Peter Yew's Enchanting Malaysia Weblog

Goodbye!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:52:00 +0000

I've had a great time doing this blog. It was one of my earliest blogs that I thought I can sustain, but time decided to disagree so after I discover I am unable to travel as much as I like, I feel it is not doing justice to this blog since visitors will only get to read old posts which are still relevant though if you should be visiting Malaysia. No country is perfect but here in Malaysia you will discover enchantments amidst a multicultural environment and a crazy choice of foods and goods you can savor and buy home.

This is my last post. It has being worthwhile writing here, and great to have you visiting. If you like to read more of what I write please visit my currently most active blog at Mrs Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter Blog.

Have a nice day.

Pangkor Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:08:00 +0000

My visit to Pangkor in December was incomplete and frustrated by my grand-daughter's sudden high fever. However, the great impression I got from the Pangkor Island Beach Resort kept the desire to revisit it alive. So when my son Julian and wife Winnie came back for a visit, we decided that we should try PIBR again. We booked for a 2 night stay from April 16 to 19. As before we boarded the ferry at 1.45pm from the Lumut Ferry. It cost us RM19 each two ways for the ferry ride. This time the weather was great. It was cloudy and the seas were calm. The ride took just 25 minutes and baby Grace, my grand-daughter was more fun this time around.

We got to stay in the Pacific Wing again, this time on the highest floor overlooking the Pacific Pool and the beach. Since we have been to Bali just a week earlier, and stayed at the fantastic Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort at Tanah Lot, we tend to make an unfair comparison between the two resorts.

Unlike Bali where there are many places to sightsee, Pangkor is more limiting so we decided to swim more in the resort's Pacific Pool with its standard 3.9 ft depth. As the resort faces west we have the chance to watch the sunset. The first evening's sunset was not spectacular, much like Bali's which fizzled out in its dwindling minutes. But on our second evening both Julian and I were able to capture the fiercer moments before the ball of fire dipped down the horizon. I guess this sight made up for what we did not see in Tanah Lot, Uluwatu or Jimbaran in Bali.

On the second day we decided to take a 2 hours island tour using a private taxi that charges RM50 for a party of 4. We had lunch in Pangkor town and bought some dried seafood. The experiences were disappointing as Pangkor cannot compare with Bali in every aspect. However, the buffet breakfasts and dinners we ate at the resorts's Hornbill restaurant were of good quality but below Cendana's standard at Le Meridien in Bali. Still it is not fair to compare two resorts of different rankings. But Pangkor Island Beach Resort boast of a clean private beach, hornbill birds and a peacock and several peahen that roam the grounds.

We left Pangkor at noon and made our next stop at the James' Cendol Stall located in front of the Hindu Temple next to the Store supermarket in Sitiawan. If you want to taste a great bowl of mouth watering cendol, you must not miss Jame's which opens daily from 11.30am (except when it rains lah!). For my Bali and other holiday blogs, please visit Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter Blog.

Exploring Pangkor Island Beach Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:09:00 +0000

Over the past weekend my family decided to check out this resort for a family gathering next year. We discover the resort to be as described in its website, very private and clean. We took the 1.45pm ferry to the private jetty of the resort. Check in service was personal and good. A porter load our bags into the ferry and at the dot we left for the island, arriving 30 minutes later. A drizzle began to fall during the ride and it was rather windy. The ferry was equipped with life jackets neatly packed but we saw no reason to don any as the ferry was sturdy and of a reasonable size.

Upon arrival at the small private jetty attendants with bright yellow umbrellas were awaiting the guests to shelter us from the boat to the shuttle bus, while our bags were loaded onto another lorry. The resort is just 5 minutes away and upon arrival we were welcomed by a Filipino band and a welcome drink.

The resort has 3 wings : Garden, Ocean and Pacific. There are also villas by the beach. We took 2 rooms in the Pacific Wing that face the pool and the beach. We immediately liked what we were provided, service, cleanliness and nice views. Because the drizzle came on and off we decided not to swim but we saw some youths and 2 expatriate families enjoying themselves in the pool. Later at 5pm when the drizzle stopped we took a stroll to the vast and clean beach. It was a refreshing and peaceful place to be in. Being a private property there were only resort guests using it so it was not crowded. The beachfront was about a kilometer long and just walking it took some time.

