Travelific Tips

Geo-power shopping

Monday, September 06, 2010 — Monday, September 06, 2010

The National Geographic Store opened at Lot 10 Kuala Lumpur last April. JOHN TIONG finds shopping there is as pleasant as watching the programmes. Here are his top finds at the novelty store

1. Travel bag with Tizip Zipper

AVERAGE-sized, hand-carry black leather travel bag with German made Tizip zipper that prevents water from entering (RM666). There are also similar bags in various other sizes but theres only one range with the Tizip waterproofing Zipper. The normal bag without the zipper costs RM550.

2. Wind and waterproof jacket

THIS hooded Orange Gore-Tex Membrane jacket (RM1,454) comes in handy when you go trekking in the jungle or on a hill. It shields you from the rain when it pours and the bite of the cold wind.

3. Antique cupboard from China

THEY take up much of the space in the store but these two old Elm cupboards from Jiangsu, China, aged between 80 and 100 years, are a steal depending on how you see art and antique. Each has four, very tasteful pictures of court life on oval medallions over its panel doors. The asking price? RM8,800 each.

4. Globe table lamps

THESE globes light up when you turn on the electricity. Its also a good investment to teach your children about the countries in the world. The globes come in varying sizes and fetch between RM370 and RM2,000, depending on size. The one the size of a football costs RM370.

5. Backpacker bag

THE waterproof Aconcagua backpacker bag (RM403) can hold between 30 and 40 litres of stuff. The base of the holders are heavily padded to make sure your back wont hurt when you walk long distances. Also available are a large range of slingbags and others, all made with waterproof material, something so needed while one travels through places with varying climates.

6. National Geographic documentary CDs

THE Blue Ray National Geographic Documentary CDs with a large range of the latest titles go for RM201 each. The titles include Atmospheres Earth, Air, Water as well as Chinas Mysteries. Also available are Putumayo World Music CDs featuring ethnic and fusion music of various countries (RM63 to RM80 each).

7. Posters

NATIONAL Geographic is famous for its pictures and many of these have been made into posters (RM42 to RM47), which are a favourite with patrons. One of the framed posters is outstanding. It shows an Indo-Chinese monk coming down from the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia (RM400).

8. World maps

THREE types of maps are available - general world map (RM104), the more detailed decorator map (RM106) and the satellite map (RM121). The store helps buyers frame the maps, if they need this service. You need to pay RM150 more for delivery and installation in your house.

9. Leather wallets, slippers and sandals

SIMPLICITY is the word for leather wallets (RM112 to RM192) as well as slippers and sandals (RM192 to RM300) at the store.

10. Notebooks

THERE is a large variety of notebooks (RM21 to RM63), especially for children. Most have animals and birds on the covers to pique their interest. Some are bound with rings while others come in hardcover binding, strapped at the side with a piece of tasteful red rubber.

Percutian berbaloi untuk anak-anak

Friday, September 03, 2010 — Friday, September 03, 2010

JIKA anda merancang percutian untuk keluarga terutama cuti sekolah yang bakal menjelang, apa kata memilih percutian di alam luar - peluang untuk menikmati pengalaman baru yang tidak mudah ditemui di destinasi kota besar.

Sama ada ia merentas hutan belantara, menjelajah gua atau menyertai program kesedaran ekologi yang lain, pelancongan luar-bandar ini akan memberi anak-anak serta ibu bapa pendekatan yang lebih menyeluruh untuk meningkatkan pembelajaran dengan cara berdampingan dengan alam sekitar.

Menurut Pakar Kanak-Kanak, Dr Yong Junina Fadzil, pelancongan bukan saja untuk bercuti bagi kanak-kanak kerana ia memberikan mereka peluang untuk mengenali dunia nyata.

Mereka berkesempatan untuk menyentuh, menghidu, merasa atau menikmati sesuatu. Ia memberi mereka peluang untuk mengembara persekitaran di luar alam rumah atau sekolah mereka, katanya.

Pengalaman sebenar, katanya, membantu untuk memupuk keinginan menimba ilmu dan ia boleh meningkatkan kadar kebijaksanaan serta daya kreatif kanak-kanak.

Televisyen dan komputer hanya memberikan pembelajaran pasif manakala pengalaman nyata memupuk pembelajaran yang dinamik, katanya.

Ternyata pelancongan bagaikan pembelajaran yang tiada penghujungnya sama ada untuk kanak-kanak mahupun golongan dewasa.

Namun, ibu bapa harus membuat perancangan yang teratur untuk memastikan ia menjadi percutian yang menyeronokkan. Berikut panduan ringkas untuk menikmati percutian yang menggembirakan bersama keluarga:

* Pilih destinasi dan aktiviti yang sesuai

Ketahui topik terkini yang sedang dipelajari anak di sekolah dan cuba aturkan percutian bersesuaian. Cuba babitkan anak ketika membuat perancangan supaya seluruh pengembaraan menjadi lebih menyeronokkan.

Bincang dan dapatkan maklumat bersama supaya mereka tiada alasan untuk merungut kepada rakan mengenai percutian yang dianggap hanya idea ibu bapa mereka.

Anak juga perlu tahu batasan memilih destinasi dan aktiviti bersesuaian kerana sesetengah idea mereka mungkin tidak boleh diterima disebabkan kekurangan masa atau wang.

* Kenali destinasi terlebih dulu

Sediakan semua maklumat mengenai sesuatu tempat sebelum memulakan perjalanan dan jadikannya pengalaman interaktif antara ibu bapa dan anak.

Contohnya, jika menjelajah hutan rimba, bersedia untuk memberi penjelasan kepada anak mengenai jenis flora dan fauna yang bakal ditemui sepanjang jalan.

* Merancang atur cara perjalanan

Kanak-kanak mudah letih, oleh itu elakkan program perjalanan yang terlampau sibuk. Sebagai panduan, aturkan supaya terdapat keseimbangan antara masa aktiviti dengan masa berehat.

Jika mahu berjalan-jalan selama tiga jam, aturkan supaya ada masa rehat selama tiga jam.

* Berkemas awal

Elakkan berkemas pada saat terakhir kerana ia mendatangkan tekanan berlebihan. Apabila tarikh perjalanan sudah ditentukan, sediakan senarai dan mula mengemas.

Barangan yang akan membantu mengekalkan keadaan keluarga bersih dan sihat termasuk kain pembalut luka, ubat tahan sakit atau demam kanak-kanak, ubat nyamuk dan tisu lembap nyah-kuman.

* Utamakan keselamatan

Untuk anak-anak kecil, letakkan sekeping kad dengan nama, alamat dan nombor telefon bimbit ibu bapa atau penjaga ke dalam poket mereka.

Untuk kanak-kanak yang lebih tua, berikan mereka nombor hubungan ibu bapa atau penjaga serta nama hotel yang diduduki, sebagai persiapan jika mereka terpisah. Masukkan sekali gambar terkini mereka.

* Sediakan makanan dan minuman ringan.

Kanak-kanak yang lapar dan haus memang mudah meragam. Pastikan mereka makan sebelum perjalanan bermula dan minum banyak air sepanjang perjalanan.

* Berhenti untuk ke bilik air.

Dalam hutan rimba, kadangkala bilik air sukar didapati. Ketahui lokasi bilik air terdekat dan pastikan anak-anak kosongkan pundi kencing sebelum pengembaraan bermula.

Merancang percutian bersama keluarga kelihatan agak menyusahkan, tetapi sebelum membenarkan anak berdepan dengan televisyen atau menyertai kelas tuisyen tambahan, cuba pertimbangkan manfaat luar biasa yang boleh diperoleh daripada percutian di luar bandar yang mampu mendidik mereka, malah pengalaman sedemikian memang tiada bandingannya.

Percutian sedemikian boleh membina sikap ingin tahu. Anak-anak lazimnya akan

banyak menyoal dan harus disedari kanak-kanak yang mempunyai sikap ingin tahu yang kuat sememangnya anak yang bijak dan suka belajar perkara baru.

Ia juga boleh meningkatkan kebolehan menyesuaikan diri. Ketika bercuti, otak sentiasa cerdas supaya dapat menyesuaikan diri kepada perubahan pada saat akhir. Ini ternyata sikap yang cukup berguna ketika anak dewasa kelak apabila mereka berhadapan dengan masalah dalam kehidupan masing-masing.

Percutian juga mampu meningkatkan pengetahuan geografi. Mempelajari kebudayaan, ekonomi dan cara hidup masyarakat setempat lebih meninggalkan kesan daripada cuba menghafal fakta mengenai sesuatu lokasi.

Sedar atau tidak, percutian juga meningkatkan kefahaman diri. Seseorang yang mengalami tekanan biasanya akan menunjukkan belangnya. Tekanan daripada perubahan lokasi, cuaca, keletihan dan interaksi bersama orang lain akan membantu anak lebih memahami watak dan personalitinya sendiri.

Kanak-kanak yang menyedari mereka mempunyai kebolehan untuk meneruskan kehidupan walaupun dalam keadaan yang mencabar, amat membina keyakinan diri mereka.

Mereka berpeluang melakukan sesuatu yang tidak pernah dilakukan oleh rakan lain, seterusnya membantu untuk meningkatkan lagi harga diri dan membantu dalam apa saja yang bakal dilakukan pada masa hadapan.

