Travelific Story : Malaysia (English Articles Only)

Wild time at Cherating

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

NATURAL wonders abound in Cherating, Pahang. Watching a turtle laying eggs is one of them, writes Hanna Hussein.

ITS half past 10 but the crowd of 60 at Monica Bay doesnt seem bothered by the late hour. The atmosphere at Pantai Teluk Mak Nik, as its also known, is charged as though theres a wild beach party happening but there are no bright lights nor loud music.

To me, the swelling number seems somewhat too big for this lesser-known Terengganu beach, about a half hours drive from Cherating in neighbouring Pahang.

NIGHT TO REMEMBER

The night had kicked off with a wonderful dinner at Legend Resort Cherating (see accompanying story).

But supper is taken to a higher level as we make our move to Pantai Teluk Mak Nik in Kemaman.

We are promised a spectacular nature show at Teluk Mak Nik Turtle Conservation Centre, one of the landing sites for turtles to lay eggs.

At the centre, we are both bewildered and curious. All I can see are coconut trees and the crowd. We are told to stick together and to keep quiet. Our guide, Pak Su, briefs us on the dos and donts but looking at the big crowd, I wonder how he is going to manage all of us at once.

As if reading my mind, he says: We have a really unusual big crowd tonight but not to worry as there are six rangers on duty.

The rangers, he explains, control the coastline and record the presence of sea turtles every night.

Pak Su divides us into six groups and again asks us to be patient as we wait for the next move. The groups are then called out, one at a time and led towards the shore.

Thankfully, I dont have to wait too long for my group to be called. I look at my watch. Its already 10.50pm.

Led by a ranger, our party of 10 walk to the shore to witness - what is to me, the chance of a lifetime - a beautiful big green turtle laying eggs.

LABOUR OF LOVE

The mother turtle is already half-way into the nesting process as her dug-out hole is half full with eggs.

The hole is about 5m from the waters edge. She positions her body with the South China Sea on one side and shrubs and trees on the other.

Pak Su tells us that there will be more male hatchlings in this batch of eggs as the mother has chosen a location near the trees.

Eggs laid in the shade will usually have more males while those laid at the open beach will have more females, he says.

As she lays the eggs, her tears fall. Those tears: Is it labour pain or is it her crying for the fate of her children? Or is it because of our intrusion? I can only wonder. Some ignorant, irresponsible adults fail to control their children who go near the poor animal and even touch its head.

But the mother turtle keeps strong and at about 11.20pm, she starts to cover the hole with sand to hide her eggs from predators. Then she slowly makes her way back to the sea.

BACK TO CHERATING

Turtles are not the only natural wonder at Cherating. The beach, located about 30km north of the capital of Kuantan, is also famed for its mangrove river and the mysterious Pulau Ular. It was so named because the locals believe that the island was once guarded by a snake.

For nature lovers, Sungai Cherating has a lot to offer, from various types of mangroves to fish and crabs.

Armed with a life jacket and lots of enthusiasm, I step into a boat for a 10km lazy cruise.

Less than 10 minutes of cruising, a big monitor lizard cuts the placid water surface, swimming to the mangrove-fringed bank. Excited to see more wildlife, we scrutinise each tree and are lucky to spot a gold-ringed cat snake, commonly known as the mangrove snake, snoozing on one of the branches. This beautiful black and yellow snake is venomous.

While this river shines during the day, Sungai Ibuk in Kemaman, about an hours drive from Cherating, dazzles at night.

A sunset cruise takes me on a magical journey to watch the flickering lights of the firefly.

This lightning bug produces a cold light from its lower abdomen by friction of liquid. It is easy to distinguish the gender - the male produces a brighter glow while the female produces dimmer lights. It looks like Christmas with millions of twinkling lights lighting up the mangrove trees along the river.

But what is a beach holiday without hitting the salty water? We head for Pulau Ular, about 20 mins by boat from the resort.

The island is a famous snorkelling spot because the water is shallow and the waves are not strong, which is just right for beginners.

For those in the mood for some exploration, the island has a trail that leads to the top of a rocky hill that commands a magnificent aerial view of Pulau Helang and the surrounding waters.

Back at shore, Cherating beach has lots of watersports like the bandwagon and banana boat. Landlubbers can go on the All Terrain Vehicle in the woods. This is a must-try activity as not only it is electrifying and exciting but it also gives riders a chance to see nature and a fishing village.

Lure of beach and azure waters

WALKING on the beach with powdery sand while waiting for the sunset, I feel like Im on an isolated island, far, far away from the mainland.

While the sound of the crashing waves is soothing, childrens laughter brings me back to Legend Resort Cherating.

Boasting a fine and white sandy beach and two gigantic swimming pools, the resort is ideal for a family retreat.

Families not only enjoy the azure waters of South China Sea, but they can also enjoy a host of activities at the beach.

There is a small booth, conducted by Mizi Watersport, offering thrilling activities such as the bandwagon, banana boat, All Terrain Vehicle jungle track, island trip, fishing trip and snorkelling trip at Pulau Ular.

Every evening at 4, horse rides on the beach are available.

The landscape surrounding the pool is what attracts me most. The tropical plants add character to the beach.

Sitting at the beach bar to enjoy ais kacang topped with ice cream and keropok lekor while watching a beach volleyball match is the best way to spend the day.

HOTEL

Legend resort cherating

LOT 1290, Mukim Sungai Karang, Cherating, 26080, Kuantan, Pahang. Hotline: 1800 88 8866. Website: www.legendresort.com. my

GETTING THERE

It is a three-hours drive from Kuala Lumpur or 40 minutes from Kuantan Airport.

FIRST IMPRESSION

Family-oriented resort with many activities.

RATING

Four-star hotel.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Sandy beach and its long list of activities like turtle watching and firefly cruise.

F B OUTLETS

The Coffee House Terrace serves a all-day dining menu of local and continental dishes. Dance to vibrant music as you groove the night away at the Xpose Disco.

FACILITIES

Swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, squash courts, sauna, table tennis, indoor board games, snooker table, video games room, pool table and function halls.

SERVICE

Friendly and outgoing.

ROOMS

248 rooms including deluxe premium room, junior suite and penthouse. Each room comes with private balcony and is equipped with standard facilities.

RATE

The resort is offering an attractive 3D/2N Fun In The Sun package at RM550++ which includes breakfast for four (two adults and two children), free lunch and dinner for children 12 years and below and free snacks for kids when they take part in organised activities.

Turtle facts

THE turtle has existed since 100 million years ago.

It has a life span of between 80 and 100 years.

It travels over 1,600km in the ocean but will head for the same beach where it was hatched, to lay eggs.

It nests at night as its cooler and in darkness, it is less conspicuous to large predators.

A mother turtle lays about 80-100 eggs a night every year but only one or two will survive.

Turtles are on the verge of extinction. They are at great risk from man-made threats like nets, boat propellers, poaching activities as well as natural predators such as sharks.

Turtle eggs are considered a delicacy and their consumption will further cause the number of turtles to decrease.

Besides Pantai Teluk Mak Nik and the popular Rantau Abang in Terengganu, Cherating is Pahangs turtle landing spot.

The Cherating centre implements the Turtle Conservation And Management Programme by establishing turtle sanctuaries to help increase their population.

Pulsating parade

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

PEGGY Loh is enthralled by the Chingay festival in Johor Baru with its exciting and colourful procession.

THE chants reverberated almost in unison: Heng ah, huat ah, ong ah! As the devotees chanted these words, which mean lucky, prosperity and auspicious respectively, they seemed to be transported to a different world.

Carrying their clan deities on sedan chairs, they paused every now and then to rock the chairs from side to side. The minute they did this, a sudden uproar erupted as more devotees rushed forward to try and touch the chairs to claim their share of good fortune. Spectators echoing the loud chants also raised lit joss sticks with their hands and prayed.

The heart of Johor Baru came to a virtual standstill then. More than 200,000 devotees and spectators lined the streets last Sunday to catch a glimpse of the Chingay festival, a street procession on the 21st day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar.

Temple deities from Johor Ku Miao temple were once again brought out to be paraded in the city in the annual Chingay. Throughout the procession, the noise level on the streets was deafening. Every segment of the community was involved because roads were closed and traffic diverted, as schools, offices and businesses closed earlier so everyone could enjoy the procession that started at twilight!

NATIONAL HERITAGE

It was an event worth waiting for, all the more because the Johor Chingay procession - the result of a 148-year-old tradition - had been declared a national cultural heritage, joining the ranks of mak yong, Malay joget, lion dance and nine other cultural practices in the list of 50 Malaysia National Heritage.

It was an even sweeter moment when that declaration was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in front of the thousands who thronged the streets of Johor Baru.

Najib presented the certificate of recognition to Johor Baru Tionghua Association president Lim Ik Kim. Joining in the merriment were the Prime Ministers wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, MCA president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek and foreign ambassadors.

STRONG SHOWING

The participating groups started assembling at 5.30pm at Jalan Ulu Ayer Molek, where Xing Gong, a temporary shrine for the temple deities, was located. The parade line spanned a few kilometres from Jalan Ulu Ayer Molek to Jalan Yahya Awal. It wound its way to the VIP grandstand set up in front of Johor Baru City Square.

The sight of Chingay 2012 was spectacular, with 18 colourfully decorated floats - some from Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Japan - and a few international award-winning performers in the stunning 24-Festive drum show, acrobatic high-pole lion dance and dragon dance.

The Johor Baru Teochew Eight Districts Association brought its 94-strong team of Yin Ge (Eng Kor in Teochew dialect) dancers and musicians of the Dance Of Heroes from the Water Margins, an art form that was gazetted as a national heritage in mainland China in 2006. This troupe, made up of 72 male dancers dressed in colourful warrior costumes with faces painted in dramatic expressions and 22 musicians from Shantou, wowed the audience with their energetic and captivating performance that included segments with drama, dance, songs and martial arts.

As this is the lunar year of the Dragon, dragon dancing troupes went all out to impress by creating unique dragons from items as diverse as paper angpau packets, woolen pom-pom balls, woven ribbons, silk roses, plastic bubbles and even balloons. While a group opted to carry their dragon on a train of tricycles, one of the most outstanding dragon dancers must have been the troupe from Hong Yang Sports Association who performed their routine on stilts!

It was a longer procession this year, probably because of the large number of participating dragons, but the sense of unity and camaraderie was strong as the community in Johor Baru turned out in full force to enjoy the close of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS

The annual celebrations in Johor Baru are unique as they do not end with Chap Goh Meh, the 15th day of the first lunar month. The festivities continue for another week and will culminate with the Johor Ku Miaos annual tradition of a five-day religious ceremony. This tradition has been preserved since the 1800s without any interruption, except during the Japanese invasion in 1942. The highlight of this celebration is, of course, the Chingay.

The Johor Baru Tionghua Association, which manages the ancient temple, leads this procession with participation by the five Chinese clans representing the Teochew, Hainanese, Hakka, Cantonese and Hokkien communities. Unlike the Singapore Chingay which has evolved into an extravagantly choreographed street parade with many foreign participants, the Johor Chingay is a religious celebration where the temple deities are taken on an annual tour to bless the city with peace, prosperity and harmony.

Carried by devotees from the five Chinese associations, the deities take to the streets accompanied by traditional lion dancers, dragon dancers, stilt-walkers, puppeteers, pugilistic troops, cultural dancers and brass bands. It will take more than seven hours to complete the city circuit.

ANNUAL RITUALS

The celebrations start two days ahead of the procession with a lighting-up ceremony at Xing Gong. Devotees will walk the streets sounding gongs in a symbolic Street Washing ceremony, a ritual cleansing of the route in preparation for the temple deities annual city tour.

This ceremony somehow triggers rainfall as Nature cooperates to wash the streets with refreshing showers.

In the morning of the 20th day of the first lunar month, devotees will carry the deities out on sedan chairs to Xing Gong. Its always a spectacle to watch the short but colourful procession that morning, escorted by lion and dragon dancers with their clashing cymbals and deafening drums.

The festive mood continues over the next three days as throngs of pilgrims and devotees converge at Xing Gong, where they will also enjoy traditional stage shows that feature classic Chinese operas performed in their own dialects.

The highlight of this celebration is the Chingay on the evening of the 21st day, when the deities are brought out on a tour of the citys main streets. This event is held on such a progressively grand scale that it has also attracted foreign media coverage, including being filmed as documentaries by Chinas Teochew Broadcasting Channel.

In the morning of the 22nd day, the deities leave Xing Gong with similar fanfare of drums and cymbals and return to the temple until their annual tour of the city next year.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Do you know that the Johor Ku Miao is believed to be the first Chinese temple in the nation to be named after a State? Its rich history dates back to the 1800s, when Johors ruler, Temenggong Ibrahim, adopted the kangchu system introduced by Sir Stamford Raffles in Singapore. When pepper and gambir cultivation became widespread, Chinese immigrants moved to Johor Baru to develop plantations.

Settlers from the Teochew, Hainanese, Hakka, Cantonese and Hokkien clans came to Johor Baru not only with their culture and farming skills, but also their brand of justice, gangsterism and vice. After a period of anarchy, the clans finally agreed to surrender their secret society activities.

History records that the Ngee Heng kongsi or society leader played a significant role in helping Temenggong Ibrahim settle the unrest in Muar, and in 1873 this kongsi was legalised by Sultan Abu Bakar when he became Temenggong.

This kongsi was also assigned to take charge of Chinese immigrant community affairs. When Johor became part of the Unfederated Malay States under the British colonial authority in 1914, the kangchu system was abolished and the Ngee Heng kongsi was disbanded.

