Unlock The Colors Of Malaysia Contest
February 12, 2009 – Tourism Malaysia launched the “Unlock The Colors Of Malaysia” (and WIN a trip for 2) consumer contest over www.TakeOffEh.com to lure even more Canadians over to Malaysian shores. The contest is aimed at providing several facts and fancies about Malaysia that many Canadians are unfamiliar with, and to pique the interest of Canadians in search of a holiday experience that is both unique and affordable.
Log onto www.TakeOffEh.com amd look for the “Unlock the colors of Malaysia” contest link.
IN THE HEART OF THE RAINFOREST
Covering almost 60 percent of land mass, Malaysia’s tropical rainforests have been a major draw for tourists from around the world. There is no better place to learn all about it than at the Rainforest Development Centre (RDC) in Sabah. After all, the RDC started out as an educational learning centre operated by the Sabah Forestry Department to teach students and teachers about conserving forests and the sustainable use of forests.
Opened in 2007, the RDC is located in Sandakan, Sabah, within the famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, home of the orangutans of the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
It recently received a fresh round of attention when the Minister of Tourism, YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Dato’ Othman Said, chose to launch the Zoom! Malaysia domestic campaign at the venue, generating renewed publicity and interest for it.
Far from being a domestic tourism product, the centre boasts of excellent facilities and educational information to appeal to foreign tourists also. In fact, researchers from afar, too, choose to conduct studies and observations of nature and wildlife here.
Visitors who throng this beautiful green belt are able to participate in various forest-based recreational activities, i.e. bird-watching, nature photography, night walks to spot wildlife, etc.
Though small, only 1 hectare in size, the Plant Discovery Garden at RDC boasts of many diverse and unique plant species. Some of the more interesting plants in this garden are the native orchids (more than 250 species), slipper orchids, pitcher-plants, arid land plants, aquatic plants, economic crops, and some of the most spectacular tropical American plants, such as the bromeliads and the Venus flytrap.
A walk through the garden leads visitors to the Rainforest Discovery Trails, which is a network of nature trails among tall, dipterocarp trees that provides easy access into the forest.
Interpretive panels along the 800-metre trail describe the unique features of the natural forest and how it functions as an ecosystem. Night walks along the trails also offer a chance to see wildlife, such as tarsiers, mouse deer, and civet cats, and interesting insects such as stick insects.
The centre’s canopy walkway is a 147-metre long, sturdy, steel structure which provides visitors with a spectacular view of the beautiful rainforest of Sepilok from up to 28 metres above the forest floor.
The walkway and towers are great for bird-watching -- there are some 250 species of birds to look out for at the centre, including hornbills, pittas, kingfishers and broadbills. For the lucky ones, a glimpse of the resident Bornean Bristlehead, an endemic species in Borneo will surely be thrilling!
The visitor centre houses a lecture hall, a gift shop and an exhibition hall. The exhibitions at the main building highlight plants and animals of the rainforest, with information on the forests of Sabah, its resources and various research findings.
Visitors to the centre will also benefit from a trip to the nearby Mangrove Discover Centre (MDC), an environmental education facility located in the mangroves of the Sepilok Forest Reserve. It is a 20-minute boat ride from Sandakan or a two-hour hike from RDC through the forest. Visiting both the Rainforest Discovery Centre and the Mangrove Discovery Centre provides visitors a broader and more complete understanding of the rainforest.
The MDC has a large camp ground designed to cater up to 80 persons. Basic amenities include a kitchen, a large hall and toilets. There are also plans afoot to build a 48-bed hostel, an interpretation pavilion, as well as a broad walkway in the mangrove forest. Activities here include bird-watching, kayaking, and fishing. Proboscis monkey sightings are also common in the area.
Contact details:
Rainforest Discovery Centre
PO Box 1407,
90715 Sandakan, Sabah.
Tel: +60 089-533780
Email: rdcsepilok@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/rdc
SHOPPING, MALAYSIAN STYLE!
Besides the air-conditioned comforts of super-sleek mega malls in the major towns of Malaysia, there is another category of retail “mall” that is off the beaten track, so to speak – the colourful markets of Malaysia.
