Malaysia has many highland retreats offering a cool and relaxing retreat from the heat and bustle of the city. Each highland has a panoramic view to be enjoyed and a distinctive character of its own to be discovered. Four of the main highland destinations in the country is located in the state of Pahang, namely Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Fraser’s Hill and Bukit Tinggi. Another highland retreat of popular choice is Bukit Larut in Perak.

Cameron Highlands

Located at an altitude of 1,828 m at the north western corner of Pahang, the Cameron Highlands are the largest and most genteel hill resort in Malaysia. Popular attractions at Cameron Highlands include tea plantations, strawberry farms, rose gardens and the marketplace at Brinchang. There are also many nature trails offering a spectacular view of the highland forests. Make the 3-hour drive to Cameron Highlands from Kuala Lumpur an enjoyable one by stopping at the hot springs or the many interesting picnic spots along the way.

Genting Highlands

The exciting city in the clouds, Genting Highlands, is nestled at 1,800 m above sea level on one of the mountain peak on the Titiwangsa Mountains, which lies on the border of Selangor and Pahang. Genting Highlands is the most developed hill resort in Malaysia and offers the only legal gambling venue in Malaysia, an outdoor and indoor theme parks with over 50 rides for families to enjoy, convention halls and numerous shopping and dining outlets. A drive up to Genting Highlands from Kuala Lumpur takes only about an hour. Opt to park at the cable car station for another interesting experience of going to the top of the mountain in a cable car.

Fraser’s Hill

The idyllic Fraser’s Hill is an ideal destination for nature lovers and city dwellers looking for a relaxing escape. It is built on seven hills straddling the Pahang-Selangor border, about 105 km north of Kuala Lumpur. An endless list of activities at Fraser’s Hill include bird-watching, jungle trekking, white-water rafting, archery, abseiling, golfing, hiking, fishing and horse-riding; there is bound to be something for everyone.

Bukit Tinggi

The main attraction at Bukit Tinggi is the Colmar Tropicale which is a replica of the Colmar Village in France. Just over an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, there is also a Japanese Village, a Botanical garden, a golf course, a rabbit park, an archery arena and spas to enjoy at a cool altitude of up to 1,000 m. Bukit Tinggi is also located close to Genting Highlands if you yearn for more entertainment options.

Bukit Larut

Bukit Larut, also known as Maxwell Hill, is located approximately 10 km from the town of Taiping in Perak. At an altitude of 1,250 m, it is the wettest area experiencing the highest rainfall and is the oldest hill station in Malaysia. Relax in the preserved quiet atmosphere of a colonial hill station, stroll along nature trails to discover the numerous species of Bukit Larut’s flora and fauna, take leisurely walks in the sweet-smelling flower gardens and be treated to an enchanting view of the West Coast of the peninsula at the summit.

Published originally at Attractions - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Highlands in Malaysia

CNN travel released a list with the top 100 best beaches recently. The first thing we did when we read the article was to scan for Malaysian beaches. It was great to discover one of our personal favorite beaches at place 13; Long Beach at Perhentian Kecil. At place 21 there is the beautiful Juara Beach at Tioman Island. At place 49 the beautiful Tanjung Rhu beach is listed; great to see Langkawi beaches made it to the list. The photograph above was taken at Perhentian, facing Coral Bay at Perhentian Besar.

Any beaches that you miss on the list?

Published originally at News - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: 3 Malaysian beaches in beach top 100 list

4th George Town Festival Commemoration in Month-long Celebration

On July 7, 2013, George Town, the capital of Penang State in Malaysia, will be commemorating its 4th year of being included in the UNESCO World Heritage Listing. Through the month-long George Town Festival (GTF) which began in 2010, people from all walks of life throughout the world will be coming together to this place to witness amazing performances in the fields of arts, music, dance, theatre, and opera. The GTF is also attended by international media giants like CNNgo, The New York Times, and Wall Street Journal who cover it for the world to see.

This year, a lot activities and exhibits have been prepared for everyone to witness. The following are the highlights and the dates that they will be featured:

Bambu at the MPPP Town Hall (June 7 to July 7). The Joko Avianto installation will be unveiled on June 7, is expected to attract photography and arts enthusiasts from all over the world.

I Musici at Dewan Sri Pinang (June 7). I Musici is Italy’s oldest and most renowned chamber music group who will be presenting excerpts from classical compositions of Italian musicians. It will also feature an interpretation of the Four Seasons of Antonio Vivaldi.

Taking Off at Esplanade (June 8). To add color to the opening ceremony of the Penang George Town festival is Taking Off where master kite flyers will be showing off their kites to onlookers. Expected participants are the representatives from the ASEAN Kite Council. Don’t miss to get one of the free kites to be distributed later in the evening.

Obscura at various venues(June 20-30). Photography works of amateurs and professionals, including those of Maggie Steber and Ian Teh, will be publicly exhibited in Obscura. Talks and forums, workshops, as well as portfolio reviews, will also be held to enhance the skills of the participants.

Sutra at Dewan Sri Pinang (June 29-30). A brand new dance work will be presented by Flemish/Moroccan choreographer, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Inspired by the strength, skill, and spirituality of the Buddhist Shaolin monks, the dance involves 21 wooden boxes on which the dancers display their moves.

Pro Musica Gala Concert at Dewan Sri Pinang (July 6). Having performed during last year’s George Town Festival, Pro Musica features four international opera singers namely Julie Mossay, Ines Madeira, Enrico Casari, and Laurant Kubla.

Secret Gardens of Earthly Delights at George Town, Penang, and other venues (June 7 to July 7). Considered as a unique feature of the George Town Festival this year, the Secret Gardens of Earthly Delights features 10 gardens, 10 sites, and 10 artists. This project captures and reflects the heritage of both George Town and Penang.

Though not all of the events are ticketed, interested audience may get their tickets online or visit the George Town Festival website for more information.

Published originally at Attractions - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: 4th George Town Festival

Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) is usually synonymous with the Petronas Twin Towers and the hustle and bustle that takes place in and around it. This is only a natural assumption considering how KLCC is the focal point of Malaysia’s capital city; an epitome of the country’s modern and busy city life. Apart from being an important hub in the corporate world, KLCC is also a landmark often visited by tourists and locals alike. Quite simply, KLCC offers a good balance between business and recreation so while it may be common to see men in suits zooming across your eyes constantly in KLCC, it is also not a rarity to see families and friends enjoying a day out here as well.

Recreation options are aplenty in KLCC. The main attractions are of course the twin towers themselves, the park that surrounds it, and a shopping and recreational complex in the form of Suria KLCC among others. One of the more recent places to visit that have sprouted in KLCC is Aquaria KLCC; quite simply a full-scale aquarium located within the walls of the tallest and most probably busiest building in Malaysia.

Launched in 2002, Aquaria KLCC is a sizeable indoor marine park which sprawls over 60,000 square feet in buildup area. Within its complexes are 5,000 exhibits, both aquatic and semi-aquatic, in which a wide variety of marine life and various wildlife thrive. Among the main attractions that inhabit the enclosures of Aquaria KLCC are visually stunning sea creatures that include giant pacific octopi, sand tiger sharks, green sea turtles and giant groupers as well as aquatic mammals such as water rats and coatimundis, raccoon like semi-aquatic mammals native to South America. Most of the wildlife that is exhibited in Aquaria KLCC is specially flown in from all around the world as only a few are native to Malaysia. The aquariums or habitats in which they are kept are beautifully constructed to replicate their natural habitats as closely as possible while making it more than pleasant to the eyes of the visitors.

Exhibits are divided and sequenced in such a manner whereby visitors are taken on a ‘Journey of Water’. These areas include the Flooded Forest, the Coast, and the Jewels of the Jungle among others, all of which are inspired by various geographical zones in which different types of wildlife flourish. There are also type-specific areas such as the Electric Zone which houses aquatic life such as the electric eel and the electric catfish as well as the Weird and Wonderful, an area exhibiting the less conventional but nevertheless fascinating creatures such as the venomous stonefish and pinecone fish. Probably the most impressive of these exhibit areas is the Oceanarium, basically a 90m underwater tunnel in which visitors are treated to an open sea display where they can get up close with many wonders of the ocean such as sharks, giant stingrays and turtles. There is also an interactive area known as the Touch Pool which is basically Aquaria KLCC’s very own petting zoo. Here, visitors can physically interact with bamboo sharks, horseshoe crabs and horned sea starfish. Aquaria KLCC conducts feeding sessions every day (some exhibits daily, some exhibits on selected days) and potential visitors should look up the feeding times as these feeding sessions can further enrich the overall experience.

Opening hours

Aquaria KLCC is open every day of the week. On weekdays, it is open from 11am to 8pm while on weekends and public holidays, it opens half an hour earlier at 10.30am. Admissions are allowed until 7pm.

Entrance fees

The admission fee is RM50 for adults, RM40 for children between 3 to 12 years old and RM30 for senior citizens (60 years old and above). MyKad/MyKid holders pay RM35 for adults, RM25 for children and senior citizens. Admission for all infants below the age of 3 is free. These fees are definitely worth paying for taking into consideration all of the natural wonders that are in store for visitors at Aquaria KLCC, making it a location that should not be missed by anybody who happens to be in the area be it a tourist or a KL local.

How to get to Aquaria KLCC

Visitors who come from Suria KLCC (or Putra LRT Station) can take the walkway through the underpass tunnel connecting from the lower-ground level of Suria KLCC (next to Cold Storage) to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. From here it’s a 5 minute walk through the tunnel to Aquaria KLCC. From Bukit Bintang, you can exit Pavilion KL via the pedestrian walkway, and walk to the Convention Centre in 5 minutes.

Contact details & address Aquaria KLCC

Aquaria KLCC
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Complex,
Kuala Lumpur City Centre,
50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603 2333 1888
Fax: +603 2380 0069
Website: http://www.aquariaklcc.com

Hotels & resorts near Aquaria KLCC

Hotels nearest to Aquaria KLCC are Traders Hotel, Impiana KLCC, Novotel KLCC, The Ascott Kuala Lumpur and the beautiful Prince Hotel & Residence.