As a benevolent ruler, Sultan Abu Bakar encouraged the Chinese community to live in peace and continue the goodwill relationship started by Temenggong Ibrahim.

A group of Chinese community leaders led by Tan Hiok Nee built the Johor Ku Miao temple in the late 19th Century that would house the five deities worshipped by the Chinese clans under one roof, and it was officiated by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1870.

Dubbed the Temple Of Unity, the Johor Ku Miao significantly bears the State name in honour of the Sultan. It is home to deities Zhao Da Yuan Shuai (Hainanese), Hua Guang Da Di (Cantonese), Gan Tian Da Di (Hakka), Hong Xian Da Di (Hokkien) and Yuan Tian Shang Di (Teochew). With their worship united in one temple, the early Chinese community in Johor Baru prospered as they lived in peace.

To this day, the Johor Ku Miao remains tucked in tranquillity along Jalan Trus even though it is surrounded by urban developments of high-rise buildings, a five-star hotel, shopping malls, government offices and the citys bustling traffic.

Pride of JBs Chinese community

THIS pulsating parade is an annual tourist attraction in Johor Baru and is recognised as the Best Domestic Event in the 2009 Johor Tourism Awards.

A photo exhibition of past processions was held at Xing Gong, with photos offered for sale to raise funds for charity.

The Johor Ku Miao temple is open to visitors daily from 7.30pm to 5.30pm. Its open from 6am to 6pm on religious festive days, and on the first and 15th day of lunar months.

For details on the Chinese community in Johor, visit the Johor Baru Chinese Heritage Museum at 42 Jalan Ibrahim. Tel: 07-224 9633, Fax: 07-224 9635 or email: heritage_museumjb@jb-tionghua.org.my. Opens daily from 9am to 5pm and closed on Mondays. Entrance fees are RM5 for adults and RM2 for students, children and senior citizens. Opening hours are extended to 10pm when Tan Hiok Nee Cultural Street comes alive with music and cultural attractions on Saturday evenings.

A wheelies view of Putrajaya

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

A cycling tour lets Hanna Hussein discover the beauty of Putrajaya, both natural and man-made.

IT is 4.37pm when we arrive at Dataran Putra, Putrajaya. The place is crowded with locals and tourists looking for nice shots of Putra Mosque. The glossy pink mosque stands majestically at the fringe of Putrajaya Lake.

My friend and I are killing time before our appointment at Putrajaya Lake Cruise jetty, for a cycling tour of the city. Im excited about the tour as its a chance to see our countrys administrative capital from a different angle - the seat of two wheelers! I have not cycled for the past 12 years and this reason alone excites me even more.

Our guide, Hazali Zakaria, meets us. After giving us a cheerful welcome, he lets us pick our bicycles from rows of assorted bicycles. There are many types, including hybrid and tandem ones as well as those for children.

I settle on a hybrid bicycle which, according to Hazali, is a general-purpose vehicle that combines features of a road bike and a mountain bike. It can move easily on a variety of surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, paths and trails. Its also very easy to handle.

Hazali says the DNature Putrajaya cycling package, which we have chosen, is a three-hour trip cycling along paths surrounded by greenery, birdwatching and cruising on Putrajaya Lake.

As he speaks, I can feel the wind blowing softly from across the shimmering lake. Strapping on a safety helmet, I am all set and raring to go.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS We begin paddling along the lake side, going towards upper Sungai Bisa. The lake stretches across the different precincts, from Sungai Chuau and Sungai Bisa basin down to the main dam at the southernmost part of the city, says Hazali.

The vast glassy lake casts a reflection of the sun, and the resulting image takes my breath away.

The lake is the centrepiece of Putrajaya - a place that has both natural and manmade beauty. Heres where you can find architectural marvels such as stately buildings and bridges. These complement the lakes, parks, wetlands and pockets of greenery everywhere.

The beauty of Nature continues to catch my eye as I cycle along paths that take me into the depths of Putrajaya. I have not seen the city in this light, and cycling amidst its greenery takes me into a cool haven that I never imagined before.

MOVING ON Soon we are whizzing past one of Putrajayas landmarks, Seri Perdana - the Prime Ministers official residence.

I feel like a dwarf looking up the tree-covered hill where the huge, white complex with arched window frames and a giant greenish dome, stands regally.

Hazali says the complex, built 15 years ago, combines Islamic, Malay and European architectural elements.

We also come across many buildings that house government offices. Whats apparent is that these buildings are set in landscaped gardens, definitely a setting that supports the concept upon which Putrajaya was built - that of a garden city.

CYCLING IN THE RAIN We continue to paddle with the wind blowing in our face. After 20 minutes, the wind become stronger, the sky darker. The sheer joy of cycling and taking in fresh air is so exhilarating that none in our group pays any attention to the sound of thunder from afar. Nothing, it seems, can dampen our enthusiasm.

We carry on cycling towards the wetlands in Upper Bisa, an excellent spot for birdwatching. But then it begins drizzling.

The thought of a soggy bottom should be enough to get anyone off the bike, but instead, I feel livelier at the prospect of an exciting, wet adventure. The rest must have felt the same for we continue to work our pedals.

But after 15 minutes, we surrender. The rain is pouring mercilessly, pelting our bodies and our machines. Hazali leads us to a shelter along the route where we alight and wait.

He tells us that we have only cycled for 11/2km. Its 3km more to the birdwatching spot, he announces as he watches our dejected faces, which must have looked as gloomy as the sky.

But alls not lost. Although we have not reached the designated spot for watching the birds, the big sturdy shelter that we are now resting under, is also a strategic place that overlooks three islands in the wetlands that are natural habitats for waterfowls.

Through the blanket of rain, we catch sight of the birds - hundreds of them - flying away, as if trying to find shelter from the rain.

Despite its location in the heart of the city, surrounded by government office buildings and commercial buildings such as the Alamanda shopping centre as well as the residential neighbourhood of Precinct 16, this area has become one of the most important waterfowl breeding grounds in the country, Hazali tells us.

Six species of waterfowl that breed here have been identified. They are Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron and Painted Stork. These are believed to nest on the islands during the breeding season between June and December. Some also breed at the Upper Bisa area all year round. The area supports the ecosystem with an environment that protects the birds from predators.

We stay rooted and watch the birds in awe, not realising that an hour has passed. The rain stops and Hazali says its best to turn back since it is getting dark.

Though somewhat disappointed that we havent completed our cycling route, the final stop near the bird haven leaves us with a beautiful memory that will be hard to forget.

OUR VERDICT Its a thumbs up! The cycling tour certainly beats going to the shopping mall. Besides, its healthier!

Tips * Bring binoculars for a clearer view of birds and other animals, including otters in the wetland area.

* If you have not cycled for ages, take it slowly and build your momentum as you go along. As you huff and puff, dont forget to have fun.

Cycling packages LAUNCHED by Tourism Malaysia on Dec 17 last year, Discover Putrajaya Cycling Packages are a fun way to discover Putrajaya, 25km south of Kuala Lumpur. It is a garden city in which 38 per cent of its area is reserved for green spaces that enhance its landscape.

Cycling packages cost RM80 to RM450 per person (minimum two persons), including food and beverage as well as tour guide, bicycle and helmet rental.

Eight choices ranging from mild to wild outings, are available:

1. Especially for garden lovers is Xplore DGarden Putrajaya which includes cycling in Taman Botani.

2. Damazing Putrajaya is a two-day package, including a cycling tour and one-night stay at a five-star hotel in the city.

3. Dextreme Putrajaya is a half-day package at Taman Cabaran (Extreme Park) for those who enjoy extreme rides.

4. Dnature Putrajaya offers cycling amidst greenery and birdwatching at Wetland Park.

5. Dsantai Putrajaya is a relaxing tour of Putrajaya parks.

6. Dnight offers cycling fun at night to witness the architectural wonders of the city.

7. Putrajaya Night Cycling is a four-hour guided tour to see the bright lights of the garden city.

8. 2D/1N Putrajaya Night Cycling offers four hours of guided tour and a nights stay at a four-star hotel in the city.

All packages include Putrajaya Lake boat cruise.

Details at www.facebook.com/PUTRAJAYABIKERIDE or contact these travel agents:

Inter-orient Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd. Tel: 03-4260 1249

Website: www.iott.com.my. 3T Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd. Tel: 03-2021 3143/017-339 3143. Email: reservation@3travel.com.my FT day celebration THE Federal Territories of Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan celebrated FT day yesterday. However, the fun continues throughout the month.

Specially for those born in Putrajaya, Putrajaya Lake Cruise is offering 30 per cent discount for its cruises and free coupons to visit designated parks in the city. Present your MyKad to enjoy the offer.

There will be free Nadi Putra buses guided weekend tours to attractions in Putrajaya until the end of February. The buses depart from Putrajaya�s i-Centre near Dataran Putra in Precint 1.

Full of colours, sights and flavours

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Explore Penangs colonial charms and join in the festive Deepavali mood in Brickfields Little India. SUZANNA PILLAY writes

AS far as places of interest go, two places which are a must visit for travellers are Penang and Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.

Interestingly, both are transportation hubs with good food, interesting architecture and reminders of the countrys colonial past.
They can also be easily explored on foot, thanks to walking maps which are easy to follow and are available free of charge from local tourist centres.
Famous for its good food and hospitality, Penangs rich historical heritage is a big part of its charm. Amazingly, it has retained several magnificent buildings, structures and monuments which are best accessed on foot.
One of the oldest Indian enclaves in the country, Brickfields was not only the centre for the manufacture of bricks in its illustrious past, it also served as a railway depot when Malaya was under British rule.
Today, the depot has been transformed into KL Sentral, a thriving railway and transportation hub, while Brickfields itself has undergone a makeover, with new hotels springing up in the area.
One area that received a major sprucing up recently was Little India. The buildings were repainted and celebratory arches erected along its street. A welcome sight is the new brick-paved Jalan Tun Sambanthan, a nod to the areas historical past as the centre of brick-making.

Little India Walk
Deepavali is in the air in Little India, Brickfields, which spans from Jalan Travers to Jalan Tun Sambanthan. Take a walk along Jalan Tun Sambathan and you will be greeted by a host of makeshift marquees sheltering a variety of goods and edibles that are part of Indian culture and custom. From clothing and accessories to footwear and food, they are just too alluring for locals and tourists to ignore.
At the start of the street (the junction in front of Sri Kota Supermarket), a colourful elephant fountain makes an interesting visual announcement of the coming festival. Shoppers looking for bargains mill around the stalls which sell everything from home decorations and popular snacks such as muruku and biscuits, to colourful garlands and 3-D paper cut-outs.
Clothing and accessories are other distractions that attract shoppers. For women, the area is a fashion gold mine with bargains on Indian inspired fashion and accessories. Although fashion choices for men are more limited, there are some footwear stalls and shirt stalls.
For tourists, it is a wonderful opportunity to get immersed in Indian culture firsthand and to learn more about Deepavali, the Festival Of Lights, when they mingle with the shoppers and vendors who will only be too happy to explain the significance of the occasion. Theres no better time than the present to experience the colours, sights and flavours that make Indian culture so exotic and interesting.

Historical Penang Walk
Picturesque Penang is a dream destination for history buffs because of its buildings and structures which date back to the colonial period.
This is particularly true of Georgetown which has retained many of its colonial structures and street names, deservedly earning itself Unesco World Heritage status.
Light Street, named after Captain Francis Light who founded Penang in 1786, has plenty of colonial flavour. The street is one of the four original streets of the Georgetown of yesteryear, the other three being Beach Street, Pitt Street and Chulia Street.
Many of the buildings and structures along this route can be linked to the life and times of Light and are a quick history lesson on Penang in the days when it was known as Prince of Wales Island
Light Street is easy to explore on foot because it is a straight road lined with historical structures. For instance, if you walk towards town from Swettenham Pier, you will come across the Victoria Memorial Clock Tower and, a few metres away is Fort Cornwallis, just before you reach the Esplanade.
As you progress along the route, other buildings of interest you will come across include the State Assembly Building, and the Town Hall along Jalan Padang Kota Lama, then the historic E O Hotel on Farquhar Street, and Cathedral of The Assumption, the first Catholic church.

Eight rejuvenating experiences at the Avillion, Port Dickson

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Laviinia Dhanagunan cant get enough of Avillion Port Dickson which recently upgraded its chalet facilities.

AS you step into the reception area of Avillion Port Dickson, youll notice aspects of a Malay fishing village in the surroundings.
Wood plays a big role in this sprawling resort, including the wooden bridge linking the reception area to the food and beverage outlets and chalets. The pathway leading to the chalets is lit softly, lending a subdued village ambience and enhancing the overall mood. The wooden walkway leading to the beach also makes you feel youve been transported back in time.

But that feeling vanishes when you step through the wooden doors into your chalet on stilts. Youll be blown away not just by the spacious interior, but also by the view of the Strait of Malacca from your balcony.

This four-star beach resort recently upgraded its chalet facilities, which now come equipped with wireless connectivity, flat-screen TV, digital compendium, luxurious bedding, powerful rain-shower and iPod docking system. These help guests to maintain their lifestyle needs whether on a vacation or business trip.

The hotel recently concluded its 8 Reasons To Be RE.JU.VE.NA.TED promotional campaign that took place from June 1 to July 31 on the new facilities. Eight lucky draws ranging from free stays, spa treatments and meal vouchers were given away daily.

While staying in one of the water chalets, I came out with my takeon the resorts eight rejuvenating experiences.