Wakaf Che Yeh
While most parts of Kelantan wind down their activities by evening, Wakaf Che Yeh, or Che Yeh Market, in Jalan Kuala Krai, Kota Bharu, bustles 24-hours a day.
This open-air trading area, occupying about a quarter acre, is the stage for Kelantan commerce. As the day unfolds, traders enter and exit like actors in a play, changing the scene from a wholesale market to a wet market and finally to a typical local night market.
Huge baskets, bursting with colour are set on the ground, offering all kinds of vegetables and every imaginable spice. Everything is sold in bulk at wholesale prices.
In the later hours of the morning, another set of traders enters the arena turning the whole place into a busy wet market. Fishermen with the morning’s catch and butchers with fresh, prime meat gather to make a sale. Among them are beef, fish, clams, and squids.
In the evening, the scene changes yet again. Trestle tables are set up within inches of each other, leaving only a narrow lane for shoppers to negotiate their way through. Stools and plastic tables are brought out, the gas stove is fired up and food is served. Music, and sometimes dikir barat tunes, blares from speakers signaling the start of the pasar malam or night market.
This outdoor “shopping mall” has something for everyone. Local Kelantan food and desserts for the hungry; perfumes, shoes and clothes for the fashionable; music CDs, video CDs and even stereo systems for fans of entertainment; vegetables and fruits for the cook; traditional medicines for the weary; jewellery (including gold and gemstones) for the indulgent; and the charged, electric atmosphere for those who prefer to window shop.
Gaya Street Market, Sabah
The Gaya Street Market is something of a must-visit in Sabah. Formally known as Bond Street, the street has now become the central stop for both tourists and locals alike. Gaya, which literally means style, may very well be an apt name for this market thanks to the various types of accessories (Borneo beads, Sabah pearls), clothes (Sabah souvenir t-shirts) and shoes being sold here.
Open only on Sundays from 5 am to 1 pm, Gaya Street Market traders get up in the wee hours of the morning to set up their stalls. In fact, the fishmonger goes early to the jetty to meet the fishermen and bargain for the best deal on the day’s fresh catch. They then haul the fish net over their shoulders filled with all kinds of edible sea creatures straight to the market.
Although the main items sold are fruit, vegetables and all kinds of fishes, inevitably you will also find some rather unusual things being sold at the market, i.e. squirming sago grubs for less than RM5. Sago grubs are fat worms known as a delicacy in Sabah and Sarawak.
Traditional medicines in the form of teas, balms, tonics, herbed oils, etc. are also sold here. With promises of healing all kinds of ailments such as stomach discomfort, gout, skin rashes and back-ache, these cures are made of herbs and spices that are renowned for their therapeutic properties.
Other precious finds at this market are the variety of orchids, local titbits, wood carvings, art and handicraft items, even pets such as fish, puppies, kittens and rabbits.
Satok Market, Sarawak
Located at the junction of Jalan Satok and Jalan Palm, this vibrant market comes alive every Sunday with local traders selling almost everything under the sun. You will not miss it by the cacophony of sounds, the intermingling aroma of everything from food to flowers, and the colourful ambience of this truly authentic local market.
Handicrafts and Borneo jewellery are among the things being sold here. These handmade items are unique as they carry the individuality of the many different tribes in Sarawak.
The locals, too, visit the market to get their stock of fresh produce and meat. One can bargain for the famous Sarawak ikan terubuk masin, a salted fish delicacy, as well as the wild Sarawak ferns commonly known as midin used to make stir-fried vegetable dishes.
Some traders bring in the bounty of the forest to sell at this market – wild honey, unique ferns and plants, wild orchids, traditional herbs made into balms and medicine, exotic wild fruit, etc.
MALAYSIA, A LOVERS’ PARADISE
  
Of all the significant events that would take place in one’s life, nothing is more important than one’s wedding day. The fact that it is the moment that you seal a relationship with the promise to love one another for the rest of your life makes the wedding day an event that is sacred and meaningful.
