|
Journeys to Destinations in Thailand:
Journeys to Destinations in Singapore:
Journeys to Destinations in Malaysia:
Kuala Lumpur: The dynamic capital city of Malaysia is situated midway along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where the Klang and Gombek rivers come together. The city represents the modern face of Malaysia, with gleaming skyscrapers including the Petronas Twin Towers, among the tallest buildings in the world, creating a dazzling skyline. Alongside these new buildings you will find elegant colonial style bungalows, displaying how Kuala Lumpur has combined tradition and modernity, in the journey of its rapid growth. People of many different communities live in this city of over one and a half million people.
Genting Highlands: Genting Highlands, an hour journey from Kuala Lumpur by road, is popular with holidaymakers. It houses a world-class casino, a theme park, several hotels and an excellent 18-hole golf course. It offers complete family entertainment. The outdoor theme park features thrilling roller coasters, such as the Cork screw and the Cyclone, as well as other novelties for fun seekers such as the Monorail and the Flying Dragon. The indoor theme park has various themes from around the world. Visit Venice, Paris, USA, England and Switzerland in a matter of minutes. The Awana Eco Park, on the lower level of the mountain range, offers a variety of eco sports, flora & fauna. The Awana Horse Ranch offers equestrian activity and riding lessons for beginners. There are also many food courts and fast food outlets.
Golden Triangle: This shopping district in Kuala Lumpur includes Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Imbi with their shopping complexes, Jalan Sultan Ismail and stretches until the KLCC complex. This area is full of hotels, cafes and shopping complexes.
Petaling Street: The center of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown. Petaling Street maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors spread their wares out on the street. While it is possible to purchase anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts here, enjoying the night market is really a matter of just wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds, and energy.
Batu Caves: This cave complex located about 12 km north of Kuala Lumpur, is a holy shrine for the many Indian immigrants in Malaysia. The 111-year-old main-temple, dedicated to Lord Subramania (Kartikeya), is lodged in a cave about 400 feet above ground level, known as Bukit Batu, Rocky Hill. Since 1892 the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai (which falls in late January/early February) has been celebrated here. From well before sunrise on the day of the festival, devotees with chests, backs, thighs, foreheads, tongues and cheeks pierced with silver needles or skewers, carrying decorated structures called Kaavadee, which can weigh up to 100 kgs, make the journey up to the cave temple. At the base of the hill, at ground level, there are three caves known as the Valluvar Kottam, Art Gallery Cave and the Ramayana Cave. The Ramayan Cave presents a concise but comprehensive narration of Lord Rama's history. The other caves have paintings that depict scenes from the Mahabharat and the lives of renowned Tamil poets. Several eateries in the temple complex serve a delicious variety of vegetarian Southern Indian food.
The hill massif is also home to the primitive trapdoor spider, Liphistius Batuensis, which is in danger of extinction. It is believed that the Batu Caves are the only place left in the world where this spider species still exists.
Sabah: Located at the northeast corner of Borneo, Sabah was known in ancient times as the "Land Below The Wind" because it lies below the typhoon belt. Sabah's terrain is rugged, with Mt. Kinabalu, at 4,101 metres, dominating the surrounding landscape. It has a wide diversity of flora and fauna, as well as one of the world's largest rainforests. The primary attractions of Sabah are its outstanding national parks, which include Kinabalu National Park, the Crocker Range Park, and the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. Others journey to Sabah to enjoy the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park and the diver's paradise of Pulau Sipadan.
Sarawak: Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, an outback of sheer beauty rich in resources such as pepper, cocoa, palm oil, timber and oil. With an area of 124,450 sq. km, it is a region of endless fascination, possessing the largest cave chamber in the world, verdant jungles, unique fauna and flora, white beaches, and remote islands. Sarawak is known to international visitors because of its beautiful national parks, including Gunung Mulu, the Niah Caves, and Bako. Sarawak's cultural treasures are also fascinating, reflecting the influence not only of the state's many ethnic peoples, but also the western influence of Sarawak's "White Rajahs."
Penang: Penang's is known for its outstanding beaches and exotic sights including the delightful Penang Bird Park, the romantic peak of Penang Hill, Fort Cornwallis, and the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve (crisscrossed with beautiful trails leading to isolated beaches). A journey through the reserve's interior reveals rare flora, monkeys chattering in the trees, sea eagles and maybe a glimpse of a Hawksbill turtle heading for the sea. The Kek Lok Si temple, at Air Itam, is reputed to be the most beautiful and largest temple complex in Southeast Asia. Its 7-storey pagoda, which is over 90 feet high, is a harmonious blend of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architecture and craftsmanship.
Langkawi: Situated off Peninsular Malaysia's northern coast, where the Andaman Sea merges into the Malacca Straits, the Langkawi archipelago contains between 99 to 104 idyllic islands - the figures vary as some of the islets are submerged during high tide. The main island is popularly known as Pulau Langkawi and is easily accessible by air and sea.
Langkawi Craft Cultural Complex: The Craft Cultural Complex is located on the northern coastline of Langkawi Island. Nestled on a hillside overlooking the sea, this complex offers a wide range of Malaysian handicraft such as hand drawn batik, embroidery, beads, metal ware and silverware, created by traditional craftsmen who have practised their craft for generations.
Atma Alam Batik Art Village: This Art Village in Padand Mat Sirat was made possible by a young couple - Aza Osman, an oil painter and Roshadah Yusof, a batik artist, who together created a cultural showcase displaying the beauty of batik painting. You are sure to leave with samples of artwork that appeal to you, on your journey to this Art Village in Malaysia, South East Asia.
|