Blissful moments at the pool

Being able to swim without much interference from boisterous youngsters is usually rare when at a hotel. This luxury was something I absolutely enjoyed while at Avillion Port Dickson.

You can lose yourself themoment you dive into the deep blue waters of the swimming pool. When spent, rest on a lounge chair by the pool or go back to your room. When lounging by the pool, you may even have a surprise visitor - one of the peacocks which roam freely at the resort.

Spending indulgent hours at the spa

Visit any hotel spa and youll find that it is generally housed within the main building. If it isnt, its usually a single-storey outfit tucked away in a corner.

At this resort, the spa enjoys a prime spot overlooking the Strait of Malacca. The Avi Spa is also en route to the rooms, making it convenient for guests to visit. The best part, though, is lazing in the lounge area above the spa. The keyhole-shaped protruding seating space allows for front-row seats that open to a view of the sky and amazing sunsets - provided theres no haze, of course. Downstairs, you can indulge in a variety of treatments from the Oceanic Wrap to the signature treatment labelled Malay Strength.

Raindrops are falling on my head

The sensation of raindrops falling down on us is something we all can relate to. Thanks to rain showerheads, that walking in therain experience can be had at any time. The beauty of this showerhead is that it allows for a massage-like experience, ideal to end the day with.

Experiencing a traditional Malay foot wash

The simple act of washing the feet before entering the chalet becomes surprisingly memorable when its done the traditional way. You use a ladle to scoop water from glazed clay jars placed just outside the chalet. In fact, the first thing that meets the eye when turning into the walkway leading to the chalet is such a jar almost filled to the brim with water. Its the little touches, like this one, that make you feel at home while also giving you the opportunity to learn about culture.

Penning thoughts at Authors Lane

This is my favourite place to relax in during twilight thanks to the cool air and breeze. The bonus point is that its called Authors Lane. Its not often that I come across a treat like this so I make much use of it. A hotel staff says the area is for hotel guests to read or write. One guests musings made such a mark on the establishment that its been immortalised on a stone lying just past the breakfast area.

Having fun at the pet farm

Within the compound ofAvillions pet farm, snow-white, cocoa and midnight-coloured rabbits mingle with peacocks that sport brilliant plumage. Also puffing their chests out are the cockerels. The males strut around the enclosure with their colourful feathers. Children are not the only ones entranced by the sight as adults also stop to look at this animal kingdom within the hotel, especially during feeding time.

Walking through Art Space

This corner, which catches the eye while walking up to the reception area and car park, has a number of paintings by localartists as well as breathtaking photographs by underwater photographers. Avillion Port Dickson senior director of operations Gared Mario Cubinar says proceeds from the sale of the paintings or photographs are donated towards charity.

Lazing on the pangkin

This is the highlight of my stay - spread out on the pangkin (day bed), alternating between watching the world go by and reading with the warm sun on my skin.

While in the room, I use the day bed as much as I can. Sitting close to the window allows me to hear the waves crashing against the pillars under the cabin. Its the best way to start and end the day.

How to get there

Unlike other hotels or resorts in Port Dickson, Avillion has no regular welcome gate or driveway.

There are just two simple signboards - one leads to the driveway behind the lush jungle, and the other leads to a parking space across the road.

Those coming from the North- South Highway should take the Port Dickson exit and head to the Seremban-PD Highway. From there, take the PD exit and you will reach the Jalan Pantai T-junction. Then turn right to go to PD town.

The resort is hardly five minutes drive from the junction. For reservations, call 06-647 6688, fax 06-647 7688 or visit Avillion Port Dickson.

Blue ocean paradise at at Sabahs offshore resorts

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Beautiful islands, exotic marine life and poetic sunsets. R. GOWRI gets a taste of the good life at Sabahs offshore resorts

THERE must be a spell worked into the lyrics of that song. For a month, the words to Knee Deep by Zac Brown Band had been swimming around in my head, its singer teasing me with visions of a champagne shore and a sweet sweet life living by the salty sea.
Trapped in the barbecue pit that was Kuala Lumpur in July, it all seemed a mere mirage.

And then, with the swoosh of the editors wand, Sipadan and its sister islands of Mabul and Kapalai - which rank among the premier diving regions in the world - were beckoning, by way of a Sabah Tourism media invite. I am to be whisked off by AirAsia to check out this blue ocean paradise for myself.

We land at Tawau, the closest airport, and are bundled into a minivan for a 30-minute ride to the jetty at Semporna town. The sun is still lording it in the skies but what a difference the sea breeze makes!

Board and lodging are a toss between Borneo Divers Mabul Resort and Seaventures Dive Resort. The latter, a converted oil rig, the only one of its kind in the world, is my immediate choice. It promises a unique stay in a carpet of sea. My only anxiety is: Will they make me climb up that scary metal structure to get to my room?

The speedboat is soon edging close to the bright orange rig and I sense immediately that I am going to enjoy the experience. An aerial lift comes sliding down and bags and all are soon on deck level. It isnt the Hilton for sure, the spacious wooden deck with its utilitarian chairs, tables and curved bar has a cowboy terrain look about it... except, those men standing around suited up in black diving gear are no cowboys. Unless, youd prefer to think of these underwater adventurers as cowboys of the deep.

One of the great things about the resort is that from anywhere on the rig, you get an unhindered view of the sea and the distant islands, even from the rooms, which have portholes for windows. I check into a twin.

There are also single supplements and several dorms. All rooms except the dorms come with attached washrooms and air-conditioning.

You can chill on the sun deck, the games room with its pool table and table tennis, the karaoke lounge or the main deck.

There is WiFi connectivity in all places.

The rooms are small but lounging in the room surely isnt going to figure largely in anyones itinerary.

Dive masters, however, certainly are. The ones at Seaventures are certified, attentive and armed with a sly sense of humour. No one in our group has diving experience so our party sets out for snorkelling in the waters nearby.

As the master divers check our apparatus and guide us from the boat into the clear blue waters, it feels like a whole new mystical world has opened up, the sort they keep showing you on the National Geographic channel but you never actually think youd experience. But here it is, for real.

Water adventures

The bottom of the Celebes sea at our location is busy with traffic but the kind youd die for. It seems to be peak hour for the marine life... or is it always like this?

Shoals of fish swim beneath you, around you, some dart in and out of corals which are wrought in fantastic shapes. My diver guide, Mohd Taufiq, nudges me and points to a Hawksbill turtle. It is huge, but a study in grace as it dives into the coral and noses about. It brings home the importance of protecting these and other endangered species, so future generations too, can marvel at these spectacular sea creatures.

Since the Mabul-Sipadan-Kapalai area boasts some 75 per cent of marine biodiversity in the world, youre likely to bump into a huge underwater community of weird and wonderful beings - barracuda, moray eel, manta ray, pygmy seahorse, boxfish, frogfish, jack, and much more.

We could have spent hours there, the underwater world is just so alive and beautiful.

The Mabul area is also one of the best macro diving sites anywhere.

Right under the rig itself, the waters are deep so diving, not snorkelling, is the only activity. There are house reefs underneath which a diver can explore and meander through, inhabited by many, many species of fish and crustaceans.

As for us, we are completely happywith our snorkelling stint and at sunset, head back to the rig. But the evening doesnt tail off into a dozy end. The barbecue grill has been fired up and we tuck into a seafood feast - tuna, prawns, squid and peppers on satay sticks, lamb chops, chicken and various salads, fruit and pudding. Unsullied by an overdose of marinades, the naturally sweet flavours of fresh seafood come through perfectly. The kitchen crew has passed with flying colours.

As we eat, some of our friendly divers come on deck to do their next favourite thing - make music. Yes, Seaventures has an in-house band, made up of divers and kitchen staff.

Rock classics at twilight, great food on the table, deep blue sea and rust-coloured sky, cool sea breezes... there cant be very many places anywhere in the world that can top this.

And if you peer over the railings on the rig, you can still catch sight of shoals of fish swimming beneath the surface. In fact, night dives from the rig are popular with guests.

Occasionally, Shamser Sidhu, resort manager of Seaventures Dive Resort, takes one too.

Floating Kapalai

Kapala is about 40 minutes from Semporna jetty.

Its a 20-minute boat ride from Seaventures and Mabul island and 15 mins from Sipadan. Our speedboat lives up to its tag and our captain has us stepping down on the island in 10 minutes, a little drenched from the exhilarating ride. The island actually sits on the sandbanks of the Ligitan Reefs and what you have are some 45 gorgeously rustic chalets built on stilts.

The floating resort is a treat for the senses. The sea stretches on all sides into the horizon and, as you stroll down the boardwalks leading to the chalets, you see the sea swishing around the stilts, fish swimming past and fronds of potted plants waving in the breeze. Its truly peaceful and soothing. The longest walkway leads to a wooden pergola at its tip. You can take the steps down into the white sandbar and wade in the shallow translucent sea or seat yourself right down in the cool waters and watch little white crabs and other macro life going about their business.

Tour packages with buffet lunch are offered for non-boarders. The restaurant offers in-house and alfresco dining.

Snorkelling and diving packages are also available. Diving is minutes away at Sipadan and Mabul.

Kapalai Resorts is a haunt for honeymooners because of its picture postcard setting - remote, beautiful and haunting. At times, the wind provides the music.

How to get there

Get to Tawau, Sabah, with AirAsia flights from Kuala Lumpur, thrice daily. Follow AirAsias latest updates and promotions via Facebook or Twitter.

Some travel sites (such as Borneo Travel Services Sdn Bhd) offer transport from Tawau airport to Semporna (van with driver or car for hire) and onward boat ride to resorts in the Sipadan-Mabul-Kapalai area, complementing the diver and non-diver packages.

Snorkelling packages includes masks, snorkel, pins and life jackets and diving packages are also offered with experienced and certified divers.

The writers trip to Sabah was courtesy of AirAsia and Sabah Tourism Board.

Down by the river for body and soul

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

MALAYSIANS will travel far and wide in search of a great meal. PHILIP LIM heads for a riverside town for some freshly cooked seafood.

CONNOISSEURS of seafood will tell you that sometimes the really good restaurants are hidden from sight. It is true as far as the Kuala Sungai Restaurant in Pasir Penambang, Selangor, is concerned.

The place has given new meaning to the phrase down by the river. It sounds like a song but at Pasir Penambang, just across the river from Kuala Selangor town, the busiest activities are concentrated at the river banks.

Pasir Penambang is an unsophisticated fishing village but it is verdant with gifts from Mother Nature. It is actually a Chinese fishing village which has gained fame over the years for its seafood. With each passing year, the prices of meals also climb a little higher.

But KL and PJ residents still firmly believe that it is worth the 50-minute trip to dine at the numerous seafood restaurants standing on stilts along the river.

Impromptu discovery

My favourite restaurant, a recent discovery, is Kuala Sungai restaurant. Its proper name is Kedai Makanan Laut Kuala Sungai. It is not easily spotted along the main road that cuts through Pasir Penambang town because it is partially hidden behind some bushes.

Several months ago, my favourite pit-stop was a restaurant in Kuala Selangor town but on the day of my arrival, it was closed because of some major Chinese festival. I was compelled to look for an alternative and Pasir Penambang at that time seemed to be a logical choice.

Then I noticed Kuala Sungai restaurant from afar. On an impulse, I wandered in and found the restaurant half-filled with local residents. It was a sure sign that this particular place had a good reputation. Otherwise, the folks staying in the area wont be eating there. On my first visit, the service was swift and the dishes were splendidly cooked.

Meals worth waiting for

Now, I am here again but this time, a foreigner is part of the entourage.

I now know that going to this Kuala Sungai restaurant on a public holiday is ill-advised. First, there are no tables available. The ones that are unoccupied have Reserved signs on them.

Second, the cook or cooks in the kitchen are overworked. When we finally find a table, but we wait an hour before we get our dishes.

Fortunately, all five of us have eaten a late breakfast.

Were blessed as the sea breeze is constant. We dont really mind that that there is a delay on the food.

One of our companions buys a giant-sized packet of prawn crackers and it serves as a prelude to the main course.

Meanwhile, the tide is rapidly rising. At 3pm, the water has already covered the muddy banks that was exposed only half an hour ago.

We are not the only people waiting patiently for our food but there are no displays of impatience from the customers. We reckon the people here understand the situation. After all, on the day after public holiday, people are pouring in from PJ, KL, maybe even Singapore.

When our dishes finally show up, they look extra delicious. We have waited for the better part of an hour. We have six dishes on our table - deep-fried fish with tomyam sauce, yam cake with special fillings, a plate of greens, bitter gourd soup and mantis prawns fried with dried chilli.

My overseas guest is quick to add that the meal seems worth the wait. He agrees wholeheartedly with us that this restaurant can easily rival the more popular ones up the river.

The restaurant

Kuala Sungai restaurant is tastefully decked out with hurricane lamps, exotic bottles of alcoholic beverages and coconut shells turned into flower pots.

It has views that will boost an ebbing spirit and gladden your heart. The river that leads to the coast is wide and deep. Fishing boasts sail up and down the river at all hours, either going out to sea or returning to unload their catch.

This restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere enjoyed by all its customers. Sometimes, an egret is sighted, taking a slow turn across the river, looking for food.

The marshy environment exudes a congenial aura that local residents have long taken for granted. We city folk crave such an ambience.

A few short steps from the restaurant, about seven women are sorting out little mountains of prawn on the wooden floor.

Perhaps they are making sure the quality ones are packaged and sold as packets of dried shrimp later on. The inferior ones could be kept aside for makers of prawn crackers.

