Visit Malaysia Guide

Malaysia is among world’s best-value destinations - Lonely Planet

2009-11-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

LONDON: Malaysia is among world’s best-value destinations, according to travel guide firm Lonely Planet.
The British-based company, in its Best In Travel 2010 guide, said Malaysia “is a clever choice for travellers on the lookout for a bargain”.
Thanks to the economic crisis, Iceland and London were also among the top 10 destinations, which included Thailand, South Africa, India, Mexico, Bulgaria, Kenya and Las Vegas,
The annual snapshot book captures “the world’s hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead”, Lonely Planet said yesterday.
The economic collapse in Iceland meant the island was no longer punitively expensive, said the guide, putting the beleaguered country at the top of its best-value list.
Thailand, at number two, remained “perennially good value”, said the book.
Meanwhile, London’s days as a costly destination were now over, Lonely Planet said, thanks to the exchange rate which made it “much more affordable for visitors from abroad”.
The top 10 countries overall for travellers were El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Portugal, Suriname and the United States.
The top 10 cities were Abu Dhabi, Charleston (South Carolina), Cork (Ireland), Cuenca (Ecuador), Istanbul, Kyoto (Japan), Lecce (Italy), Sarajevo, Singapore and Vancouver (Canada).
Bali (Indonesia), Goa (India), Koh Kong (Cambodia), Southern Africa and southwest Western Australia featured among the top 10 regions. — AFP

Beca - trishaw

2009-10-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

Beca is the Malay word for rickshaw or trishaw here becasue of the commonly found three wheel variety. Trishaw was a common form of transportation right up to the late 80s and some still preferring them in the 90s. While it is a relic of the past, the trishaw is making back these days as a tourist attraction and it is good for a slow pace tour.

The common trishaw here is basically a bicycle with passenger cart attached. In Malacca and Kelantan, the cart is attached at the side, while in Penang it is in front, giving passenger better view in front.

The trishaw has a convertible cover and it is really fun to ride into. I still remember while I was a kid, we normally go around Georgetown with trishaw. Always look forward to it.

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

2009-10-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Built in 1910, this was the central hub for the nation's rail transportation before the modern KL Sentral Station. The building has great influences of North Indian Islamic design in its architecture such as beautiful arches, domes, spires and minarets which gives the building a majestic and romantic feel.

Due to the demand of office space in 1967, a new 4 storey extension was built at the north wing of the station, including the Heritage Station Hotel, formerly known as Boy's Hotel.

The railway station is no longer the main hub for train services in Kuala Lumpur since 2001 and currently the Komuter rail service is the only tran that still stops here.

Satay - Must try food while in Malaysia

2009-10-12T06:01:00.000-07:00

Some say satay has Turkish roots due to its similarities to shish kebab but some say it began with Chinese immigrants selling it on the streets. Whatever its origins, staya is almost synonymous with Malay cuisine.

Satay is usually marinated beef, chicken or mutton in slightly larger than bite size pieces skewered on thin bamboo sticks, then barbequed over a charcoal flame. The hawker flips it every now, basting it with oil and fanning the flame to ensure even cooking. It is accompanied with a slightly spicy-sweet peanut sauce, One can continously-eat the satay, and before realising it, will have eaten a fair ten to twenty sticks.

Dragon Boat in Putrajaya

2009-05-13T01:06:00.000-07:00

PUTRAJAYA will be hosting what is touted to be the largest Dragon Boat event in Malaysia, with more than 1,500 participants from various countries.

The three-day sporting event will be held from June 5 to 7 at the Putrajaya Water Sports Complex. So far, 1,500 participants from 30 local teams and 20 foreign teams – from China, Singapore, Indonesia, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines – have registered.

For more information, visit www.putrajayadragonboat.com, call 03-6141 6553 or email enquiries to info@putrajayadragonboat.com.

Snake Temple, Penang

2009-03-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

This temple is perhaps the only temple that worships snakes. Built in 1850 and dedicated to the deity, Chor Soo Kong. When it was completed, the snakes were believed to have appeared on their own accord.

Devotees believed that the snakes are the followers of the deity. The Snake Temple was originally named the "Temple of the Azure Cloud" in honor of the beauty of Penang's sky. The snakes are believed as rendered harmless by the tranquilizing smoke.

