Apr 29, 2010

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.
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.
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.
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

Mar 12, 2010

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



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


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

Feb 28, 2010

Hot Malaysian Weather

Hot and bothered
By Joseph Loh
Sunday February 28, 2010


"WAH! It’s really hot this Chinese New Year!" This has to be the most commonly used – and heard – sentence among Malaysians as they visited their Chinese friends and relatives over the lunar new year.

Hottest temperatures ever recorded in MalaysiaThe proof is everywhere: people on the street are walking around with umbrellas and shopping malls are crowded with people trying to escape the stifling heat.

Padi fields and plantations are drying out and air-conditioning units are working overtime: the last is said to be responsible for an all-time record in the usage of electricity. Tenaga Nasional Bhd registered a demand of 14,417MW on Feb 11, when the average over the past two years was 13,501MW – almost a 7% increase!

Hottesst weather recorded during CNY week (Past 10 years)Truth be told, there is substance to the belief that the hottest part of the year is during Chinese New Year.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Dr Yap Kok Seng confirms this fact.

"The driest and hottest period over the northwestern states of peninsular Malaysia, such as Perlis and the northern region of Perak, are the months of January to March, which happens to coincide with the Chinese New Year period.

Peak temperatures recorded over selected Malaysian towns/cities (Feb14-20,2010)"However, during the El Nino years, this hot and dry period can be longer," says Dr Yap.

As 2010 is an El Nino year, be ready for more heat. It might be a good idea to stock up on the sunblock lotion. In the meantime, here are some statistics for extreme heat situations officially recorded in Malaysia.

Lowest temperature ever recorded in Malaysia:
Cameron Highlands (1471.6m above mean sea level) 7.8°C Feb 1, 1978
-- The Star News

Related Post:
Hot Weather Malaysia
Malaysian Weather
Cameron Highlands Weather
Cameron Highlands Current Weather March 2010

Jan 10, 2010

Malaysia Food

CAMERON HIGHLANDS

Restaurant Zainab Sam's nasi lemak (left) and ikan keli masak sambal.


FOR good Malay food in the Cameron Highlands, make your way to this outlet. Zainab Sam Abdul Latif started a stall in 1974 and over the years, it expanded into this small restaurant.

At 66, Zainab, who hails from Batu Gajah, Perak, still actively attends to her customers, who declare that she serves the best Malay and Thai-style cuisine in the area.

The restaurant serves fried rice in many styles, such as nasi goreng kampung and nasi goreng Pattaya. Prices start from RM3, depending on the cooking style and the ingredients. If you opt for plain rice, Zainab offers about 20 types of vegetable, meat and fish dishes daily.

There is also good sup tulang or beef bone soup to be found here. What is outstanding is the ikan keli masak sambal. Zainab's nasi lemak with its flavourful rice is also good. - Star Street Food Guide.

Restoran Zainab Sam
(Opposite HSBC Bank)
10 Main Road, Tanah Rata.
Tel: 05-491 1917
Open 6.30am to 10pm.
Days off not fixed.



KUCHING, SARAWAK

Ah Keng Belacan Beehoon

LOCALS regard the noodles here, known as “Jubilee Ground Belacan Beehoon”, as Kuching’s best version of the pungent dish. The vendor is located in a row of small stalls and has been around for over 20 years. The tables are packed all day long.

The belacan beehoon has a good balance, neither too mild nor too pungent. The locals will advise you to eat it with slices of century egg, which help to mask the gravy’s pungency.

Round off your meal with air batu campur and cendol from the next stall, Ah Yeo Ais Kacang. For both icy treats, you can choose to have either coconut milk or evaporated milk added. The air batu campur has a richer flavour, with coconut milk added – that’s how most of the locals like it. Other good eats in the area include mee kolok and rojak.

Ah Keng Belacan Beehoon
Jubilee grounds
(next to SRJK Chung Hua 3)
Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan.
Open 11.30am to 6pm.
Days off not fixed.



ALOR STAR, KEDAH

Kedai Kopi Lai Huat Curry Mee

ASK around town and you will be told that Lai Huat serves one of the best versions of curry mee around. Owner Kwek Kim Huat inherited the 33-year-old business from his father. He uses Indian meat curry powder as the base for the aromatic and rich gravy. The noodles are topped with tofu puffs, chicken slices, beansprouts and hard-boiled egg. A tablespoon of sambal turns up the heat.

Curry Mee
Kedai Kopi Lai Huat
(Opposite Kedai Kopi Chooi Hong)
Stall No. 13, Jalan Sultan Badlishah.
Open 7am to 12pm.
Days off not fixed.

Jan 7, 2010

Morib Gold Coast project

Everything for a good holiday
Story and photos by Elan Perumal
7/Jan/2010


THE RM1bil Morib Gold Coast project is expected not only to draw a large number of tourists to the beach but also offer business opportunities for locals in the area.

A total of 300 retail outlets will be housed in a 10-storey building that marks the final phase of the project.

The outlets, which are being sold for RM69,999 each, will be located on the first three floors of the building. The block will also house a five-star hotel from the fifth floor upwards.

STG Group chairman Datuk Alex Tan Siong SengWork on the building has started and it is expected to be completed in 18 months' time.

As an incentive, STG Group chairman Datuk Alex Tan Siong Seng said, the first 50 purchasers of the outlets would be offered a seven-day/six-night trip for two to Guangzhou, China.

During the all-expense-paid trip, the buyers would be involved in meetings with businessmen from the city, Tan said.

"They will have the opportunity to get to know new businessmen and perhaps do business with them," he added.

Tan said the retail outlets were also available for rent to small retailers who were unable to purchase them. The monthly rental would be a nominal RM400.

Tan said retailers could be also provided with basic retail stocks for a minimum capital of RM2,000, depending on the type of items they wished to sell. This could go up to a maximum of RM10,000 worth of goods.

For entrepreneurs: The retail outlets are available for sale or rent.
For entrepreneurs: The retail outlets are available for sale or rent.



"The outlets on the first floor of the building will sell various local products, including souvenirs, handicraft, batik and foodstuff.

"The two other floors will offer visitors various other types of goods," he said, adding that each retail outlet could be run by a single person as centralised cashiers would be deployed.

Besides selling their goods to walk-in visitors, especially tourists, Tan expects all the retailers to double as wholesalers.

He said the retailers would be put in contact with the manufacturers from the beginning, and they would be able to supply large volumes of goods whenever there was a demand.

Sun, sand and sea: The beach resort will offer tourists a good holiday.
Sun, sand and sea: The beach resort will offer tourists a good holiday.



This, he said, would be a great business opportunity for the locals as he expected the Gold Coast project to be a big hit among visitors and tourists.

Being situated so near the KL International Airport, the resort was expected to draw thousands of visitors daily once it was fully operational, he said.

Morib is set for a massive change when the project, which has 686 units of serviced apartments to cater for holiday-makers, opens.

Tan envisaged Morib booming with economic and tourism activities once the project was completed, noting that the resort would be the nearest to the country's number one gateway by air and that it would be offering a complete holiday experience for tourists.

"We have everything required, from accommodation and restaurants to theme parks and the beach.

"Holiday-makers will have an exotic experience at our resort," he said confidently. -- The Star