A short one. I managed to go to Matta Fair 2010 today in the late afternoon today. The parking was full in PWTC and The Mall as well. Only managed to get valet parking at The Mall. The only reason I could think of is the school holiday today. Everywhere was jam and packed!

While reaching PWTC, there were a group of girls approached me for a photo session.

This was noon time and check out the queue. Took me 15 min to grab my tickets and time to go for window shopping, travel style.

Sabah tourism is the highlights this year, taking the front booth together with Tourism Malaysia. Do check out their packages and rates.

Hall 1 got the action packs going on with live performances throughout the 3 days of Matta Fair 2010.

As I was rushing for work today, I only managed to visit Matta Fair 2010 for a short period. Last picture is lovely Amazing Tourism Authority of Thailand booth.

Maybe I will go there again this weekend. For now, thanks for reading!

How to get to Matta Fair:

I will be driving there early to avoid unnecessary traffic jam. I will park at the The Mall Shopping center which is located opposite Seri Pacific Hotel. Otherwise you could try your luck parking inside.

The other best way is to take a train there via STAR LRT under PWTC station or KTMB (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad)

Matta Fair 2010 Information:

Matta Fair Dates: 12-14th March 2010

Matta Fair Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm

Matta Fair Location: Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hall 1, 2, 3 and Pelantaran Putra at the PWTC

Entry Fee: RM3.00 (US$0.88) per person/per day – You are given a wrist band to wear.

PWTC Telephone Number and Contact Information:

Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)
41, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: (603) 2614 6999
Fax: (603) 404 33777
Toll Free: 1800-880-448 (Reservations only)
Website for PWTC Kuala Lumpur

You may also like this:

http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2010/03/matta-fair-2010-12-14-march.html

Last week, I was invited to The Curve to meet the host of AFC (Asian Food Channel) Icip Icip – Anis Nabilah. In the beautiful Garden restaurant at the Curve, the talented young chef spoke about Icip Icip and also her life behind the kitchen scene.

Like many other Malaysians that includes me, Anis also grew up watching Malaysia’s finest, Chef Wan. Her experiences working with Chef Wan is a dream comes true to her. She mentioned its hard for her to work hand to hand with her idol as there were so many questions to ask him. Yet, her collaboration with Chef Wan was memorable to her as she learned a lot from him.

Malaysia’s young and rising Chef, Anis Nabilah

The English speaking petite size Anis told me how she loved her family on supporting her life she’s on now. Growing up in a kitchen with her mother and 6 sisters, it was a lifelong ambition for award winning Anis to be selected as the host of her new series Icip Icip.

Traveling the length and breadth of Malaysia and cooking on location with both passion and tnthusiasm, Anis has made Malaysian cooking accessible for viewers by bringing them simple tips and tasty recipes that everyone could follow.

Anis made the cup cakes for the media and press with her own recipe.

Anis graduated with a diploma from the Food Institute of Malaysia in 2008 and has won numerous awards and accolades.

Well, its me and the pretty Anis Nabilah.
The young and rising Anis also has a few more projects on her way. One of the youngest celebrity chef in Malaysia, she has both the look and talent.

The Asian Food Channel (AFC) brands the Malaysian food experience regionally across 7 countries in Asia with Icip Icip making an exciting debut on AFC premiering on Astro 703.

Icip Icip will air on every Thursday on the Asian Food Channel from 25 February to 20 May 2010.

Our stay in Cherating last year gave us opportunities to visit places in Chukai and Cherating like the Cherating Turtle Sanctuary.

Going to Cherating Turtle Sanctuary is a must in Cherating. After enjoying the sandy white beaches of Cherating, the turtle sanctuary is located within the hotel areas of the main road of Cherating. There are lots of road signs showing the direction to the turtle sanctuary. We followed the signs and found the sanctuary.

In fact, the Cherating Turtle Sanctuary is actually located quite near to the Cherating Club Med.  Just a few steps away. The sanctuary is a traditional Malay house design.

Well, we seen lots of turtles on TV, never really seen a live one before. We were pretty excited, really.

There were some displays on facts about turtles. Diagrams and models like this. But the real thing is….

The live turtles. There were quite a number of turtles in the sanctuary. They were swimming lively in the pool designated for them. Well, if there’s the big ones, there should have the small ones.