See Kuala Lumpur is single ticket

2009-02-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

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

Thaipusam 2009 in Kuala Lumpur

2009-02-03T04:38:00.000-08:00

A record-breaking 1.3 million devotees and visitors are expected to pack Batu Caves for the Thaipusam celebration this Sunday.

The figure is an increase from the one million people that attended the celebration last year. The Batu Caves temple committee has been making preparations to cater to the expected massive crowd.

Recently, it spent RM640,000 to improve basic amenities like public toilets and water supply. There will also be more than 600 stalls selling food, drinks, trinkets, clothing and souvenirs.

Security is another aspect being stressed on. More than 1,000 policemen will be stationed at the temple grounds and its surrounding area on that day.

Also for the first time, there will be a 15-minute fireworks display on the eve of Thaipusam. The fireworks would be lighted at midnight, followed by a chariot procession.

Those who are coming not to wear jewellery or carry big amounts of cash, and to take public transportation to avoid congestion in the area.

Penang, Malaysia is the second best destination for “44 Places To Go in 2009”.

2009-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

Readers of The New York Times have chosen Penang as the second best destination among “44 Places To Go in 2009”. In top spot in the recommendations found on the paper’s website (http://www.nytimes.com) was Beirut. The only other South-East Asian destination in the ranking is Phuket, which is in 15th place.

Other places include Washington (fourth), Rome (fifth) and Metz in France (sixth). The newspaper ranked Penang in the 22nd spot while Phuket was placed 12th. Besides the second spot in the overall readers’ ranking, Penang is also in the top 12 places in the frugal and food categories (both readers’ and the paper’s recommendations).

The New York Times said adventurous foodies are now turning to Penang, the culinary capital of Malaysia, where they are eating their way through one of South-East Asia’s liveliest street-food scenes. It said there are city-run hawker stands everywhere and even refined dishes like char koay teow rarely cost more than US$2 (about RM7.20).

Welcome to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2008-12-29T04:36:00.000-08:00

Kuala Lumpur, or better known to the locals as KL, lies along the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is the heartbeat of Malaysia and serves as a cultural, commercial and transportation centre. This can be seen in the vast number of developments that have been cultivated in the past few years, and most of these can be found in KL.

For example, visitors will surely know of the Petronas Towers. When it was first completed in 1998, it was the world’s tallest building and offers one of the most spectacular views in the world. Visitors can travel to the 41st floor to the Skybridge where the two towers of the building connect. But as a warning to those who want to see the skyline from the highest point in the city – there is a set quota of visitors allowed per day, so a visit by 9am will be called for if they want to experience the spectacular views of one of the tallest buildings in the world.

Another factor that draws travellers from all over is the mosques. One of the most delightful of the many that can be seen in KL is the Masjid Jamek. Masjid Jamek was set in a grove of palm trees in 1907 where the tranquil onion domes and minarets of pink and cream make it a perfect place of worship. It is here where visitors to the city can experience the ultimate beauty of the city not only in the sense of the physical, but also in the rich cultural heritage it holds.

Another jump of time will see visitors visit the many world-class museums available in the city. While Europe is the place famous for a diverse range of offerings in museums, KL looks to be an up-and-coming on the list. The Islamic Arts Museum gives strangers to the local faith an insight into the culture, and all within the spacious and dazzlingly white domed building. The National Art Gallery also shows an offering of Malaysian culture with works by contemporary Malaysian artists displaying their works alongside fellow Asian and international art.

Disruption internet services in Malaysia

2008-12-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

There is a disruption in Malaysia's Internet services due to circuit faults on the submarine cable network linking Malaysia and Europe, and said the services would be completely restored by Dec 31. Customers using its Internet services may experience slow browsing.

Access to websites hosted in Europe and that those using other IP (Internet Protocol) services such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other critical business applications linked to Europe may also experience some service degradation.

The affected cables, on the Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4 (SMW4) submarine network between Palermo in southern Italy and Alexandria in northern Egypt, were being repaired and that some of the links had meanwhile been rerouted to ease congestion.

During the restoration process, traffic to northern America may experience minor degradation while traffic to other countries is unaffected.

Malaysia products in Harrods London

2008-12-14T18:32:00.000-08:00

The day may come in the not-too-distant future when London’s iconic department store might be selling Malaysia’s traditional herbal Viagra, or its famed teh tarik.