Kaki melancong sering mengatakan bahasa tidak menjadi halangan. Mereka yang terdedah kepada kebudayaan, agama dan gaya kehidupan yang berlainan lebih mudah berinteraksi dengan orang lain.

Lagipun, kita tidak perlu ke luar negara, memadai melawat negeri lain yang mempunyai loghat serta gaya hidup yang tersendiri di bumi Malaysia ini.

Bendung asma ketika makan angin

Friday, August 27, 2010 — Friday, August 27, 2010

Ambil semua langkah perlu elak keseronokan terjejas

BERCUTI di destinasi idaman pasti memberi keseronokan dan ketenangan.

Namun, jika anda penghidap asma, percutian yang sepatutnya menyeronokkan boleh bertukar menjadi sebaliknya.

Untuk mengelak perkara yang tidak anda ingini sepanjang percutian, berikut beberapa tip makan angin untuk pesakit lelah.

1. Sebelum berangkat

Sebelum bercuti, pastikan asma anda terkawal dengan baik. Ada baiknya, anda membuat pemeriksaan dan mendapatkan nasihat doktor.

Jika anda bercuti di luar negara, mintalah surat doktor mengenai status penyakit asma anda kerana ia sangat berguna apabila berlaku kecemasan nanti.

Ketika mengemas barang, pastikan ubat asma dan lain-lain ubat di bawa bersama.

Namun, jangan simpan ubat asma itu di beg bagasi sebaliknya simpan di beg kecil supaya ia sentiasa bersama anda.

Selain itu, adalah lebih baik anda mengetahui nama ubat asma di negara yang dikunjungi. Ia adalah salah satu langkah berjaga-jaga jika ubat habis dan anda tahu ubat apa yang harus di beli.

2. Ketika di dalam kereta api, bas atau kereta sendiri

Kereta api, bas dan kereta sendiri, mungkin terdapat habuk atau debu yang terperangkap dalam ruang di dalamnya. Oleh itu, jika menggunakan kereta sendiri, pasang sistem penghawa dingin.

Andai keadaan udara tidak baik terutama kepada asma anda, pastikan cermin kereta perlu sentiasa dalam keadaan tertutup.

Apabila menggunakan bas atau kereta api, anda tidak mempunyai banyak pilihan. Oleh itu, pastikan ubat asma sentiasa ada bersama anda.

3. Ketika dalam penerbangan

Udara di dalam pesawat adalah sangat kering dan kemungkinan ia dapat menyebabkan asma. Justeru, pastikan anda memiliki ubat dan banyak minum air.

4. Pilih hotel yang selesa

Jika menginap di hotel, anda mungkin akan mendapati bahawa ruang di bilik penginapan itu yang boleh menyebabkan asma.

Justeru, minta bilik yang cerah dan kering serta jauh dari kolam renang.

Anda juga boleh membawa selimut atau bantal anda sendiri kerana ia dapat membantu mengurangkan risiko asma. Satu perkara yang perlu selalu anda perhatikan ialah mengelak diri dari kawasan merokok.

Jika anda bercuti bersama keluarga atau kawan pula, pastikan mereka mengetahui anda mempunyai penyakit asma. Ia penting supaya mereka tidak akan melakukan perkara yang boleh menyebabkan anda diserang asma.

5. Bercuti di tanah tinggi atau bercuaca sejuk

Cuaca sejuk biasanya akan menyebabkan asma menyerang si pesakit. Oleh itu, jika bercuti di kawasan yang bercuaca sejuk terutama di tanah tinggi, pastikan anda memakai pakaian yang boleh memanaskan badan.

Jika tidur di dalam bilik hotel pula, pastikan anda tidak terlalu terdedah dengan kipas atau penghawa dingin. Yang penting, ubat ada bersama anda.

Elak boros ketika bercuti

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 — Tuesday, August 10, 2010

BERCUTI peluang anda merehatkan diri dan minda. Namun, selepas balik bercuti, fikiran yang tenang kembali kusut dek masalah kewangan selama bercuti.
Situasi seperti ini sememangnya sering berlaku, tetapi ia boleh dielakkan.

Berikut beberapa petua bagaimana anda boleh bercuti dengan tenang tanpa dibelenggu masalah kewangan.

gt;Tabung

Sebelum merancang bercuti, mula menabung dengan mengasingkan duit ke tabung khas.

gt;Pakej promosi

Apabila memilih bercuti di luar negara, pilih negara yang mengadakan promosi atau diskaun. Tanya ejen pelancongan berhampiran. Menjelang musim sejuk, negara di Eropah giat mengadakan promosi.

gt;Perancangan yang teliti

Tentukan dengan betul negara, kota atau tempat peranginan yang sesuai sepanjang tempoh percutian anda.

Buatlah pendaftaran di tempat yang akan anda kunjungi. Untuk menjimatkan tenaga, perbelanjaan dan masa, rancang mengunjungi lokasi menarik berhampiran dalam sehari.

Melalui perancangan itu, anda boleh mengetahui jenis pengangkutan ke lokasi pilihan dan bayaran.

gt;Dana harian

Buat bajet harian selama bercuti termasuk kos penginapan, makan, kenderaan di tempat yang dituju dan ole-ole yang akan dibeli untuk diri sendiri atau keluarga.

gt;Bila bersama si kecil

Periksa terlebih dulu apakah tempat yang akan dikunjungi menyediakan makanan atau kelengkapan si kecil. Jika ada, elak membawa makanan berlebihan kerana ia akan memberatkan beg.

gt;Sediakan peta

Sesampai di destinasi, jangan lupa membeli peta. Ini memudahkan anda melihat senarai pengangkutan yang boleh digunakan sepanjang di sana.

gt; Naik teksi

Bila bercuti beramai-ramai, menaiki teksi lebih murah berbanding bas atau kereta. Justeru, bajet untuk pengangkutan dapat dijimatkan.

gt; Manfaatkan sarapan

Manfaatkan sarapan secara percuma di hotel dan makanlah sampai kenyang terutama ketika bercuti di Eropah. Ini kerana, harga makanan di sana mahal.

gt;Ole-ole murah

Internet menyediakan maklumat berbelanja murah. Di Melbourne, Australia misalnya, membeli ole-oleh di Victoria Market lebih murah daripada pusat beli-belah.

gt;Ole-ole seperlunya

Bagi mengelak membeli ole-ole dalam jumlah berlebihan, catatkan semua nama ahli keluarga atau rakan. Catatkan barang yang dibelikan supaya orang yang sama tidak mendapat cenderahati yang banyak.

gt;Sediakan duit kecemasan

Simpan 20 peratus daripada perbelanjaan bercuti untuk perkara kecemasan. Contohnya, bayaran kepada lebihan berat bagasi, membeli ole-ole dengan jumlah atau harga yang lebih mahal daripada anggaran.

gt;Tunai lebih baik

Walau apa pun, cuba gunakan wang tunai untuk membayar perbelanjaan terutama apabila bercuti di luar negara. Anda akan dikenakan caj perkhidmatan atau bunga yang tinggi menggunakan kad kredit.

Lapan tarikan Perlis

Friday, July 30, 2010 — Friday, July 30, 2010

PERLIS adalah sebuah negeri yang kecil di Malaysia. Negeri ini terkenal dengan keindahan semula jadi, kawasan luar bandar dan hamparan tanaman padi yang saujana mata memandang.

Sebagai negeri paling utara di negara ini, cuaca di Perlis agak panas di antara 21 darjah celcius hingga 32 darjah celcius. Sepanjang tahun ia mengalami cuaca yang kering dan ia mencatatkan jumlah hujan, 2,500 sentimeter setahun, dari Mei hingga Disember.

Perlis mempunyai banyak tempat tarikan pelancong untuk dikunjungi, antaranya:

* Gua Kelam

Ia terletak kira-kira 26 kilometer dari Kangar. Gua batu kapur ini berhampiran Wang Kelian, sempadan Malaysia-Thailand. Zaman dulu, gua ini digunakan untuk membawa barang antara penduduk tempatan dan masyarakat Siam.

Ia tidaklah terlalu gelap seperti yang anda sangka kerana sepanjang laluannya disediakan lampu untuk memudahkan pelancong melihat pemandangan di dalam gua itu.

* Padang Besar

Padang Besar ialah kawasan beli-belah yang berhampiran sempadan Malaysia-

Thailand. Anda boleh berjalan kaki untuk sampai ke wilayah Thailand jika mempunyai pasport atau pas sempadan. Kebanyakan barang sama ada keluaran tempatan atau dibawa dari Thailand. Harganya yang murah menyebabkan ia menjadi tarikan pelancong tempatan dan luar termasuk dari Eropah, China dan Jepun.

* Kuala Perlis

Ia terletak di perairan Sungai Perlis. Kuala Perlis memang terkenal dengan laksa kuah belut. Ia juga menjadi tempat masuk bagi pelancong yang mahu Ke Langkawi atau wilayah di Selatan Thailand. Kemudahan feri dan bot membolehkan pelancong melihat pemandangan indah sepanjang perjalanan ke destinasi yang dituju.

* Arau

Arau ialah bandar diraja, terletak kira-kira 10 kilometer dari Kangar. Di sini, anda boleh melihat Istana Diraja dan Masjid Negeri.

* Tasik Melati

Tasik Melati kecil tetapi ia terletak di kawasan tanah rendah, kira-kira lapan kilometer di utara Kangar. Di sini, anda boleh melihat lebih 150 beting pasir yang menyerupai pulau. Anda boleh menggunakan bot atau sampan untuk bersantai dia tasik ini.