Nearby attractions

Aquaria KLCC is located in the city center of Kuala Lumpur. This means it lies within walking distance to many other attractions. For example, you can easily combine a visit to the aquarium with a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers, or to the huge and popular shopping mall Suria KLCC. It is a mere 5 minute walk via the pedestrian walkway to Bukit Bintang, where you can find numerous huge shopping malls. Also, near Aquaria KLCC there is a GOKL bus stop, which makes it easy to travel to other areas within the city center (like Chinatown).

Video Aquaria KLCC

Map of Aquaria KLCC

Suggestions?

Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Kuala Lumpur, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below!

Published originally at Attractions - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Aquaria KLCC

Tourism in Sabah which had taken a hard hit from the Lahad Datu conflict is beginning to recover, according to industry players who say tourists are coming back.

In Sandakan, Sabah Hotel sales and marketing director Anthony Kong said cancellations were fewer compared to early March, and groups who had postponed trips were reinstating their bookings. “In order to portray the actual situation here, we launched a series of YouTube videos where our guests provide testimonies, and we uploaded them for circulation,” he said. Kong added that there had been several visitors who chose Sabah despite travel advisories warning them against it.

Although Sandakan is over 230km away from Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, a number of tourists had postponed or cancelled their holiday plans during the height of the conflict. Meanwhile, tour operators were busy promoting the state’s various places of attraction, which include the Kinabalu National Park, Layang-Layang island, Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and diving spots like Sipadan and Mabul islands.

Popular Express Travel Operations Manager Christopher Chung said there had been a noticeable drop in tourist numbers but they had since increased and were now close to the monthly average number of Sabah tours they arranged. “When the conflict was at its peak, a group of international school students had diverted their destination from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching as their parents objected to the tour,” he said.

The Sabah Tourism Board, in its latest travel advisory, confirmed all tourism activities in the state were operating as usual, including those on the east coast. Foreign travel advisories however, are still warning travelers to avoid the whole eastern Sabah area as they fear the conflict may not be over yet.

Published originally at News - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Tourism in Sabah is beginning to recover

Bird Paradise Wildlife Park is the first and largest covered wildlife park in Asia. It is home to over 2,500 birds that, well, make themselves feel very much at home as they fly, soar, hop and even swim over, across and around the park. The park was officially launched by Chief Minister of Kedah Y.A.B Dato Seri Syed Razak on the 25th of December 2002.

The park was originally named “The Bird Paradise” but the name was later changed to “Langkawi Wildlife Park” in 2006. The change was necessary as the park is not just home to birds but also to various other species there; there are crocodiles, pythons, donkeys, raccoons and monkeys. You could feed some of them with food provided by the park staff but of course, there are some animals that you wouldn’t want to risk getting too close to!

Nevertheless, the highlight of the park remains its 2,500 birds of more than 100 species. As you stroll through the tropical gardens, you will see a walk-in aviary that allows you to take a closer look at the colorful birds. Soon, you will come across a man-made waterfall that cascades from a height of 15 m high. Against the beautiful backdrop of the waterfall are different species of water birds such as the flamingo or the mandarin ducks. The scene indeed looks a lot like a postcard picture or a painting on a canvas; there is no denying that flamingos are a favorite or that mandarin ducks indeed exude calm and elegance.

After mingling with colorful and friendly birds, it is time to get a little tougher. If you are a fan of eagles, you can check out the eagle section where you will have the chance to see the carrion (the flesh of dead and decaying animals) eaters. There is no need to be afraid of the majestic birds as they only feast on the dead! You can also check out the owl section if you have not had the chance to see an owl. Species such as the barn owl can be found there.

Bird Paradise Wildlife Park is definitely a paradise for animal lovers, particularly birds. The park stretches for an area of 5.5 acres along Jalan Ayer Hangat on the island of Langkawi, Kedah and is a mere 10-minute drive from Kuah Town. If you are visiting the island, do drop by the Bird Paradise Wildlife Park for an opportunity to discover the fascinating world of birds and nature.

Entrance fees

Adult: RM28
Child (3 – 12 years old): RM18

Opening hours

The Bird Paradise is open daily from 8.30am to 7pm. Last entry is at 6pm.

Contact details

Langkawi Wildlife Park
c/o: Wildlife Planet Sdn Bhd
Lot 1485, Jalan Ayer Hangat,
Kampung Belanga Pecah,
07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia.
+6 010-7789619
+6 04-9665855
+6 04-9661855
Email: wildlifeplanet@gmail.com
Official website

How to get to the Bird Paradise Wildlife Park

The Langkawi Bird Paradise Wildlife Park can be easily found as it is clearly visible along the main circle road around the island. After you leave Kuah and drive north along Jalan Ayer Langat, you will see the Bird Paradise Wildlife Park on your left hand. It is located a little bit north of the Gunung Raya Golf Resort.

Video Bird Paradise Wildlife Park

Map of the Bird Paradise Wildlife Park

Suggestions?

Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Langkawi, or tips on the best places to eat or other great information to share with us? Let us know by leaving a reply below!

Published originally at Attractions - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Bird Paradise Wildlife Park

It is a tradition here in Malaysia that on the eve of Chinese New Year, the Chinese will visit a temple for blessing and offerings. The oldest and most legendary temple in Penang is the Goddess of Mercy Temple which is situated in Georgetown, Penang. Each year, believers of the Taoism and Confucianism teachings will swarm the temple on the eve of Chinese New Year to pray to the Kuan Yin goddess so that their health and good luck can be maintained throughout the year.

The Goddess of Mercy Temple, also known as Kuan Yin Teng, was first built in the 1800s by the Hokkiens and Cantonese residents who lived close by. Buddha and Kuan Yin have their respective followers with some even suggesting that Kuan Yin outshone Buddha in some ways as she showered her believers with much love and compassion.

Like other religion, the Chinese are superstitious too. Some believe that men whose ages end with the number 9 should visit the Goddess of Mercy temple for ‘por oon’ (blessings) so that they would be bestowed protection by the god. The others will offer light or oil (thian ewe) to the Goddess of Mercy for better luck that year.

Upon stepping into the temple, the scent of sandalwood incense greets you as each day, numerous joss stick are burnt by the devotees while offering prayers. Although a crowd could be present, a sense of peace and quiet can be felt once you set foot into the temple. The temple is busy throughout the year and not just on Chinese New Year because the locals tend to visit the temple on their birthdays too, praying for a better year ahead blessed with good health and luck. At other times, devotees will visit to seek calm or when extra spiritual protection is needed.

The birthday of the Goddess of Mercy falls on the 19th day of the 2nd lunar month, marking another time that the temple is packed with devotees eager to pay homage to their deity. Devotees will venture into the heart of the temple to congratulate the Goddess by making offerings and prayers to her. At times, opera and puppet shows will also be organized, providing devotees entertainment and creating an air of festiveness in the house of worship.

Despite being a place for offering prayers, many tourists flock to this shrine for photography opportunities. The temple is simply too beautiful to pass up a chance for photos. The sight of morning rays basking in on devotees deep in prayer is a sight to behold, thus luring many visitors to this magnificence construction which houses the Goddess of Mercy.

How to get to the Goddess of Mercy Temple

The Goddess of Mercy temple can be easily found within the center of Georgetown. Usually travelers are staying somewhere around Chulia Street; it is very near this popular backpackers area.

From Chulia Street, head right just past the Indian temple into Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. From here it is a 5 minute walk to the temple entrance. In the vicinity of the temple there are numerous nice attractions.

Video Goddess of Mercy Temple

Map of the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Georgetown

Suggestions?

Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Penang, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below!

Published originally at Attractions - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Goddess of Mercy Temple, Georgetown Penang

This month new LCC Malindo Air will commence their flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. The new airline is owned by the Malaysian government and with Indonesian LCC LionAir as minority share holder. Flights will depart from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA and not from LCCT) with four daily flights.

Promotional prices are very competitive and are so far cheaper than similar flights with AirAsia; Malindo’s biggest competitor. Also, with Malindo you get free 15 kg of checked baggage (30kg for business class passengers). Besides that you can carry 7kg of hand luggage on board the plane. In addition; it seems that travelers are also allowed to carry along a golf set and other sports equipment free of charge. Contact their service staff to find out more about this.

Malindo is aiming to expand to numerous destinations outside of Malaysia. Possible new routes are Manila, Bangkok, Hanoi and numerous destinations within Indonesia and China.

Malindo starts off great with their brand new 737-900ER’s. These are top of the bill Boeing air crafts that ensure a pleasant flight. This type of airplane is able to fly all routes within 5,5 hours.

Travelers can book their tickets now at MalindoAir.com. Make sure you act now as you’ll never know when the cheap tickets will expire.

Published originally at News - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Introducing Malindo Air: Not Just Low Cost

The International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta returns to Putrajaya in March 2013. This 4-day fiesta to feature new side activities to astound visitors.

This March, Putrajaya will once again host a fiesta like no other in the country. The thriving government capital will be converted to a major tourist and visitor attraction site over a four-day period from the 28 – 31 March 2013.

The Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, returns to its Monumen Alaf Baru (also known as the Millennium Monument) grounds for the fifth year running.

2013’s fiesta will see more exciting special shaped balloons such as the Smurf Balloon, piloted by Koen Audenaert of Belgium together with Sven Grenzner of Germany who will be piloting the ‘Clown’ Balloon. 2013 also marks the return of the highly-anticipated “night glow” event where the hot air balloons will participate in a light and sound show on the night of the 30th; culminating in a beautiful display of fireworks.

To encourage togetherness and quality family values, the fiesta team will once again be organizing popular side-activities to suit each family or individual. Visitors can look forward to activities such as a para-motor exhibition, helicopter joy rides – suitable for families who would like a unique experience, tethered hot air balloon rides, the Mountain Dew Extreme Zone individuals who thrive adventure, as well as a line-up of exciting activities for the young ones in the kids’ area such as coloring contests, on-ground competitions and many more.

Also, this fiesta will welcome an array of new exciting activities such as the ‘Walk in the Balloon’, an experience where visitors can actually go inside the balloon and also music performances by the Kuala Lumpur Jazz Festival amongst others. Visitors will also enjoy a 30% discount if they decide to use the KLIA Transit to Putrajaya during the fiesta period.