Themed “Malaysian Craft at its Best,” the event will be Harrods’ biggest promotion of Malaysian arts and craft. It will be held from the third week of February until the end of March.

Malaysian celebrity shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo and international fashion designer Datuk Bernard Chandran are expected to join a host of British VIPs at the glitzy reception.

Twelve top models from Malaysia and London will also take part in a batik fashion show featuring the latest designs from internationally-renowned Malaysian batik designers.

A live batik painting demonstration will be held in the window display, which will be adorned with about 100 specially-designed batik lanterns.

Ritz-Carlton won the Best Hotel in South East Asia

2008-12-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

THE Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur won the South East Asia’s Hotel of the Year 2008-2010 under the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) - Regional Series. The hotel was recognised for its commitment to excellence, flawless facilities and personalised care.

It was a finalist in five categories — Hotel of the Year, Signature Luxury Hotel, Signature Hotel Spa (Spa Village, Kuala Lumpur), Most Exquisite Palate Experience and Most Dynamic General Manager.

The evaluation process spanned eight months and included leading hotels in South East Asia. Each hotel was reviewed anonymously by a panel of judges, who sampled and rated hotel services, facilities, dining, spa, and overall hotel image.

MAS airline new ticketing office in KL Sentral

2008-12-08T00:32:00.000-08:00

Malaysia Airlines will integrate ticketing operations for the Klang Valley at KL Sentral in Brickfields from Saturday. Operations at its former head office in Jalan Sultan Ismail will cease.

The move was part of ongoing efforts to consolidate direct distribution channel operations for ticketing and related services at one centralised location.

The premier ticket office at KL Sentral operates daily from 4.30am to midnight and offers a wide range of air travel related services for walk-in passengers.

These include reservations and ticketing, reissuance of tickets for travel on Malaysia Airlines and MASwings, Internet booking kiosks, Golden Holidays facilities and refunds processing.

Quran in Hotel room in Malaysia

2008-11-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

A copy of the Quran and its intepretation will be made available in most hotel rooms in the country to allow both Muslims and non-Muslims to have “access” to the Holy book.

A pilot project recently where a copy of the Quran’s intepretation was placed in several five-star hotel rooms in the Klang Valley. The move received positive response from guests and members of the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (MAHO).

This move is not only because of the high number of visitors and tourists from the Middle East, but also because there are people of other beliefs who are keen to know more about what is said in the Quran, just as they are interested to know more about the teachings of other religions.

Coconut festival in Sabah

2008-11-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

I found this interesting article from mysabah.com. It is about coconut festival held every year in Kudat, Sabah. I must say it is very interesting. From the photos, it is as good as fashion show in Paris or Milan.

Please visit this link for the full story.

The Gayana Eco Resort, Sabah Malaysia

2008-10-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

Recently reopened in July after major renovation, the Gayana Eco Resort is located in the wilderness of Gaya Island, just a 10 minute boat ride from the city of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia.

True to its name, the resort located on the largest of the five coral reef islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is dedicated to conserving its marine life with a Marine Ecology Research Centre on site.

Guests can participate in its coral regeneration programme and learn about its efforts in the propagation of giant clams. They have spawned seven out of the world's eight giant clams.

With its prime location on pristine waters, the 44 over-water luxury villas feature balconies from which to enjoy the view. Some of the villas also offer direct steps into the lagoon and access to the special breakfast boat that delivers breakfast to your balcony.

Three restaurants and a bar offer the ideal island atmosphere with spectacular views of the jungle and ocean. The seafood is a speciality and cultivated in the hotel's own sea farm.

Guests can relax in the infinity pool overlooking Malohom Bay or indulge in a traditional Borneo Urut massage. Adventure seekers can dive at the hotel's dive centre, take guided kayak trips through mangrove forests or see the wildlife on a jungle trek.

1Borneo Rainforest, Sabah Malaysia

2008-09-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

The first and largest lifestyle hypermall in Malaysian Borneo is offering visitors the unique experience of journeying backwards through time. Now, you can teleport yourself out of the modern world and into the ancient Borneo civilization at the 1Borneo Rainforest.