The scene

The mangrove swamp and the small trawlers provide a backwoods ambience that can only be experienced in these coastal areas of Pasir Penambang.

All along the coast, from Sekinchan to Sabak Bernam and further north, the scenery is about the same with slight variations, depending on the communities who inhabit those areas.

Great seafood, cool sea breezes, friendly people and lovely riverine scenes all add up to one unforgettable experience. Even the bill is very respectable. In other words, very much cheaper than what we will pay for in our own backyard.

Parking is an issue at the Kuala Sungai restaurant because space is limited. You may want to park further along the road.

However, a word of caution, there are some unfriendly and unchained dogs which dont take kindly to strangers. You may have to hasten your walking pace.

Tree Top Walk - Laluan kanopi terpanjang

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Tree Top Walk sepanjang 925 meter di kaki Gunung Inas bawa pengunjung teroka keindahan hutan.

PENGALAMAN bersiar-siar sambil menghirup udara segar pada aras paling tinggi iaitu 26.9 meter dari paras hutan atau kira-kira 50 meter dari paras bumi amat menyeronokkan dan pastinya saat itu tidak akan dilupakan.

Itulah yang dirasai tatkala bersantai menikmati keindahan alam semula jadi di laluan kanopi atau The Tree Top Walk di kaki Gunung Inas.

Ia akan menjadi pengalaman penuh bermakna andai pengunjung mengetahui Tree Top Walk di Pusat Rekreasi Sungai Sedim, Kulim, Kedah itu adalah laluan kanopi terpanjang di dunia.

Mula dibina awal 2004 dan siap pada 2005, Tree Top Walk sepanjang 925 meter dibuka kepada pengunjung sejak pertengahan 2006 mempunyai keunikan tersendiri di mana laluan kanopi itu dibina menggunakan struktur besi tahan karat menyerupai jambatan dan mempunyai tiang.

Ia cukup berbeza dengan jambatan gantung atau kanopi di tempat lain yang mana biasa diikat pada pokok. Sebaliknya Tree Top Walk pula lebih teguh menampung beban, sekali gus menjamin keselamatan pengunjung yang bersiar-siar di atasnya sambil menikmati kehijauan hutan khatulistiwa dan penghuninya.

Berjalan melalui titian kanopi besi itu, pengunjung berpeluang melihat pemandangan sekeliling yang cukup mempesona dari atas yang lebih meluas.

Jika bernasib baik, pengunjung berpeluang menyaksikan lebih 260 spesies burung pelbagai saiz termasuklah helang dan enggang.

Selain itu, kawasan Hutan Simpan Gunung Inas kaya dengan pelbagai flora dan fauna itu juga membolehkan pengunjung mengenali dengan lebih dekat kira-kira 100 spesies tumbuh-tumbuhan serta pelbagai haiwan lain.

Biarpun berada di ketinggian 50 meter dari paras bumi di bawahnya sungai mengalir deras dan sedikit gayat, ia pengalaman yang tidak mungkin dilupakan.

Malah, pengalaman baru itu mampu memberi keseronokan buat sesiapa saja yang melang-kah ke jambatan unik itu.

Selain menikmati keindahan alam semula jadi, pengunjung juga disajikan dengan deruan air terjun yang mendamaikan suasana tatkala berjalan di atas Tree Top Walk.

Dengan air sungai yang jernih dan mengalir deras melalui jeram batu itu, pelbagai aktiviti yang boleh dilakukan pengunjung antaranya mandi-manda dan berkelah di tepi sungai bersama keluarga.

Selain itu, bagi penggemar aktiviti lasak terutama golongan muda, ekspedisi meredah hutan atau berakit dan berkayak mengikut arus deras sungai serta white water rafting pasti memberikan kepuasan dan keseronokan yang tidak terkata.

Dari segi kemudahan awam pula, pengunjung tidak perlu gusar kerana pusat rekreasi itu dilengkapi dengan pelbagai kemudahan termasuk tandas awam, surau, dewan serba guna serta gerai makan.

Jika tidak puas hanya berkunjung sehari atau beberapa jam di Pusat Rekreasi Sungai Sedim, kemudahan penginapan turut disediakan di situ.

Info

Tree Top Walk

* Laluan kanopi sepanjang 925 meter dibina menggunakan besi dan tempat paling tinggi ialah pada paras 26.9 meter dari aras hutan.

* Di dunia hanya ada dua Tree Top Walk yang menggunakan teknologi seumpamanya iaitu di Sungai Sedim (bagi kategori terpanjang), manakala satu lagi di Valley of the Giant, Australia Barat sepanjang 500 meter dengan ketinggian 38 meter dari aras bumi.

* Antara aktiviti yang boleh dilakukan di kawasan rekreasi itu termasuk meredah hutan, berjalan malam, survival hutan, berakit arus deras, mendaki gunung, absailing dan perkhemahan bina semangat.

* Aktiviti white water rafting adalah aktiviti paling polular ditawarkan Pusat Rekreasi Sungai Sedim kerana air sungainya yang deras serta jeram batunya yang mencabar.

Bagaimana ke sana?

* Pemanduan hanya mengambil masa setengah jam dari Bandar Kulim, satu setengah jam dari Pulau Pinang melalui Jambatan Pulau Pinang ke Butterworth dan Lebuhraya Kulim-Butterworth (BKE) menuju ke Taman Teknologi Tinggi Kulim (KHTP) dan mengikut laluan Karangan dan Sedim.

Dari Alor Setar pula, perjalanan mengambil hampir tiga jam melalui Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan terus menghala ke Sedim.

Cooperative opens hotel in Klang

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Bayu View is the latest hotel to open in Klang.

Located in Taman Bayu Tinggi, it provides easy access to Klangs commercial and industrial areas, as well as the port.

It is owned by Koperasi Serbaguna Pertanian Perusahaan Kemajuan Bhd, a cooperative set up in the 1950s for ex-civilian staff of the British army in Malaya.

Later, the cooperative opened its membership to others. It was opened by S.J.H. Zaidi, a veteran trade unionist and former secretary-general of the Malaysian Trade Union Congress.

The more than 100 guests were treated to a sumptuous lunch prepared by in-house chefs. Zaidis 87th birthday was celebrated.

There are 49 rooms, a ballroom to accommodate 300 guests, function and seminar rooms, and restaurants. All rooms have Astro and Wi-Fi.

Riot of flavours at Transfer Road

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

TRANSFER Road in Penang is famous for roti canai and nasi kandar stalls, writes C.K. LAM.

PENANG is the ultimate gastronomic paradise for most of us. It is well-known for its abundance of superb hawkers delights which locals claim cant be duplicated elsewhere.
Since Penang is synonymous with good food, there are many places with a good concentration of hawker stalls and restaurants on the island and one particular place is Transfer Road.

Mention roti canai and locals will point you to the most famous landmark in Transfer Road. This famous roti canai stall has been in operation for decades next to an old abandoned warehouse. Breakfast here is an indulgence - soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the slow pace of life in Penang.

There are several delicious curries - mutton, beef, and chicken - and dhal to complement the roti canai. However, the best combination is kuah banjir!

Customers can also order the curries without the roti canai. Chicken curry comes with tender pieces of meat in flavourful gravy. However, most customers prefer the tender mutton curry which is relatively spicy. The aromatic mutton is a crowd favourite. The stall is open from 6.30am till 7pm, with a break from 1pm till 3.30pm.

Just a stones throw away from the roti canai stall is the famous Nasi Padang Minang restaurant. Located on the left hand side of Transfer Road, this restaurant has been serving a delectable spread of Sumatra delights for decades. Though Padang cooking is characterised by lots of chilli, lemongrass and turmeric, surprisingly, most of the dishes here are not very hot. The restaurant emphasises taste and flavours rather than hotness.

The array of dishes is inviting, with a selection of fish, meat and fresh vegetables which are spiced for a range of flavours. Dendeng daging is prepared dry and eaten with chilli and onion to enhance the flavours of the meat. It is well-spiced, with a chewy bite. On the other hand, deep-fried cencaru sambal is stuffed with ground red chilli and deep fried onion which is simply scrumptious!

There are also dishes unique to this restaurant, such as stir fried tempeh with French bean. Others are chicken curry and vegetable lodeh. The curry is savoury with a mild spicy taste while lodeh stands out with flavourful coconut milk gravy.

In addition to roti canai and nasi padang, Transfer Road also has a famous nasi kandar stall. Deen Nasi Kandar, which has been in business for nearly 50 years, is among the oldest stall of its kind in Penang. It is located in Kedai Kopi Toon Leong, an old-style coffee shop located in a heritage shop house at the corner of Transfer Road and Argyll Road.

It has a variety of spicy dishes with a riot of flavours and choices such as beef, squid, fish and chicken. Its curries have a distinctive and outstanding taste, and many customers flock here for kuah banjir as well. In addition to the excellent squid curry, its signature catfish head curry is a must-have. Unlike Nasi Padang Minang, Deen Nasi Kandar opens early for breakfast. Business is brisk and quite often the dishes are sold out by mid-morning! It closes on alternate Sundays.

Anggur Tasik Beris

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Tidak bermusim justeru pelancong boleh datang bila-bila masa untuk menikmati kemanisannya.

KEDUDUKAN daerah Sik, Kedah yang dikelilingi bukit-bukau dan suasana tenang serta cuaca yang dingin menjadikan ia antara destinasi pelancongan pilihan pengunjung untuk bersantai.

Selain terdapat beberapa tempat pelancongan seperti air terjun, tasik dan hutan simpan, kewujudan Ladang Anggur, Tasik Beris antara tarikan terbaru pengunjung ke daerah ini.

Tasik Beris sebelum ini menjadi tumpuan kaki pancing. Kini situasi itu sudah berubah apabila pelancong membanjiri daerah ini untuk melihat dan membeli anggur yang segar.

Pengurus ladang, Khairul Ashraf Noor berkata, ladang itu mula beroperasi pada 2007 dengan keluasan 12 hektar dan ia ladang anggur terbesar di negara ini.

Beliau berkata, ladang milik Excel Agrotech Sdn Bhd itu mempunyai 1,000 pokok di Ladang Tasik Beris dan 10,000 pokok lagi di Ladang Sungai Senam.

Kami berusaha menambah 14,000 pokok anggur pada masa depan.

Walaupun di negeri ini cuacanya agak panas dan hujan tidak menentu, hasil anggur di kawasan ini tetap manis dan segar dengan saiz sama seperti anggur di pasaran, katanya.

Menurutnya, terdapat empat jenis anggur ditanam iaitu black opal, black grape, white Malaga dan loose pelite.

Benih anggur diambil dari Jabatan Petanian Perlis.

Katanya, ladang ini ditanam secara tertutup, menggunakan jaring. Teknik tanaman secara tertutup itu digunakan supaya serangga ulat ratus tidak merosakkan pokok anggur.

Tanaman anggur di sini tidak mempunyai musim tertentu untuk dipetik, justeru pelancong boleh datang bila-bila masa untuk menikmati hasilnya, katanya.

Buat masa sekarang, pihaknya tidak dapat membekalkan anggur ke kawasan luar kerana hanya mampu untuk jualan di situ dengan purata jualan kira-kirar 500 kilogram sehari.

Melalui kajian dan penyelidikan Excel Agrotech Sdn Bhd, anggur di kawasan itu sentiasa berbuah bagi mengelak kehabisan stok, katanya.

Kewujudan ladang anggur ini menyebabkan daerah ini sering dikunjungi pelancong tempatan dan luar negara terutama Singapura, Thailand, Brunei, Filipina dan beberapa negara Eropah.

Selain menjual buahnya, syarikat itu turut menjual produk berasaskan anggur seperti jus, kordial, kismis dan kosmetik seperti losen, sabun mandi dan krim.

Sebarang pertanyaan bolehlah hubungi talian 04-4620466 atau www.berislakegrapes.com.my

Info

* Waktu lawatan: 9.30 pagi hingga 6.30 petang.

* Bayaran: RM1.50 kanak-kanak dan RM3.00 dewasa.

* Di buka setiap hari kecuali cuti Aidilfitri.

* Pelancong yang melalui Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan boleh keluar di tol Gurun dan jaraknya dari situ kira-kira 50km.

Beri badak air, buaya makan di Paya Indah Wetlands

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Kicauan merdu burung yang bebas berterbangan dengan kehijauan pokok di sekeliling tasik cukup menyenangkan menyambut tetamu ke Paya Indah Wetlands seawal jam 8 pagi.

CEMBURU si Cendana, terhadap Juwita yang sentiasa berkepit dengan Kundra menimbulkan perbalahan kecil dan menyebabkan ia di pisahkan buat sementara waktu.

Mendengar penerangan ketika mengunjungi Kolam Hippo membuatkan penulis gelak besar. Badak pun pandai cemburu?

Hakikatnya, badak air atau lebih popular dengan panggilan Hippo mempunyai sifat cemburu terutama si betina apabila ia baru memasuki tahap matang.

Itu antara aktiviti menarik menanti pengunjung tatkala berkunjung ke Paya Indah Wetlands (PIW) di Dengkil, Selangor.

Jujurnya, sebelum ini penulis hanya mengetahui Paya Indah Wetlands adalah lubuk memancing. Namun, temu janji bersama Penolong Pengarah Azhari Wahab diikuti dengan Pengarahnya Hasnan Yusop mengubah tanggapan itu.

Memasuki pekarangan Paya Indah Wetlands seawal jam 8 pagi, kicauan merdu burung yang bebas terbang dengan kehijauan pokok di sekeliling tasik cukup menyenangkan.