As the sun sets (the resort faces west but because of the weather we did not manage to see a spectacular sunset) we adjourned to the Pacific Terrace Restaurant for a romantic and nice meal of seafood. The following morning we had our complimentary breakfast at the Hornbill Restaurant. Here are some pix I took.

Family Outing to Awana Genting

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:55:00 +0000

Awana Genting (click HERE) is about 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur north eastward along the Karak Highway. Genting is a popular getaway for both locals and tourists because of the cooling weather and fresh mountain air. Two days ago I took my family up for a one night stay to break from our routine. Since we stay in Seremban, the total journey took about 2 hours but it was relaxing. Awana is primarily a golfing resort but the room layout and ambience fits families as well. This is especially for those who do not wish to drive all the way up to the top of Genting where the theme parks, casino and a cluster of hotels crowd each other on a small piece of land. The resort provide free shuttle service so it is a good balance plus a pure joy to be driven up. Our double deluxe rooms have 2 queen size beds that face the hills and overlook the pool. Night time with the sliding door and windows ajar the rooms are cooling without the air conditioning. Unfortunately they were a few floors above the noisy ventilator fan on top the main building below us (we stayed on the 16th floor of the Tower Hotel) so we could here the hum at night. However it was not very intrusive. The following day we rode the cable cars up to the theme parks and let the kids enjoy the fun rides. The adults enjoyed the monorail ride at RM8 per person. If you are adventurous go buy a day pass with unlimited rides inside the outdoor theme park.

Genting is the only hill entertainment resort in Malaysia with a casino and be it on weekdays or weekends there are bound to be a good crowd. Come this weekend when the 7 weeks long year end school holiday starts, the crowds are bound to increase, especially school children in school buses.

My Bangkok Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:47:00 +0000

I just returned from a short free and easy holiday in Bangkok just to see for myself what it has to offer. Plus a birthday gift for my wife! Here are the impressions I got. Bangkok is a tourist friendly city. From the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the city 50 minutes away, depending on the condition of the traffic snarl, you will be able to find lots of taxis that run on meters. In the city you can also use the tuk tuks but be aware of not being fleeced. For a cheap ride they will taken you to retail outlets to buy Thai silk or gems. There are lots of places to see and visit but the weather can be very hot and humid, much like Kuala Lumpur. The city is quite disorganized and ill-laid out. The adventurous will find it a fun place to be in. Signage is mainly Thai so you can get lost in unfamiliar places. Cost of living quite high although taxi fare still cheap at average of under 100 THB within the city. Compared to Malaysia, my impression is we enjoy a better living standard, better traffic (our jams are a lot less frustrating too) and places of visit of equivalent standard. Malaysians are as friendly as Thais. We have a better standard of English which is certainly a big plus to foreign travelers. Admittedly Bangkok has the river cruises that we lack, and some excellent cultural shows, like the Siam Niramit, worth going to. What we lack we make up in other ways. Overall impression? A nice place to go. Other than that Kuala Lumpur can stand up to Bangkok anytime.

Miri, the Northern Gateway of Sarawak

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:03:00 +0000

I was soo.. impressed by an aerial pix of Miri - the clean and orderly layout, that I want to make it my next local destination. Having enjoyed Kuching I am sure I will not be let down by Miri. While Kuching 'guards' the southern part of Sarawak, Miri is the northern entry into the state. Located near to the border of Brunei, Miri is also the launching pad to the Mulu National Park, 45 minutes away by air. Let me share some of the hot spots I would like to visit when I am there. Miri is a modest city without many high rise buildings. She faces the South China Sea and has nice clean air. I am already falling in love with its city life, with the walk by the riverfront.

I remember Miri as a boy as being an oil town where crude oil was drilled. I would like to go see the 1st oil well in the country that was bored here. Right in the city there are a number of attractions I would like to explore:

The urban park, the Islamic garden, the Taman Bunga (lake garden), the Chinese garden, the public park, the bulatan park and the crocodile farm. All these suggest Miri to be a very nature oriented town. There is also the Luak Bay Esplanade just outside the town where I can enjoy the sunsets and the sea breeze. Fancy a swim? I understand there is the Hawaii Beach here as well. The Bungai Beach at Bekenu nearby is another popular place to sunbath and wet oneself.