* Gunung Medan

Gunung Medan terletak kira-kira enam kilometer di selatan Kangar. Kawasan ini mengandungi 300 kaki tinggi batu kapur. Ia boleh dikunjungi sama ada menggunakan kereta atau berjalan kaki memanjat bersama rakan.

* Taman Ular

Taman Ular asalnya digunakan untuk membuat penyelidikan mengenai reptilia itu sama ada bisa yang dihasilkan dan pembiakannya. Pelbagai jenis ular termasuk tedung selar, sawa, ketam padi dan kapak boleh anda lihat di sini. Taman ini sering menganjurkan pertunjukan ular untuk menarik minat pelancong mengunjungi tempat ini.

* Membeli belah

Padang Besar dan Bukit Kayu Hitam yang terletak di sempadan Malaysia-Thailand memang terkenal sebagai syurga beli-belah dengan harga yang murah. Di Padang Besar, anda boleh mendapatkan apa saja daripada barangan kulit, beg tangan, baju-T, kemeja dan barangan rumah. Ia dihasilkan di Thailand dan dijual di sini.

Sementara, pusat beli-belah di Bukit Kayu Hitam terkenal dengan barangan bebas cukai.

* Bagaimana ke sini

Pengangkutan udara - Perlis tidak mempunyai lapangan terbang. Lapangan terbang paling dekat ialah di Jitra, Kedah. Dari sana, anda boleh mengambil teksi yang perjalanannya mengambil masa 45 minit ke Kangar.

Jalan darat - Bas adalah pengangkutan paling mudah kerana ia menghubungkan bandar-bandar besar di seluruh negara.

Cuti guna kereta: Panduan keselamatan

Thursday, July 29, 2010 — Thursday, July 29, 2010

BAGI anda yang sering melakukan perjalanan dengan menggunakan kereta sendiri, pastinya menganggap ia sebagai rumah kedua.

Apa yang pasti, pelbagai barang dan kelengkapan penting ada dalam kereta. Yang penting, anda sentiasa mencari jalan bagaimana untuk melindungi kereta kesayangan anda itu.

Berikut beberapa panduan membantu melindungi kereta anda dan semua barang di dalamnya ketika bercuti.

1. Simpan barangan berharga sebelum sampai ke destinasi dituju.

Ketika sampai di hotel atau tempat letak kereta di dalam atau luar kawasan, simpan barang berharga di bagasi kecil yang terdapat di papan pemuka atau tempat yang anda rasakan selamat.

Jangan letak barang berharga di tempat yang mudah dilihat kerana ia boleh menarik perhatian pencuri untuk membuat jenayah terhadap kereta anda.

2. Pilih tempat letak kereta dengan bijak.

Di mana pun anda meletak kereta, sentiasa berwaspada dan jangan menganggap remeh walaupun keadaan tempat itu aman kerana pencuri akan menggunakan peluang sebaik mungkin untuk mendapatkan apa yang dikehendaki mereka.

Ketika di bandar, pilih tempat letak kereta yang ramai. Ketika meletak kereta di pinggir jalan pula, cari tempat letak kereta berdekatan kedai, di bawah lampu jalan atau di tempat terbuka bagi menyukarkan pergerakan pencuri. Jalan yang sibuk adalah lokasi yang sangat baik.

3. Jika ragu, gunakan tempat letak kereta rasmi atau berbayar.

Meletak kereta di tepi jalan memudahkan menjadi sasaran pencuri. Jika tidak sedap hati dengan memilih untuk meletak kereta di tepi jalan, anda boleh mencari tempat letak kereta di pusat beli-belah atau yang berbayar.

Namun, anda juga perlu berhati-hati kerana malang tidak berbau. Justeru, berhati-hatilah sentiasa dan kunci kereta anda sebaiknya.

4. Seelok-eloknya letak kereta anda sendiri.

Ketika anda ke hotel, biasanya petugas tempat letak kereta (valet) akan menjamin keselamatan kereta dan itu adalah benar.

Tetapi, ada juga perlu berhati-hati kerana godaan untuk mencuri boleh datang secara tiba-tiba.

5. Kereta buruk juga boleh di curi.

Sesetengah mungkin pernah terfikir jika kereta yang diletakkan di sebelah anda lebih bagus daripada kereta anda, pasti pencuri itu lebih cenderung mencuri kereta itu dan anda selamat.

Tetapi, pencuri kini juga lebih bijak. Jika anda cuai, si pencuri boleh menjadikan kereta anda sebagai sasaran seterusnya.

Jadi, anggaplah kereta anda sesuatu benda yang berharga.

6. Periksa barang berharga secepatnya apabila kembali ke kereta.

Untuk memastikan tidak ada yang dicuri, sebaiknya anda perlu segera memeriksa barangan berharga sesampai saja anda di kereta.

Rasa curiga diperlukan bila membabitkan barangan yang anda anggap penting kerana pencuri boleh saja tidak meninggalkan jejak ketika mencuri barangan yang ada di dalam kereta.

Click here before you visit Penang

Monday, July 26, 2010 — Monday, July 26, 2010

Checking on Penang Travel Tips website, LAVIINIA DHANAGUNAN is surprised to see whats in store

Do you know that the main difference between the Peranakan communities in Penang and Malacca lies in speech? The Peranakan or Baba Nyonya of Penang speak Hokkien, with many of the words borrowed from the Malay language, while the Baba Nyonya in Malacca speak Malay, with words borrowed from the Hokkien dialect.

This fact can be found on a travel site (http://www.penang-traveltips.com/) thats dedicated to Penang and all that the State has to offer.

At first sight, its homepage looks like its all about advertisements, what with the AirAsias ad and links to cheap hotels within the state (and Bangkok). But scroll down a little and youll be pleasantly surprised.

The website has a wealth of information on the mainpage, so dont be put off by its length.

The site, with a blindingly white background, is the brainchild of Timothy Tye, a full time web-based travel writer who says the best job in the world started out as a hobby.

Currently, it has over a thousand pages, with new ones being added regularly, which allows readers an insight into everything Penang.

The site is also one of the biggest websites about Penang, thanks to the fact that it has managed to document hundreds of sights and streets.

Tye has devoted hours to researching the State and its history, so much so that the historical aspect of the State has its own page. His passion for Penangs history also means that pieces on whats around the State has a bit of background to it.

Reading about Sir Francis Light brings back memories of time spent in Sejarah (history) classes learning about how the British occupied Malaya back in the good ole days.

The website is quite simple in its layout, which means its reader-friendly. Visitors can also download information, such as bus routes and times, emergency contact numbers and walking tours around George Town into their phone and use it while travelling within the State.

Its easy to access the page on each of the three walking tours available - the Penang Light Pitt Streets Walking Tour, the Upper Beach Street Walking Tour and the Esplanade Walking Tour - as Tye has included interesting information on the places along the walk.

For example, the Chinese community used to refer to Light Street (named after Francis Light) as Po Le Khau in Hokkien or entrance to the Police Courts in English. This is because the area housed not only the Magistrates Courts and Recorders Courts buildings, but also the Central Police Station of George Town.

Overall, Penang Travel Tips is a good reference when planning a trip to the State.

Tip bercuti di pergunungan

Thursday, July 15, 2010 — Thursday, July 15, 2010

BERCUTI ke kawasan pergunungan memang mengasyikkan. Cuaca pergunungan yang sejuk dan nyaman membuat fikiran menjadi tenang.

Memanfaatkan cuti hujung minggu untuk melihat matahari terbit, mendaki gunung atau melihat pemandangan yang memukau dan indah di kawasan pergunungan pastinya meninggalkan 1001 kenangan manis.

Namun, sebelum ke sana, sediakan persiapan dahulu.

Berikut beberapa panduan boleh digunakan ketika bercuti di kawasan pergunungan:

* Pelembap bibir. Suasana kawasan pergunungan yang sejuk dan berudara kering boleh menyebabkan bibir menjadi kering dan merekah. Untuk menghindarinya sebaiknya gunakan pelembap bibir atau lip balm. Selain melembapkan, ia membuat kulit bibir segar.

* Selendang dan jaket. Gunakanlah selendang dan jaket daripada bahan yang tebal untuk melindungi tubuh dari kesejukan udara pergunungan.

* Pelembap wajah. Ia sangat penting untuk menghindari kulit kering dan mengelupas akibat perubahan cuaca.

* Balsam. Lindungi tubuh dari udara sejuk dengan balsam atau bahan-bahan yang dapat menghangatkan tubuh anda.

* Penutup telinga. Cuaca di kawasan pergunungan terkadang membuat telinga berdengung dan terasa sakit. Justeru, penggunaan penutup telinga adalah langkah terbaik supaya pendengaran tidak terganggu dan telinga terasa lebih selesa.

* Ubat antimabuk. Perjalanan jauh ke kawasan pergunungan boleh membuat perut mual. Justeru, makan ubat anti mabuk sejam sebelum perjalanan supaya tubuh bersedia menempuh perjalanan yang panjang.

* Aromaterapi. Dengan wangian yang dapat menenangkan fikiran, anda dapat menikmati indahnya panorama pergunungan yang lebih mendamaikan.