Look at the cute little turtles. They were so cute.

The sanctuary is not really that huge, but it was clean and properly maintain. It’s a good effort to have a sanctuary like this to show to the public, the real turtles look like. And also to protect the turtles from extinction. A small step of a better future for the turtles. Really a good job from the Pahang state government having such center.

This center was opened to the public in June 1998 and is managed by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia with the cooperation of the State Government of Pahang Darul Makmur.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome. It is a must visit place in Cherating.

Opening Hours: 8.30 am – 5 pm

Cherating Turtle Sanctuary Contact And Address:

Turtle Sanctuary & Information Center
Cherating 26050 Kuantan
Pahang
Tel : 011- 951444
Fax : 09-5523482
E-mail : tionet01@tm.net.my

This weekend there’s something to look forward. The annual Matta Fair 2010 is back. From 12 – 14 March, at PWTC (Putra World Trade Center). Matta Fair is Malaysia’s biggest travel fair. Since 1975, the member boosts to over 2000 members from a mere 30 over members.

There’s 2 Matta Fairs in a year in Malaysia. One in the first half in March and the latter will be in September.

The upcoming Matta Fair will expect a bigger turnout than last year. Expect more than 800 booths, mainly travel from local and international agents.

The highlights of this year MATTA Fair 2010 will be the new hotels from Singapore. Yes, I’m talking about Resorts World Sentosa and also the upcoming Marina Bay Sands Singapore. Not forgetting as well the Universal Studio Singapore by Resorts World Sentosa. I will be keeping a check of their prices.

Matta Fair nowadays is now longer just plain travel fair. Last September, there are performances representing their own respective countries. This dancing group Korea was the crowd’s favourites last year. They representing to KNTO (Korea National Travel Organization). Not forgetting also special appearance of Jolin Tsai of Taiwan last year. Macau travel also had their super duper Macau Bus promotion last year. 

Not forgetting TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) Malaysia’s great deals where I booked my Thailand’s Trang – Krabi trip there last year. Also participation of other countries tourism board from Hong Kong and Australia.

I will be going this week to check out if there’s any dirt cheap holiday packages. Might be planning a short trip in mid year. Well, my plan is to go on Friday, take all the brochures and then study it at home with Rachel and probably go there on Sunday if we want to go somewhere.

How to get to Matta Fair:

I will be driving there early to avoid unnecessary traffic jam. I will park at the The Mall Shopping center which is located opposite Seri Pacific Hotel. Otherwise you could try your luck parking inside.

The other best way is to take a train there via STAR LRT under PWTC station or KTMB (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad)

Matta Fair 2010 Information:

Matta Fair Dates: 12-14th March 2010

Matta Fair Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm

Matta Fair Location: Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hall 1, 2, 3 and Pelantaran Putra at the PWTC

Entry Fee: RM3.00 (US$0.88) per person/per day – You are given a wrist band to wear.

PWTC Telephone Number and Contact Information:

Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC)
41, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: (603) 2614 6999
Fax: (603) 404 33777
Toll Free: 1800-880-448 (Reservations only)
Website for PWTC Kuala Lumpur

You may also like this:

http://blog.malaysia-asia.my/2010/03/matta-fair-2010-12-14-march.html

A short Sunday post. My last December trip to Krabi with my friends was a memorable one. Though the company was good, but the scenery was better. Let me explain also why we picked to stay in Aonang instead of Krabi town.

Before the trip, I tried to look for images of Aonang of Krabi, nothing much was found. So then, during the trip I took quite a number of Aonang of Krabi to show it here on my blog. Aonang  is a popular hot spot and its only minutes away from the airport. The main road is usually packed with stalls and shops selling from clothes to diving equipments.

Not forgetting as well the local tour booths and a variety of restaurants and cafe of different countries.

Their small local taxi or “tut tut” will be the most convenient way to travel in Thailand. But many would prefer renting a small bike or even a car. We hired a van as there were 8 of us. The van cost us 120 Baht (US$ 35)  for 3 hours.

Another good thing about Aonang  is the amazing sunset scenery. Many would walk during evening, to talk a glimpse of the breathtaking sunset from the beach.

Not forgetting, Aonang  has the jetty to travel to nearby islands that includes Phuket and Similan Islands. This make Aonang Beach area more convenient for snorkeling and diving tourists.