Dulunya, Paya Indah Wetlands adalah kawasan bekas lombong timah selain tasik air tawar dan hutan paya gambut seluas 450.76 hektar yang diwartakan sebagai Rizab Tanah Lembap (Wetlands).

Sebanyak 14 tasik buatan terbentuk akibat perlombongan bijih timah serta dipenuhi pelbagai jenis ikan.

Setiap permukaan tanah tidak kira di kawasan tanah tinggi, paya bakau atau gambut, habitatnya adalah berlainan. Paya Indah Wetlands adalah bekas hutan paya gambut.

Paya Indah Wetlands adalah syurga kepada 229 spesies burung, 63 spesies mamalia, 20 spesies reptilia, 10 spesies amfibia dan juga 14 spesies ikan.

Di samping itu, sebanyak 220 spesies terdiri daripada pelbagai jenis tumbuhan akuatik dan daratan yang melatari pemandangan Paya Indah Wetlands.

Menurutnya, objektif Paya Indah Wetlands itu dibangunkan untuk memulihara habitat dan ekosistem tanah lembap bagi meningkatkan kesedaran awam mengenai tanah lembap.

Kerajaan mahu mengembalikan alam semula jadi dan tumbuhan hijau di tanah yang subur.

Di samping itu, kemudahan rekreasi ditingkatkan kerana kawasan eko pelancongan lestari dengan merancang aktiviti yang tidak merosakkan alam semula jadi, katanya.

Zon Rekreasi yang mengagumkan

Paya Indah Wetlands terbahagi kepada tiga kawasan iaitu Zon Rekreasi, Pendidikan serta Konservasi dan Penyelidikan.

Bagi Zon Pendidikan serta Konservasi dan Penyelidikan, pelawat dilarang memasukinya kecuali mendapat kebenaran.

Pengembaraan di Zon Rekreasi membolehkan pengunjung melihat Pusat Interpretasi yang memaparkan pelbagai maklumat mengenai keseluruhan Paya Indah dan hutan paya.

Jika mahu menjelajah di seluruh kawasan rekreasi Paya Indah dengan lebih santai bersama keluarga, pengunjung boleh menyewa basikal dengan hanya RM5 untuk dewasa dan RM3 untuk kanak-kanak selama dua jam.

Selain berpeluang menikmati suasana alam semula jadi sambil menyihatkan badan, jangan lupa singgah di Kolam Hippo dan juga Kolam Buaya.

Pengunjung bukan saja berpeluang melihat gelagat haiwan itu tetapi juga dibenarkan memberinya makanan. Pastikan anda berada di situ jam 10 pagi untuk badak air dan 11 pagi untuk buaya.

Dihuni 220 spesies burung air dan burung hutan, memang seronok memerhati burung di Paya Indah. Anda boleh membawa teropong untuk melihat dengan lebih santai.

Untuk aktiviti memancing, daripada 14 tasik yang ada di Paya Indah, hanya dua tasik yang dibenarkan memancing iaitu di tasik Taipa dan Teratai.

Dengan kehijauan alam semula jadi yang memukau, merentas hutan atau jungle trekking adalah aktiviti wajib.

Justeru, di Paya Indah, pengunjung berpeluang menghayati suasana alam tanah lembap di sepanjang Rentis Typha. Penjelajahan yang mengambil masa kira-kira sejam itu memberi peluang pengunjung menghayati alam semula jadi dan melihat burung air berterbangan bebas.

Rentis Typha itu juga mesra orang kurang upaya (OKU) dan boleh dilalui dengan berbasikal.

Menikmati minum petang di pangkin dengan pemandangan tasik yang menyenangkan cukup membuai kalbu. Itulah antara yang akan dirasai pengunjung di Rumah Melayu.

Rumah Melayu tradisional yang dibina mengikut reka bentuk rumah lama dengan menyediakan pelbagai aktiviti seperti bermain gasing, menganyam tikar, melukis batik dan memasak masakan tradisional.

Pengunjung boleh menyewa Rumah Melayu untuk mengadakan apa-apa majlis perkahwinan dan lain-lain.

Jangan lupa mengambil gambar panorama indah di Paya Indah untuk diabadikan dalam koleksi album anda.

Menara Tinjau pula memberi peluang pengunjung melihat keseluruhan kawasan Paya Indah.

Jika menginap di chalet, asrama atau berkhemah, anda boleh menikmati pengalaman malam dengan menaiki kereta pacuan empat roda sambil memerhatikan hidupan liar.

Terbaru, pengunjung berpeluang berinteraksi dengan hidupan liar seperti kongkang, ular sawa, landak dan memerang.

Kemudahan menambah keselesaan

Ada tiga jenis penginapan disediakan iaitu 29 unit chalet, asrama dan tapak perkhemahan.

Paya Indah turut menyediakan kemudahan untuk seminar atau majlis keramaian seperti perkahwinan. Bagi yang sedang mencari lokasi untuk mengadakan hari keluarga, Laman Keluarga boleh menampung 200 hingga 300 orang.

Maklumat bermakna

Berkunjung ke Paya Indah adalah percuma. Namun, jika datang berkumpulan sama ada untuk seminar, hari keluarga atau majlis perkahwinan, mereka perlu memohon kebenaran.

Maklumat lanjut, hubungi Paya Indah Wetlands di talian 03-87687616 atau e-mel piw@wildlife.gov.my

Info

* Berkeluasan 450.76 hektar yang diwartakan sebagai Rizab Tanah Lembap (Wetlands).

* Terbahagi kepada tiga zon iaitu Zon Rekreasi, Zon Pendidikan serta Zon Konservasi dan Penyelidikan.

* Paya Indah Wetlands adalah bekas kawasan lombong timah yang mempunyai 14 tasik buatan.

* Waktu Operasi: Setiap hari bermula 7.30 pagi hingga 7 petang.

* Waktu memancing pula ditutup pada Jumaat.

* Bayaran masuk adalah percuma.

* Bagi pelawat yang menginap di dalam kawasan (chalet, asrama amp; khemah), aktiviti disediakan bermula jam 7.30 pagi hingga 11 malam setiap hari.

Bagaimana ke sana.

Paya Indah Wetlands terletak kira-kira 15 kilometer dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa. 58 kilometer (km) dari bandaraya Kuala Lumpur serta berdekatan Cyberjaya (15km).

Dari Putrajaya pula 23km dan di sebelahnya Lebuhraya Elite menjadikan paya Indah Wetlands destinasi yang sangat strategik untuk dikunjungi.

Perjalanan dari Kuala Lumpur dengan kenderaan darat mengambil masa kira-kira satu jam. Dengkil adalah pekan terdekat, anda boleh menyewa teksi untuk ke situ. Jaraknya hanya 9km.

Alamat:

Paya Indah Wetlands

Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara

KM4, Jalan dengkil-Banting, 43800, Dengkil, Selangor

Tel: 03 8768 7616/8726

Faks: 03- 87688424

E-mel: piw@wildlife.gov.my

Life still in old railway station

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

SUBHADRA DEVAN discovers that the Moorish-style Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is still functioning despite KTMs move to KL Sentral.

TRAINS are part of what shapes my memories. Playing along the tracks that ran somewhere behind the house, waving at unknown passengers, and finally boarding trains.

So, choosing the KTM Berhad Corporate Headquarters for a must-see place during Badan Warisans first Open House Kuala Lumpur 2011 in May was a no-brainer for me.

The open house was an architectural festival aimed at creating greater public awareness of our heritage.

Most of the buildings in the programme, such as Stadium Negara, Stadium Merdeka and the Rubber Research Institute, are generally not open to the public.

The tour to Kuala Lumpur Railway Station was led by architect Lim Take Bane, who infected the 30-strong group with his unflagging enthusiasm for the architectural details of this 1917 building.

The Moorish-style building was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, an architect with the Public Works Department. He also designed the Ipoh Railway Station.

It was interesting to learn that the roof was built to withstand snow. In todays climate uncertainties, that might come in useful, I mused.

Lim says Moorish-influences can be seen in the keyhole and horseshoe arches, and the domes atop the building.

The corridors are cool, with high ceilings and wide verandahs. There are drains in the marbled verandahs to let rainwater seep away from the walls.

The main entrance lobby has a winding staircase, with wrought iron-worked banisters, leading almost to the central dome of the building. That staircase alone is worth a Facebook moment.

And so the tour weaved on, with Lim keeping us engrossed with anecdotes on heritage and history.

The tour was free, and educational. Tour guides, tourists - local and foreign - picked up booklets on the buildings history, prepared by the KTM staff.

I thought the building was dead (as in no longer functional) after KTM moved its operation to KL Sentral. This is not so. I found out that we can take the train to Ipoh from this station, board the Komuter trains, and buy tickets. Theres also a walkover that connects to Dayabumi. This is not just a bus station to Singapore, people!

It certainly feels good to see our heritage buildings still in use.

Sari Pacifica - One brand, two atmospheres

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

THE clear blue waters of Terengganu provide more than a spatial retreat for MEENA SREENIVASAN.

I HAVE always loved the beach. The smell of the salt, the wind in my face and the roar of the waves, all combine to create a sense of peace and calm within me.

The Sari Pacifica Resort amp; Spa properties in Terengganu gives me all that and more.

A new kid on the block, the brand Sari Pacifica sets itself as the specialist in up-market luxury boutique hotels, resorts and spas.

The brand has three properties - in Terengganus Redang and Lang Tengah islands and in Johors Sibu island. Also under the group is Aseania Resort Pulau Besar in Johor.

I stayed at its resorts in Terengganu to xperience what each resort had to offer.

Sari Pacifica Resort amp; Spa Redang Island

The luxury boutique island resort occupies the northern end of Pasir Panjang and sits on a long white strip of sand facing a translucent aqua ocean, the kind we dream about when we plan a beach getaway. With such a spectacular view of the South China Sea, what more can one ask for? The location is absolutely breathtaking.

My lodge is an indulgent seafront villa nestled on the sandy dunes of the beach. The front porch leads to a serene beach with white sand and turquoise waters. An inviting teak chaise lounge chair occupies the corner of the patio.

There are 74 black and white Seafront, Garden and Lagoon villas and those not fronting the beach are set around a lush lagoon, tucked away to give total privacy.

But what I love about the villas are that they are furnished with larger than usual king-size beds with smooth sheets, the perfect kind for snuggling in. The premium bathroom amenities are inside a carved wooden box next to the bathroom mirror, somewhat like the box I keep my jewellery in back home.

Apart from the room facilities, what sets the Sari apart from the other five or six neighbouring resorts is its spa.

The Sari Pacifica Spa occupies one of the villas. It offers head to toe treatments with 100 per cent natural ingredients such as indigenous flowers and herbs. From the Malay massage and The Divers Therapy massage to the Royal Sari Indulgence befitting a king or queen, the spa is highly recommended.

I opt for the Royal Sari Paradise package which begins with a foot soak followed by a salt bath. A body exfoliation treatment follows and to end my two-hour treatment, therapist Muni slathers lavender body polish all over my body. I leave the spa smelling like a million bucks.

Besides the spa, there are an infinity pool with a bar and a no-frills open-air restaurant on the first floor overlooking the ocean. Kayu Manis serves a delectable buffet as well as an international menu. The local food is worth a try.

Sari Pacifica Lang Tengah Island

On Lang Tengah island, a 45-minute boat ride from Redang, the Sari Pacifica ambience is different. Here, it is definitely about romance - a perfect destination for honeymooners and couples.

When you plan a holiday to Redang, Id suggest taking a couple of days more to experience Lang Tengah. The island is like a drop in the ocean. It is barely two kilometres long and less than a kilometre wide, with whiter than white sand that feels feathery.

The waters at Lang Tengah are so clear that I spot six species of fish as I walk across the jetty the next morning to feed them bread that resort manager Mohd Zaimi Abd Manaf handed to me.

A 50m walk from the jetty brings you to the reception area. The architecture is rustic kampung. Adding to this ambience is the vast garden filled with 27 varieties of flowering plants and shrubs, three types of mango trees and two types of jambu which are used in the delectable dishes offered at Kayu Manis restaurant.

Midnight swims are highly recommended and you can even go skinny-dipping because the beach is deserted.

After a hearty meal, chill at the beach or retreat to your room and sit on the big patio overlooking the sea while enjoying a glass of wine.

Or you can arrange to have a massage in the evening in one of the beautifully decorated beach pavilions, under swaying palm trees. Having your massage whilst watching a beautiful sunset will be something that youll remember for a long time.

FAST FACTS

HOTEL

Sari Pacifica Resort amp; Spa Redang Island and Lang Tengah Island Tel: 03-8942 8882 (KL office), 09-630 7999 (Redang) or 09-669 0100/2 (Lang Tengah). Website: www.saripacifica.com

GETTING THERE

From Merang Jetty, take a speed boat to Redang island or Lang Tengah island. Sari Pacifica resorts can arrange a chartered boat

MAIN ATTRACTION

The location

FIRST IMPRESSION

The Redang resort is very relaxed, great for chilling. The Lang Tengah resort is quiet and private. The local cuisine is excellent.

ROOMS

74 large villas in Redang, comprising Garden Villa/Lagoon Villa, Seafront Villa or Royal Villa. The 38 villas in Lang Tengah are equipped with spa baths.

OVERALL SERVICE

Friendly, pleasing and polite.