* Kamera. Jangan lupa membawa benda yang satu ini, kerana gambar pergunungan yang indah dan sejuk perlu diabadikan.

* Makanan. Bekalan makanan yang secukupnya ini jangan sampai ketinggalan. Masukkan terus ke dalam beg. Selain makanan, bawa juga minuman yang dapat memanaskan badan.

Tip sihat sepanjang percutian

Friday, July 09, 2010 — Friday, July 09, 2010

JANGAN sampai percutian yang lama dirancang hancur semuanya kerana sakit.
Oleh itu, adalah sangat penting untuk selalu menjaga kesihatan sama ada di rumah atau perjalanan.

Namun, dalam perjalanan seperti bercuti bersama keluarga atau tinggal di luar negara, ada beberapa perkara yang perlu diberi perhatian khusus.

Jangan abaikan kesihatan

Hal pertama yang perlu dilakukan jika bercuti, apalagi ke luar negara ialah mengetahui vaksin apa yang diperlukan sebelum anda berangkat. Jenis vaksin yang diperlukan bergantung keadaan negara yang dikunjungi.

Masalah kesihatan yang biasa dihadapi dalam perjalanan.

Masalah kesihatan yang umum terjadi ketika bercuti iaitu jet lag dan sindrom ketinggian (altitude sickness).

Jet lag biasanya terjadi apabila anda menerima jumlah cahaya yang berbeza dan ia dapat mengubah jam biologik tubuh. Ia menyebabkan beberapa masalah, antaranya sakit perut, insomnia dan kelelahan.

Untuk mengatasinya, jika berjalan dari barat ke timur, elak berada di bawah terik cahaya matahari pada hari pertama.

Sementara penyakit ketinggian (altitudes sickness) disebabkan udara yang kering, oksigen yang berkurang dan tekanan barometrik yang rendah ketika berjalan di ketinggian yang lebih tinggi daripada sebelumnya.

Akibatnya, anda boleh mengalami masalah seperti sakit kepala, dehidrasi, atau sesak nafas. Pencegahan terbaik untuk masalah ketinggian adalah secara bertahap meningkatkan tahap ketinggian setiap hari supaya biasa dengan kedudukan itu.

Jika ia tidak baik, gunakan ubat acetazolamide bagi membantu menghilangkan dan mencegah penyakit ketinggian.

Jika anda mengalami masalah dengan ketinggian, berjumpa dengan doktor sebelum bercuti.

Makan dan minum dengan selamat

Semua makanan yang direbus umumnya selamat, begitu pula dengan buah-buahan dan sayuran yang dikupas sebelum dimakan.

Elak makan daging mentah atau separuh masak serta makanan yang disajikan dalam keadaan tidak dimasak.

Anda mungkin pernah mendengar pelancong dari negara maju dilarang minum air di beberapa negara.

Ini disebabkan banyak negara tertentu tidak mengambil berat mengenai bakteria virus dan parasit dalam air.

Bawa ubat

Ketika mengemas, masukkan semua ubat dan persediaan berkaitan kesihatan yang biasa anda gunakan. Semua itu mungkin sukar ditemui di negara lain.

Anda mungkin boleh mendapatkannya di negara yang dikunjungi tetapi ada kalanya ubat-ubat itu terlalu keras atau lemah untuk anda.

Jadi, bawalah ubat yang dapat membantu anda ketika tidak sihat, antaranya ubat alergi, insulin, ubat demam, selesema dan vitamin.

Melancong berkumpulan atau bersendirian?

Wednesday, July 07, 2010 — Wednesday, July 07, 2010

MELANCONG sendiri atau bersama rakan?

Ramai berpendapat, jika berjalan sendiri, anda lebih bebas, tetapi perlu sedia menghadapi masalah seorang diri.

Jika melancong bersama kawan, kebebasan anda terbatas. Namun, apabila timbul sesuatu masalah, anda ada tempat meminta bantuan.

Kebaikan bersama rakan:

* Sepanjang bercuti, anda punya peluang berkongsi semua pengalaman dan saat manis bersama rakan.

* Bercuti secara berkumpulan lebih seronok ketika makan. Ahli rombongan boleh berborak dan bergelak ketawa, pasti suasana tidak membosankan.

* Jika sakit, barang dicuri atau ada masalah lain, anda mempunyai rakan yang boleh membantu memberi semangat.

* Bercuti bersama rakan membuatkan percutian anda lebih mudah dan banyak manfaat.

Misalnya, jika haus ada rakan yang boleh mencarikan minuman, menjaga beg jika ke tandas atau membantu anda ketika sakit atau tidak larat beratur membeli tiket.

* Kos percutian menjadi lebih murah jika bercuti bersama rakan kerana anda boleh berkongsi bayaran bilik atau makan.

* Bagi wanita, bercuti bersama rakan adalah lebih baik terutama ketika bercuti di negara yang didominasi lelaki.

Kelemahan bersama rakan:

* Sangat melecehkan ketika membayar sesuatu seperti makan. Si A atau B makan apa, berapa harganya dan berapa bakinya.

* Akan sentiasa berjalan bersama ke mana saja dan dengan itu, kebebasan anda terbatas.

* Jika berhadapan dengan masalah, sangat mudah untuk menyalahkan satu sama lain.

* Anda tidak punya waktu yang boleh dinikmati sendirian kerana rakan anda boleh saja mengajak anda berborak.

Tips to enjoy Patong Beach

Tuesday, July 06, 2010 — Tuesday, July 06, 2010

THE Patong Beach is the most happening place to visit while you are in Phuket, Thailand. With loads of things to do, you will never find yourself feeling bored here, writes BIBI NURSHUHADA RAMLI

1. Check out Bangla Road

Bangla Road is the centre of the nightlife scene in Phuket. The thrill begins at 11pm but visiting this road is totally worth your sleep time. Take a stroll down the road to see the excitement as the whole road lights up. Here, you can find bars, restaurants, cafes, discos and pubs, offering you high-quality beverages and entertainment. You may have mixed opinions about these places, so be sure to come with an open mind.

2. Laze on the beach

The Patong Beach is a great place to soak up the sunshine. Many comfy deck chairs are provided, complete with huge umbrellas in case the weather is too extreme. Just relax or curl up with a good book.

3. Watch the sunset at the Andaman Sea

Dont miss the spectacular sunset from 6pm onwards. Enjoy the magical experience with your special someone or with your family. Listen to the soothing sounds of the crashing waves and magnificent sunset.

4. Get a massage

Experience total relaxation as masseuse rubs away all the tension and stress in your muscles. Many major hotels provide the spa services where you can also try the full-body scrub, facials and aromatherapy baths.

Along the beach, you will also find numerous massage parlours which will cost you less but offer the same relaxing experience.

5. Get your hair braided or beaded

Let the skilful hairstylists give you a makeover by braiding and beading your hair in a short time. With a selection of styles and beads to choose from, your hair will maintain looking good up to a week of activities. For a small cost, you can return home looking marvellous and unique.

6. Indulge in shopping

The Patong Beach area is lined with rows of shops selling things ranging from clothes and accessories, to furnishing and handicrafts. The price can be a bit expensive but most things are bargainable.

Instead of the shops along the Beach road, there is also the Jungceylon Mall with more selection of items for you to check out.

7. Snorkel or enjoy a motorsport

On Patong Beach, you can also dive into the thrill of adventure by trying out parasailing, snorkelling, windsurfing, jet-skiing, water-skiing and scuba-diving. Many operators offer the services all day on the beach.

Scuba-diving, water-skiing and wakeboarding courses by licensed instructors are available all year round at the east of Patong Beach.

8. Enjoy the local dish and seafood

Thai food is addictive because of its unique flavours and freshness of the ingredients. Phuket is known for its vast selection of seafood, so you should not miss this opportunity to try some, cooked in various dishes of your choice.

9. Ride an elephant

Elephant rides are very popular among kids but adults can enjoy them as well. You can choose just a short trek or opt for one that takes up half a day.

10. Watch authentic Muay Thai matches

The Muay Thai is gaining popularity on the silver screen. If you dont mind the violence, go watch a live Thai boxing match. Amidst the cheer of spectators, listen to the mix of drums, clarinets and finger cymbals that accompany the match.

Geared right for Kinabalu

Friday, July 02, 2010 — Friday, July 02, 2010

GETTING the right attire to climb Mount Kinabalu is as important as getting fitness and stamina ready. ZALINA MOHD SOM shows you how.
Although most local mountaineers claim that climbing Mt Kinabalu is like childs play compared to scaling other mountains, its 4,095m altitude is not something to take lightly.

It takes two days to reach the peak of Southeast Asias highest mountain from either the Timpohon or Mesilau Gate.