It’s only natural then that the affair is planned for with care and much thought, months, even years, in advance. Even before reaching the legal marrying age, little girls have already dreamed up their perfect weddings. It may be a celebration by the beach at sunset, or in a ballroom filled with pink roses and balloons. It may be a fairy-tale garden party or a romantic do on a private cruise witnessed only by the twinkling stars.
Whatever it may be, the wedding day, from dream to concept to the actual I-do’s, is something every girl dreams about…and plans for to the single, most minute detail. The party favours have to be decided. The caterers have to be hired. The guest list, identified. The invitations, printed and mailed out. The menu, selected. The food, tasted. The music, picked. The dress, custom-designed and tailored. In other words, everything has to be perfect for the wedding day. And nothing makes it more perfect than the right choice of setting for that special day.
With its varied landscapes and scenic settings, Malaysia is the perfect backdrop for those wanting a wedding ceremony that will be remembered forever. Couples can choose to exchange their vows on an island, by the beach, up in the cool climates of the highlands, amidst verdant green nature, in the clear blue waters of the sea, or in the historical heart of the country.
Malaysia is blessed with many beautiful islands that dot its shores. Among them are Langkawi, Redang, Tioman, Pangkor and Perhentian islands, with beaches that inspire romance and clear blue waters that sweep gently to the shores. Beach weddings at sunset may be typical but couples can also opt for a cruise wedding where they can sail away into the sunset as they exchange vows. In the case of Langkawi, a thrilling glide over the tree-tops of Raya Mountain can also be arranged for those looking for a wedding ceremony that’s literally off-the-beaten track.
Even though Malaysia is very much a tropical country with warm weather all-year-round, one can still choose to hold a wedding in the cooler climes of the highlands. Frasers Hill, Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands are located on the main mountain range of Peninsular Malaysia with temperatures dipping between 16 and 21 degrees Celcius. Here, garden weddings are a favourite with the rolling green hills as a witness to the sacred union.
With Malaysia’s kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, couples may want to exchange vows the way Malaysians themselves typically do it. Malay weddings will see the bride and groom being treated like a king and queen for the day, complete with the “royal” dais and traditional martial arts and cultural performances fit for the royal courts. Guests then take turns to “bless” the union with rosewater and fragrant potpourri.
For a more oriental experience, couples can get dressed up in traditional Chinese wedding costumes and complete the intricate Chinese tea ceremony with friends and family. Indian temple weddings are also a colourful affair as bride and groom are celebrated with music and flowers by guests dressed in extravagant sarees of modern design. At the Sarawak Cultural Village, wedding ceremonies can be organized according to the traditional Iban, Bidayuh or Orang Ulu way. Similarly, the Monsopiad Cultural Village in Sabah caters to Kadazan-styled weddings, complete with traditional trimmings.
Most of the hotels and resorts in Malaysia offer wedding packages that include airport transfers, welcome drinks, honeymoon suites, breakfast in bed, candle-light dinners, photography services, wedding cakes, hairstyling and make-up sessions, banquet dinners, entertainment, decorations and other wedding niceties. Some will even tailor-make the event according to the couple’s needs. With the help of a wedding planner, all the details of the wedding, like booking of dates, coordinating food and beverage details and arranging accommodation for guests can easily be sorted out. A feature of many resorts and hotels in Malaysia these days is the in-house spa – to ease away the wedding jitters that one may have before the ceremony.
After the wedding vows have been safely and lovingly exchanged, it’s only fitting to extend one’s stay in Malaysia for the honeymoon period. Again, the choice that Malaysia presents is varied and the hotel or resort that arranged the wedding ceremony would be able to arrange for a honeymoon package as well.
Some couples may wish to retire to a private world of their own making. The islands beckon with miles of secluded beaches that the newlyweds can claim as their very own. Indulge in a spa experience specially meant for couples who cannot bear to be separated even for a moment! Or do absolutely nothing but laze about in a villa right on the calm waters of the sea, with a personal butler to answer to your every beck and call!
Some couples, may want to get right into the action of Malaysian life. For them, the pulsating ambience of the modern cities of Kuala Lumpur and Penang will keep them occupied day and night. Spend the day in some of the most modern shopping malls that offer high quality branded products at affordable prices. And retire to the city’s many dance clubs in the evenings for a taste of Malaysia’s weekend pastime.