FACILITIES

Both resorts are a divers paradise. Sari Pacifica in Redang has an infinity swimming pool with a bar, a restaurant which serves buffet and a la carte. There is WiFi, a gymnasium and a spa. Check out the small boutique next to the open-air restaurant which has lovely silk tunic tops and pretty beach slippers. Sari Pacifica in Lang Tengah has sun-bleached beaches with powdery sand. Try snorkelling. Then tuck into delicious Malay dishes cooked by chef Fikri Che Rohani.

Tarikan Putrajaya

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Bandar dalam taman ini bukan sekadar Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan semata-mata

DIKENALI Wilayah Persekutuan ketiga selepas Kuala Lumpur dan Labuan, Putrajaya dibangunkan di kawasan bekas tanah paya dan ladang sawit di Prang Besar, daerah Sepang.

Lokasi yang berkeluasan 4,932 hektar terletak dalam lingkungan Koridor Raya Multimedia (MSC) yang strategik kerana hanya 25 kilometer ke selatan Kuala Lumpur dan 20 kilometer ke utara Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA).

Bermula 1 Februari 2001, pembangunan wilayah ini meletakkannya sebagai Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan yang baru, manakala Kuala Lumpur kekal sebagai ibu negara dan pusat perdagangan Malaysia.

Nama Putrajaya diambil sempena Perdana Menteri Malaysia pertama, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

Berasaskan tema Bandar Dalam Taman, 38 peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan kawasan Putrajaya dibangunkan untuk kegunaan taman, tasik dan wetland, manakala bakinya pejabat kerajaan dan swasta.

Bandar Bestari pula dikaitkan dengan pembangunan pintar yang selaras dengan inisiatif e-Kerajaan.

Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya mempunyai pelbagai tempat menarik yang menjadi daya tarikan pelancong dari dalam dan luar negara.

1) MASJID PUTRA

Didirikan pada 9 Mac 1999, Masjid Putra menjadi mercu tanda Putrajaya dan yang termoden di dunia.

Masjid ini direka berdasarkan seni bina Parsi ketika empayar Safavid. Gabungan seni bina Melayu, Parsi dan Arab melahirkan bentuk kesenian halus yang boleh dilihat di segenap ruang masjid ini.

Menara setinggi 116 meter di sebelah kiri pintu gerbang Masjid Putra diinspirasi daripada Masjid Sheikh Omar, Baghdad manakala dinding aras bawah menyerupai rekaan Masjid Raja Hassan II di Casablanca, Maghribi. Ia mampu memuatkan lebih 10,000 jemaah pada satu-satu masa.

Kedudukan masjid ini bersebelahan Dataran Putra serta berhadapan Tasik Putrajaya. Sebahagian besar kawasan masjid ini dikelilingi tasik membuatkan ia seolah-olah terapung di atas air.

2) TASIK PUTRAJAYA

Terletak di tengah Putrajaya, tasik seluas 650 hektar ini menjadi tarikan utama. Ia direka bukan saja sebagai sistem penyejuk alam, malah sesuai untuk pelbagai aktiviti rekreasi seperti memancing, sukan air dan pengangkutan.

Menerusi perkhidmatan Pelayaran Persiaran Tasik Putrajaya (CTP) sama ada melalui bot persiaran penumpang atau perahu, pelancong dapat menghayati keindahan pemandangan tasik serta keseluruhan Putrajaya meliputi Masjid Putra, Istana Darul Ehsan, Perdana Putra dan Jambatan Putra.

Lokasinya CTP ialah di Jeti Putra (di bawah Jambatan Putra) dengan tiket berharga RM20 hingga RM50 seorang.

3) PERDANA PUTRA

Perdana Putra terletak berhadapan Tasik Putrajaya. Ia mempunyai bangunan berdinding batu asli dengan atap hijau dan kubah berbentuk bebawang, dikelilingi empat kubah lebih kecil membentuk mercu tanda di Putrajaya.

Terletak di Presint 1, bangunan ini diduduki kali pertama pada April 1999.

Struktur pembinaannya dipengaruhi kesenian Melayu, Islam dan Eropah.

Selain menempatkan pejabat Perdana Menteri, ia turut mempunyai pejabat Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Menteri dan Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri serta pejabat Ketua Setiausaha Kerajaan.

4) TAMAN PUTRA PERDANA

Kedamaian taman seluas 159 hektar di puncak tertinggi di Presint 1 yang dikelilingi Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah melambangkan keunikan simbiosis antara manusia dan alam semula jadi.

Taman ini turut menyediakan Kapsul Masa (mengandungi dokumen penting sejarah dan perkembangan Putrajaya) serta kemudahan laluan pejalan kaki sejauh dua kilometer yang menghubungkan Laman Haruman, Medan Perdana serta Laman Megalit.

5) TAMAN BOTANI

Berkeluasan 93 hektardi bahagian utara Presint 1 yang dibuka setiap hari dari jam 9 pagi hingga 7 malam mampu menampung 5,000 pelancong pada satu-satu masa.

Mempunyai lebih 700 spesies tumbuhan daripada benua berbeza di dunia, ia direka bentuk sebagai sebuah taman perlindungan kebangsaan untuk koleksi taksonomi tumbuhan dan sebagai pusat kajian bagi khazanah yang tidak ternilai ini.

Sesuai dijadikan pusat pembelajaran kerana mempunyai 13 tempat dalam taman ini meliputi Titian Kanopi (sepanjang 170 meter), Taman Paku-Pakis, Denai Heliconia, Bukit Palma (mengandungi 50 spesies palma), Siar Kaki Sisiran Tasik, Astaka Morocco (sesuai untuk majlis dalam taman), Taman Suria serta Taman Flora (mengandungi koleksi tanaman Amerika Tropika, tanaman Afrika, tanaman Asia Pasifik dan Teduhan Ara).

6) TAMAN WETLAND

Wetland buatan manusia terbesar di Malaysia ini terbahagi kepada 2 komponen - Taman Wetland Putrajaya dan Pusat Rekreasi Tasik yang berkeluasan 335 hektar. Taman Wetland Putrajaya adalah keseluruhan wajah kepada wetland manakala Pusat Rekreasi Tasik berfungsi sebagai pusat rekreasi yang menawarkan pelbagai aktiviti air.

Terletak di Presint 13, ia berfungsi sebagai penapis mendapan, nutrien dan bahan cemar semula jadi sebelum air Sungai Chua, Sungai Bisa dan tiga anak sungai lain mengalir ke Tasik Putrajaya.

Pelbagai kemudahan rekreasi disediakan untuk pelancong seperti berbasikal, memancing, menaiki bot, bersampan, kayak, kanu dan perkhemahan.

Ia turut menyediakan modul pendidikan dan pembelajaran kepada pelajar.

Tasik ini menjadi habitat pelbagai jenis haiwan akuatik dan burung seperti ruak-ruak, pucung keladi dan bangau kecil. Pelancong boleh menghayati pemandangan indah dari Menara Pandang Jauh serta melihat gelagat hidupan di Kolam Flamingo dan Tasik Angsa.

7) TAMAN RIMBA ALAM

Taman yang merentangi Presint 14 dan 15 ini berkonsepkan hutan bandar iaitu kombinasi ekosistem hutan tropika dengan taman rekreasi metropolitan.

Ia dianggap unik kerana buat pertama kalinya dalam negara, sebahagian daripada ladang getah dan kelapa sawit asal di Estet Sedgeley dan Prang Besar ditransformasi kepada hutan bandar tropika bagi tujuan rekreasi, penyelidikan dan pembelajaran.

Hampir 400 spesies pokok hutan ditanam di taman ini dengan jumlah penanaman melebihi 95,000 pokok.

8) TAMAN CABARAN

Dibuka secara rasmi pada 10 Januari 2010, Kompleks Sukan Lasak di Presint 5 dibangunkan sebagai pusat sukan lasak bertaraf dunia yang berkeluasan 30.33 hektar dan bersempadan dengan Taman Selatan di Presint 20.

Taman Cabaran Putrajaya dilengkapi kemudahan sukan mendaki dinding, sukan luncur, denai basikal lasak dan thrill park yang meliputi lima cabang sukan iaitu BMX stunt, inline skating, mountain bike, skateboard dan wall climbing.

9) RESTORAN JM BARIANI HOUSE

Lokasinya strategik kerana terletak di pusat beli-belah Alamanda di Presint 1.

Menu yang ditawarkan antaranya ayam beriani, daging beriani, ayam masak merah, ayam goreng rempah, mi bandung, tauhu bakar serta rojak petis.

Harga yang ditawarkan antara RM8 hingga RM17.

10) PENGINAPAN

Antara hotel di sini ialah Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside di Presint 5, Hotel Palm Garden di IOI Resort dan Hotel Putrajaya Shangri-La di Putra Perdana Presint 1.

Kediaman inap desa boleh anda temui di Homestay Sakura House Putra Damai, Presint 9, Homestay Oden di Presint 9 dan Homestay Nas Putrajaya di Presint 9.

gt; gt;INFO:

Masih banyak lagi destinasi menarik di Putrajaya harus dikunjungi antaranya menilai seni bina utuh jambatan seperti jambatan Putra, jambatan Seri Saujana dan jambatan Seri Wawasan.

Aktiviti santai diadakan di beberapa Persiaran Perdana seperti di Dataran Gemilang, Dataran Putra dan Dataran Putrajaya.

Hayati pelbagai taman di Putrajaya, antaranya Taman Warisan Pertanian, Taman Selatan, Taman Wawasan dan Taman Ekuastrian Putrajaya.

gt; gt; BAGAIMANA KE SINI:

Dari Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA)

* Ambil lebuh raya North-South Central Link (ELITE) menuju ke Plaza Tol Putrajaya.

* Belok ke kiri di Universiti Cyberjaya/Multimedia, kemudian masuk ke Lebuhraya Puchong-Damansara. Belok ke kanan untuk memasuki Lebuhraya Puchong-Kajang. Anda sudah sampai Putrajaya melalui selekoh ke kiri sebelum Palm Green IOI dan kemudian buat pusingan U di IOI Palm Garden Resort.

Dari Kuala Lumpur

Ambil selekoh kanan selepas Plaza Tol Kajang di Lebuhraya KL-Seremban. Maju terus ke hadapan selepas Uniten (Universiti Tenaga) di Bangi. Ambil selekoh kiri sebelum dan sekali lagi selekoh kiri selepas IOI Palm Garden.

Dari Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong

Menerusi LDP (Lebuh Raya Damansara/Puchong) anda akan dibawa terus ke Putrajaya apabila anda mengambil selekoh kiri sebaik saja memasuki Cyberjaya/Pulau Meranti.

Taman empat musim tarikan popular

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam (TBNSA) adalah taman hutan di tengah-tengah bandar raya Shah Alam manakala pengunjung bebas melakukan aktiviti secara bersendirian atau berkumpulan.

MUNGKIN ramai tidak mengenali Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam (TBNSA) berbanding Bukit Cherakah atau Taman Pertanian Malaysia Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam.

Hakikatnya, ia adalah lokasi yang sama. Namun, tidak kenal maka tidak cinta, justeru jika belum berkunjung ke TBNSA, inilah masa melihat keunikan dan keindahan khazanah alam ciptaan Ilahi.

Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam dibangunkan pada 24 April 1986 sebelum dimasyhurkan menjadi Taman Pertanian Malaysia Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam oleh Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah pada 1991.

Namun, bermula 1 Januari lalu, Taman Pertanian Malaysia Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam ditransformasikan ke TBNSA selaras dengan keputusan Jemaah Menteri pada 2007.

TBNSA dibangunkan bagi tujuan pendidikan, penyelidikan saintifik dan pemuliharaan bagi pembangunan botani, hortikultur dan pertanian.

Berkeluasan 817 hektar, TBNSA menempatkan spesies flora yang pelbagai merangkumi tumbuhan dan pokok sekali gus berperanan sebagai paru-paru atau green lung kepada Lembah Klang.

Uniknya, TBNSA ini adalah taman hutan yang lokasinya adalah di tengah-tengah bandar raya Shah Alam, konsep yang sama dengan Hyde Park di London, Britain dan Central Park di New York, Amerika Syarikat.

Menariknya di TBNSA, ibu bapa serta anak bebas melakukan aktiviti sendiri atau berkumpulan.

Memulakan penjelajahan di TBNSA, anda boleh membawa anak ke Taman Haiwan untuk mengenali pelbagai haiwan seperti burung kakak tua, burung merpati, arnab, kuda, landak dan rusa.

Puas bermesra dengan haiwan, terus saja ke Taman Iklim Sederhana Empat Musim yang diilhamkan bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Taman Iklim Sederhana Empat Musim adalah tarikan popular kerana anda boleh merasai musim panas, luruh, sejuk dan bunga.

Bagaimanapun, buat masa ini taman iklim itu ditutup untuk penambahbaikan dan akan dibuka semula bulan depan.

Selepas itu, anda berpeluang menikmati keindahan landskap di Taman Hiasan sambil meniti tangga menaiki Menara Pandang Jauh di Taman Teknologi pertanian.

Bagi menambahkan ilmu mengenai tumbuhan herba, taman yang dulunya dikenali sebagai Taman Cendawan itu mempunyai 71 jenis herba.

Penat berjalan, berkelah sambil menikmati hidangan makan tengah hari di taman pilihan, antaranya di Empangan Sungai Baru.

Wakaf yang disediakan di sekitar empangan itu membolehkan pengunjung menikmati hidangan sarapan atau makan tengah hari.

Sambil makan bersama keluarga, anda boleh memberi makan kepada ikan hiasan dan air tawar.

Bagi kaki pancing, aktiviti memancing ikan air tawar seperti talapia hitam dan merah boleh dilakukan sekitar empangan.