More information about the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2013’s activity line-up and sponsorship opportunities can be obtained by visiting http://www.myballoonfiesta.com

Published originally at News - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta returns

Malaysia was recognized as the most charming Asian island destination by New Voyage Magazine at its annual awards ceremony held at Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel on 15 January 2013.

Director of Tourism Malaysia in Beijing

Trophy for most charming Asian island destination

The win is seen as a boost to Malaysia’s tourism plans for 2013 as it prepares to receive tourists this year, which has been designated as a promotion year for the Visit Malaysia Year campaign in 2014.

Malaysia’s many islands and beaches have long been a favorite destination for many. Langkawi is known for its natural attractions such as forests and 500 million-year-old rock formations which earned it the status of World Geopark by UNESCO in 2007.

Penang island, meanwhile, is a melting pot of cultures, beautiful architecture, rich history and delicious food, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pangkor Laut Island is known for its truly luxurious “one island, one resort” concept and has attracted celebrities the likes of actress Jodie Foster, golfer Nick Faldo, and world-renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

The east coast of Malaysia also boasts of jewels such as Perhentian, Redang, Gemia and Sibu islands.

Equally captivating are the islands and beaches in Sabah and Sarawak, with Sipadan Island leading the pack for the world-class diving experience it offers. Mabul and Mataking islands are also gaining popularity as diving destinations in Sabah, while the five islands within Tunku Abdul Ramman Marine Park offer visitors an island experience close to the city.

Nominations for the New Voyage Magazine awards for Best Outbound Travel Destinations were received throughout 2012 for voting by its readers, media, travelers and tourism industry players. Besides Malaysia, AirAsia also emerged the top winner for favorite airline.

About 200 guests from airlines, hotels, national tourism boards, China’s tourism bureaus, and members of the media attended the function. The monthly magazine has a circulation of about 310,000.

Published originally at News - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Most Charming Asian Island Destination Award winner

I am in Malaysia during Deepavali. What kind of celebrations can I expect and where should I go to in order to witness these celebrations?

Deepavali, or also known as Diwali, is a festival of lights celebrated by those of Hindu faith. It is one of the most important festivals of the year for the Hindus who celebrate by performing traditional customs at homes. Just like most major celebrations by other communities, Deepavali is a time for family reunions. Deepavali is an official holiday in Malaysia as well as in some Asian countries like India, Myanmar, Mauritius and in non-Asian countries like Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname as well as Fiji.

Small clay lamps filled with oil are lighted to signify the triumph of good over evil, and the lights are kept on during the night. Homes are cleaned prior to the festival to welcome the goddess Lakshmi. And of course, shopping and cooking are must-dos but are most likely the most fun activities. Little India would be the best choice to shop for saris, bangles and spices for Deepavali, as well as to soak up the festive spirit. Decorations such as colorful paper lanterns and kolam are also put up to decorate the home. The kolam is an intricate design on the floor made from coloured rice and colored powder. The outcome is indeed amazing as much effort and skills are needed to create a colorful kolam. You can see beautiful kolams at many shopping mall entrances during the weeks before Deepavali.

At the dawn of Deepavali, Hindus perform a ritual oil bath which signifies the cleansing of the body and soul. Then, they put on new clothes before performing prayers at home and in temples. Once prayers are finished, celebrants often hold open houses where family and friends are encouraged to drop by to share conversation, enjoy snacks or meals and celebrate the beginning of a new year together. Firecrackers are also set off to scare evil spirits away. Just like the other festivals in Malaysia, Deepavali is a great occasion for people of all races and religions to come together to celebrate culture over tasty food and good companionship.

Deepavali dates

Below dates of Deepavali in Malaysia for the upcoming years:

2013: Sunday, November 3
2014: Thursday, October 23
2015: Wednesday, November 11
2016: Sunday, October 30
2017: Thursday, October 19
2018: Wednesday, November 7
2019: Sunday, October 27
2020: Saturday, November 14

Where to go to

In KL there are two areas where you can witness the Deepavali preparations and celebrations. Both are known as Little India. One is located in the area called Brickfields, which lies within walking distance of KL Sentral (the main central train station of KL). Just follow the signs to the Monorail KL station. The other area is located along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, easy to reach from RapidKL metro station Masjid Jamek, or Monorail station Medan Tuanku. Do know that Deepavali is mostly a family celebration. In the areas mentioned above you can get a nice idea on the celebrations. If you are invited to someones home, don’t pass up on this chance.

Published originally at FAQ - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Deepavali

Many, especially the non-Muslims, wonder what exactly Hari Raya Haji is, why there are two Hari Rayas and why Hari Raya Haji is important enough to be observed as a public holiday. If you are in the dark or have always wondered but not bothered enough to Google why, read on for a ‘crash course’ on Hari Raya Haji (also known as Hari Raya Aidiladha).

Traditionally, any Muslim who does not have any financial or physical constraints is required to make a trip at least once in their lifetime to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the haj pilgrimage event. After the pilgrimage, the title of ‘haji’ will be given to the men and ‘hajjah’ to the women. The day Hari Raya Haji is celebrated marks the end of the pilgrimage, indicating that Hari Raya Haji is indeed a festival and a day to celebrate those who have visited the holy city and completed their pilgrimage.

During the Haj period, tens of thousands of Muslims swarm the holy city of Mecca to perform specific rituals, one of which is walking counter-clockwise seven times around the Ka’abah, which is a cube-shaped structure covered with a black cloth that symbolizes the Muslim prayer direction. Devotees also kiss the black stone at the corner of Ka’abah, move back and forth between Al-Safe and Al-Marway, drink from the Zam Zam well, stand at Mount Arafar, throw stones, shave their heads and lastly, sacrifice an animal before concluding the rituals of Hari Raya Haji.

The sacrifice slaughtering doesn’t only take place in Mecca but at almost every mosque in the country. The sacrifice typically takes place at around 11a.m. until noon. The sacrifice of an animal is done to honour Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as a sign of respect to the God. The child’s life was spared at the very last moment when God took Ismail’s place and gave.

Korban (“slaughter”) will only be performed by a male devotee. Usually, cows will be slaughtered but at times, goats are sacrificed as well. Individuals or families who can afford to contribute an animal will purchase one and donate it to the mosque; at times even the state government contributes too. To minimize the suffering of the animal, the slaughtering process is done swiftly. A prayer is made during the sacrifice; it is believed that toxins will be eliminated from the animal upon recital of the prayers. A portion of the meat is kept for the family while the others are distributed to the local community, especially to those in need.

While Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated on a grander scale with new clothes, cookies and delicacies, Hari Raya Haji is a quieter affair celebrated to commemorate the sacrifices made by the prophet.

Below the Hari Raya Haji dates for the next few years:

26 October, 2012
15 October, 2013
05 October, 2014
24 September, 2015
13 September, 2016
2 September, 2017
22 August, 2018
12 August, 2019
31 July, 2020

Published originally at FAQ - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Hari Raya Haji in Malaysia

NobelCom 10% discount code: WMALAYSIA-1784725821 (exp. Dec 31st)

Travelers that visit Malaysia often want to call to check up on family or friends in their home country. This usually leads to high roaming charges when they are using their own telco. Calling via Skype is free, but not every traveler has access to Wi-Fi or 3G or has a smartphone and/or carries along a laptop/tablet. This article describes a way to make cheap international calls with phone cards while traveling. A phone card is a product designed to connect you to local and international destinations at significantly lower rates. When you use a phone card, you’re using a special access number to call anyone, anywhere in the world.

The cheapest way to use a phone card is by buying a local prepaid sim card first in the country you are residing, with that sim card you use the phone card. If you use your own telco, you might still end up paying high roaming charges to your own phone company, while you only have to top up a Malaysian prepaid sim card once to be able to call with a phone card.

Popular Malaysian prepaid telcos are Hotlink, Umobile, TuneTalk and Celcom. All of them offer cheap prepaid sim cards. Usually starting costs range from RM5 to RM20 (only a few USD). They come with 3G (speeds vary, but usually fast enough for regular browsing with 1mbps to 4mbps). Obviously you can simply use this prepaid sim to make local calls, but international calls are usually very expensive.

Here is where NobelCom comes in. They offer affordable phone cards, which allow you to make cheap international calls. NobelCom offers a few plans, but usually travelers are best off with the standard and most popular ‘No Connection Fee’ phone card.

When ordering a phone card you need to first choose the correct destination. So when you are from the US, you go for the Malaysia -> US phone card. Based on your calling habits you may choose one of their plans (look specifically at the ‘Rounding’ part, where you see how much the conversation is rounded up per call). The phone card expires 1 year (365 days) after last use.

Paying is easy as they offer numerous payment solutions, including PayPal. After your order is completed you can follow the calling instructions at the NobelCom website.

Steps of calling with the phone card are easy:

1. Make sure you get a local prepaid sim card.
2. Call the local access number, or toll free number if no local access number is available.
3. Enter the PIN to identify you.
4. Dial the full international destination number.

And that’s it. You will now be able to call international for much lower prices and without ridiculously high roaming charges (were you to use your own telco within Malaysia). In our previous US example, you would only pay 9.5 cents with the cheapest Nobel plan to call from Malaysia to any number in the US (fixed lines and mobile phones). In other countries this might not be the case and results in slightly higher prices when you are calling mobile phone lines. Each country has their own calling rates. If you are traveling through numerous countries in Southeast Asia (or everywhere in the world for that matter) you can simply add a new phone card for each country. You can even move balance from one phone card to the other.

Smartphone users can use the special NobelDialer, which is available to iPhone, Android and BlackBerry users. With this dialer it gets even more easy to call abroad with your phone card.

Wonderful Malaysia visitors can now enjoy a 10% discount when ordering a NobelCom phone card. Just fill in the following discount code during the ordering process:

WMALAYSIA-1784725821

This discount expires on December 31st. Check out the NobelCom website here (opens in a new window).

This article was written by Wonderful Malaysia. If you have good similar tips to share, do let us know below by leaving a reply.

Published originally at Tips - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Cheap international calls from Malaysia

Now you can travel for free between Suria KLCC and Bukit Bintang, and between Bukit Bintang and Chinatown! There’s even free on board Wi-Fi.