Indeed, whether couples intend to exchange wedding vows or kindle romance on their honeymoon, Malaysia is the perfect place for it. With the wide variety of choice for wedding and honeymoon packages, Malaysia will certainly make the experience memorable for many more anniversaries to come.
It’s all quite simple:
Having your wedding and honeymoon in Malaysia is quite a straightforward affair. However, as each country has its own set of wedding procedures for couples looking to hold their ceremonies outside their home countries, there are certain legal and immigration criteria that you need to fulfil.
Start by researching your own country’s marriage requirements. For the requirements on the Malaysian side, check with the Malaysian diplomatic mission in your country. Be prepared to spend a minimum of seven consecutive days in Malaysia to facilitate the necessary arrangements.
However, to make things simpler, many couples decide to register their marriage officially in their home countries and only hold a wedding reception in Malaysia. This, too, is possible, and doesn’t require too many procedures.
For the best information, work with your travel agent and the Malaysian Embassy or High Commission in your home country.
GETTING AROUND KL ON A SINGLE TOUR PASS
Sightseeing around Kuala Lumpur just got easier with the recent introduction of the KL Monorail & KL Hop-On Hop-Off One Day Unlimited Ride package. Although it’s quite a mouthful to say, the promotion makes it convenient for tourists to access the many major tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur within one day.
For just RM20 per person (adult or child), pass-holders can enjoy unlimited travel around Kuala Lumpur in any single day on two modes of transportation – the KL Hop-On Hop-Off (KL HOHO) bus and the KL Monorail train. With the ticket, tourists can hop on and off the bus and monorail as and when they wish.
The KL HOHO bus follows a pre-determined route that covers 70 tourist attractions and 22 designated stops including several at KL Monorail stations. On board are pre-recorded commentaries of tourist attractions in eight different languages, i.e. Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic, Japanese, French and Spanish.
Traveling on the double-decker KL HOHO bus, passengers can view the best of Kuala Lumpur with its semi-glass roof. Its route covers numerous attractions including the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers, the Golden Triangle shopping district where Pavilion and Starhill malls are located, the green belt at Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens and the historic enclave near Merdeka Square.
Meanwhile, there are 11 KL Monorail stations situated in high-traffic areas around the city, connecting passengers to shopping districts, major hotels, commercial centres, tourist attractions and stretches of hip dining and clubbing establishments.
Traveling on these elevated rail systems is an experience in itself as it offers a bird’s eye view of the city below, and a stop at any one of the stations will give tourists a further glimpse into the typical urban lifestyle of KL-ites.
The KL Sentral stop, for instance, is located near Brickfields, an area thriving with the business and social activities of the mostly-Indian community there. A walk around the vicinity is an unforgettable sensorial experience filled with colourful sights, aromas of curries and burning incense, and the sounds of the lilting Tamil widely spoken there.
The Maharajalela interchange, on the other hand, is the gateway to Kuala Lumpur’s self-proclaimed Chinatown where vendors will appeal to you with all manner of fruits, shoes, clothes, bags, herbal remedies and more! More than just a marketplace of sorts, Chinatown epitomizes Kuala Lumpur’s exciting and fast-paced lifestyle.
Additionally, pass-holders can enjoy great discounts on entrance tickets to Petronsains, the KL Bird Park, and Aquaria, as well as on food and beverages at Seri Melayu restaurant.
Tickets can be purchased at the Bukit Bintang and KL Sentral monorail counters and aboard all KL HOHO buses. The ticket entitles holders to unlimited rides in a single day on the KL Monorail and KL HOHO buses. The promotion ends on 31 May 2009. KL HOHO buses operate from 8:30 am till 8:30 pm at half-hourly intervals, while the KL Monorail has daily services from 6 am until 12 am.
For more information, please contact Mr. Roslan Rashid of Elang wah Sdn Bhd, at tel: + 603 2691 2382 or email rrashid@myhoponhopoff.com.my. |