Explore the world of atavistic Borneo with your five senses by taking a stroll upon a replica of Sabah’s illustrious Tamparuli Hanging Bridge in a lush rainforest setting. Seize the opportunity to experience traditional ‘kampung’ (village) lifestyle and join in the fun with the world-famed indigenous dance as well as traditional rituals, such as the Magunatip (warrior dance).

Got adventurous tastebuds? Delight them with an array of Sabah’s authentic traditional gastronomies. If you like hands-on activities, be sure to try your hands on batik painting, jewelry beading, and rattan basket making.

At the end of your visit, check out the souvenir displays ranging from Sabah’s finest to other range of souvenirs from South East Asia. No trip to Sabah will be consummate without precious mementos to bring home. 1Borneo Rainforest is open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Tariffs
Entrance fee is RM10, applies for both local and international visitors.
Getting There
1Borneo is located 7 kilometers northwards from Kota Kinabalu city centre. It is easily accessible via 1Borneo’s shuttle buses and the City bus- sector 3 (stop at 1Borneo Hypermall). Guests staying in the four nearby hotels can simply walk to the 1Borneo Rainforest at their convenience.
Further Information
Tel: 008-484955 ; Fax: 088-484977 ; Email: cornelia@1borneo.com

Happy Birthday, Malaysia

2008-08-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Today 31st August 2008 is Malaysia 51th birthday. To all Malaysian, Happy Birthday and may Malaysia stay peaceful and harmony forever!!!!!!!!

Spheredivers Homestay, Mabul Island Sabah, Malaysia

2008-08-14T01:41:00.000-07:00

Spheredivers Homestay provides accomodation for Divers and Non Divers. Diving packages varies upon guests request whether to dive in Sipadan Island or hunting for small critters around Mabul and Kapalai dive sites. As for snorkelers, its all free to snorkels around Mabul Island.

They also provide Discovery Scuba and PADI/SSI Open Water courses to guests, not to mention other courses from Advanced to Dive Master courses by our most experienced Instructor(PADI/SSI) Situated in Mabul Island, Spheredivers Homestay and Scuba Diving is among the Bajau people houses who lives on stilts.

So do the homestay, maintaining the originality of the surroundings creating a similar environment to the guests. Guests form all over the world would definitely experience the culture of this island with its friendly people with a well construct diving facilities to cater for dives.

They mainly serve traditional Malay food but also offer simple western food especially for breakfast. Homestay houses* 6 Twin Sharing Rooms (Single bed)* Dining Area* Dive Centre with all Diving facilities* Sundeck Accomodation Price Divers RM 70/Night for Non Divers RM 170 + RM 70 subsequent night.

Redang Island, Malaysia

2008-08-14T01:37:00.000-07:00

Redang Island, called Pulau Redang in the local language, is located at 45 km offshore of Terengganu, a state at north east of Peninsula Malaysia. At the size of about 7km long and 6km wide, it’s a small island.

Together with some other islands, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Ekor Tebu, Pulau Perhentian Besar, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Pulau Susu Dara, Pulau Lang Tengah and Pulau Kapas, these group of islands forms the Pulau Redang Marine Park which is abound with marvelous marine fishes, turtles and coral reefs, provides a great snorkelling and scuba-diving experience.

There are more than 500 species of live corals, 1000 species of invertebrates and almost 3000 species of fishes which includes manta rays, stingrays, sharks and whale sharks, all living in harmony in the reefs fringing the islands.

Redang Island is famous for it’s white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue sea, brilliant underwater world and has among the best coral reef in the world. With more than 20 different diving spots, it is a heaven for diving enthusiasts and underwater photographers. Some of them are black coral garden, shipwrecks near Pinang Island, a mysterious submerged chamber and Mini Mount.

The dive season at Redang starts around March and lasts until early October. The daily temperature ranges from 22oC in the early morning to 34oC at noon. The visibiity averages 15 metres. On good days, it can improve to 30 metres. Some of the favourite dive locations are:

Big Mount
Located about 50 to 100 meters off the northern tip of Pulau Lima, Big mount is a completely submerged oval seamount. This is arguably the best of all the dive sites around this island with a large coral pillar and highly rated by local divers.. The shallowest portion of this reef at 20 meters and the boulder terrain drops to 30 meters and is filled with many varieties of hard and soft corals, gorgonian fans, sea anemones and whip coral gardens. Divers can expect to encounter huge clownfish, sea cucumbers, starfishes, stonefish, groupers and parrotfish.