The Mirians are known to be fun loving as their activities can attest to it. There is the City Parade, the Raft Race, the May Fest, the Weekend Markets and Taman Selera (open air food court) where people gather to relax and enjoy life. There are malls, heritage centres as well as a taoist temple, claimed the largest in S.E. Asia, to visit.

All these are in Miri or its immediate vicinity and I think will take at least 2 full days to experience. Learning from my Kuching experience, spending extra 2-3 days is certainly no regret in places like Miri.

My next blog will write about what's attractive and fun outside of Miri.

Sibu, a Foochow Enclave

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:01:00 +0000

To the uninitiated, Sibu may just be another town in Sarawak. But to the Foochow community it is the 'New Hock Chew' or 'New Foochow'. Sibu was the place where the foochow immigrants from the Fujian province in China came to settle in the early 20th century.The first batch were Methodist Christian immigrants led by Rev. Wong Nai Siong. Foochows all over the world gather here for conferences. If you don't understand their dialect, it can be very bewildering. Here in Sibu you will enjoy authentic foochow food and culture that are rather unique. Ranked the second larget town in Sarawak after Kuching, it is where you can take a Rejang River ride to enjoy the scenic riverbank views as well as visit some longhouses.

Situated in central Sarawak north east of Kuching and along the Rejang River (the longest river in Malaysia at 770 kilometers), Sibu is accessible by road, air and boat. In Sibu you can experience a myriad of diverse culture, food and natural wonders. And if you wish to bring home handicraft souvenirs you can find a good variety here. There are a wide range of hotels available, restaurants, pubs and karaoke lounges to relax. Some of the attractions are the central market, the esplanade, the night market, the Borneo cultural festival (an annual event in July), the Chinese tua pek kong temple and the floating markets.

Your Favorite Malaysian Holiday Destination(s)

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:49:00 +0000

Help me to be a little more focussed in my blog contents. If you have visited Malaysia, which are your favorite destinations? If you are considering visiting which destinations are you planning to visit? Your feedbacks are most welcomed.

Kuching, Beyond the City Pt 4

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:08:00 +0000

If you are into orangutans, the place to go is the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre situated half an hour south of the city.The SWRC is where various endangered species are brought in and later released to their natural habitat. Those with little hope of surviving in the wild will be kept and nurtured in the centre. Here the wardens train orangutans rescued from captivity how to survive in the wild before they are freed. Capture souvenir pictures with the orangutans for remembrance.

Kuching, Beyond the City Pt 3

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:08:00 +0000

I gave you a lead to one of the best reasons to visit Sarawak, the Sarawak Cultural Village. Built especially for those who do not have the time to explore the vast and diversified culture throughout the state, as well as showcasing what are uniquely Sarawak, the SCV has become synonymous to the authentic indigenous culture there. At the SCV, you will see replicas of the houses of the various ethnic groups such as the Ibans, Bidayuhs, Orang Ulu, Penan, Melanau, Malays and Chinese. You will also get to understand how they live as communities, appreciate their traditions and even get to take pictures with them wearing their unique costumes and play their traditional musical instruments. At the end of your visit you will enjoy a cultural dance depicting the rich history of the various ethnic group. I visited the SCV in July last year and came away entirely satisfied with what I experienced. Here's my passport there ...
a souvenir that I will remember of this place.

SCV is right there next to Mount Santubong, Damai Beach and Bako National Park. From downtown Kuching cross the Datuk Pertinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Bridge over the Sarawak River into North Kuching and follow the signs to SCV. Along the way you will see the Cat Museum on the right. The trip will take 45 minutes. The village opens at 9am. There are 2 cultural shows at 11.30am and 4.00pm. Admission is RM60 for adult and RM30 for children from 6-12 years.

Dress casual as you will be doing some leisure walk. Bring your camera to capture interesting scenes. A half day tour will normally suffice unless you wish to study more of the various ethnic cultures.

SCV is nearby to Holiday Inn Resort, Damai Beach, Holiday Inn Damai Lagoon Resort and the Damai Golf Course, all within 5-10 minutes walk.

Kuching, Beyond the City Pt 2

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Today I am blogging about Mount Santubong, the Damai Beach and the Tanjung Datu National Park.