GOKL free city bus service is meant to serve the Kuala Lumpur Central Business District (CBD). It was launched to help improve public mobility in the areas KLCC, Bukit Bintang and Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. Tourists will love the new bus service, as it provides an alternative to the high taxi prices in and around KLCC. Often taxi drivers in this area of KL are reluctant to drive on the meter. Tourists pay fixed prices which sometimes are ten times higher than what it should have been when driving on the meter.

The free city bus service has been in operation since August 31, 2012 and it serves two main routes called the Green and Purple Line. Travelers can hop on and off at numerous official GOKL City Bus stops, many of these located conveniently near attractions, shopping malls, f&b areas or connecting modes of transport (like the monorail and LRT).

The Green Line commutes between KLCC and Bukit Bintang. Besides the newly opened pedestrian sky tunnel, travelers now have a second option to travel from one section of the center of KL to the other. This bus route has a stop in front of Suria KLCC (where you also have the iconic Petronas Twin Towers) and Starhill/Pavilion KL (along Bukit Bintang) and numerous other interesting stops along the way. For example, stop nr.5 is in front of the entry road towards the KL Tower, a popular attraction in KL. There is also a stop near Lot10 and Sungei Wang, right smack in the middle of Bukit Bintang.

The Purple Line takes travelers from the Bukit Bintang area to Chinatown and back. You can get on the bus in front of Pavilion KL, and you can get out at the Central Market, or directly in Chinatown. Travelers that arrive (or depart) by bus at Pudu Sentral can use the Purple Line to travel free of charge to the Bukit Bintang and KLCC area. There currently are a total of 15 buses on the GO-KL service and each can accommodate up to 60 people per bus. Outside of rush hours there should be a bus every five to fifteen minutes. Each bus will provide easy accessibility for the disabled, such as wheelchair ramps. Free Wi-Fi is provided for the convenience of tech savvy travelers. The GOKL bus service operates between 6am and 11pm daily.

All in all this new service is a great development for KL citizens, but also for foreign tourists. The bus routes are located within areas where there normally weren’t that many alternative ways to travel besides the – often expensive – taxi. The stop at Bukit Bintang (Ain Arabia near Lot10 shopping mall) functions as a hub where you can switch lines seamlessly. There are plans to launch even more free GOKL bus routes in the near future.

You can download the .pdf with the current routes here.

Published originally at Tips - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: GOKL free city bus service

What is there to do in Malaysia at Merdeka Day? What is the place to be in Kuala Lumpur?

The 31st of August is a date that bears a great significance to all Malaysians. During the month of August, the Malaysian flag known locally as the ‘Jalur Gemilang’ which, loosely translated, means Stripes of Glory, can be seen literally everywhere be it on a lamppost, on top of a car, waving in the hands of patriotic Malaysian children and so forth. This seasonal rise in the nation’s love for its country is attributed quite obviously to the independence of Malaysia and the 31st of August is fondly referred to by all Malaysians as Hari Merdeka; the day the country’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, commemorated the independence of the Federation of Malaya way back in 1957. More than half a century on, it is only natural for such a significant date to still be remembered and this time of the year is also a delight to locals and tourists alike as Hari Merdeka prompts a festive spirit that decorates the country with wonderful displays of culture and tradition in the form of various public events and celebrations organized all across the country.

Malaysia is known for its many festivities that come with its multicultural society and Malaysians are not the kind to shy away from celebration. Hence, Merdeka, like any other national holiday or festive season, is a colorful and festive time whereby the streets will be strewn with all sorts of patriotically inclined events especially in more central areas such as main townships and of course the capital itself, Kuala Lumpur. The buildup to Merdeka Day is usually very visual, with decorations, mostly involving the Malaysian flag, gracing the exteriors and very likely the interiors of almost every building in the country. The flashiest and most elaborate decorations in conjunction with Merdeka can be found within the country’s many shopping malls and this basically applies to most festivities celebrated in Malaysia. Quite simply, the arrival of Hari Merdeka is one of those times that adds a visual flair to the already interesting everyday backdrop of the colorful country.

Like almost anywhere in the world, the children of Malaysia are nurtured to be patriotically inclined from the ground up and when Merdeka comes around, these efforts naturally intensify and this is yet another phenomenon observable from the average Malaysian street. Weeks before the day arrives, plenty of activities will take place for the Malaysian young which range from cross country events to performances such as concerts or competitions organized corresponding to the theme of Malaysia’s independence. These activities are usually organized in public which would allow the local community, passersby and tourists alike to all soak up the patriotic atmosphere channeled through the generation of tomorrow.

It is only fitting that the highlight of Merdeka takes place on the day of its declaration itself. On the 31st of August, all Malaysian states will organize a local Merdeka Parade. Among those who participate in this parade are government services such as the military, the police force, naval forces and so forth. It is also very common to see school children participating; another sign of how the nation’s younger generation takes pride in the independence of the country. From an audience’s point of view, the spectacles to look out for in these parades would be the beautiful floats that are a must every time Merdeka comes around. The main events of these nationwide parades usually take place at night whereby a series of on-stage performances are organized to end the significant day on a high note. It is commonplace for local celebrities to participate in these events annually. Every year, various states take turns in organizing the national parade which would usually oversee the attendance of the country’s Prime Minister and the Sultan among many other high profile attendees. On a general note however, the flagship parade is obviously the one that takes place in the capital, Kuala Lumpur as the location where this takes place, Merdeka Square, is the very location the word ‘Merdeka’ was chanted seven times by Tunku Abdul Rahman himself in 1957, signifying a new beginning for the Federation of Malaya; a new beginning that led to Malaysia as we know it today.

Published originally at FAQ - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Merdeka Day

There is a new pass for highly educated expatriates that want to move to and work in Malaysia; the Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T).

The RP-T was introduced in April 2011 by the Malaysian Government. It aims to attract and retain top talent in the country with a range of benefits. The RP-T will be offered to highly qualified expatriates seeking to continue living and working in Malaysia on a long-term basis.

The RP-T is a 10-year visa for working expatriates that does not need to be renewed with each new employer. The pass covers spouses and children up to the age of 18. Spouses are allowed to work under the RP-T and children are eligible to study in the country. Any dependants over the age of 18 (including parents) are eligible for a 5-year Social Visit Pass.

Applications can be made online and there are certain requirements that applicants must meet, including possessing five years work experience in the chosen field, three years work experience in Malaysia, and a gross taxable income of RM144,000 per annum.

For more details, visit http://www.talentcorp.com.my.

Check all available types of visa for Malaysia here.

Published originally at FAQ - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: What is the Residence Pass-Talent?

Ramadan is known around the world as the Muslim month of fasting, during which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking (among others) from dawn until sunset.

In 2012 Ramadan started in Malaysia on the 21st of July and lasts until Hari Raya Puasa that marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated by a 2 day National Holiday (19th and 20th of August 2012).

You would probably think that Ramadan is all about not eating, but in Malaysia it actually is still about eating, but contrary to normal days it is not possible 24/7.

During Ramadan travelers may experience the days to be a bit dull and less vibrant, especially in local areas. You have to keep in mind that to some it is quite difficult to go on with their daily lives without any food or drinks. People still work, do business and exercise, but they can only eat before sunrise and after sunset.

We clearly notice that people have to get adjusted to not eating during the day. During the first days of Ramadan we usually encounter people that are grumpy or plain frustrated. This especially goes for traffic, the amount of accidents are always much higher during Ramadan.

In bigger cities like Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown you will hardly notice anything different, mainly because the percentage of Muslims is much lower over there. For example residents of Chinese origin will still eat during the days, so travelers should be on the lookout for Chinese restaurants in order to enjoy a nice local lunch. In almost every popular tourist spot in Malaysia you can easily get a meal during the day. The same goes for the eateries within modern shopping malls, here too business is as usual (albeit rather quiet during the day in some areas).

In other cities and more local areas Ramadan is clearly visible. For example, in states like Kelantan, Kedah and Kuala Terengganu, shops and restaurants often stay closed during the days. Only around noon do they open, in order to be able to sell food to the people. This food is not eaten on the spot, but everything is bought for later that day, as people can only start eating after sundown.

We once visited Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu during Ramadan, and experienced a special atmosphere. During the day both cities seemed deserted, but at night it pleasantly came back to live again. Travelers have no reasons to stay away from these areas during Ramadan. Though days might be quiet and perhaps less vibrant, the nights absolutely make up for it.

Another amazing example of Ramadan we experienced was in the city of Kuantan. Here we were strolling down the streets in the city center and suddenly we noticed a food court that was full with people, but everybody was quiet. What struck us odd was that all had a hot dinner plate on the table in front of them, but nobody was eating. Then the prayer started and soon after everybody started eating, and the food court made that typical buzzing sound again.

During Ramadan all major hotels and restaurants have a special Ramadan Buffet. Here you can eat as much as you want for a fixed price. Often the best hotels are competing with each other on which one has the best Ramadan Dinner Buffet. Locals (even non-muslims) bring their whole families to these restaurants to ‘break the fast’ (also known as berbuka puasa or iftar).

It is also customary to invite people over for a intimate dinner at home. It is not uncommon that travelers are invited by locals, as Ramadan is also about doing good things for others. Welcoming foreigners into their houses is a good example of friendliness towards others.

An open house is usually done the first few days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (after the end of Ramadan), but sometimes you even get invited for an open house weeks after Aidilfitri. We’ve been invited to many ‘open houses’ ourselves over the years and it’s safe to say that if you decline an invitation you are missing out on a wonderful cultural experience.

Every day during Ramadan you can witness local Ramadan Bazaars. Here you can buy food, groceries, fruits and snacks. Some snacks are typically sold during Ramadan, often very sweet. Food at the Bazaar is usually very cheap. We sometimes get our food there too, and for RM25 (which equals to about €6) you have a dinner table full of dishes and snacks. Ramadan Bazaars usually start around 4.30pm and close at 7.30pm.

Typical dishes you can buy at the Bazaar are fried chicken wings and legs, char kway teow, roti murtabak, rendang, satay, ketupat and much more. Popular snacks are kuih lapis (in several colors), kuih dadar, ondeh ondeh, cucur, caramel jelly cake and of course dodol. No Bazaar is complete without a sugar cane juice vendor. The great thing is that everything is prepared fresh on the spot.