It takes one day to reach the base camp of Laban Rata. The second days climb to the peak is the hardest. One does it in the dark, because you want to reach the top in time to see the spectacular sunrise. You have to put up with the cold weather and sharp gradient to achieve this. So, before you make that climb, be really prepared. Heres what you need:

Day 1

1. The trek from Timpohon Gate is barren. Be ready with a cap for some shade. Columbia Titanium cap (RM99)

2. Wear the most comfortable T-shirt because its going to be hot and humid. Columbia Ladies v-neck T-shirt (RM89)

3. A pair of three-quarter pants is good enough for the first leg of the climb. Columbia Omni-shade pants, boasting sun protection and quick dry (RM199)

4. Its always good to have a second pair of shoes. Covered-toe sandals like Teva iTunda Sandal (RM459) make the perfect choice

5. Just bring a small backpack for the next days climb. Columbia Greyclif II 30Litre (RM519)

Day 2

6. Since the second leg starts at 2am, a torchlight or head lamp is important. A head lamp is the best since youll need your hands to hold on the ropes as you climb. Coleman LED head lamp (RM59)

7. Rain is almost inevitable at the peak. A water-resistant jacket is a must. Columbia Cougar Peaks Water-resistant jacket (RM199)

8. At the peak, temperatures can drop to 10?C - sometimes lower. A windbreaker is not enough, so grab a warm jacket. Columbia Giants Ridge full-zip fleece jacket (RM199)

9. Wear the most comfortable T-shirt. Columbia round-neck Omni-shade Tee-mountain (RM99)

10. Put on a pair of long pants - a convertible is the best. On the climb down, when it gets hotter, you can just take off the bottom part and turn it into a pair of three-quarter pants. Columbia Titanium MT Awesom convertible pants (RM299)

11. Good shoes but not necessarily expensive shoes. The shoes must be comfortable and have a good grip, Salomon Elios Mid Gore-Tex (RM759)

12. A trekking pole helps a lot, especially for balance and stability when theres nothing to grab. Coleman trekking pole (RM73)

More than just a seat

Wednesday, June 09, 2010 — Wednesday, June 09, 2010

AT the airport check-in counter, the question of where would you like to sit comes up and you flit between your options - aisle or window?

However, there are other factors that should be taken into accountsuch as how much legroom is available, the location of the seat in the plane and more. In fact, SeatGuru, a US website started in 2001 by Matt Daimler, lists the relevant factors.

It currently has more than 700 seating charts for aircraft flown by more than 100 domestic and foreign carriers worldwide.

Daimler spent a year collecting airlines seating charts, and data, not just seat locations but also things like seat pitch (the distance between any one point on a seat and the same point on the seat in front) and width.

Three years ago, he sold the site to TripAdvisor, owned by online travel company Expedia. The first thing you see on the website is the promise to be the ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities and airline information.

The first six tabs on the left side break down names of airlines featured while the three remaining tabs feature travel tips and frequently asked questions as well as a chance to compare seating charts of economy, business and first class seats.

Pick the carrier youre travelling with and read up a general information page which has quick links and contact information.

For example, the Malaysia Airlines link is fourth from the top from the L-R tab and when you click on the link, not only does it tell you the flight carriers airline code (MH) but also all its codeshare partners.

Did you know that MAS has nearly 25 codeshare partners -- from as far as Austria to as near as Thailand?

These pages will also link to information pages for tips on check-in, baggage, unaccompanied children and travelling with infants and pets.

Do you know that an infant is charged a tenth of an adults fare on international flights and are allotted one bag with maximum dimensions of 115cm.

This can be carried as cabin baggage together with one fully collapsible baby push-chair or stroller or carrying basket which when combined must not exceed 10kg.

Other carriers listed on the website include Ryanair, Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. Visitors can also check out options for future trips be it flights, hotels or car rentals.

Best in the southern capital of Johor Baru

Wednesday, June 02, 2010 — Wednesday, June 02, 2010

PEGGY LOH lists her favourite eateries and places to visit in Johor Baru

JOHOR Baru, or simply JB, has several iconic landmarks such as the Sultan Ibrahim Building on Bukit Timbalan that are unique for their awesome architecture but for many, a visit to the city is not complete without tasting some of its local food.

Here are my food picks and some of the top places to visit.

1. Mee Rebus Haji Wahid: For almost a century, generations of Johoreans have enjoyed the mee rebus here.

In 1918, Basid Ali Karam Ali, fondly known as Wak Baidali, would sell mee rebus every afternoon near the Bukit Zaharah building and Kampung Air Molek area using a kandar (two rattan baskets suspended at the ends of a pole).

From 1938, his son, Wahid Basid Ali, operated the only mee rebus stall in the Satay Club. His grandson, Abdul Halim, moved the business to the Plaza Angsana food court in 1997 and recently great-grandson Muhd Nur Hafiez started a stall in the Pandan wholesale market.

2. Mee Ho Seng Kee: The Ho family recipe for kon loh mee or noodles tossed in special sauces, and topped with slivers of char xiu and wantan, is so uniquely Johorean that ardent fans dont mind the wait and even order takeaways after eating their fill.

Using farm-fresh eggs, high-grade flour, less oil, no MSG or artificial colouring, the noodles and wantan wrappers are smooth in texture. This non-halal restaurant in 12 Jalan Pelandok, Century Gardens is open from 8am to 4pm daily.

3. Danga Bay (www.dangabay.com) : A two-kilometre scenic drive on the coast road from the city centre leads to its largest recreational park which spans the Johor Straits for three kilometres.

Danga World features a petting zoo and a theme park that opens from 3pm daily. Animal shows are at 8.30pm and 10pm.

The Danga Cruise 8 departs at 8pm for a dinner cruise around the straits on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For enquiries and reservations, call 017-703 9988.

4. Fried bananas: At Mawar Cafe, fried bananas are served Johor style with a spicy black sauce dip.

Customers can ask for the king of bananas, pisang rajah, for its distinct sweetness. Teh and kopi tarik, or teh halia (ginger tea) all go well with fried bananas and sweet potatoes, tahu sumbat, nasi lemak, nasi ambang and a range of local kuih.

Located opposite the Sri Gelam football field along Jalan Sungai Chat close to Dataran Johor, Mawar Cafe is open daily from noon to 6.30pm except on public holidays.

5. Laksa Johor: Unique to Johor this noodle dish consists of spaghetti drowned in rich, spicy fish gravy, topped with raw cucumber curls, bean sprout, onion ring, fragrant herbs and a sprinkling of crunchy chai poh (preserved turnip).

It is served with sambal belacan (a spicy shrimp condiment) for that extra zing!

Available at various places including Restoran Bumbu Asli at 36-L Jalan Kolam Air, Danns Cafe at 42 Jalan Sagu 15, Taman Daya and (only on Saturday) at Warung Saga, 5 Jalan Mahmoodiah.

6. Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque: Standing majestically on a hilltop facing the Straits of Johor, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is one of the most arresting architectural sights in JB, and one of the most beautiful colonial mosques in the country.

As at all places of worship, visitors are advised to dress modestly and to show reverence. Its open from 10am to 6pm from Saturday to Thursday. Visits are not encouraged on Friday as the mosque, which can accommodate up to 2,000 worshippers, will be very crowded.

7. Hua Joo Bakery Sallahuddin Bakery: Two quaint little bakeries in the heart of the city continue to bake bread, cakes and pastries in traditional charcoal ovens. Piping hot and fragrant, baked buns and bread from Kedai Kek Roti Hiap Joo in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee are sold after 2.30pm while delicious banana cake is available after 3pm. For freshly-made giant samosa, Roti John, buns, cupcakes and sugee biscuits, head for Sallahuddin Bakery in Jalan Dhoby.

8. Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum: A destination on the Iskandar Petrie Heritage Trail, this museum is housed in a restored four-storey building that was occupied by the Johor Bahru Tiong-Hua Association since 1948. The museum, in 42 Jalan Ibrahim, is accessible from Jalan Ibrahim and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. Its open daily (except for Mondays) from 9am to 5pm, and until 10pm on Saturdays when the Tan Hiok Nee Cultural Street comes alive.

Entrance fees are RM3 for adults and RM1 for students, children and senior citizens. For group visits and enquiries, call 07-224 9633.

9. Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum: This imposing Grand Palace in Istana Garden, specially commissioned by Sultan Abu Bakar, the Father of Modern Johor, in 1864, was opened as a Royal Museum in 1990 for visitors to enjoy a glimpse of royal treasures.

History buffs can spend hours in the Royal Museum, open Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm. Entrance fees are RM5 (adults) and RM1 (children/students) for Malaysians, and US$7 (RM22) for adults and US$3 (children) who are foreigners.

The palace makes an excellent backdrop for photo mementos.

10. Hua Mui Restaurant It Roo Cafe: Heres where you will find JBs best Hainanese chicken chop. Whether you climb up the creaky stairs of Hua Muis dining hall in Jalan Trus or go to It Roo Cafe in adjacent Jalan Dhoby, you will enjoy the retro feel of these family restaurants.

Open for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, these halal sister restaurants are magnets for a loyal clientele from all walks of life.

Eating around Malaysia

Thursday, April 22, 2010 — Thursday, April 22, 2010

THIS week, PUTRI ZANINA shares her favourite foods outside the Klang Valley.

MALAYSIA is a food heaven. Different State has its own specialty when it comes to food. The list below reflects my personal choices. Please note that it does not contain all my favourites and neither are they Malaysias best.

1. Grilled fish and gulai tempoyak, Restoran Tasik Raban, Ipoh, Perak.

It offers authentic Perak-style gulai tempoyak with keli (catfish) and ikan air tawar bakar (grilled freshwater fish) like tilapia and jelawat. The restaurant whips up more than 50 Malay-style dishes, including rendang tok (Perak-style beef rendang).

How much: From RM10 for grilled fish and from RM5 a plate for various dishes.

Where: Jalan Komplek Sukan, Ipoh. It opens from 10am to 5pm daily.