North of Kuching city where the shoreline hits the South China Sea and where the Sarawak River meanders out of its west mouth is the Santubong Peninsula and where it meets the sea is Mount Santubong, a 810 meter high hill that stands majestically. To its east is the Bako National Park that I blogged earlier. It is Mount Santubong that gives visitors to Bako a majestic view of the sunset when it hides the setting sun as it sinks westward.
The Santubong Peninsula is a popular beach resort area, led by Damai. From here visitors can begin exploring the charm of this south western region of Sarawak. You want to see fishing villages? rain forests? go golfing? enjoy great seafood meals? be pampered at great beach resorts? Santubong greets you with these tempting facilities and tours. And just like Bako, you too will not miss out the glorious sunsets.

The best news is this place is only 35 minutes out of Kuching. Crazy but true! Ask your travel agent about what else are in Santubong (apart from the Sarawak Cultural Village that the world over knows) to make your holiday more than a dream. If you want to stay by the beach, there are several well known resorts to choose from.

Tanjung Datu National Park
You may feel terribly alone in this park. That's because it is situated at the most western tip of Sarawak, bordering Kalimantan, and facing the South China Sea. It is also rather far from civilization and getting there takes some effort. The TDNP is not yet opened to the public according to its website. But if you are interested please establish direct contact at the website.

Kuching, Beyond the City Pt 1

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:54:00 +0000

In my previous blog on Kuching I dwelled only on the city and cultural village where I visited and not elsewhere due to time constraint. But coming to Kuching means you are a stone throw from some very exciting and adventurous activites that must nt be missed. I am going to write about the Bako National Park, Damai Beach, Tanjung Datu National Park, Gunung Gading National Park, Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and of course again, the world renowned Sarawak Cultural Village. I will also write more about the city itself.
Bako National Park
This national park was gazetted in 1957 and gives visitors a good introduction to Sarawak's forests and wildlife. It is situated north of Kuching city at the Muara Tebas peninsular and covers a mere area of 27 sq. kilometers. Within this seemingly small area you can find a wide variety of vegetation. So wide is the range that you have a perfect sampler of the types of vegatation found in Borneo. Bako also has a rich variety of wildlife, such as long-tailed macaque monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, wild boars, squirrels, monitor lizards and the proboscis monkeys.

Because it is on a peninsula, Bako also has a coastline covered with small bays, coves and beaches to give you well earned breaks in between jungle treks. All of the beaches are surrounded by limestone and sandstone cliffs. The erosion of the cliffs has left behind interesting rock formations such as can be found at the famous Sea Stack. And if you happened to be at one of the beaches in the evenings, be sure to watch the spectacular sunsets and leave only after the sun has set behind Mount Santubong. Going to Bako is suitable for both the experienced and first time trekkers. There are several well-marked trails of varying durations and difficulties. It is also good for family outings to explore what good Mother Nature has to offer in this unspoilt park!

You can also stay at the Bako National Park. There are lodges, hostel rooms and even campsites. Beware of the monkeys! They are compulsive thieves so keep your stuffs well stored and concealed. Arriving visitors need to register themselves at the park headquarter which also provide every assistance and information you need to know about the park. Food is also available at the canteen there.

Finally, the popular question, how do I get there? Take the Petra Jaya bus no. 6 or regular minibuses to Kampong Bako, a picturesque fishing village. From there you have to charter a boat to the park headquarter. Your real adventure to Bako begins from the boat ride, so be prepared with your camcorder! Happy memories!

Gunung Gading National Park
Gunung Gading is the home to the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia, which can grow to as huge as 1 meter in diameter. That would be about the size of a tractor tire! The reddish orange flower emits a nasty smell that attract flies and other insects. You have to be pretty lucky to see the flower in full bloom so check with your tour agent for the best time to see them. It takes 9 months for the plant to mature and the flower blooms for only 4-5 days before it dies.

The park was opened to the public in 1994 after an extensive environment impact study was made to ascertain no likelihood of any damage to the Rafflesia plants. In any event, park guides are there to help visitors see the flowers and ensure they are not harmed in any way. But Gunung Gading offers more than the Rafflesia. It offers jungle hikes that may be more strenuous than the Bako treks although the faint hearted need not worry as they can find enjoyable walks as well. Just as in Bako, there is a park headquarter where you can get information as well as accommodation. Unfortunately no canteen is available so you need to go to the nearby town of Lundu 5 minutes away for your meals and refreshment.