So to get back at the main question, can I visit Malaysia during Ramadan, the answer is a wholehearted ‘yes’. The Holy month of Ramadan is a special month with many cultural highlights. Travelers are able to experience this up close when they are in Malaysia during this time, and we are certain that they will love it!

Published originally at FAQ - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Can I visit Malaysia during Ramadan?

It was way back in 18 March 1997 that the first Touch ‘n Go service was installed and it was used at the Jalan Pahang Toll Plaza. Other toll plazas were soon installed with the Touch ‘n Go service such as the toll plaza in Jalan Cheras as well as the East-West Link Expressway. Towards the end of the year, the system was brought to the 848 km North-South Expressway; this was made possible when the northern sections of the expressway were fitted with the technology.

Touch ‘n Go makes the electronic toll payment one of the longest in the world as travelers will be able to use the smart card and travel from Jitra in Kedah to Kempas in Johor or all from the north to the south without using cash. The launch of the services was held as the Sungai Dua toll plaza where Datuk Dr Ramli Mohamad the then chairman of Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd officiated the event.

Today, Touch ‘n Go is not just for payments at toll plazas and public transport. A number of popular malls such as Sunway Pyramid, Subang Parade, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Sungei Wang Plaza, Tropicana City Mall and Mid Valley Megamall have started accepting payments by Touch ‘n Go for parking. Simply touch your card at the entrance point and your time of arrival will be captured. At the end of your visit, the time spent and subsequently the parking charges will be tabulated and deducted from your card.

Your Touch ‘n Go is good for dining too. Have some fast food at A&W, Japanese fare at Sakae Sushi, dessert at Baskin Robbins or a cuppa at Starbucks and pay with your Touch ‘n Go card. Your card is as good as a debit card now. You can also grab some munchies at 7-Eleven before catching a movie at Cathay Cineplexes, both retailers accept payment by Touch ‘n Go.

All in all, Touch ‘n Go still provides a convenient cashless system especially to those who travel daily on the highways as well as those who commute by KTM, LRT, Monorail and Rapid KL buses. Drivers and commuters need not carry around or store loose change and they also save time from not having to queue at the cash lanes. Touch ‘n Go is indeed convenient to use, on top of having numerous value top-up centers and banks that can perform the reload transactions.

Travelers love using Touch ‘n Go because of its convenience. You don’t have to get in line for LRT or monorail tickets every single time. Just buy the card and use it throughout your stay in Malaysia. A new card without balance costs RM10. You can immediately add balance to the card, with RM10 as minimum charge. The card will never expire. After your holiday in Malaysia you can always make someone else happy with your card, or you just take it home as a souvenir.

Read more at the official Touch ‘n Go website.

Published originally at Tips - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Touch ‘n Go

Changkat Bukit Bintang is definitely the place to visit if you are looking for a place that is both trendy as well as hip. In fact, the locals have compared Changkat Bukit Bintang to other major entertainment districts around the world such as New York City’s Times Square and Piccadilly Circus in London. However, what differentiates it from Times Square or Piccadilly Circus is that Changkat Bukit Bintang has managed to merge contemporary chic with historical charm, making it a popular attraction for both the locals as well as foreigners.

Changkat Bukit Bintang consists of a network of alleys and streets that make up part of the Bukit Bintang area. What is so special about this is the fact that each of these streets is unique in its own charming way. You are bound to come across a blend of old and new charm – buildings from the pre-war era but have now been converted into upscale pubs and restaurants.

If you come to Changkat Bukit Bintang to dine, you will be spoilt for choices. It is here that you will be able to find the most vibrant restaurants that the city of Kuala Lumpur has to offer. Gastronomic delights are plenty abound and there is definitely something for everyone, whether you are looking for some authentic local food, a foreign flavour or even fusion dishes are readily available at the restaurants here.

In the day, there is not much activity but by nightfall, you will be able to see why people come here. Establishments are in full swing and there is a certain energy here that only you would be able to experience firsthand, so come and experience it for yourself. As cliché as this sounds , the entire street will come alive with colourful lights of the signboards, music coming from the establishments playing their own specific set of music and people just generally having a good time.

Having said that, you may just want to come around for a visit in the daytime even if there is nothing much going on at that time. Even though Changkat Bukit Bintang is located right at the heart of a busy metropolis, the street is strangely peaceful and quaint which allows you to better explore the area and see it for what it truly is. Once you have done exploring during the day, it is still recommended that you come back at night to appreciate what Changkat Bukit Bintang has to offer.

How to get to Changkat

Changkat is located within Bukit Bintang, one of the most popular areas of Kuala Lumpur. If you are staying in the city center you just walk along Jalan Bukit Bintang until you reach BB Plaza. From there you cross the road and head into the street where you see the souvenir shops. This already is Changkat Bukit Bintang, though the fun part starts a little bit further down the road. Before you get there you also walk past Jalan Alor, a famous ‘food street’ in Kuala Lumpur. When you are coming from outside KLCC, take the monorail and get off at station Bukit Bintang.

Map with the location of Changkat

Published originally at Food - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Changkat Bukit Bintang

Good ole Zong (Bak Chang) – The Traditional Food of Chinese Dumpling Festival

Triangle shaped, round or square “Yuk Zong” (肉粽 in Cantonese), my favorite pork meat glutinous rice dumplings are filled with various fillings, wrapped in bamboo or lotus leaves. Zongs come in various shapes, sizes and tastes (sweet, savoury, spicy and a mixture of it all) according to regions or states in Malaysia.
Whenever someone ask what Zong is, I would always happily explain what ingredients are required to make this truly authentic and traditional recipe.

Welcome to Malaysia, a land where everything is of a mixture (Malaysians refer to this as Rojak): the people, the language, the newspapers and the food culture all mix naturally. Though the origins of Zong, points to Southern China, this heritage food is also well acclaimed across the Malaysian Chinese communities; the Kuala Lumpur (Cantonese speaking KL-ites) refer to it as Zong, the Northern Penang name it Bak Chang in the local Hokkien dialect and the Baba-Nyonya Peranakan call this dish Chang.

Important and interesting, it is the meaning and story or Chinese folklore behind Zong that leave an impression. The Zong / Dumpling Festival (Cantonese: Tuen Ng Jit / 端午節) is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, June 23 this year 2012. It honours a famous and successful scholar-poet Qu Yuan who took his life by jumping into a river after the fall of the Qin Dynasty to the Zhou Dynasty. He was greatly saddened when the king refused to take his advice, leading to a great war. It is said that the local people, who admired Qu Yuan, dropped sticky rice triangles wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river to feed Qu Yuan in the afterlife. The paddling of the boats in those days apparently were meant to scare the fishes away (in modern today we have the famous Dragon boat racing).

Another, equally convincing, folklore explained: fearing that fishes would eat Qu Yuan’s body, friends and supporters had made dumplings and threw them into the river so that the fishes would eat them instead of the body. Hence the dumplings Zong was given birth.

Some of the various types of Zong available are:

- Ham Yuk Zong / Yuk Zong ( 肉粽): Salty Meat Dumpling typically filled with fatty pork belly, yellow mung beans, salted egg yolks, mushrooms and my favorite chestnut.

- Nyonya Zong (娘惹粽): A specialty of Peranakan cuisine, the fillings are minced pork with candied winter melon, ground roasted peanuts and taucheo (Chinese soy bean paste made from yellow soy beans). Traditionally the dumpling has a bit of blue rice coloured from the butterfly pea flower.

- Kan Sui Zong (碱水粽): Literally translated as “alkaline water Zong”, this is a dessert item or a snack for tea time. The glutinous rice is treated with lye water hence the distinctive yellow color. It is usually plain, with no filling and if there are it is a sweet stuffing, for example red bean paste. It is often complimented with sugar, gula melaka (Malay for palm sugar) or a delicious local coconut spread named kaya.

Zong today, in my view is considered a forgotten food and recipe in Kuala Lumpur. Through my observations there are many chicken rice stalls but very few Zong stalls around. And how many Zong stalls serve a decent Zong? To be honest not many in KL.
The most delicious Zong sold around KL would be freshly homemade from generation old family recipes, which have been passed on from moms or grandmas. That was indeed how I acquired and learnt how to appreciate Zong: through a traditional family secret recipe and ritual since I was 11 years old. It was really satisfying, as i recalled back to those days, the family’s team spirit and hard effort making Zong. Every bite of the Zong was simply delicious, flavorful with all the pork meat and fat melting away and simply filled with lots of love.

The process of making it is truly an art and takes many cumbersome steps, from purchasing various ingredients, preparation to frying, folding and steaming/boiling them. There were always a lot of fun, jokes, laughter and gossips with and about the entire family. Never was there a quiet moment in a Chinese household especially as aunties gathered who all possessed the family trait of high sopranos voices, which were probably even evident miles down the road.
There was a lot of sharing and family members’ participation involved as each had their own role and individual strength or skill, for instance folding the bamboo leaves with stuffing and tying a cluster of them to strings. We appreciated and respected each others’ roles even the children, like myself back then were delighted eating after witnessing the hours of making Zong.
I am proud of my family and have realized that preserving the food heritage is vital in creating one’s identity and shaping the next future generations’ love for the family’s traditions.

So what is my favorite Zong? And who makes the best Zong in Malaysia?
My favorite is: the “Ham Yok Zong” (savoury version).\
In my heart the best Zong recipe by far comes from my late grandma, no one has and probably will be able to surpass that level of standard on the ‘delicious-Zong meter.’
Determined, I attempted to re-make Zong according to my grandma’s recipe some months ago. I pulled some family members together and took a few quick decisions to speed things up. The outcome was a disaster the taste, texture, everything fell short of what I was used to.
There are no shortcuts to traditional recipes and there are some things in life that are irreplaceable.

Every traditional food has its story and listening to it takes you a step closer to a deeper understanding of its culture. True meaning makes every bite unique in its taste and even more pleasantly delicious to savor till the very last bite. So I urge all to continue this tradition! Head out and buy some Zongs to eat in this time of the year. Happy Tuen Ng Jit (Zong / Dumpling Festival).