Mini Mount.
100 meters east off of Pulau Kerengga Besar, with the deepest portion at about 20 meters. The surface of the boulders are carpeted with a variety of soft corals, tubastrea corals, sea squirts, sponges and stinging hydroids. Also, here divers can see a unique blend of sponges, shrimps, moluscs, echinoderms and soft corals. This is a popular choice for night dive where divers are rewarded with an abundance of night creatures foraging for food around the reef.

Terumbu Kili
Lies at the southern tip of Pulau Pinang, this is one of the top dive sites at Redang. The rocky seascape is encrusted with both hard and soft corals at about 15 meters, and slopes down to 20 meters at the sandy bottom. Fish life includes cardinal fish, damselfish, chromis, snappers, parrotfish and soldierfish. While in the open water you are likely to encounter jacks, fusiliers, yellowtail, batfish and black tip sharks. Due to the strong currents, this site is best left to advanced and more experienced divers as you can get swept out to sea if you’re not careful.

The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks: The HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, sunk here at the start of World War II.

Other dive sites includes Tanjung Lang, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Gua Kawah, Pasir Panjang, Batu Mak Chantek, Pulau Paku Besar, Pulau Paku Kecil, Pulau Ling, Batu Chipor, Terumbu Putih, Black Coral Garden, “Mysterious Submerged Chamber”, The Southeastern Side, The Northeastern Side, Pulau Kerangga Kecil and Pulau Ekor Tebu.

Ranau, Sabah - Popular Attractions

2008-08-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

About 3 hours’ drive from Kota Kinabalu, Ranau is a small place with big offerings. Make it a point to visit Ranau and its popular attractions:

Kundasang
The quaint district of Ranau is a getaway perfect for those who like cool climates and lush, mountainous landscapes. Enjoy the view on your journey there and stop at Kundasang’s little town to browse through it’s famous road-side market where you will find colourful rows of fresh vegetables, local fruits, fresh flowers and other local produce such as bottled honey and preserved tuhau.

Kinabalu Park
Kinabalu Park is located 1,585 metres above sea level and is hailed as a World Heritage Site. The Park is a great getaway whether for a day trip or week-long stays to explore the rare and infinite amount of eco-treasures of plants and wildlife found within. Numerous jungle paths wait to welcome the footprints of trekkers within the park, including the trail leading to the peak of South-east Asia, Mount Kinabalu. For inquiries, contact Sabah Parks at 088 211881 / 212719 or email info@sabahparks.org.my / sabahparks@sabah.gov.my.

Kundasang War Memorial
The Kundasang War Memorial, established in 1962, was the first memorial in Sabah to remember the Autralian and British POWs who died in Sandakan and the death marches to Ranau, as well as the people of North Borneo who risked and lost their lives for helping the POWs. The Kundasang War Memorial is located at the foot of Mount Kinabalu and has four Gardens. The Australian Garden, The English Garden, the Borneo Garden and the Contemplation Garden and Pool commemorate each of the nationalities involved in the war. The Memorial is open daily including public holidays. For information and inquiries, contact Sevee Charuruks at 019 8992041.

Poring Hot Springs
Located 39 km away from the Kinabalu Park headquarters is the Poring Hot Springs, where visitors can soak in the skin-curative properties of a hot sulphur bath, trek the various trails through the lowland forests, mountains streams and waterfalls or enjoy a day of bird-watching. You might even be lucky enough to catch a rare glimpse of the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, inside the vicinity of the Poring Hot Springs.

Poring offers affordable chalet and cabin accommodation including dormitory jostle-type accommodations and camping grounds for the more adventurous. To stay at the Poring Hot Springs, contact Sutera Sanctuary Lodges for reservations at 088 243629 or email info@suterasanctuarylodges.com. Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve can be contacted at 088 878801.

Sabah Tea Garden
Sabah Tea is the only organic tea farm in the whole of Borneo and one of the few in the world, and their plantation is within the vicinity of the Kinabalu Park in Ranau. Not just a plantation, the Sabah Tea Garden offers tea factory and plantation tours, courses on basic jungle survival skills, river trekking and even batik painting.

For reservations or enquiries, please contact them at 088 440882 or email info@sabahtea.net (Kota Kinabalu); 088 889220/ 889330 (Ranau).