Gunung Gading National Park is situated west of Kuching city, further away than Bako is to the north. Get there by taking a bus to Lundu from where you can find a taxi to drive you to the park headquarter. Don't forget to take pictures with the Rafflesia!

I shall blog the other interesting spots later.

Blogging Sarawak

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:55:00 +0000

If you know Sarawak better than you know Malaysia, you may be forgiven. Indeed Sarawak is sometimes the window to Malaysia by the wondrous world of parks, rivers, indigenuous people, intriguing lifestyle and culture, wildlife, rare plants and insects, serene living, etc she display to visitors, many of whom would come back again and again to savor what are not available elsewhere, yet so easily within reach. In Sarawak you may be forgiven to think you have travel back in time. Not to the Jurassic Park age of course!
I will be committing gross injustice if I attempt to blog Sarawak in just one post. So I shall treat this as a brief introduction to this East Malaysian state that attracts droves of tourists here. Sarawak, the name alone gives me a feeling of being home with nature.

Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia. In 1963 she came free from colonial rule and joined Malaysia, newly independent herself in 1957. Sarawak is part of the Borneo island which is the third largest in the world (after Greenland and New Guinea, Australia excluded as it is a continent). The other components of Borneo are the state of Sabah (I shall blog about it later), the country of Brunei Darussalam, and Kalimantan which belongs to Indonesia.

Geographically Sarawak lie on the upper back of Borneo. Its position is as if one is lying on the back of a a rock resting. Perhaps that's how we perceive Sarawak to be, a laid back relaxing place to be. And why not!

She covers an area of 124,450 sq. kilometers, have a population of merely 1.5 million comprising 30 ethnic groups. The main groups are the Chinese, Malays, Ibans and the Bidayuhs. Sarawak is resource rich, in timber, cocoa, palm oil, pepper and oil. The state capital is Kuching (which I blogged earlier) and the main entry point into Sarawak.

I invite you to put Sarawak in your next plan to visit when you travel abroad. More about this amazing state later!

Goodbye Perak!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:28:00 +0000

The last several blogs were about Perak. It is a state that many tourists bypass but there are many interesting spots to see, food to try and things to buy. Take things easy in Perak and you will discover a world you never realise existed. THIS is a good portal to check out for latest deals and other information. For now it is goodbye (selamat tinggal) to Perak as I show you some other interesting parts of Malaysia.

Bukit Merah Laketown Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:00:00 +0000

As you enter the state of Perak from the north (Kedah state) on the North South Expressway, you enter the Kerian district and Bukit Merah.This holiday resort was built in 1997 to provide family styled holidays and convention facilities. It occupies an area of 11 acres and is said to be the largest waterpark in peninsular Malaysia. Whether you are heading north to Penang or going south, remember to detour into this laketown resort which is just off the Bukit Merah Interchange. You can check out the resort's website HERE.

Lenggong Archaelogical Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:36:00 +0000

I wish to share the following report from the Perak Tourist Feb 2006 issue. The Lenggong Archaelogical Museum takes visitors through the various prehistoric periods in the Lenggong Valley, covering the period as far back as 200,000 years ago. The Lenggong Valley is situated 60 kilometers north of Ipoh and a short drive from Kuala Kangsar, the royal town of Perak. The valley covers an area of 300 square kilometers and is surrounded by the Titiwangsa Range on the east and the Bintang Range on the west.

As you drive from Kuala Kangsar to Lenggong Valley, you will pass through granite hills, lakes, forested limestone massifs hiding secrets of the past, and quaint one street towns that remained almost unchanged since the early days of communist insurgence.

The Lenggong Archaelogical Museum was a project by the Department of Museums and Antiquities, Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism. It took over 2 years to build (1999-2001). Within the museum is the 11,000 year old Perak Man skeleton discovered in the Gua (Cave) Gunung Runtuh. The Perak Man was discovered in 1990. The skeletal remains was found buried in a foetal position with legs folded to his chest.

The Lenggong Archaelogical Museum is located 2 kilometers after Tasik (Lake) Raban in Lenggong. It can be reached by bus or taxi from Kuala Kangsar.

You can read more HERE.