Curious to find out where to buy the best Zongs around Kuala Lumpur? Visit http://www.simplyenak.com/zong-chinese-dumpling-festival-malaysia to find out more.

This article was written by Pauline Lee. Pauline is a food enthusiast and has a great passion for Malaysian Food. Her mission is to preserve local food traditions and recipes to allow next generations to enjoy what she knows to be some of the world’s best food. Pauline is a Food Experience Captain and owner of Simply Enak – Food Experiences. Her company aims to give foreign guests the best experience of Malaysian Food. Simply Enak provides food walks, food drives, dinners at local homes and more exciting Food Experiences. Visit http://www.simplyenak.com for more information.

Published originally at Food - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Zong Chinese dumpling festival in Malaysia

It is safe to say that over the past year we have become regulars at family-run restaurant Simply Mel’s. We could easily be one of their first customers ever, and have visited the restaurant almost weekly since they started their business at The Sphere. Whenever relatives from The Netherlands are visiting us we bring them to Simply Mel’s. We also often bring our friends to the restaurant, just so they can try out the genuine Malacca Portuguese cuisine, usually for the first time in their lives.

Simply Mel’s is located within The Sphere in an area called Bangsar South. We happen to live in Bangsar South, we were within the first to receive our keys of one of the units at Begonia Park Residences. We dropped by The Sphere once or two times a week to have a nice dinner at one of the restaurants. The office blocks behind The Sphere weren’t constructed at the time. Simply Mel’s was one of the last restaurants to open in The Sphere, but they were very quick in gaining attention. Not only did I notice many other raving reviews (mostly of food bloggers, but also from culinary magazines), Simply Mel’s was nominated at the Time Out KL Food Awards 2011.

One of the reviews I read previously was actually from one of Mel’s daughters (she has three daughters that work at the restaurant, all of them always greeting you with warm smiles). I couldn’t agree more with what she wrote there:

The restaurant is a family effort, but it’s really my mum’s… Melba Majella Nunis. It’s her food, her personality, her passion for cooking, her desire to keep our Eurasian family recipes alive…
In a nutshell, it’s just her. It’s Simply Mel’s.

Her mother Mel is such a kind woman. Whenever she has some spare time (as she usually is cooking round the clock) she comes in and chats with everybody.

As I mentioned we often bring friends or relatives (when they are over) to Simply Mel’s. This is also great for us, as we are then able to try out numerous dishes we would otherwise skip. When we have our regular dinner at Mel’s we often go for our most favorite dishes. Over time we’ve come to love certain dishes, like the Devil’s Curry (RM12.90), the Mama Mercy’s Fish Croquettes (RM9.90), French Beans (10.90) and the Beef Curry Ladir (RM16.90).

Other dishes we like are Chicken Curry Captain (RM12.90), Chicken Seybah (RM16.90), Beef Semur (RM16.90), Pinapple Prawn Sambal (RM17.90) and the absolutely delicious Crab Stuffing (RM21.90). Even after visiting Mel’s for almost a year now, there are still dishes we haven’t tried yet. We certainly will eventually.

My friends usually go for the Bubur Pulut Hitam, the Cendol or for the ice cream. Mel often has freshly baked cakes, like Sugee Cake or Chocolate Cake, but though they too are delicious I always end up choosing my favorite dessert; Sago Biji Gula Melaka. One other thing why we love this place so much; they serve a great cup of Illy coffee.

Location and contact details Simply Mel’s

Unit 1-1A, 1st Floor, The Sphere,
No. 1, Avenue 1, Bangsar South,
No. 8 Jalan Kerinchi 59200 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: +6 03 2241 4525
Email: inquiries@simplymels.com
Website: http://www.simplymels.com

You can also contact them via Facebook or Twitter.

Opening hours are daily from 10am to 10pm. It’s a pork-free restaurant.

How to get to Simply Mel’s & The Sphere

If you are driving on the Federal Highway, take the exit into Kampung Kerinchi and drive onto Jalan Kerinchi (exit at University LRT). Follow Jalan Kerinchi until you see the office buildings of The Horizon at your left. Right in front is The Sphere. Simply Mel’s is easily recognizable at the upper left side of the building.

If you are using public transport then exit at Kerinchi LRT station and use the overpass that leads to The Horizon (office buildings) and walk towards The Sphere.

Map Simply Mel’s

Published originally at Food - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Simply Mel’s, Malacca Portuguese Cuisine

There are several coffee shops in Malaysia. Most fall under one of the big chains, you see those coffee shops all over the country. Every shopping mall has at least one or several coffee shops; this also applies to airports within Malaysia. The most popular coffee in Malaysia are: Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dôme, San Francisco and Espressamente illy. Although the coffee from big chains such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Dôme are fine, you’ll drink better coffee at a different coffee shop; San Francisco Coffee. Sadly, you do not often see this coffee shop inside shopping malls, but more at the bottom of the business premises.

We really appreciate a good coffee ourselves and therefore we drank coffee several times at the above mentioned coffee shops for the past few years. In our opinion, Espressamente illy has the best coffee, closely followed by San Francisco Coffee. The other shops have pretty good coffee; not super good, but certainly not bad. In our opinion, Starbucks has pretty good coffee, and there is always a pleasant atmosphere in a Starbucks coffee shop. Starbucks’ disadvantage is that they have no breakfast or lunch menu card. Coffee Bean also has pretty good coffee, and they also have an extensive menu of non-coffee drinks, aside from a pleasant atmosphere. Their breakfast and lunch menu card is also very extensive. Dôme has mediocre coffee, but a good lunch card with delicious western dishes and on top of that, they have amazingly tasting shakes.

The nice thing about the many coffee shops in Malaysia is that they always have a pleasant atmosphere. They are excellent places to go and relax after a long day full of activities. For example, if you’ve walked through the center of Kuala Lumpur for a long time, nothing is better than relaxing at a Starbucks or Coffee Bean. Even if you simply don’t enjoy ‘watching people’, it’s nice to sit at one of these places.

Apart from the coffee and ice blended shakes, all coffee shops offer a wide range of tasty snacks, such as cakes, brownies and muffins. The coffee shops are therefore also the perfect place to eat sweets (eg. after dinner, for a coffee and a ‘dessert’).

Espressamente illy

Espressamente illy is a coffee shop established by the internationally known coffee brand illy. Currently, there are more than 200 establishments worldwide, including some in Malaysia. Espressamente illy is not very well represented in Malaysia yet; with only one establishment in Pavilion KL and in Bangsar Village I. You will find the establishment in Pavilion KL just outside of the mall, directly to the left of the main entrance. It is a popular terrace; a nice place to watch people. Sometimes they hire an Italian band that plays great jazz music. The coffee is fantastic, the service is excellent and the snacks are of high quality. Besides the sweet snacks, they also have snacks such as cheese, olives, etc. Espressamente illy is our number 1 coffee chain.

San Francisco Coffee

San Francisco Coffee is one of our personal favorites, and ranks second place for the best coffee chains in Malaysia. Although there are fewer establishments of this chain in Malaysia, they have fantastic coffee. In addition to the standard coffee, they offer a wide range of shakes. The lunch menu card is simple, but it contains a few dishes that are well worth it. San Francisco Coffee establishments can be found especially within business premises; and during lunch (and in the morning) there are sometimes long queues of people who come to get their coffee there. In total, there are more than 25 San Francisco Coffee establishments in Malaysia and Singapore.

San Francisco Coffee also sells coffee beans or ground coffee in their shops; perfect for your own coffee machine. Loyal customers can ask for a savings card at the checkout. You show this card with every order and when your card is full with stamps, you will receive a free coffee of your choice. In the city center, you will find the coffee shop in Suria KLCC, amongst other places.

Starbucks

Starbucks is the most popular coffee shop in Malaysia. You will find one or multiple establishments in any mall. There are more than 115 Starbucks coffee shops in Malaysia. The first shop opened its doors in 1998 in KL Plaza (now Fahrenheit88). In Kuala Lumpur, you can find them on every corner; sometimes you look from one establishment right into the other. The atmosphere is always great at Starbucks; it’s a place where many employees come to relax during their work or break.

The coffee is fine, but not super, compared to better alternatives (though I have to admit it also depends on who operates the machine and how busy it is in the store). Although they don’t have a breakfast and lunch menu card, you will find a wide range of snacks such as muffins, cupcakes and brownies. They also have bagels, wraps and the very tasty ‘Chicken Melt’. Starbucks also actively works for a better future and environment in a fun way. For example, you will receive a substantial discount when you bring your own mug or thermos. To promote this, they have a wide range of mugs and thermoses for sale in each establishment.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Herbert B. Hyman launched the coffee shop: ‘The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’ in 1963. His commitment to excellence and quality made him the founder of the coffee in California. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has since grown to be one of the largest coffee and tea companies in the world. Years ago, the first Coffee Bean in Malaysia was opened. Since then, many establishments have been added, totaling more than 50 throughout Malaysia, where it is almost as successful as Starbucks. The company operates primarily in America and Asia.

You can find the Coffee Bean and Starbucks together in a field of view in pretty much every mall. Starbucks has fine coffee, but a small selection of other products. The Coffee Bean has a much wider variety. There’s nothing like a delicious breakfast consisting of a tasty ‘focaccia sandwich with chicken and dressing’ and a large ‘coffee of the day’. This breakfast is a perfect alternative to the sometimes mediocre breakfast of the hotel or guesthouse where you stay (aside from fantastic breakfast at luxurious 5 star hotels). They also have delicious ice blended shakes, where the ‘Malibu Dream’ is one of the tastiest, and various tasty snacks (such as brownies, muffins and fresh cakes).

Dôme

Dôme is a coffee shop with a very luxurious appearance. The prices are also a bit higher than those from Starbucks or Coffee Bean. Dôme also has a very extensive lunch card which even contains a number of dishes for dinner. And they have an extensive range of deliciously unhealthy shakes; the Espreski. Although it should pass for an ice blended shake, it’s more like an extensive dessert. The dishes on the menu are all very western-inspired; each dish comes with some fries and mayo. In total, there are 14 Dôme coffee shops in Malaysia; including in Suria KLCC, Pavilion KL and The Gardens.