We stayed in Aonang for 2 nights and we loved it. We often walked till late. During night times, the street is usually packed and windy. There are also food stalls that open till late. Reasonable price and good food as well. We really enjoyed our stay in Aonang.

How to get to Aonang, Krabi:

Get a taxi from the Krabi Airport, it is around 30 min drive. There are also a number of backpackers inns or motels around the area. Rates differs from each other.

Entrance of the Camping Falkner

As we saw the beautiful Lago Falkner, we couldn’t resist to have a quick lunch there.

Guests of Camping Falkner

As expected, there were quite a number of camping enthusiasts there. Somewhere as young as high school teenagers and there were quite a number of families and backpackers.

Lake view with the Patagonia mountains as background

The camp site was very windy. Chilling wind from the Patagonia mountains. Not to mention the calm Lago Falkner.

The calm Lago Falkner – Patagonia and mountains of Nahuel Huapi National Park

Tables and chairs set for an amazing lunch Lago Falkner view. Free strong winds as well. A very comfortable place for camping for sure. Not forgetting the lovely Patagonia mountains of Nahuel Huapi National Park,  – one of the oldest national park in Argentina.

The grass on the camp site is thin and we were there during summer, January 2010. The ground operator was friendly as our guide had a great conversation with him. We enjoyed our quick lunch indefinitely. Breathtaking view and they have facilities like individual toilets and bathing area. The place is very clean.

How to get to Lake “Lago” Falkner- Camping Groundsite:

The camping site is on the left while traveling on Route 234 from San Martin de los Andes.

Lake “Lago” Falkner- Camping Groundsite Contact and Address:

I don’t have the exact location address but you can reached them at the website below:

URL: http://www.campingfalkner.com.ar/index.htm

The 4×4worldexplorer.com

This was us. The 4×4worldexplorer.com. I was traveling with them in Argentina. We were driving across the loneliest highway in the world, Route 40 for the Patagonia experience.

For more information of this expedition and more upcoming expedition, please visit 4×4worldexplorer.com. 4×4worldexplorer.com has been traveling most part of the world. Please do check out their upcoming Amazon expedition.

Taiping had a new hotel to their addition in 2009, the Flemington Hotel. Located opposite the popular Taiping Lake, Flemington Hotel was the official hotel for the 2009 4×4 Larut Hill International Challenge.

The Flemington Hotel has one of the best view of the Taiping lake in Taiping.

The room itself is spacious, with LCD TV and modern looking carpet. There’s also a small chair with a small round coffee table by the large glass window. Not forgetting there’s a work table with a nice leather chair. The room itself was clean and there wasn’t any stain on the carpet or anywhere in the room.

The toilet is designed with a modern touch without a bathtub. Though the space is limited, but it is well utilized.

The view of the lake from my room on the 2nd floor is good enough for me. I enjoyed my 2 nights stays there. The service was good and air conditioner was working well. No issue for me.

Hotel Flemington is arguably the latest and biggest hotel in Taiping, Perak in 2009. It is walking distance to the Taiping Lake as well as the famous Taiping Zoo. The hotel is also nearby to food courts and a few min drive to the town.

Hotel Flemington Room Rates:

I was told that our room rates were less than RM 200. The exact figure is not known but to me it was very reasonable. Worth every penny spent.

Hotel Flemington Contact & Address:

No. 1, Jalan Samanea Saman,
34000 Taiping,
Perak D.R.,
Malaysia.

Telephone: +605-820-7777
Fax: +605-808-0177
Email: info@flemingtonhotel.com.my
Website: www.flemingtonhotel.com.my

Hotel Flemington Map:

View Flemington Hotel in a larger map

It’s not one of the fancy restaurants in town. It’s just a small non airconditioned restaurant in one of the housing estate shoplots.

We started off with the Stir Fried Long Beans with Roast Pork (Chinese style). The long beans were huge and crunchy and the taste was somehow decent.

Then it was the “Tau Kan” (Beancurd) with Fish Paste (Meat). Fish paste was done in a smooth and tender manner. Taste was decent, nothing to shout about.

“Lam Yue” style Roast Pork was next. Came together with chilli sauce, the pork was well marinated and deep fried to perfection. This was good.