Pangkor, Enchantment Personified

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:55:00 +0000

Pangkor island has a charm of its own. There are no city trappings. Getting there may be a little inconvenient or disappointing to some. But Pangkor offers an idyllic escape that many people long to go if they are not bothered to look as far away as Bali. The island attracts both the locals, especially the city dwellers, and the foreign tourists looking for a beach paradise to relax and refresh. There are 2 ways to get there. One is by air from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang. The other is by road to Lumut town followed by a ferry ride to the island which takes about 40 minutes. If you are arriving from Ipoh, the trip takes over an hour covering a distance of about 85 kilometers. If you are driving from Kuala Lumpur the duration is between 2 - 2.5 hours.

Two ferry services run to the island to different jetty unloading points.

There are 3 jetties on the main Pangkor Island and one on the smaller Pangkor Laut Island. There are several established beach resorts you can check out. They are Pangkor Laut Resort, Pangkor Island Beach Resort, Teluk Dalam Resort Pangkor and Coral Bay Resort Pangkor. But if you want to rough it out there are chalets and campsites available.

Catch more information about Pangkor HERE.

More About Pomeloes and Groundnuts

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:30:00 +0000

If I am passionate about Ipoh, that's because there are more fascinating things to see and do there. Ipoh has a rare crop of limestone hills in the country that distinguishes it from the rest of the country (perhaps only Sarawak with its Mulu Caves and the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur are better known). Along Jalan Gopeng, taking the old trunk road southbound from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur, you will not miss the limestone hills on the left and several caves that has become Buddhist shrines. It is also along this road that you find the largest grouping of pomelo stalls. Most well known of the caves is the Sam Poh Tong. Another well known cave is the Perak Tong along the Kuala Kangsar Road to the north of the city centre. More information are available HERE. You can stop and visit these caves and explore the religious artefacts inside. Be prepared for strong incense smell. Southbound along Jalan Gopeng you will come across more caves. 24 kilometers away near Gopeng town is the Gua Tempurung (the Tempurung Caves) which is 8000 BC old and is one of the largest limestone caves in the country.

Other places you can visit in Ipoh are the Tambun Hot Spring and the Lost World of Tambun located along the old Tambun Road to Tanjong Rambutan. In the city is the very old D.R. Seenivasagam Park known for its scenic beauty and recreational facilities. Inside is an artifical lake with various types of tropical fishes, a children playground and potted nursery.

To the golfers among you, there is the Meru Valley Golf & Country Club with its 27 holes course just 10 minutes north west of the city along Jalan Jelapang. Within the city itself is the 18 holes Royal Perak Golf Club.

Have you heard of white coffee? The Old Town white coffee is world renowned and can stand alongside Starbuck! It has a rich creamy flavor. My son in the States made sure I bring a few packs each time I visit. Check out its website for more information. Or Google for more blogs on this unique product that originates from Ipoh.

Ipoh, Groundnuts and Pomeloes

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:58:00 +0000

If you have not heard of the Menglembu groundnuts, they are from Ipoh. Not exactly Ipoh, but its outskirt. Come any festive season, especially the Chinese New Year, groundnuts are a favorite gift in addition to sweet cakes, pork sausages, canned or packet drinks and other tidbits. The Mengelmbu source of groundnuts are crispy and salted. When you bite into them they crunch under your teeth as you grind them and suck in the nutty taste. Beer drinkers love groundnuts and I just love them when I munch a pack over a TV episode. No wonder I'm putting on a pouch! Here's a picture of my favorite Menglembu groundnuts.

The pomeloes are a handy and much favored gift when one goes visiting friends or relatives as this is the Chinese tradition. It is preferred to other fruits as pomeloes are planted in limited orchards in the country with Tambun, Ipoh the most famous. I was lucky to have a pomelo I bought in my recent trip to Ipoh. Here is how it appear at various stages. If you have not tasted one (it looks like grapefruit but is much sweeter) I suggest you try it if you are in Malaysia.

Some Useful Malay Greetings

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:38:00 +0000

They say when in Rome do as Romans do. So when you come to Malaysia do as Malaysians do, speak in Malay! Even if you do it in fun, learning a few simple words and phrases can add to your memory of your visit here. Plus they help you show the locals your interest in them, as well as add humour when you bargain to reduce the prices of souvenirs you like to buy! Here are some popular phrases to commit to memory.