Mesilau Nature Trail and Resort
The alternative route up to the peak of Mount Kinabalu is the Mesilau Trail - a formidable track that presents climbers with a longer, more testing terrain for avid climbers of Mount Kinabalu. The trail is also worth the effort for naturalists and researchers for the extraordinary flora and fauna that lay along its paths. Perhaps you’d like to slip away to the peaceful hideaway of the Mesilau Nature Resort, tucked away in the green mountainside of Mesilau. The resort is a popular venue for peaceful retreats from the bustle of cities and towns. For inquiries about the Mesiau Nature Resort contact Sutera Sanctuary Lodges for reservations at 088 243629 or email info@suterasanctuarylodges.com.

For inquiries about the Mesilau trail, contact Sabah Parks at 088 211881/212719 or email info@sabahparks.org.my / sabahparks@sabah.gov.my

Visit Malaysia AirAsia's way

2008-07-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

AirAsia is Malaysia Second Airline, has wide and good domestic and South East Asia network. This itinerary is the AirAsia'way of visiting Malaysia:

Malaysia is an exciting destination - a beautiful nation, blessed with a fascinating diversity and cultures and natural wonders.

Explore Taman Negara, one of the world's oldest rainforest; feel the exhilaration of Formula One Racing, dive into the heart of the Sulu Sea and swim among turtles, tee-off at breathtaking golf courses or sail into the island paradise of Langkawi.

Be it a family vacation, romantic sojourn or backpacking holiday, Malaysia boasts endless holiday options, offering exciting and unique experiences that will keep you coming back for more!

Langkawi from RM9 one way
Renowned internationally as the archipelago of 99 tropical islands in Malaysia, Langkawi is the ultimate holiday paradise that offers modern accommodation facilities and amenities set against the natural backdrop of sun-drenched beaches and ancient rainforests.

Penang from RM9 one way
The "Pearl of the Orient" is famed for its lovely beaches, colorful history and rich potpourri of cultures. Penang is a food paradise tempts the palate with mouth-watering array of local cuisine from Assam Laksa to the famous Nasi Kandar (mixed rice).

Terengganu from RM9 one way
Terengganu is blessed with captivating island retreats of soft white sand, crystal clear waters and Giant Leatherback turtles. Boat building and traditional handicraft activities such as batik-painting and songket weaving can be observed around Kuala Terengganu

Kota Bharu from RM9 one way
The east coast state of Kota Bharu (Kelantan) is a charming destination.Watch captivating activities such as top-spinning, giant kite flying or woodcarving. Its laid-back atmosphere, rustic charm and friendly locals add to Kota Bharu's appeal.

Labuan from RM9 one way
Located off the west coast of Sabah, Labuan is a paradise for wreck diving and international deep sea fishing. The island is the site of several World War II memorials. Labuan’s duty free status allows you to shop till you drop and party all night long.

Kota Kinabalu from RM29 one way
Very scenic and a favourite destination for adventure seekers, holiday makers and even business executives. Major attractions are Mount Kinabalu, a world heritage site. Its cluster of islands, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and Sipadan, a world class diving destination, offers a wealth of eco-treasures.

Miri from RM29 one way
Miri is located Northeast of Sarawak, close to the Brunei border. It is a major tourism gateway and the jumping off point for Sarawak’s world famous National Parks including Niah Caves, Gunung Mulu and Lambir Hills. Other attractions include, Bario Highlands, mighty Baram River and a number of excellent offshore dive locations.

Kuching from RM29 one way
Kuching is an interesting city with beautiful landscaped gardens, modern amenities with old world charm, colonial buildings and the majestic Sarawak River. Kuching offers a paradise of eco-adventure especially at the Bako National Park.

Malaysia's cultural hot spots

2008-07-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

The next time you want to get a taste of Malaysian arts and culture, just head to any one of the eight cultural hot spots that have been identified in the city as mini cultural centres.

In line with promoting Kuala Lumpur as a cultural centre, visitors are encouraged to visit these hot spots to get a better understanding and view of the country's culture and customs.

The cultural hot spots will feature a variety of cultural events throughout the year and will be promoted as tourists attractions.

Visitors and locals had a chance to witness what happens at these cultural hot spots at the launching ceremony on Sunday held at Central Market, which is one of the cultural hot spots.