Jika mahu cabaran lain, cuba Fly Fishing di Pusat Fly Fishing amp; Luke Casting di Empangan Sungai Air Kuning.

Ikan patin, jelawat, pacu dan mungkin toman yang paling berat iaitu tujuh hingga 10 kilogram antara buruan di pusat memancing itu.

Puas memancing dan beriadah, terus saja ke Skytrex Adventure yang terbahagi kepada tiga peringkat iaitu Little Adventure,Big Thrill dan Extreme Challenge.

Dengan bayaran RM35 untuk Little Adventure, RM45 Big Thrill dan Extreme Challenge RM50 setiap seorang, pengunjung dewasa boleh mencabar diri dengan tahap cabaran yang sesuai bagi mereka.

Bagi mengelak sebarang masalah, anda dinasihkatkan membuat tempahan awal menggunakan laman web, www.skytrax-adventure.com.

Di Paintball Valey seluas lima hektar, ia menyediakan lapan jenis padang untuk aksi pertempuran.

Untuk melawat setiap lokasi, jika letih berjalan, anda boleh menggunakan perkhidmatan bas dan turun di setiap hentian.

Jika mahu menggunakan basikal, bayarannya RM3 untuk sejam pertama dan tambahan RM1 untuk jam seterusnya.

Pengunjung juga boleh membawa basikal sendiri untuk rekreasi tanpa bayaran tambahan.

Pengunjung yang datang dari jauh dan mahu merasai kehidupan kampung, singgah di Perkampungan Budaya, Kampung Idaman dan Camar Rimba.

Perkampungan Budaya. misalnya menawarkan pengalaman tinggal di rumah tradisional bangsawan yang dilengkapi dengan perabot klasik.

Kampung Budaya menawarkan tiga jenis rumah bangsawan yang boleh memuatkan 10 tetamu iaitu Rumah Pahang, Terengganu dan Kelantan.

Selain itu, Kampung Budaya turut mempunyai Dewan Kampung Budaya yang membolehkan pengunjung mengadakan majlis keramaian dengan bayaran berpatutan iaitu RM500 hingga RM550.

Untuk bayaran rumah bangsawan itu pula, pengunjung hanya dikenakan bayaran RM200 satu malam.

Di Kampung Idaman pula, pengunjung ditawarkan 11 jenis rumah tradisional petani di seluruh negara iaitu Rumah Petlis,Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor 1, Johor 2, Pahang, Terengganu dan Kelantan.

Dengan hanya RM100 semalam, pengunjung berpeluang merasai pengalaman tinggal di kampung.

Camar Rimba,chalet berbentuk Rangka A turut memberi pengalaman menarik bagi yang menginap di situ dengan bayaran hanya RM20 semalam.

Kawasan perkhemahan juga disediakan bagi pengunjung yang mahu berkhemah dengan dikelilingi hutan rimba semula jadi.

Untuk berkhemah, pengunjung dikenakan bayaran RM5 tetapi peralatan perkhemahan tanggungan anda.

Di Camar Rimba juga ada tersedia kolam renang yang membolehkan pengunjung mandi manda secara percuma.

TBNSA alam juga adalah lokasi program Hari Keluarga yang menawarkan pelbagai suasana mengikut pilihan antaranya di tepi kolam renang, di taman mahupun di Perkampungan Budaya.

Kehijauan alam semula jadi, keindahan landskap serta kepelbagaian aktiviti yang ditawarkan di TBNSA sememangnya cukup mempesona.

Justeru, bagi yang inginkan destinasi percutian yang memukau sekali gus mendekatkan diri dengan alam semula jadi, TBNSA adalah tempatnya.

* Trivia

- TBNSA adalah taman pertanian perhutanan berasaskan agro-perhutanan pertama dan terbesar di dunia.

- Berkeluasan 817 hektar dengan 48 hektar tanah dibangunkan manakala selebihnya dijadikan hutan simpan Bukit Cherakah.

- Rumak Iklim Sederhana Empat Musim (Resim) tarikan popular di TBNSA yang diilhamkan bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

*TBNSA dibuka kepada pengunjung bermula 8.30 pagi hingga 4.30 petang setiap hari kecuali Isnin. Ia juga dibuka ketika musim cuti persekolahan dan cuti umum.

* Alamat:

Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam,40000 Shah Alam,Selangor.

Tel: 03 5510 6922/6923

web site: www.tbnsa.gov.my

Istana Jahar hadiah perkahwinan

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Di tengah bandar Kota Bharu terdapat muzium yang jaraknya antara satu sama lain sangat dekat untuk pengunjung jelajah bagi mengetahui sejarah dan kesenian negeri kelahiran Cik Siti Wan Kembang

KELANTAN mempunyai seni budaya yang unik. Kesenian serta tradisi lamanya masih kekal dan dapat di lihat pada istana-istana lama yang mengagumkan.

Peluang menghabiskan masa setengah hari di Zon Budaya, Kota Bharu Kelantan memberi pelbagai pengetahuan baru mengenai sejarah dan kesenian di negeri kelahiran Cik Siti Wan Kembang itu.

Penerokaan awal bermula apabila penulis bersama beberapa rakan media tersesat ketika mencari Restoran Nasi Ulam di Kampung Kraftangan.

Dari Pasar Siti Khatijah, kami berjalan kaki sehingga melalui beberapa istana lama yang mempunyai seni ukir cukup memukau.

Mungkin rezeki kami, walaupun tiada dalam jadual, kami berpeluang mengunjungi muzium di tengah bandar Kota Bharu itu.

Menariknya, pengunjung tidak perlu jauh untuk melihat semua muzium di Kota Bharu kerana jarak antara muzium sangat berdekatan.

Justeru, kami hanya berjalan dari satu muzium ke satu muzium untuk melihat sendiri bangunannya yang unik serta barangan yang dipamerkan.

Muzium itu di buka setiap hari bermula 8.30 pagi hingga 4.45 petang kecuali Jumaat.

Muzium Adat Istiadat DiRaja Kelantan (Istana Jahar)

Muzium itu pada asalnya adalah Istana Raja Bendahara Tengku Long Kundor Sultan Ahmad.

Istana dikenali sebagai Istana Jahar itu mula dibina menggunakan kayu pada zaman akhir pemerintahan Sultan Muhammad II (1837 - 1886).

Pembinaannya siap pada 1887, setahun selepas kemangkatan Sultan Muhammad II. Istana ini dibina sebagai hadiah perkahwinan kepada cucunda baginda Long Kundur dengan Tengku Embong, puteri kepada Tengleu Puteh, Raja Pattani III.

Bersesuaian dengan istana yang sudah menjadi tempat persemayaman beberapa Sultan yang memerintah, istana itu dijadikan Muzium Adat Istiadat DiRaja Kelantan yang dirasmikan Sultan Kelantan, Tuanku Ismail Petra pada 27 Julai 1992.

Muzium, ini mempamerkan peralatan (artifek-artifek) mengenai adat istiadat Diraja di zaman dahulu bermula dari sejak kelahiran hinggalah ke alam perkahwinan seperti melenggang perut, menyambut kelahiran, mencukur jambul, mandi bersiram, pijak tanah dan istiadat berkhatan.

Selain itu terdapat juga koleksi tekstil, peralatan tembaga dan alat perhiasan diri. Menariknya, semasa pameran berlangsung, pengunjung akan diperdengarkan (diiringi) dengan alunan muzik tradisional.

Muzium ini dibuka setiap hari kecuali Jumaat mulai jam 8.30 pagi hingga 4.45 petang dengan bayaran RM1 bagi dewasa dan 50 sen untuk kanak-kanak.

Bagi pelancong asing, bayarannya RM2.

Muzium Islam

Bangunan ini asalnya adalah rumah kediaman Menteri Besar Kelantan. Ia dibina pada tahun 1902 berasaskan gaya dan ciri-ciri rumah Melayu Kelantan model awal abad ke-20.

Pada 1917, bangunan itu dijadikan pejabat Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat Melayu Kelantan.

Muzium Islam ini yang dirasmikan Sultan Ismail Petra Ibni Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra pada 11 November 1991, berfungsi sebagai institusi mengumpul, menyelidik, memelihara dan mempamerkan warisan sejarah sosial budaya masyarakat Islam.

Galeri pameran di muzium itu mempamerkan koleksi muzium dalam bentuk artifek, model, replika dan peta mengenai sejarah dan perkembangan Islam di negeri Kelantan. Sehingga kini 350 koleksi sudah dipamerkan.

Muzium Negeri Kelantan

Muzium Negeri Kelantan adalah bangunan batu yang sebelum ini pejabat Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu. Bangunan itu kemudiannya dibaik pulih dan diubah suai pada 1990 menjadi muzium.

Antara koleksi barangan dipamerkan ialah alat-alat muzik tradisional, permainan tradisional, koleksi seramik dan alat pengangkutan darat dan air. Di sini juga terdapat ruangan sejarah purba iaitu replika `Gua Cha.

Bahagian setengah tingkat pula mempamerkan Seni Budaya Negeri Kelantan termasuklah peralatan permainan wayang kulit, rebana ubi, makyong, menora dan lain-lain.

Muzium Diraja

Bangunan Muzium Diraja yang lebih dikenali dengan Istana Batu siap dibina dalam tahun 1939 iaitu hadiah perkahwinan kepada Sultan Yahya Petra (1961-1979) daripada ayahanda saudara baginda, Sultan Ismail (1920-1944).

Penubuhan Muzium Diraja itu menambahkan lagi destinasi pelancongan di negeri Kelantan kerana ia adalah salah satu muzium yang dianggap paling menarik.

Ia juga sesuai dikunjungi pelancong tempatan dan luar negara khususnya untuk membuat kajian serta penyelidikan keluarga Diraja Kelantan.

Muzium Diraja ini mengumpul koleksi Diraja yang terdiri daripada salasilah Kesultanan Melayu Kelantan, gambar berkaitan kegiatan kemasyarakatan dan kegemaran AI-Sultan, Raja Perempuan, Tengku Mahkota dan kerabat lain.

Di muzium ini dipamerkan hadiah persembahan yang diterima Sultan dan Raja Perempuan dari luar dan dalam negara.

Muzium Kraftangan (Balai Getam Guri)

Muzium Kraftangan (Balai Getam Guri) adalah sebahagian daripada bangunan Kampung Kraftangan yang diperuntukkan kepada Perbadanan Muzium Negeri Kelantan dan dijadikan Muzium Kraftangan.

Ia dirasmikan oleh Raja Perempuan Kelantan 27 Julai 1991 yang mempamerkan hasil-hasil kraftangan Kelantan seperti sulaman tradisional, tenunan songket, batik, pertukangan perak dan anyaman.

Muzium itu terletak di pusat bandar Kota Bharu, dalam kawasan Zon Budaya dan berhampiran dengan Pasar Buluh Kubu.

Asalnya, bangunan itu adalah kepunyaan Sultan Kelantan. Kawasan itu dahulunya dipenuhi dengan rumah setinggan kemudian dibersihkan untuk dijadikan taman permainan kanak-kanak. Bangunan ini dibina pada 9 Mac 1991 dan kemudiannya dikenali sebagai Kampung Kraftangan

Di dalam muzium itu, pengunjung boleh melihat pelbagai koleksi hasil kraftangan masyarakat tempatan yang dipamerkan antaranya alat-alat menenun songket, barangan yang diperbuat daripada buluh, tembaga dan banyak lagi.

Memorial Peperangan Dunia Kedua (Bank Karapu)

Bangunan Memorial Peperangan Dunia Kedua pada asalnya adalah sebuah bank perdagangan pertama di Kelantan iaitu `The Mercantile Bank of India. Selepas Perang Dunia II, ia diambil alih oleh `The Hongkong amp; Shanghai Bank.

Dalam masa pendudukan Jepun 1941-1945, bangunan ini digunakan sebagai Pejabat Polis Rahsia Jepun Kampetai dan lokap tempat siasatan mereka yang anti-Jepun.

Bertepatan dengan Kelantan iaitu sasaran pertama Tentera Jepun dalam usaha menakluki Tanah Melayu dalam Perang Dunia Kedua, bangunan itu dinaik taraf untuk dijadikan Memorial Peperangan Dunia Kedua dan perasmian pembukaannya disempurnakan oleh KDYMM Al Sultan Ismail Petra pada Ogos 1994.

Melangkah masuk ke muzium itu, pengunjung akan terpegun melihat periuk api yang sangat besar.

Di bahagian galeri bawah memorial itu dipamerkan keterangan-keterangan, gambar dan bahan yang berkaitan Perang Dunia Kedua, khususnya di Kelantan.

Ini termasuklah serangan Jepun ke atas Kelantan mengikut kronologi. Pertahanan Tentera British Zaman Pemerintahan Jepun sehingga Jepun menyerah kalah dengan gugurnya bom atom di Hiroshima dan Nagasaki.

Di galeri atas (tingkat satu) dipamerkan sejarah Kelantan di bawah Pentadbiran British dan Siam (Thailand) serta Kelantan sebelum dan selepas Merdeka serta pemberontakan Tok janggut pada tahun 1915.

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* Muzium Negeri-terletak di Jalan Hospital, Kota Bharu berhampiran Bulatan Tun Padang dan bersebelahan Pejabat Tanah Kota Bharu serta Pusat Penerangan Pelancongan

* Muzium DiRaja-terletak di Jalan Hilir Kota, bersebelahan dengan kampung Kraftangan

* Muzium Adat Istiadat DiRaja Kelantan-kawasan Kota Sultan Ismail, bersebelahan dengan Istana Balai Besar

* Muzium Islam-terletak di Jalan Sultan, Kota Bharu berhampiran dengan Padang Merdeka dan bersebelahan Masjid Muhammadi Kota Bharu.