2. Pasembor, Hafiz Rojak Buah stall at Pantai Kok, Langkawi.

Under a shady tree in quiet Pantai Kok is a van-cum-stall selling pasembor (northern-style rojak) thats the rave with its regulars. It has heaps of sliced cucumber, sengkuang (yambean), boiled potato, hard-boiled egg and deep-fried prawn fritters topped with beansprouts and medium-sized prawns, all drowned in a secret fragrant sauce that makes it tasty.

How much: Pasembor RM3 without prawns, RM5 with prawns.

Where: Pantai Kok, Langkawi. The stall opens from 2pm to 7.30pm daily, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It closes earlier if the food is sold out, often before 5pm.

3. Fried catfish, Warong Pokok Sawa, Mata Ayer, Perlis.

Dont be surprised if you end up eating three fried catfish at one sitting. Its that good. The fish is fresh, deep-fried and served instantly. Its naturally sweet and crispy, you can even chew the fins and the bones. The place has a huge selection of other Malay dishes, including ulam-ulam and sambal belacan - simply perfect to go with the fried catfish.

How much: From RM3 for the fried catfish.

Where: Kampung Kerisik, Mata Air, about 15 minutes from Kangar. It opens daily for lunch from 11am to 3pm, except Fridays.

4. Mee udang, Sungai Dua, Seberang Perai, Penang.

My favourite is Aziz Mee Pak Ngah Sg Dua that claims to have Warisan Yang Sebenar (the real heritage). Heaped over the yellow noodles are sweet, juicy and springy fresh-water prawns in fiery-red shells. The dish is a lovely contrast of colours and flavours - the sweetness of the prawns, the sting of chopped green and red chillies and the softness of thinly sliced beef. Also included are coarsely-cut fried tofu, prawn fritters and bean sprouts. It is an utterly wonderful heap of mess in spicy sweet gravy.

How much: From RM7 a plate.

Where: Along the main road heading to Sungai Dua town. Most stalls open from 7am to midnight.

5. Nasi Kandar, Restoran Yasmeen, Penang.

The kuah kandar (a mix of different types of spicy gravy) oozes all kinds of flavours - hot, spicy, sweet and sour. The ayam/daging hitam (chicken or beef cooked in thick, spicy black gravy) and spicy prawns and squids all lend a heady eating experience.

How much: Rice with one type of vege and meat costs about RM7.

Where: Restoran Yasmeen is at one end of Penang Road. The more famous Line Clear stall is actually set up against the outer wall of Restoran Yasmeen. Its open from 7am to midnight.

6. Gulai tempoyak ikan patin, Temerloh, Pahang.

One of the easiest places to have ikan patin is the Temerloh R amp;R area along the East-West Expressway. Several stalls here offer gulai tempoyak ikan patin. Pick any stall and the dish served is equally good. The gravy is asam tempoyak (fermented durian gravy with tamarind slices). Liking the patin and tempoyak is an acquired taste and those who are hooked to it will return for more.

How much: Cultivated patin RM4 to RM8 a piece; wild patin from RM80. (Ask the price before you eat!)

Where: Stalls at Temerloh R amp;R, East-West Expressway.

7. Sata Che Wan Geliga, Kemaman, Terengganu.

Many friends told me that the best sata can be found at roadside stalls in Terengganu. And the best has to be the Gerai Che Wan Geliga near Pantai Mak Nik in Chukai, Kemaman. Sata is boneless fish marinated in spices like shallots and ginger, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled over charcoal fire. At Che Wans stall, the sata is tasty, juicy and aromatic.

How much: RM10 a plate of nine pieces of sata.

Where: Pantai Teluk Mak Nik, Kampung Geliga Besar, Chukai, Kemaman. It opens from 11am to 5pm daily.

8. Nasi kerabu, Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah, Kota Baru, Kelantan.

This rice dish is served with raw vegetables, herbs, spices and sauces. It is also mixed with grated coconut, fish flakes and topped with fish crackers and salted egg. One of the sauces is budu (fermented anchovies) that adds the zing to the dish. The rice is blue with the use of natural blue dye from the lemuni or telang flower. You can take it with side dishes such as thinly sliced grilled beef and sotong sumbat (squid stuffed with glutinous rice and sweet sauce).

How much: From RM2.50 a plate.

Where: Stalls behind the Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah or on the first floor of this complex.

9. Gulai asam pedas, Restoran Mak Mah, Malacca.

This is among the most famous place for asam pedas, the bracingly hot and sour broth boiled with fish, tamarind juice, chillies and daun kesum. At Mak Mahs, you can choose asam pedas with pari, terubuk or parang. Theres also plenty of ulam to choose from, including pucuk ubi (tapioca leaves).

How much: From RM5, depending on type and size of fish.

Where: Commercial centre of Melaka Raya. The restaurant is a few minutes walk from Hotel Seri Costa.

10. Mee Rebus Haji Wahid, Johor Baru.

Mee Rebus Haji Wahid is famous nationwide. The secret to this tasty noodle treat is the gravy. Its a secret recipe that has been with Haji Wahids family for almost 10 decades. The garnishing includes bean sprouts, slices of hard-boiled egg, chopped green chillies and fried shallots. And its topped with coarsely crushed crispy prawn fritters.

How much: RM3 to RM4 a plate.

Where: There are several Mee Rebus Haji Wahid stalls in Johor Baru, including in Plaza Angsana food court and Larkin Market food court. The opening hours vary but its best to be there at lunch hour or teatime.

Charming guide to England

Thursday, April 22, 2010 — Thursday, April 22, 2010

BUCKINGHAM Palace. Big Ben. Westminster Abbey. Eye of London. These attractions are probably among the first things that come to mind when thinking of sights to see while travelling in England.

The most recent travel guide by Fodors Travel Publications (www.fodors.com), titled England 2010 with the Best of Wales, however, shows that the country has much more to offer than just these often publicised attractions of its capital.

The publishers claim that its guide books offer current and discerning shopping, dining, hotel and culture recommendations, as well as compelling features and articles that convey the essence of each destination does hold water - each of the categories mentioned are listed in the 14 chapters of the guide.

The guide book makes for easy reading - tips and tales are laid out in simple font.

This tome, the size of a Telekom Malaysia phone book, starts with general facts and tips about planning a trip to England.Then it moves on to information on where to eat and stay while on the move. It also lists some of the top things to do in each chapter.

There are maps in every chapter and that of Greater London as well as the history behind certain subjects, such as the English love affair with tea.

Do look out for quirky facts inserted smartly within the text. Did you know that London grew from a wooden bridge built over the river Thames in 43AD to what it is today?

Interesting nuggets of information appear throughout the guide. There is also a segment called Quick Bites with information on interesting places to rest your feet while eating.

Pick up the guide and youll fall in love with the rolling hills of the English countryside, the countrys sprawling mansions and the many art galleries around London itself.

PRICE: RM98.90

Author/Publisher: Fodors Travel, a division of Random House, Inc

Number of pages: 800

Pick it up at: MPH Bookstores nationwide

Top 10 things to do in Beijing

Monday, April 19, 2010 — Monday, April 19, 2010

FROM old ruins to royal palaces to the worlds largest steel structure, Chinas second largest is a fascinating place to visit, writes JOHN TIONG.

BEIJING, which has a population of 17 million, is Chinas second largest city after Shanghai.

The first thing any taxi driver will tell tourists is that Beijing or the Northern Capital is a very old city.

It started out at the present Guanganmen, Xuanwu District in 1040 BC. It was called Zhongdu (Central City) during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and Dadu (Great City) by the Mongols in the 13th Century.

It was renamed Beiping or Northern Peace during the Ming Dynasty. And like its name that keeps on changing, the city keeps morphing into something new. You cannot savour all of Beijing in a week.

Even with two trips, I could not fulfil my goal to thoroughly see the Forbidden City now renamed Palace Museum.

You may need more than a month if you want to take a good look at the citys past and present.

Be that as it may, I managed to compile my choices of top things to do in Beijing. For more info of the citys attractions, go to the Beijing Tourism Information website at www.bjta.gov.cn

1. Visit the ruins of the Yuan Ming Yuan or Old Summer Palace

Location: 28, Qinghua West Road, Haidian District.

Website: www.yuanmingyuanpark.com.cn.

Entrance fee: about RM7.50

Though it lies in ruins, Yuan Ming Yuan is a must-visit because it was the residence of Emperor Qiang Long (1736-1795) of the Ching Dynasty whom I admire the most.

In his life time, he wrote some 42,000 poems and was responsible in bringing Chinese literature to a new level.

Here, I learn the history of the Manchurians which were a nomadic tribe that succeeded in subjugating the Chinese in 1644.

The nomads, suddenly thrust in the world of literature, music and poetry found they had a lot of catching up to do and were drowned in the best of what the Chinese culture had to offer.

The Manchu rulers were able to advance whatever they wanted because the Chinese imperial coffers were richest during the early part of the dynasty.

Yuan Ming Yuan, once dubbed the garden of gardens in the West, was built by the best Chinese artisans, builders and palace designers over more than 100 years.

It had only one aim: to turn the sights and scenes extolled in Chinese poetry and classics into reality.

At the height of its development, Yuan Ming Yuan had some 6,000 structures including halls, pavilions, temples, galleries, gardens, manmade lakes and hills.

There were also European-style palaces (Xi Yang Lou) of stones designed by the Jesuits Giuseppe Castiglione and Michel Benoist.