Good Morning! (Selamat Pagi!)
Good Afternoon! (Selamat Tengah Hari!)
Good Evening! (Selamat Petang!)

How Are You? (Apa Khabar?)
I Am Fine (Khabar Baik)
Thank You (Terima Kasih)
Where is the Restroom? (Mana Tandas?)
How Much? (Berapa Banyak?)
Too Expensive! (Mahal Sangat!)
Please Reduce Price (Tolong Kurang Harga)
What Is This? (Apa Ini?)
Can You Speak English? (Boleh Cakap Bahasa Inggeris?)
See You Again! (Jumpa Lagi!)

Ipoh, the Bougainvillea City

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:13:00 +0000

The capital city of Perak is Ipoh, which is popularly called the Bougainvillea City because of the abundance of this flora. Ipoh is named after the ipoh tree (antiaris toxicana) which grew wild before in this place. It is a poisonous tree whose sap was used by the natives in the olden days to make fatal darts for their blow pipes. Ipoh is the 3rd largest city of Malaysia and is situated between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The Kinta River which runs through the city divides it into the Old Town and the New Town. Here is a map of Ipoh:

The history of Ipoh began in 1877 during the famous tin rush in the then Malaya. The British colonial government transformed Ipoh from a quiet village into a bustling town. Many prospectors, mainly Chinese, came to town to seek their fortunes.

Ipoh today is a little laid back which suits more of the older generations than the young who tend to leave for the more industrialised cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang for better jobs. The state government is trying hard to retain local talents by setting up new industrial estates and attracting foreign investors to come to the state to set up business.

What attract people to Ipoh is primarily the food. It is well know for its Ipoh sar hor fun or rice noodle with shredded chicken in soup form. So famous is this dish that the Ipoh sar hor fun stalls also opened up in the bigger cities but the authentic stuff from Ipoh is still the best.

When you visit Ipoh, remember not to leave without tasting or buying her well known pomeloes from the Tambun area. You may get them from the pomelo farms if you have personal contacts, or from shops in Tambun itself, or else before leaving Ipoh, from any road side stalls stacked with distinctive green pomelo fruits the size of water-melons between 6" to 10" diameter. Most of the breed are sweet but you can also get the sweetish sour type if you ask, they may be more expensive. Also the larger ones, which are more expensive, are not necessarily better. I personally go for the small to medium ones. And choose those that are not over-ripened. Better still get those that are ready to eat in 2-3 days as they are juicer. I hope I have not let in some useful trade secrets!

If you prefer history, Ipoh have the majestic Railway Station built in 1917 to show. If you noticed its resemblance to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, that is because they share the same architect, Mr. A.B. Hubback. At the railway station is to be found the Station Hotel, aka the Majestic or Heritage Hotel. Take a trip into the past when you are there.

Have I written too much? I suggest you include Ipoh when you are visiting Malaysia. Good itinerary is if you travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, ask your travel agent to put in 2 days in Ipoh, a stopover in Taiping and Kuala Kangsar which are nearby towns. But do not bypass Pangkor Island where you must, really must stay for 3-4 days to relax in the sun and enjoy the breeze. Bring your suntan lotion and enjoy Perak, the Silver State!

Bako National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:49:00 +0000

Here's an interesting recent report of this national park that should interest nature lovers and conservationists.

http://www.travelandtourismnews.com/borneos-oldest-national-park-a-popular-vhoice-gor-tepeat-visitors/

Bako National Park is near to Kuching, the state capital of Sarawak. By car it is 37 kilometers drive, so it is a comfortable trip starting after your breakfast. It is the oldest national park as well as one of the smallest, having being established 50 years ago. Be sure to include this spot in your must-experience itinerary.

Taiping, the Everlasting Peace Town

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:32:00 +0000

In Mandarin, Taiping means 'Everlasting Peace'. Indeed those who visit this town in Perak can attest to the peaceful nature connected to its historical past. Taiping was successful because of the discovery of tin ore in the town of Klian Puah 150 years ago which became Taiping later. Nowadays, there are no more tin ore but the town stays popular because of her heritage landmarks as well as the Taiping Lake Garden and the Taiping Zoo. I visited Taiping 2 years ago and was impressed by the Garden and the Zoo. Didn't stay long to enjoy the old buildings. Taiping is also the access point to the Maxwell Hill, locally called Bukit Larut.