* Memorial Peperangan Dunia Kedua-terletak di Jalan Sultan, Kota Bharu berhampiran dengan padang Merdeka dan bersebelahan Kastam dan Eksais Diraja Malaysia.

* Muzium Kraftangan-Kampung Kraftangan di Jalan Hilir Kota, bersebelahan dengan Muzium DiRaja.

* Bayaran bagi warga negara ialah RM1 untuk dewasa dan RM0.50 untuk kanak-kanak manakala RM2 untuk pelancong asing.

* Keterangan lanjut layari www.kelantan.muzium.net

Gelongsor air 90 darjah

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Bukit Merah Laketown Resort tawar percutian menarik termasuk mengenali kehidupan Orang Utan.

MENDAPAT jolokan taman tema pertama di utara Semenanjung Malaysia, Bukit Merah Laketown Resort adalah destinasi percutian yang sering mendapat perhatian masyarakat negara ini.

Terletak di Bukit Merah, Semanggol, Perak, resort itu amat bersesuaian untuk percutian seisi keluarga khususnya di musim cuti sekolah.

Masa yang diambil untuk sampai ke Bukit Merah Laketown Resort juga tidaklah begitu lama iaitu hanya tiga jam dari Kuala Lumpur dan 45 minit dari Pulau Pinang.

Justeru, bagi ibu bapa yang masih tercari-cari destinasi percutian keluarga, Bukit Merah Laketown Resort menawarkan pelbagai tarikan yang menarik untuk semua antaranya Taman Air, Taman Eko dan Pulau Orang Utan.

Bagi yang pertama kali merancang ke Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, anda tidak perlu risau kerana di sana menyediakan pelbagai jenis penginapan mengikut bajet yang ada.

Pengunjung yang punya bajet yang tinggi, penginapan di Kampung Air iaitu chalet di atas air yang menawarkan penginapan lima bintang mungkin bersesuaian.

Selain Kampung Air, penginapan lain yang ditawarkan di situ termasuklah Laketown Hotel, Laketown Apartment dan Suria Service Apartment Hotel.

Berkeluasan 4.4 hektar, pe-ngunjung bebas berendam bersama keluarga di taman air Bukit Merah Laketown Resort yang menggabungkan aktiviti air yang sangat menarik dan mencabar.

Salah satu daripadanya Boomerang dan gelongsor air hampir 90 darjah yang mencabar.

Bagi anda yang sukakan cabaran, mereka boleh juga mencuba gelungsur air laju Water Speed Slides yang pastinya memberikan satu kepuasan yang maksimum.

Bagi kanak-kanak pula, keseronokan dan kegembiraan pasti dirasai mereka tatkala berenang di Kids Adventure River dan juga Kids Perak Mining Pool.

Kolam ombak antara pilihan seisi keluarga untuk bersama-sama berendam sambil dipukul ombak buatan. Di sini anda juga boleh berehat di atas pasir pantai buatan yang halus yang sudah semestinya memberikan pengalaman baru buat keluarga.

Tarikan lain di Taman Air ini termasuklah Giant Wet Bubble, Lazy River dan Giant Tube Slides.

Bagi mereka yang tidak meminati aktiviti air, mereka masih boleh melihat Taman Air ini dari pemandangan atas melalui Chailift iaitu kerusi bergerak yang bergerak sepanjang 600 meter di atas Taman Air.

Tidak lengkap kunjungan di Bukit Merah Laketown Resort sekiranya tidak berkunjung ke Taman Eko yang menempatkan pelbagai spesies haiwan antaranya 40 spesies burung, reptilia, mamalia dan lain-lain lagi.

Terdapat beberapa taman haiwan yang terdiri daripada Laluan Semulajadi, Laluan Tropika, Taman Reptilia dan Taman Haiwan Peliharaan.

Pengunjung berpeluang untuk membelai dan memberi makan kepada haiwan comel di Taman Haiwan Peliharaan selain berpeluang menyaksikan pertunjukan haiwan yang diadakan di Taman Eko.

Perjalanan mengambil masa 15 minit menaiki bot merentasi 7,000 ekar tasik air tawar ke Pulau Orang Utan pasti mengujakan.

Apa tidaknya, pulau yang menempatkan 22 ekor Orang Utan di pusat pembiakan dan penyelidikan serta pendidikan mengenai spesies haiwan itu menjanjikan pengalaman yang pastinya cukup berlainan.

Di sana, pengunjung akan disapa mesra orang utan yang comel bernama Mike, Sonia, Adam dan lain-lain lagi. Pengunjung juga akan melalui terowong berpagar sejauh 100 meter untuk melihat keletah nakal haiwan comel ini.

Justeru, untuk melihat orang utan, anda tidak perlu terbang sampai ke pulau Borneo kerana Bukit Merah Laketown Resort adalah satu-satunya resort yang mempunyai kawasan khas untuk spesies orang utan.

Bukit Merah Laketown Resort turut menyediakan kemudahan tempat makan yang lengkap dengan pelbagai jenis makanan disediakan. Pengunjung hanya perlu memilih makanan yang disukai. Antaranya Restoran Bubble, Cafe Le Lac, Restoran KBali, Ripples Hawker Center dan Restoran Cina Hong San.

Sesebuah percutian pastinya tidak akan lengkap tanpa ole-ole yang boleh dijadikan kenangan. Di sini anda boleh membeli pelbagai jenis barangan termasuk baju-T dan kaca mata.

Rebutlah peluang cuti sekolah ini untuk bercuti di sini. Bukit Merah Laketown Resort menjanjikan keseronokan yang tidak terhingga.

Bagi merasai keseronokan dan keunikan Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, AstuteXperience menyediakan pakej yang istimewa untuk pengunjung. Untuk tempahan sila hubungi 03-2116 5852 atau layari www.astutexperience.com.

New borders

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

THIS years Borneo Jazz Festival proved to be slightly different, writes DENNIS WONG.

THE warm monsoon breeze swept through the shores of Miri during the Borneo Jazz Festival last weekend. The venue at the citys Marina Bay was alive with the sounds of jazz and blues as the crowd enjoyed the music and the wind.

There was a new breath of life to this years festival, the sixth edition, since its introduction in 2006 as the Miri Jazz Festival. It got rebranded as the Borneo Jazz Festival. The organiser, Sarawak Tourism Board, upgraded its status to give it a bigger platform.

Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Khan said the rebranding gave the festival a unique identity among jazz aficionados.

The change reflects the growing stature of the festival since Borneo is better known than Miri. It is still the same festival but the rebranding will open doors to more visitors.

Previously, the festival had only two main stage performances for two consecutive nights, but this year, it began with a dinner on the opening night.

Then on the second to the fourth day, there were meets with jam sessions involving different bands, with luncheon and high tea, accompanied by tunes from the performers.

Spectator Anthony Smith, 45, from Canada said the main stage performances have improved but the afternoon musical meetings needed more work.

Unlike the more popular Rainforest World Music Festival held every year in Santubong, near Kuching, the jazz festival has a smaller following. This could be due to the musical genres that attract only a niche group.

Borneo Jazz though does have a following of a few thousand especially among the locals and those from Brunei.

Every year, we see locals and expatriates from both sides of the border. Hopefully, the rebranding will attract masses beyond these borders, Rashid said.

The performers

This years festival showcased Blues Hall of Fame Inductee John Hammond, the man who got Jimi Hendrix together with a band - the Experience, and launched them in the 1960s.

Hammond, known as the embodiment of the quintessential acoustic Blues troubadour, always serves tradition by pouring his heart and soul into full-bodied interpretations of the classics through the simple combination of brilliant guitar, rack harmonica, and intensely expressive vocals.

His performance on the first night on the main stage was simply surreal, as his guitars and harmonica seemed to be one with him.

Despite all his abilities, the legendary man does not read music like most musicians do.

I dont read music. My music comes from my understanding and my expression. Just like how I sculpt and paint. When you do it right, that artistic feeling knows its way out, said Hammond who began culpting and painting more than 50 years ago before he stumbled into music.

Another big performer who took to the stage on the second night, just right before the finale, was multiple grammy nominee Maria Muldaur.

Muldaur, best known for her seductive top-10 single Midnight at the Oasis, blew the crowd away.

The 68-year-old Muldaur said: One is never too old to swing.

Muldaur also performed Peggy Lees famous hit, Fever, and many other numbers that kept the crowd nailed to the stage.

Besides these two big names in the music industry, other bands that wooed the crowed included Japans Yuchiro Tokuda.

The band performed one touching number called Hamabe No Uta or Songs of the Seashore to remember the devastation brought by the March 11 tsunami in Japan.

The slow blues number mesmerised the crowd, to the extent that the feeling of pain felt by the Japanese people during the hard time after the disaster could be felt that performance night. An emerging star in the Japanese music scene, the band made its debut performance in Malaysia that night.

More than jazz

More than 3,000 people turned up on the first night of the festival. But on the second day, despite starting slow with some 1,000 spectators, the number swelled to more than 5,000.

Other bands that performed this year included Hollands State of Monc (which performed its brand of modern jazz mixed with electronica), Frances Les Doigts De LHomme (with its Gypsy-style jazz), Brazils Cunha E. Piper (with its rendition of Brazilian jazz), Chinas Siu2 (which delivered a mix of traditional Chinese music and jazz) as well as Indias Dhruv (which wowed the crowd with its Indian roots and rock music).

This year also saw Miri jazz band CQuence performing on the opening night and Victor Yong and the Electric Carnival on the second.

Also among the performers in this years festival was Kate Welsman, better known as Systa bb, on the turntables. She may be 55 but she was a hit with the young and the young-at-heart.

It can be spoken words, poetry, traditional music mixed with a dash of electronica, said Welsman, a radio announcer for a community radio station RRR.FM in Australia. She hosts her own show called The Good, The Dubbed, The Global where she spins music captured during her travels.

Pesona Tioman

Thursday, January 01, 1970 — Thursday, January 01, 1970

Sebuah daripada 10 pulau tercantik di dunia ini adalah anugerah alam untuk manusia menghargai keindahan semula jadi.

TERSENARAI antara 10 pulau paling cantik di dunia, keindahan pasir pantainya yang memutih dan kebiruan lautnya menggamit pelancong berkunjung ke Pulau Tioman.

Terletak 55.6 kilometer (km) nautika dari Pahang, Pulau Tioman bukan saja menjanjikan keindahan lautan yang terbentang luas tetapi juga terumbu karang yang masih terpelihara serta destinasi penyu bertelur.

Selain itu, daya tarikan pulau itu adalah hutan tropika seluas 12,000 hektar yang dihuni 45 spesies mamalia dan 138 spesies burung terlindung.

Puas bermandi-manda di lautan yang membiru, pengunjung boleh merasai kesejukan air terjun yang terkenal di pulau ini iaitu air terjun Mukut dan air terjun Asah.

Keindahan semula jadinya menjadikan ia tempat percutian yang sesuai untuk semua peringkat termasuk pengantin baru yang ingin berbulan madu atau mereka yang gemar aktiviti lasak.

Untuk penginapan, terdapat beberapa resort di sini seperti di Kampung Tekek dan Kampung Juara manakala di bahagian timur pulau pula terdapat di Kampung Salang dan Ayer Batang.

Resort terkenal, Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf Spa (BTBGS) di Kampung Tekek adalah resort terbesar di Tioman.

Resort yang memuatkan 350 calet pelbagai saiz itu menyediakan aktiviti secara kumpulan seperti bina semangat di The Challenger Park, kegiatan meredah hutan dan aktiviti sukan air seperti bersnorkel di Pulau Rengis.

Penginapan lain termasuk Salang Sayang Resort di Kampung Salang, Island Reef Resort dan Sun Beach Resort di Kampung Tekek.

Bagi mereka yang gemarkan kelainan, menginap di resort sekitar Kampung Salang pastinya memberikan pengalaman baru kerana penggunaan air adalah berasaskan air yang disedut dari dalam tanah.

Dalam pada itu, suasana persisiran pantai yang tenang dan mendamaikan pastinya menjadi keinginan setiap orang yang datang ke sini. Justeru, usaha memantapkan lagi keindahan pulau ini agar tidak tercemar terus menerus dilakukan.

Jabatan Taman Laut Malaysia (JTLM) bertanggungjawab memantau bagi memastikan Pusat Taman Laut yang diwujudkan sejak 1994 itu selamat daripada pencerobohan.

Bagi memantapkan usaha penguatkuasaan, satu kapal baru yang diberi nama kapal 1 Permata dilancarkan bagi memulihara terumbu karang dan hasil laut.

Pengalaman menaiki kapal 1 Permata dan merasai sendiri aktiviti operasi penguatkuasaan di perairan pada waktu malam benar-benar mengujakan dan menguji kesabaran.

Apatah lagi keadaan yang gelap pada waktu malam membuatkan penulis hampir terlena dengan tiupan angin laut yang bagi sesetengah orang boleh menyebabkan mabuk laut.

Melihat tugas mereka, tidak semudah yang disangka dengan keadaan yang gelap, ia lebih memeritkan lagi apabila hujan lebat serta diganggu dengan pelbagai perkara aneh sudah menjadi kebiasaan dalam rutin harian.

Hampir dua jam di laut, dua kapal ditahan dan diperiksa untuk memastikan mereka bukan penceroboh dan nyata masing-masing adalah nelayan tempatan.