Qiang Long also built a park with Islamic architecture to please his favourite concubine who was a Muslim so that she could feel at home in Yuan Ming Yuan.

It was looted and partially destroyed by the British and French forces during the second Opium War in the 1860s. It was completely destroyed in 1900 during the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion.

You can see a model of Yuan Ming Yuan in a little museum standing among the ruins here.

2. See the Beijing National Stadium or the Birds Nest

Location: Olympic Green.

Entrance fee: RM25

No visit to Beijing is complete without setting foot on the Beijing National Stadium or more popularly called the Birds Nest.

Standing opposite the Bird Nest is the National Aquatics Centre or Water Cube, a rectangular scaly blue structure which is temporarily closed.

The Birds Nest, the largest steel structure in the world has played host to the Olympics and the 2008 Summer Paralympics.

It served as the grounds for athletic events and the football final of the Beijing Olympics.

The Birds Nest still echoed the proud moment of the Chinese people with the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games by President Hu Jintao being replayed on a large screen during visiting hours.

There is also a gallery featuring many life-size Madame Tussaud wax images of the various Olympic International Committee Presidents. There is also a large souvenir shop where you can buy all things related to the Olympics.

3. Visit China Nationalities Museum

Location: West of the Olympic Green.

Website: www.emuseum.org.cn.

Entrance fee: RM30 (North Garden) and RM45 (both North and South Gardens)

It is lesser known than the other attractions but the China Nationalities Museum is really worth a visit because it is a lively place with ethnic songs and dances being performed everyday for tourists.

The museum that won the Prize for Protecting Ethnic Buildings at the Organisation Committee of World Conference of Architects in 1998 features 44 ethnic villages and 200 ethnic buildings.

It is huge and you need to set aside a few days to complete the museum! Each of the 56 nationalities here is represented through their unique abodes, places of worship as well as the interesting household utensils and gadgets that they use.

Also displayed are some boats painted bright red. The Dong ethnic group builds better-looking pagodas and bridges than the Han Chinese and these can be seen at the museum.

The more familiar ethnic groups found here are the Korean, Miao, Mongolian and Tibetan while the lesser-known includes the Bonan (sounds like our Punans), Dai (who are actually Thai), Salar, Wa and Daur.

Walking through the park feels like home to me because a lot of the houses and people share similar characteristics with Malaysians and Indonesians.

One group even has totem poles crafted with figures of their gods like those in Sarawak.

I also meet a Wah girl who resembles a Malay. The Wah, like the Minangkabaus, hang buffalo skulls at the fore of their houses.

The museums website describes the premise as a base to preserve the cultural heritage of the different ethnic groups and a place where people can exchange ideas and learn about each other.

4. Discover Zhongshan Garden

Location: Adjacent to the Palace Museum.

Entrance fee: RM1.50

Though most tourists may not visit this unassuming park, I did because of my curiosity with Dr Sun Yat Sen, the father of modern China. His hearse was temporarily placed at the Zhongshan hall here after his death.

Chinese emperors also came here to pray at the altar of the Gods of Land and Grain for good harvest. You would be greeted by Suns large statue at the entrance.

There are a few other things worth watching out for here. One is the Green Lotus rock, brought from southern China to Yuan Ming Yuan by Emperor Qiang Long because he was fascinated by its shape.

It carried his inscriptions in Chinese Green Lotus. There is also a strange intertwining Cypress and Locust trees that seem to have grown out of each other.

5. Visit Yonghegong Lama Temple

Location: No. 12, Yonghegong St, Dongcheng District Beijing.

Entrance fee: RM12.50

The largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing was built in the style of the Han, Man, Meng and Zang Chinese architecture. It was originally the mansion of Emperor Yongzheng. Many of the temple structures here have ornate sweeping multi-coloured arched roofs.

The most interesting sections of the old temples are the exotic and sacred statues of Tibetan Buddhism. They were sent as gifts from Tibet to the Manchu emperors.

Among the great treasures here are the congregation of 500 Luohan statues made of red sandalwood and the Maitreiya Buddha, of white sandalwood.

6. Walk in Beihai Park

Location: No. 1, Wenjin St. Xicheng District, Beijing.

Website: beihaipark.com.cn.

Entrance fee (April to Oct): RM5

While the Palace Museum enables you to experience the grandeur of imperial China, the Beihai Park enables you to savour the best royal gardens in China dating back 1,000 years.

You will see how northern Chinese gardens exude grandeur while the southern ones charms with grace and refinement especially with the use of plants and trees. Beihai also features a lake, palace buildings and temples, among others.

7. Taste Beijing roast duck

Location: Quanjude Building No.4, Qianmen West St, Xuanwu District, Beijing.

Website: www.quanjude.com.cn

Quanjude has been serving Beijing roast duck for more than 140 years. This is reputed to be Premier Zhou Enlais favourite roast duck joint because he actually instructed the restaurant to be built here.

The size of the restaurant is huge with 40 banqueting halls and can fit more than 2,000 guests. The golden hall on the fourth floor is worth taking a look as it is constructed with strong national characteristics exuding gracefulness.

8. Visit Temple of Heaven

Location: Tiantan Road, Chongwen District.

Website: www.tiantanpark.com.

Entrance fee: RM17.50

This is the largest temple structure in China for worshipping the heaven. The three-storey building looms towards the sky with three sweeping roofs. Topping the structure is a roof that is almost conical in shape. It is a favourite place for tourists to take pictures. Emperors of the Ming and Ching Dynasties came here annually to offer prayers to the Heaven for good harvest in the old days.

9. Take a ride on the Beijing Subway

Cost per ride: only RM1

You can go to most tourist spots in Beijing using the subway system. With every ride costing only RM1, its very cheap and easy to travel around. Its of course easier to get around if you know Mandarin.

The subway workers are very obliging so it is easy to get help. One drawback is that they electronically screen your bags for dangerous objects before you enter the train.

The Beijing Subway was opened in 1971 and now service some four million rides a day. The network now has 147 stations and nine lines totalling 228km of tracks.

10. Explore the Forbidden City or the Palace Museum

Entrance fee: RM20

A visit to the Forbidden City enables you to see not only the largest palace monument but also the famous Tiananmen Square as you have to pass through its gate to enter the Forbidden City.

Of course, you wont miss the picture of Mao Tse Tung, the founder of Republic of Communist China placed over the entrance gate.

The Forbidden City is anything but formidable. I have yet to go through the entire area even though I have been here twice, often getting lost in the pathways leading to where the emperors concubines used to live.

The main palace buildings through the centre of the park here are divided into the outer and inner courts.

The outer courts, known as the Taihe, Zhonghe and Baohe, were where the emperors worked and met with officials during rituals and ceremonies.

The inner courts - Qianging, Jiaotai and Kunning - were where the emperors lived and handled day to day work.

One interesting view was the royal wedding beds.

The palace monument ends with the royal garden at the rear, a place where the royal family enjoyed nature but also where concubines were picked.

The garden is filled with cypresses, pines, pavilions, rock art and plum trees. I was lucky when I was there as the plum trees were in full bloom.

The left and right wings of the court buildings have been turned into exhibition centres where royal art and craft are exhibited.

They include rare paintings, calligraphy, canopies, musical instruments, weapons, jade as well as large art objects in gold.

Top 10 things to do on the Taipei-Kaohsiung route

Friday, April 09, 2010 — Friday, April 09, 2010

ZALINA MOHD SOM lists the 10 top things to do along the Taipei-Kaohsiung route.

Portuguese sailors called it Ilha Formosa or Beautiful Island when they first saw Taiwan back in the 16th Century, while modern-day Taiwan makes itself reputable as a Mountainous Island.

Two hundred sixty of its mountains are over 3,000 metres high, one of which is Jade Mountain, the highest peak in the Northeast Asia region.

Taiwan tourism authority adds the word fun in capital letters to its name as the island is branded as a destination that offers fun and exciting activities and attractions contributed by its modern cities and unspoilt nature.

Taiwan may be nine times smaller than Malaysia but the sweet potato shaped island is not short of things to do and places to visit.

While it is possible to finish the whole island in one go, it is best to at least cover the islands west coast by going down south from capital Taipei to Kaohsiung.

Complete the Taipei-Kaohsiung-Taipei round with a ride on the Taiwan High Speed Train that takes only 90 minutes travelling times compared to four hours by road.

Here are 10 top things to do along the Taipei-Kaohsiung route.

1. Conquer the Taipei 101

If Kuala Lumpur is proud of its tallest towers, the Petronas Twin Towers, Taipei is of its tallest building, Taipei 101.

It takes only 37 seconds to reach the observatory deck on the 89th floor. The 508-metre building is an architecture of a fusion of East Asian and Taiwanese.

A Taipei city tour should also include a visit to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall which was constructed in memory of the former president, Chiang Kai-Shek; and to the National Palace Museum, renowned as one of the greatest museums in the world.

2. Shop at the night market or shopping streets

Night market or shopping street is a big component of shopping in Taiwan.

If every city has one, whats more in big cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung. Taipei itself has more than three shopping streets that operate every night. More than often, Ximending, Shihlin and Tihua are top choices for visitors to taste Taiwanese night life.

Ximending is well-known for its wholesale garments while Shihlin is where youngsters go for trendy fashion and al-fresco dining. Tihua is a cultural centre for the Hakka community.

