises a memorable experience.

If you happen to be in Kuching, the Sarawak River Cruise is not to be missed. It's a fantastic way to look at and experience the history of Kuching.

Cruising along Sarawak River, the main artery around which Kuching has grown, one will sail past the city's historical landmarks and get unique insights and views of all aspect of traditional life by the river and the city.

Romantic: A sunset view from the ship during the cruise.

While enjoying sumptuous meal on board the 120 feet by 20 feet vessel, one is entertained by the sweet sound of the sape – a traditional Orang Ulu musical instrument.

One may also choose to enjoy other on-board entertainment such as karaoke and piped music.

The double-decker mv Equatorial can accommodate up to 200 persons at any one time. The lower deck comprises an air-conditioned dining lounge, a mini bar and washrooms, while the upper deck has a sheltered sightseeing deck with an open-air performance stage.

Layar Warisan Sdn Bhd, which took over operations of the mv Equatorial in 2008, said the vessel had gone through a complete re-branding to provide a wide range of cruising experiences and improved service quality.

"We have boosted the cruise experience by introducing an interesting historical commentary and traditional cultural performances in full costume.

On-board entertainment: An Iban maiden and a warrior
performing a cultural dance during the cruise.

"The ship's interior has been completely renovated, establishing a new standard of luxury in river cruising. It provides a great venue for weddings, corporate and state events, and community activities," said managing director Fiona Marcus Raja.

In addition to the daily sunset cruise, she said that brunch, lunch and dinner cruises were on offer on the sky deck or at the new Mariner Lounge below.

"Our chartered business features a myriad of events such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas dinner cruises, educational tours for schools and teaching the younger generation about history and the importance of tourism in Sarawak," she added.

Marcus said the ship hosted governments and corporate functions as well as private events, including birthday parties and wedding anniversaries.

"Many couples have been married on board. In fact, we believe we offer the most romantic wedding setting in Kuching," she said.

Her dream is to make the cruise a must-have activity for visitors in Kuching.

"I think we have come a long way in achieving the dream," she added.

Magnificent view: The State Legislative Assembly building
captured during the Sarawak River cruise.

Over the past 20 years, cruising on the mv Equatorial offered tourists a rich panoramic view of the city centre, its famous landmarks and splendid setting.

On the cruise, passengers would follow the path of the first White Rajah, Sir James Brooke, when he sailed up Sarawak River on that historic day in August 1838, she said.

Among the landmarks seen on the cruise are the Astana built in 1870, Brooke Dockyard (1912), Kuching State Mosque (1847). Down river are the Old Court House (1874), Square Tower (1879), Main Bazaar (1864), Chinese Museum (1912), Fort Margherita (1879) and the Malay villages of Kampung Boyan and Kampung Surabaya (1860).

Layar Warisan has 18 full-time and four part-time staff members working on shift on the mv Equatorial. -- The Star Metro

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MATTA Fair 2010 in Ipoh Perak

MATTA Fair 2010 is also available in Ipoh, Perak. So no need to go PWTC Kuala Lumpur to hunt for promotion. It seems the offers are same whether in Ipoh or Kuala Lumpur.

Location: Leong Wan Chin Hall at SMJK Perempuan on Jalan Tuanku Bainun
Duration: 2pm to 10pm on Friday and from 10am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday
Admission: Free

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Matta fair back in Perak
9/3/2010

THE Matta Perak Travel Fair 2010 is back again with exciting travel offers from Friday to Sunday.

The three-day fair in Ipoh will be held at the Leong Wan Chin Hall at SMJK Perempuan on Jalan Tuanku Bainun (formerly Jalan Kampar).

“There will be lots of activities and entertainment whereas visitors who purchase packages over RM300 will be entitled to enter a lucky draw contest in which flight tickets are up for grabs,” event organising chairman Aminurrashid Abas said in a statement.

The fair will be open to the public from 2pm to 10pm on Friday and from 10am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is free.

For details, call the secretariat office at 05-2431450 or 012-5754039

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Jetting off to see the world
11/3/2010

VISITORS to the ninth edition of the Matta Perak Travel Fair 2010 tomorrow will be spoilt for choice as there will be 18 exhibitors putting up booths selling domestic and foreign tour packages

Organising chairman Aminur-rashid Abas said there would be 53 booths during the three-day fair, which ends on Sunday.

“The fair will be held at the Leong Wan Chin Hall at SMJK Perempuan on Jalan Tuanku Bainun,” he told reporters during a press conference in Ipoh yesterday.

The fair is open from 2pm to 10pm on Friday while it will open from 10am to 10pm during the weekends, said Aminurrashid, adding that 20,000 visitors were expected to throng the fair.

He added that there would be lots of fun-filled activities for all during the event and visitors could win a lot of lucky draw prizes.

Visitors, who buy RM300 worth of products, will be given a contest form which offers the chance to win the grand prizes of airline tickets.

He noted that the committee anticipated that the response to the fair would be good as there were no major issues affecting the tourism sector this year.

Organising secretary Jimmy Goh said the fair would be held simultaneously with the Matta fair in Kuala Lumpur.

“The people need not travel to the capital to grab the offers as the same offers are available at the Leong Wan Chin Hall,” he said.

Admission is free.

For details, call the secretariat office at 05-2431450 or 012-5754039.

--Star News.

Related post:
MATTA Fair 2010 promotion for Tourism Malaysia
MATTA Fair 2010 PWTC KL
MATTA Fair 2009
MATTA Fair 2006

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