Fried Chicken Wings with Salted Eggs is one of their specialties. Raw food materials are often vital and important for preparing a dish. Well, sadly the salted eggs they got were not the best as it was the Chinese New Year period so the chicken did not have much taste of the salted eggs.

It was nicely fried with hints of salted eggs. I don’t blame them for it, I blame the salted eggs.

The star of the night will be the special appearance of the shark meat. Stir Fried Shark Meat. My previous encounter with shark meat was when I was holidaying in Melaka for holiday 20 over years ago.
Shark meat is often harsh and hard so I used to have fried shark meat which is almost as hard and chewy as rubber. To my surprise, the stir fried shark meat was awesomely good.
The meat was tender and soft and stir fried well with hints of hot “chili padis” small size chilis. This was the star of the dinner, it was really good.

The place is usually packed during lunch hour. Price was reasonable, came to around RM 157 for 8 of us. I found the shark meat was interesting where the rest was decent. Service was excellent and the lady boss is a nice person to talk to.
Address:

Please do call them upfront to check out what other fish they have. Shark meats might not be available at all times, please do call them first to avoid disappointment. I enjoyed the shark meat. Thanks for reading.

There’s a lot of tango dancers and artists in Argentina but finding the best of both world is not easy. Luckily, I found one by the name of Guillermo Alio in La Boca. La Boca is one of the places you couldn’t miss in Buenos Aires. Rich by history itself, I went to La Boca with my friend Shakhira. La Boca is also the home for the world renowned football team, Boca Juniors.

Unlike the city of Buenos Aires, La Boca simply different. Different in the sense of its history and its buildings. The most visible difference will be the color of the buildings. Walking in La Boca like going to another part of the world. The buildings are colorful, the street is filled with stalls, paint artists, restaurants, shops, tourists and tango artists. After we had our lunch with tango performances in one of the restaurant in La Boca, we walked around window shopping.

As we walked past one of the stalls, we were greeted by a smiling artist who brought us into his shop.

Little did we know, he is Guillermo Alio, the Argentina’s renowned Tango Artist. The humble artist show us some of his work and also his passion upon tango. Later on, he showed us that he was even mentioned by CNN and many other news agency by his passion in art and tango.

As the conversation between us got deeper, he was happy to know that we are Malaysians. In fact, he worked with Asha Gill on a project before. What are the odds of that?

Some of his masterpieces in his shop.

A recognition of his passion.

His workplace. Many great masterpieces of art is created here.

Showing his talents to us. This is what we call a true artist. Hands free drawing, video is in HD.

After the lengthy conversation with him, I bought a small replica masterpiece from him. I truly admire his work and his passion and not forgetting his friendliness.

Well, why not a Tango pose picture with Shakhira?

And lastly, a picture with me. He insisted us to wear a hat, he told me we will look better. We had great time chatting with him, meeting him was a blessing with disguise.

Please do check out his website at Aliotango.com or just hop into his studio at Magallanes 859, La Boca, Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA.

Though I couldn’t take hot food as much as my wife, Rachel. My taste bud and my crave for hot sauce, is always there.

While having lunch in La Boca at the last few days of my Argentine visit, I was introduced to this hot sauce by a fellow Malaysian who resides there, Shakhira. The word itself sounds cute, chimichurri.

Though is not as hot as our Malaysian sauce but the oily hot Argentine sauce put a presence in me with its distinctive heavily spiced flavor. My curiosity about this sauce made me to search for more information about this sauce.

It was said a British by the name of “Jimmy McCurry” who was the first to prepare the sauce. As the it was hard to pronounce the “Jimmy McCurry”, it was later on called chimichurri. Read more about it here – source Wikipedia.org

While its famous for its green color, the chimichurri sauce I had was the red color version.

Chimichurri is made from finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, vegetable oil or olive oil, white or red vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Additional flavorings such as paprika (pimenton dulce), oregano, cumin, thyme, cilantro (coriander leaf), lemon, and bay leaf (laurel), and in the red version, tomato and red bell pepper may also be added. – Wikipedia.org

I wished I knew more about the chimicurri sauce earlier during my Argentine visit. Probably I could have tried the green color version. Or probably I did had one as it might be used in the meat marination. Well, no matter how, I couldn’t be disappointed that much as I found a few recipes about chimicurri HERE.

Remember to order the chimichurri sauce just in case you crave for one. Thanks for reading.