Other Coffee Places in Malaysia

There are a few other coffee places worth mentioning. There are a few branches of the Pacific Coffee Company, and they serve a good cup of coffee. Unfortunately, there are only a few shops and most are not located conveniently for tourists. Another place with good coffee is Gloria Jeans. Again, Gloria Jeans is usually located within office buildings in the bigger cities (mostly KL). Austin Chase also have a few branches, but up until now we never had a good cup of coffee there.

Baristas in Malaysia

Besides the well-known coffee chains, there are several baristas in Malaysia with real coffee experts at work. Most baristas can be found outside the city center, usually in trendy suburbs. A famous barista in the center is RAW along Jalan Ampang (Wisma Equity). Artisan Roast is famous outside of the city, within the TTDI area.

Loyalty Cards

Most coffee shops have a savings card. With every order (sometimes over a certain amount) you get a stamp on the card. When the card is full, you can order a free coffee or ice blended shake. Starbucks and San Francisco have such a savings card. The Coffee Bean has the ‘Coffee Bean Card’. The card costs RM25, the balance on the card is RM30 after activating it. For each ringgit you deposit afterward, 15% of the deposited amount will be added to the balance (minimum deposit: RM20). Additionally, you will get another 10 points for each ringgit you spend. These points can also be exchanged for products at the coffee shop.

Free wireless Internet

Almost every coffee shop in Malaysia offers free Internet. Of course, you will need to bring your own laptop or smart phone. You can easily log onto the wireless network of the coffee shop. Per establishment, you often need a different username and password. This information can be obtained from the shop counter. At some establishments you may need to register on a website, and then you’ll be able to log onto the wireless network using your own name and password. Do not be surprised if almost every visitor is sitting at a table with a laptop. In Malaysia, many people work ‘outside’ of their home, while enjoying a large cup of coffee.

Published originally at Food - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Coffee places in Malaysia

I am a bit of a coffee freak. I have my own Saeco coffee machine at home, and this machine plays a huge part in my morning rituals. There are many coffee chains in Malaysia. Some I like, for example Esspressamente illy, San Francisco and Pacific Coffee Company. Others I don’t like that much. Besides the popular chains there are also quite a few cozy coffee places, most of them are located around Kuala Lumpur, often at the not-so-popular-places.

Source + Store + Roast + Vacuum pack + Grind + Tamp + Extract + Steam + Pour + Serve = Awesome coffee at Artisan Roast!

There are a few great baristas that do their magic at Artisan Roast. They used to be located at Jalan Richie near Jalan Ampang, but moved a while ago to TTDI (see contact details below).

Artisan Roast at TTDI is a delightful little place. We usually go there on Sunday mornings, and see the crowds pour in around noon. There are a few seats outside, and also some seats along a long bench inside. In the back area there are a few cozy lounge seats. We especially love the great ambiance, even when the place is packed; there still is a relaxed (and often quiet) atmosphere.

One of the great things about Artisan Roast is that their prices are really affordable.

So far we’ve only been there a couple of times, so I haven’t had a chance to try out all their coffees. The types we did try were all great, and prepared with the right amount of love and dedication. I usually go for the standard long black (RM5), which is already a very nice cup of coffee.

Another great thing of Artisan Roast are the freshly prepared little snacks. It is almost impossible to drop by Artisan Roast without trying at least a few of their sweets.

Everything is baked on the spot, and when they bring in a new batch of Caramel Slices (RM2), people usually get up to order some. Their cakes (apple, carrot or cheese) are all RM10 for a thick slice. Our favorites are the Lemon Slice (RM5), Caramel Slice and the Jaffa Slice (dark chocolate, RM2), but actually all of the snacks they sell are delicious.

Artisan Roast is definitely a place to have a nice conversation while enjoying a great cup of coffee. People that want to work there should probably check up front whether they offer free Wi-Fi. We checked but couldn’t find any there, which isn’t a big thing, as we have use mobile internet anyway, but others may think different.

Location and contact details of Artisan Roast

Artisan Roast is located along Lorong Rahim Kajai 14 in TTDI (Taman Tun Dr. Ismail), right next to the Maybank branch. Below are the contact details:

4 Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, TTDI
Phone: +60 377 336 379
Website: http://www.artisanroast.com.my

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am – midnight
Sat, Sun & Public holidays: 9am – midnight

You can also contact them through Facebook or Twitter.

Map of Artisan Roast

Suggestions?

Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of great coffee places in Kuala Lumpur (or the rest of Malaysia) we should definitely try out? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Published originally at Food - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Artisan Roast TTDI

Chulia Street is one of the most popular places to stay in the city of Georgetown. The historic center of Georgetown was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, and Chulia Street is right in the middle of it. Many buildings have been preserved, which gives the area a very nice vibe. There are quite a few attractions located within walking distance, from beautiful mansions to crowded Chinese Temples. The Komtar area is only 10/15 minutes away.

There are many very basic guesthouses on Chulia Street, most cater to low budget back packers. There are also quite a few luxurious boutique hotels. Chulia Heritage Hotel is neither, and can be placed right in the middle of the two. The hotel is clean and pretty much standard. When you enter the hotel you will see a lobby and some chairs and couches. Left and right you will see the rooms. The is one floor with rooms above the lobby.

Standard rooms contain a tiny bathroom, aircon, a small closet, a chair and a flat screen television. The bathroom door locks tight, which is a good thing as water from the shower cannot get into the room (so the room stays dry). The amount of channels on the television was limited, but most people will probably have better things to do when they’re staying in Georgetown. The bathroom was cramped, and we noticed a real annoying thing. The shower head sometimes leaked water, even after taking a shower. As the shower head is located roughly above the toilet seat, it is quite annoying when you get wet when using the toilet. The room was very tiny, similar to hotels in Singapore.

The hotel is quite basic, but does what it should; offer guests a good night of sleep for an affordable price per night. We paid USD60 per night (excl. breakfast) during the first days of Chinese New Year. Regular prices are lower.

Published originally at Hotel Reviews - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Chulia Heritage Hotel Georgetown Penang

Yeng Keng Hotel is located along Chulia Street, one of the best and most popular areas to stay in Georgetown, Penang. Yeng Keng caters to the more wealthy travelers, instead of to back packers. It is a beautiful boutique hotel. Yeng Keng has two floors with only 20 rooms in total. There are 7 different room types, ranging in size and price. The cheapest room, Mansion Double, costs RM300 per night. The most expensive Yeng Keng Suite costs over RM500 per night. All rooms include breakfast and wifi broadband.

The hotel has a small pool in the back which is very nice if you want to relax and cool off for a bit after walking around in Georgetown. During the day but especially in the evenings you can enjoy a beverage at the Yeng Keng Café Bar. We loved their cocktails and desserts.

Breakfast is always included in the room price. The breakfast was very nice. The local treats were delicious, the bread was fresh and the coffee was of very good quality. Non-guests can also have breakfast here for RM20 per person (which is a steal).

Rooms are all very tastefully furnished. They are spacious and cozy at the same time. The same goes for the area outside the rooms, where you have multiple seats, chairs and sofas where you can sit and relax. Overall the hotel has a wonderful atmosphere. If you are looking for a nice boutique hotel within the historic center of Georgetown, be sure to visit Yeng Keng.

Published originally at Hotel Reviews - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Yeng Keng Hotel Georgetown Penang

A few weeks ago we visited Cameron Highlands. We make a habit out of staying at a different place every time we visit the place, this time we decided to stay at Gerard’s Place, a cozy and affordable guesthouse just outside of Tanah Rata. We already stayed at 8Mentigi once, also owned by the same people as Gerard’s Place. The popular Fathers Guesthouse is also part of the same group of owners, though this guesthouse is currently closed for various reasons (though they are intended to open soon).

As we were familiar in Tanah Rata it didn’t take that long to find the road that leads up to the guesthouse. If you are arriving by car from the Tapah exit (when coming from KL) then you need to take a right turn just before entering Tanah Rata, one of the main villages in Cameron Highlands. When you drove over the modern highway to Cameron Highlands (exit Simpang Pulai near Ipoh); you first need to drive through Tanah Rata and just when you exit the village, take a left turn. From there on you follow the road upwards as the guesthouse is located on a hill.

The guesthouse is actually located within a residential area, part of a few blocks of houses and opposite the Heritage Hotel. The actual house numbers are: Carnation Block C 9, C 10 & C 17 in Greenhill Resort. This already gives the guesthouse a pleasant feeling, you feel like you have arrived at home. The living room also gives that impression, there are a few beautiful pictures, a big screen television with cable tv, a shared fridge, a kitchen and an area with a pc that you can use to check the internet. As Cameron Highlands is a highland resort, it is usually not warmer than 24 degrees. There are no aircon’s, you have no use for them anyway. There is a small patio and a patch of green where you can site outside. At night you can actually spot fireflies right in front of the patio.

One of the great aspects of all three guesthouses, Gerard’s Place, Fathers Guesthouse and 8Mentigi, is that the same owners also operate the local tour agency Cameron Secrets. Besides the standard tours, they also offer very nice Eco-tours and adventure tours (like jungle treks and exploration tours). Standard tours typically last half a day, or a whole day and contains a visit to almost all highlights in the area. Besides tours, Cameron Secrets also offers transport to either Perhentian Island, Taman Negara (both via Gua Musang) and to Penang. If you book a tour with Cameron Secrets you will be picked up at the given time in front of the guesthouse.

Rooms are quite nice at Gerard’s Place. Some have a shared bathroom; others have a bathroom within the room. Showers worked great, though we found it a bit difficult to get out from under it, because of the cold temperatures outside. The bed slept great. Breakfast is very basic, but just enough to last you until lunch time. You can always bring you own stuff and keep it in the shared fridge or you can walk to Tanah Rata town in 5 minutes to enjoy a very nice breakfast at Rosedale Bistro.

Gerard’s Place offers free wifi. There are also quite a few nice magazines (mostly travel) for you to read. Some guests left their books behind for the next guests. From the guesthouse it is a 5 minute walk to the center of Tanah Rata. Because of the colder climate it is actually very pleasant to walk around in Cameron Highlands, a 5 minute walk in Kuala Lumpur would probably be a different experience because of the heat.