3. Try the young pinang (betel nut)

Betel nut may not be your thing but still, you should try dropping by at the islands many road-side kiosks selling this exotic stimulant. Trust me!

Like the Malays and Indians back home, Taiwanese like to chew betel leaf-wrapped pinang. Most of them are lorry drivers who take on the highways to ferry goods.

To attract these men to stop at their kiosks, the operators engage sexy, skimpily dressed girls to sit in their glass-wall kiosks.

Sales are so good that betel nut becomes the islands second largest crop. But, dont try snapping a picture or two of these sexy girls for they might ask hefty fees for the poses!

4. Visit the old street of Jioufen

Those who dont like the over-crowded, commercialised shopping streets, the old street of Jioufen is the right place.

Though still crowded and noisy, the narrow pedestrian mall charms any jaded visitor with its charming shops and stalls selling traditional Taiwanese cakes and snacks, and beautiful craft.

Walk till the end of the street and the sight of hillside tea houses fronting pebbled lane will take you to a different world. Jioufen, that pebbled lane particularly, is said to be the preferred location for Taiwanese movie or drama series.

5. Soak in the sulphur-rich hot springs

There are visitors who go there just to soak in its many natural hot springs.

Its volcanic past has left Taiwan with abundant reserves of geothermal energy that makes it one of the densest and most varied concentration of hot springs in the world.

There are more than 100 locations that have this hot bubbling mineral water. Some of them serve as centres for large numbers of hot-spring hotels like Beitou.

The Taipei district is known for its sulphur hot springs and thanks to the Japanese colonisation (1895-1945), these hot springs still exude a faint Japanese atmosphere both in architecture and culture.

6. Take on a sombre mood at the Wufong Earthquake Museum

The museum is built on the ground of Kong-Fu Elementary School in Wufong in Taichung district.

The schools sports ground was located right on the Chelongpu fault that forced the ground up to about two metres.

The damaged school and the raised ground are preserved to be the most important part of the museum.

It leads visitors through the damaged buildings before the tour ends at an exhibition hall and an earthquake simulator, which is as close as one can get to experience the real 7.6-Richter Wufong earthquake.

7. Climb up the beautiful layered steps to British Consulate Building in Takao, Kaohsiung

The colonial building is a former British consulate built in 1865, making it the first western-style building built in Taiwan.

Sitting atop a hill, the building commands open views of Kaohsiung Harbour and the city skyline. Theres a restaurant said to serve the best English tea and scone.

The city tour of Kaohsiung should also include a trip to Splendor Kaohsiung. The tallest building in the southern Taiwan houses a five-star hotel The Splendor Kaohsiung, office buildings and a shopping mall. Theres a viewing deck for visitors to have an aerial view of the harbour city.

8. Take the Kaohsiung MRT and get down at the Formosa Boulevard Station

Whether during the day or night, getting down at the station proves worth it. It is where you can see the worlds largest art glass.

Spanning 30 metres in diameter, the ceiling decks bright colourful art which makes it hard for you to look away. One will either lie down on the floor (to best view it) or leave the station with a stiff neck!

9. Be a kid again at any of its theme parks

We are not talking about those usual brands of theme parks. All theme parks in Taiwan are local brands.

They dont need cartoon characters from Disney nor those super heroes from Universal Studio.

Nonetheless, the parks have their own themes and attractions. Windows on China is home to 130 large, exquisitely-detailed miniatures of worlds famous landmarks.

Best of all, the park also houses the worlds first Doraemon park. Its neighbour Leofoo Village Theme Park is Taiwans first park that combines wildlife zoo and amusement park. The 100-hectare park also houses four themed villages - Africa Safari, Wild West, South Pacific and Arabian Kingdom.

10. Be a tourist and ogle at Wulais beautiful nature

Wulai is a tourist town located in the southern Taipei County. The hilltop town offers cool high-altitude temperature, beautiful unspoilt nature and unique aboriginal culture of the Atayal tribe.

But the things that one shouldnt miss is the feet-stomping Atayal cultural show and a leisurely walk at the old street of Wulai.

Complete the round at Wulai with a ride on Wulai Scenic Train, a converted mine train built during the Japanese and a gondola ride to the top of Wulai Falls.

For details, Visit Taiwan Visitors Association website.

Holidays with kids

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 — Wednesday, March 24, 2010

TRAVELLING with children can be a stressful experience, especially for first-timers. Dont fret. LAVIINIA DHANAGUNAN checks out a website dedicated to outstanding family vacation ideas.

WHILE checking out child-friendly websites for travel ideas for children, this website (http://www.kidscantravel.com/) popped up among the search results.

Curiosity got the better of me and a quick click had the page open in another browser. The first thing to catch ones attention is a banner with two kids wrapped up in towels staring out into the horizon.

The websites tagline outstanding family vacation ideas and the tools to get you there is also quite quirky and an attention grabber.

The positioning of the tabs on the left hand side of the page, however, dont really sit well with me as Im a fan of things working in order of succession. Having to work bottom-up to look for the proper tab is not something Im used to.

The good thing, I suppose, is that the family travel tips and family travel guides tabs are found at the top of the page which allows me to get straight to business.

The homepage has several sections, topped by featured tips for travel with kids followed by travel reviews, a global look at travel ideas for kids, top family vacation destinations, fun things to do with kids and lastly, family favourites.

Each segment on the homepage opens up to the individual page dedicated to discussions and articles on related topics like Feeding Kids On The Move, Teaching Kids How To Snorkel, etc.

The articles are well-researched and written in simple English, minus the jargon associated with say, snorkelling, and also features tried and tested methods.

The article, Teaching Kids How To Snorkel, for example, tells you that snorkel masks can be cleaned with dish soap or toothpaste. The writer also provides an old fashioned way to avoid fogging of the mask: Have your child rub saliva on the inside of the dry lens and then rinse the mask.

The family travel tips section is portioned off into several topics like tips for travel with kids, responsible travel and more.

Inside the segment, Tips For Travel With Kids, for instance, keep an eye out for a yellow and blue lined pill-sized diagram. This diagram means that the tips in the article featured are meant for the little ones to follow.

Its also a constant sight on the right hand side of the page where kids can brush up on their travel trivia.

The dullest-coloured tab on the left poses a surprise when clicked on as the images within this segment -- Family Vacation Images -- are brilliant.

The photographer of the most recent albums (there are 270 featured), Alfredo de Simone, has managed to capture some beautiful shots of places in Egypt like the Red Sea, Berenice and Marsa Alam.

The website is fairly easy to navigate and features some very practical travel tips that can be used anywhere.

On the go with virtual help

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 — Tuesday, March 23, 2010

SITI SYAMEEN MD KHALILI suggests some online sites that help you prepare for that holiday.

Wherever your holiday picks may be, chances are the city would be documented in Wikitravel.

This worldwide travel guide contains information on more than 23,000 travel hotspots and is updated regularly.

So, rather than buying a guidebook, the information you get from this site is likely to be more current.

Just type in your chosen city or browse through destinations that are categorised according to its home continent.

Information on each destination includes history, culture, logistics, tourist attractions, accommodation, local food and activities.

There are also links within the text for you to explore, so you can jump from one article to another as you organise your holiday itinerary.

Ticket booking

WHATEVER mode of travel you choose, it is best to book your tickets ahead, especially if you are going in a big group.

For air travel, sites like www.airasia.com and www.malaysiaairlines.com are equipped with a secure online booking and payment infrastructure.

For land travel in Malaysia and neighbouring countries, try the Malaysian Railways website for train services and or Mara Liner for bus services.

All of these sites offer pertinent details such as schedules, fares, ticketing office addresses, terminal locations, offers and discounts, as well as suggestions on great holiday destinations.

Country or embassy portals

IF your choice spot happens to be an international destination, it pays to be aware of the countrys rules and regulations.

Visit its country or embassy portal to learn more about the people and the dos and donts.

Many of these sites, for example www.chinatoday.com, also offer valuable tips and information on climate, medical service and foreign exchange.

Another example is the US Embassy website, which offers a lot of information for America-bound tourists as well as an online visa application system.

Ground arrangements

VISITING a new destination can be a daunting experience.

If you prefer to have a well-planned itinerary, book tour packages that offer various ground arrangements.

TH Travel amp; Services is one example of a travel solutions provider that offers a comprehensive range of tours for national and international destinations.

Accommodation

AN important part of a holiday is accommodation. Sites like Trip Advisor can help you choose rooms and hotels that suit your holiday plan, budget and requirements.

At the same time, you can also read up on hotel reviews that other users have recorded, based on their personal experiences.

Otherwise, you can visit hotel websites to check out their rates, location, facilities and online offers.

Weather forecast

A QUICK visit to Yahoo!News Weather portal can help you decide when it is best to travel and what kind of clothes to bring.

Yahoo!s weather portal also offers a tool for you to add a city that you plan to visit using its My Saved Locations utility where you can monitor temperature and rain.

This portal will also link you to The Weather Channel where you can get more updates on current weather conditions and forecasts.

Immortalising the moments

AFTER a long holiday, you need time to regain your strength to go back to your daily routine.

Sometimes, those thousands of photos you took using your digital SLR camera would not be reviewed, the films on your camcorder will lie still on the DVD.

So, to immortalise your holiday adventure, you can blog and geo-tag each spot as you go. Find a Wi-Fi hotspot and login to sites like Google Maps and Blogger.com to share your story.