Taiping is the wettest town in Malaysia because of its location on the foot of the Larut Hills. It is always green and lush because of this.

Taiping is worth a visit if you are keen to see the colonial building left by the British who first developed the town. Some of them are the Taiping Government Office on Kota Road, the Post Office and King Edward VII School along Station Road, the Old Kota Mosque on Mosque Road and Taiping Prison on Main Road.

You can reach Taiping by road via the North South Highway.

Perak, the Silver State

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:55:00 +0000

Perak is named the silver state because it was once the largest producer of tin ore of the world. Tin resembles silver in appearance, hence the misnomer. Perak is the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, next to Pahang, covering an area of 21,000 sq. kilometers. Its population is about 2 million. It is located on the west cost of Peninsular Malaysia. See map below.

Perak is bordered with four states and a country. To its north are the states of Kedah and the country of Thailand; to the east the states of Kelantan and Pahang, and to the south, the most developed state of Malaysia, Selangor. Perak is separated from the eastern states by the Main Range.

The main towns of interest to tourists are Ipoh, the state capital, Taiping, Kuala Kangsar, Teluk Intan and Lumut which is the launching pad to the famous Pangkor Island. You can access Perak and its towns by air into Kuala Lumpur International Airport and by rail or highway northward. Alternatively you may land at Penang Bayan Lepas airport and then travel south after crossing the Penang Bridge.

Ipoh is well known for her limstone caves, the famed Tambun pomeloes, the Ipoh rice noodle called locally kuey teow and chicken biscuits. Taiping, the wettest town in the country, is nestled in a quiet district and rather laid back but with preserved colonial buildings of the 1950s. Teluk Intan has its heong paen or fried onion fragranted green bean buns, own leaning tower (like the Tower of Pisa), and acres of oil palm plantations and oil mills to boast. Kuala Kangsar is home to the institution of the Royal Malay College where many top scholars were educated, as well as royal town to the Perak sultan. Lumut is where the Royal Malaysian Naval Base is located as well as where you can take a ferry to Pangkor Island where you can find white sandy beaches and enjoy snorkling and have a relaxing holiday under the sun.

From history and culture to nature and recreation, you can find them all in Perak. Don't forget to enjoy the unique experience of the night markets or pasar malam in every town. Pick up some good bargains. Don't be afraid to negotiate. It is in the culture but not to very low levels.

The next time you are in Kuala Lumpur, find some time to drive north to experience the silver state. To fully know Perak you will need more than a week.

Dog Fight

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Yew) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:43:00 +0000

The Americans and Russians at the height of the arms race realized that if they continued in the usual manner they were going to blow up the whole world.

One day they sat down and decided to settle the whole dispute with one dog fight. They would have five years to breed the best fighting dog in the world and which ever side’s dog won would be entitled to dominate the world. The losing side would have to lay down its arms.

The Russians found the biggest meanest Doberman and Rottweiler females in the world and bred them with the biggest meanest Siberian wolves. They selected only the biggest and strongest puppy from each litter, killed his siblings, and gave him all the milk. They used steroids and trainers and after five years came up with the biggest meanest dog the world had ever seen. Its cage needed steel bars that were five inches thick and nobody could get near it.

When the day came for the dog fight, the Americans showed up with a strange animal. It was a nine foot long Dachshund. Everyone felt sorry for the Americans because they knew there was no way that this dog could possibly last ten seconds with the Russian dog.

When the cages were opened up, the Dachshund came out of it’s cage and slowly waddled over towards the Russian dog. The Russian dog snarled and leaped out of it’s cage and charged the American dachshund. But, when it got close enough to bite the Dachshund’s neck, the Dachshund opened it’s mouth and consumed the Russian dog in one bite. There was nothing left at all of the Russian dog.

The Russians came up to the Americans shaking their heads in disbelief. “We don’t understand how this could have happened. We had our best people working for five years with the meanest Doberman and Rottweiler females in the world and the biggest meanest Siberian wolves.”

“That’s nothing”, an American replied. “We had our best plastic surgeons working for five years to make an alligator look like a Dachshund.

Credit to Ryan at http://www.funtasticus.com/.

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