We paid between RM70 and RM100 for our rooms. During peak season and public holidays (like Chinese New Year) there is a surcharge. You can make reservations directly via their website (well, sort of as they do not have an official website yet). The best way is to call them, but you can also contact them by email.

Published originally at Hotel Reviews - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Gerard’s Place Cameron Highlands

Puri Damai is a wonderful 4 star plus resort. 4 star plus means that the resort is generally considered a tad better than a regular 4 star resort, but misses a few things that make a resort of 5 star quality. It is located north of the city of Kuching in Sarawak, along the beautiful Damai Beach. From Kuching Airport it will take about 45 minutes to one hour to reach the resort, from Kuching city center approximately 45 minutes. It is the nearest coastal area from Kuching, and it is a popular area among locals from Kuching. Besides it is located next to Sarawak Cultural Village, a popular attraction near Kuching.

Many aspects of the resort were similar to the popular Pangkor Island Beach Resort (I’d guess both are owned by the same chain). The resort has a beautiful lobby overlooking the beach and ocean. There are two swimming pools, both huge in size.

We had a standard room on ground level, facing the pool and sea. From the balcony we could enjoy fantastic views over the South Chinese Sea. Unfortunately it wasn’t possible to exit the room via the balcony (though we were on ground level); a shame as the pool was only a few meters away. The rooms were quite spacious, with a nice, big bathroom, a small fridge, a safe, a small desk and a flat screen television. The loved the overall atmosphere of the rooms at Puri Damai.

Puri Damai also has a spa. Unfortunately we were unable to make reservations in time (as we were out on both whole days during our stay) but our friends told us it is a very nice spa.

Breakfast was decent, not bad but nothing special either. The main restaurant was decent too. As it is a very big area, it looks deserted when only a few guests have dinner there. We tried dinner there too, but were a bit disappointed. Again, not bad but we expected a bit more of it. The second day we went to the small, new food court opposite Sarawak Cultural Village and we actually had a much better meal there (especially the different varieties of Roti Canai were surprisingly good!).

We stayed at the resort during low season and there weren’t many other guests. Based on staff descriptions it can be really crowded at the resort during school holidays and public holidays. We had a great stay at Puri Damai.

Published originally at Hotel Reviews - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Puri Damai Resort

Malacca is a fantastic destination in Malaysia to just chill and relax for a few days. The city is well known for its historical center, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the historical center travelers have ample choice of basic guesthouses and affordable hotels. Outside the center you will find the more upscale hotels and resorts. To experience Malacca the best way, we always make sure we stay at a guesthouse near Jonker Street (that’s where it is happening, especially during weekends).

Parallel to the popular Jonker Street there is Heeren Street with many guesthouses for travelers with various budgets. Hotel Heeren Inn is a decent guesthouse where you can have a room for less than RM100 per night. Rooms are quite basic, but have all that is needed for a few nights stay in Malacca. The location of the hotel is perfect; you reach Jonker Street after a 2 minute walk. Beds were ok. I was pleased with the fact that the shower door could be shut tight, so no moist could enter the room (which is usually my nr1 annoyance at cheap accommodation). I had read something about bed bugs but there weren’t any during our stay (that review was written in 2008!).

We had a room at the back of the hotel. The downside of our room was that it was located next to a bar/restaurant that played music until late in the evening (and started again early in morning as the place also offered a morning breakfast). We weren’t too annoyed by it as we always bring along ear plugs. The music wasn’t really loud or annoying for us, but others may feel different.

If you are traveling on a budget, then Heeren Inn might be the right hotel for you. We tried it to experience yet another different hotel in Malacca. Before we stayed in Heeren House (great!), Da Som Inn (basic but great too) and Puri Melaka Hotel (the best so far!).

Published originally at Hotel Reviews - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Hotel Heeren Inn

When you arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) you have a few options to get to Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC). The popular KLIA Express takes you to KL Sentral (Kuala Lumpur central train station) in 28 minutes. From KLIA it is quite easy to catch the KLIA Express train, but once arrived at KL Sentral you have to walk to the taxi counter and get a (fixed price) taxi to KLCC. Some travelers may find this to be a bit of a hassle, and opt for the more direct solution; the airport taxi from KLIA to KLCC.

Airport Limo is the taxi service that operates from KLIA (Arrival Level). The big Airport Limo taxi counter is easily recognizable.

There are 4 types of services. Below are the quotations for each type of services from KLIA to KLCC and from KLCC to KLIA.

There is an additional midnight surcharge if you take the service between 12.00 midnight and 6.00 in the morning. Prices vary between RM30 (budget), RM49 (premier) and RM98 (for the luxury and family).

Check out their complete list with rates at the official Airport Limo website.

It is best to buy your taxi tickets at the Ticket Counters at KLIA Main Terminal International and Domestic Arrivals. Airport Limo is unable to process bookings through emails. You can also purchase taxi tickets through the online booking system at their website. For online bookings, please be advised to purchase the ticket no more than 14 days and no less than 2 days prior to the pickup date.

If you need a taxi from KLCC to KLIA, you can call the number 1300-88-8989. If you do not have a phone, just pass the number to the hotel reception clerks and have them call a taxi for you.

Airport Limo (M) Sdn. Bhd. can only provide transfer service from and to KLIA. Please make sure that the flight will land at the KLIA Main Terminal and not at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) before placing any ticket reservation.

Besides using the taxi service to get to KLCC you can also use them to travel by taxi to places like:

• Malacca from RM159 onwards
• Johor Bahru from RM402 onwards
• Ipoh from RM313 onwards
• Kuantan from RM362 onwards
• Kuala Terengganu from RM522 onwards
• Alor Setar from RM575 onwards
• Kota Bharu from RM566 onwards
• Pulau Pinang from RM503 onwards

Though prices are higher than similar methods of transport; the Airport Limo’s are quite spacious and comfortable. Drivers drive safe and cars are in very good shape.

Published originally at Tips - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: Airport taxi from KLIA to KLCC

Things to keep in mind when buying a car in Malaysia

1. There are almost no reliable cars below the RM5000 mark. Cars that are sold below RM5k often need repairs which could easily add a couple of thousand ringgits. Be prepared to pay at least RM7.000 to RM10.000 for an old (10+ year old) car.

2. A new car easily costs over RM100.000 in Malaysia. If you want to drive an American or European brand then be prepared to fork up a few hundred thousand ringgits. Even a B&W of at least 5 years old may cost well over RM150.000.

3. Most common brands in Malaysia are Proton, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai. Most common European cars are B&W and Mercedes. Audi is currently gaining popularity (weird enough some locals have the impression that Audi is of less quality compared to B&W and Mercedes).

4. Banks are usually eager to give out (new) loans. Expats usually have a bigger income compared to locals, though expats also often stay less long in Malaysia. Loans are available but there may be restrictions in place (like a shorter payback time which means higher monthly costs). When you take up a loan there is usually a down payment of at least 10%. To get the loan you need to bring along bank statements (that proves your income), your passport with work-permit and often a company letter. A general rule of thumb is that you must have a salary of at least 3 to 5 times the monthly payment in order to get a loan. The interest rates for a new car are usually between 2% and 4% per year (second hand cars between 4% and 8%). Loans that can be applied are typically for around 10 years in case of a new car.

5. Proton, the national car of Malaysia, is perhaps not the best or nicest car to drive; however it is a car that everybody drives in Malaysia. This means that there is much knowledge at repair garages and parts are also less expensive. If you are on a tight budget, you are probably best off with a Proton car.

6. Make sure you bring along a local that at least speaks Bahasa Malayu. Chinese is often even better (as the 2nd hand car market is mostly dominated by Chinese Malaysians).

7. Check the service record to verify the vehicle’s history and mileage.

8. Have the vehicle tested by an independent service/repair shop and use the outcome to haggle on the price.

9. Use places like Mudah.com.my to get an impression on prices for a certain type, year and model. If you see a car for sale for half the regular 2nd hand value then ask yourself the question what might be wrong with it. Believe it or not; it is not uncommon to see stolen cars offered for sale.

10. Don’t believe most of the unique selling points. In Malaysia every 2nd hand car only had 1 previous owner, who is always 76 years old and always used to be a school teacher that only drove 50.000 kilometers in all those years.

11. Take the car for a test drive. Check whether essential functions like brakes, tires, clutch, gearbox, visors, lights, doors, electric windows (if any), central door lock and air-condition are working.

12. Cars keep their value more in Malaysia then in other countries. If you buy a car for RM15.000 chances are that two years later the car is still worth around RM13.000. Brand new cars do lose value immediately after buying the car (around 30% max).

13. Please check that the vehicle is actually owned by the seller. This can be done at JPJ (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan).

14. When you are buying the car you head over to JPJ near Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya just outside KL city center to have it registered under your name.

15. Only after you have registered the car under your name (and made sure up front that there are no outstanding loans, warrants and after the official car inspection) you will do the payment.

16. In Malaysia people can take up a loan (similar to a mortgage) on a car that is transferable after the sale. This means you can buy a car with an outstanding loan. Always check the background or history of the vehicle if possible before deciding to buy the vehicle for sale.

17. If you bring your car to a regular repair shop; always join the mechanic for a short drive to test the car. Our experiences are that they tend to fix the problem(s) at hand, but often do not look further than that. This means that there is a chance that you will run into new problems. Always be alert and always ask how many days of warranty come with the repairs.

18. If you run into trouble on the road be sure to have proper insurance. Our experience with Axa is pretty good. We ran into troubles a few times with our cheap car and we never had to wait for more than two hours for the towing company to arrive. Be sure to keep the number of your insurance company at hand.

19. Never rush into buying a car. Also try and find a trustworthy source first that has no ties with a dealer (or seller) whatsoever. Do not put too much trust in the advertisements you often see along the roads. Always make sure all the documents are in order and there has not been tampered with the car.

20. If you are selling your car (private sale) then always make sure payment is done in cash on delivery. There have been many cases of expats being fooled without any time left to actually solve the issues.

Published originally at Tips - Wonderful Malaysia. Read the article here: 20 tips when buying a car in Malaysia