KL's cultural hot spots are located at Jalan Petaling, Lanai Warisan Seni Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Semarak Dataran at Dataran Merdeka, Semarak Kraf in Jalan Conlay, Semarak Bangsawan in Panggung Bandaraya, Semarak Seni Brickfields in KL Sentral, Semarak Seni Titiwangsa in Titiwangsa Lake and Semarak Pasar Seni at Central Market.

For details, call 03-2052 3600

White Sandy Beaches of Malaysia

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Just the sight of a long, soft, sandy beach fringed by clear azure water and lit up brilliantly by the tropical sun is enough to put many people’s minds at ease with a heavy sense of peace. Malaysia beaches act as such catalysts catapulting thoughts of home and work far into the distance.

Things to do appeal to many kinds of people who enjoy doing absolutely nothing to enjoying many water sports and beach activities.

A great place for relaxing is the Mine Malaysia Palace Beach Spa. Though located in the bustling capital center of Kuala Lumpur you will feel as though you’re a million miles from everything during your Malaysia holiday.

The Mine Malaysia Palace and Beach Resort is one of the five-star Kuala Lumpur hotels replete with stunning Asian architecture, captivating artifacts, lavish beams and intricately carved panels with Malaysian designs. Sublimely equipped rooms at the Mine Malaysia Palace Beach Spa have charming chalets that include air conditioning, TV, mini bar, safe deposit, a private bath with tub and shower, wireless internet and voice mail.

Sabah Malaysia beaches are plentiful and gorgeous. Many can be reached from Kota Kinabalu. Crystal clear water, unspoilt landscapes and colorful underwater environments can all be found at Sabah Malaysia beaches. An abundance of marine species make Malaysia diving locations in Sabah some of the best in the country.

Tanjung Aru beach is one of the most popular in Sabah and is one of the most easily accessed if you’re not staying at a beachfront resort. The many islands in Malaysia are home to some of the most secluded and stunning Sabah Malaysia beaches.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park has some excellent beaches that can be reached by speedboat in 20 minutes. Diverse marine life, vibrant reefs and long stretches of beach make this a worthwhile journey.

Tiara Beach resort is another of the fantastic Malaysia beach resorts located in Port Dickenson. It’s a fun water theme park and resort complex and hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. Units at the Tiara Beach Resort include color TV, safety deposit boxes, in-house movies, air conditioning, telephone mini bar and TV.

This Malaysia beach resorts facilities are astounding and include the 5-acre Water Paradise Park, sand castle area, cultural stage, beach volleyball, saunas and indoor games. The Sports Café and Bar are great for viewing live sports events while staying at the Tiara Beach Resort on your Malaysia vacation.

Emerald Bay is also on the list of some of the best Malaysia beaches in the country. Emerald Bay is on a small island situated on the west coast. The water is much like the bay’s name, a greenish emerald color and is bordered by sandy, clean beaches with interesting plants and wildlife. You can visit all-year round but the best time to go is between January and May.

When looking for great beaches while visiting Sarawak you won’t be disappointed. Both Golden Beach and Turtle Beach are two of the best beaches in Sarawak and both close to each other. They are located in Similajau National Park and boast 30 kilometers of sandy golden beaches with tons of wildlife and tropical surroundings.

Here you can spot Macaques, crocodiles, turtles, gibbons and more. There are also hostels, a camp site and a café for those who don’t want to leave! The optimum time to visit these beaches is between April and September.

There are literally thousands of Malaysia beaches all around the country. Pantai Cenang, Datai Beach and Pantai Tengah are all favorite beaches on Langkawi which is said to be one of the most private retreats in Malaysia. The best time to go is between November and May when the humidity decreases, the skies are clear and rainfall is very minimal.

For budget travelers the Perenthian Islands is a must when looking for beautiful Malaysia beaches. World-class diving, great budget accommodation and some of the world’s most stunning beaches can be found here.

For the best of everything from Malaysia beaches head there in between April and May and be sure to avoid traveling in November through January as the beaches see a lot more rain the ocean surf is rough.

High season is in June through August so book well in advance especially if you’re looking at staying in a popular resort. All water sport equipment, snorkeling and diving gear can all be rented leaving the only thing left to do is enjoy your peaceful environment.