Pulau Perhentian, ’stopover island’, a perfect place for Sun Sand & Sea Lovers. This is about 21km off the coast of Terengganu. A cluster of islands. Islands of Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. These are covered by unspoilt jungle, palms, beaches with white powder sand. Sea is with sapphire blue waters. Pulau Perhentian is the island of fishermen, migratory birds and holiday-makers.

Marine Park located just off the edge of the Pulau Redang . For snorkelling and Scuba diving Perhentian’s coral-fringed waters have excellent underwater seascapes . Cruises by and boats to go exploring for private bays and secluded coves. A trip to these tropical islands is also a must for those who enjoy windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and deep-sea fishing.

Of the two islands, Pulau Perhentian Kecil is more geared towards backpackers. Here, you’ll find a wide range of budget options for both food and accommodation. Pulau Perhentian Besar, on the other hand, is more developed and therefore offers better facilities. Nevertheless, there are chalets, dormitories and campsites on both islands.

For more information, contact Terengganu Tourism Office Tel: +609-622 1433 / 1893

With the global rise in interest in motor sports, Malaysia now has a challenging Formula 1 circuit just outside the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.

The Sepang F1 Circuit has a double-frontage grand stand for 30,000 spectators and natural stands that are able to accommodate 100,000 spectators. Since it first played host to Formula 1 in 1999, the Sepang Circuit has become one of the most popular circuits among the F1 drivers.

The course, covering an impressive 5.542km circuit, features 15 turns and 8 straights. The Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix brings the world’s best drivers together on this circuit.

Taman Negara (National Park) is one of the oldest reserved park in the country. Visitors can have river cruises, jungle trekking, canopy walk to have a fantastic close up view of activity in the rain forest. Huts built high above on the tree branches guests to stay overnight and observe animals in their natural habitat. Visitors may explore caves by boat or by foot.

Taman Negara is one of the oldest rain forests in the world. Experts estimate it is 130 million years old.

For further information, contact: Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Km 10, Jalan Cheras.56100 Kuala Lumpur. Phone: +603-90752872Fax: +603-90752873. Email: pakp@wildlife.gov.my/ pro@wildlife.gov.my

Kuching, the Capital of Sarawak, is a cosmopolitan city and this is reflected in the faces on the street. It has the International airport connecting with many important cities of this region.

Kuching city center is preserved with ornate Chinese Temples, The Astana, City Tower, Colonial-style architecture buildings. The waterfront is also very beautiful. There are few museums, like the Sarawak Museum & Cat Museum. The famous landmark of the City, the Cat Monument, Market, Main Bazaar, China Town, Old State Mosque & etc.

Kuching is the best place to collect souvenir such as woodcarvings, “Pua Kumbu” with local design, Peper products, Pottery. Sarawak Bird’s Nest are also one of the famous souvenirs which can be found in Kuching.

Tourists can start with a visit to SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE, the ‘Living Museum’, the Village is a showcase of a kaleidoscope of Sarawak’s cultures and traditions. These are prepared and preserved to attract the visitors. Visitors may explore the 7 authentic replicas of ethnic houses.

1. Chinese Farm House,
2. Malay’s Stilted House,
3. Melanau Tall House,
4. Penan Hut
5. Longhouse of the Iban,
6. Bidayuh and
7. Orang Ulu.

Displayed in each house are the many artifacts made by the individual dwellers. Demonstration of arts and crafts like bead work, wood and bamboo carvings, “Pua” weaving and straw weaving can be seen while touring the Village.

Tourists can also enjoy the traditional ethnic cultural show performed by the local villagers.

Other popular tourist attraction are, Semenggoh Nature Reserve. A hike through the dipterous forest. This is a 740 hector reserve forest, where the Orang Utans are set free. Here, young Orang Utans, who were either orphaned or rescued from captivity, are trained to survive in the wild. Visitors may spot their delicate nest watch their skillful movements at the tree tops and also their interesting behavior during feeding time. Their are trained guides to and guide through. Orang Utan, meaning ‘Man of the Forest’.

Next is to visit is Crocodile Farm & Zoo. Over one thousand Crocodiles housed here. And this is set amidst tropical fruit trees and lush-greenery. It serves as a perfect sanctuary to these fearsome reptiles where they are kept in an enclosure designed and built similar to the natural habitat of the reptiles.

In the mini Zoo, there are fascinating animals such as the bear cats, civets, deer, pythons etc. All these are of Sarawk province.

Tourists like to visit Fairy & Wind Cave. This cave is about 40 feet high. This cave climbing of this hight, visitors need torchlights to reach the main chamber. Sunlight lights the main chamber and it enables visitors to view the limestone formation of several types. View the beautiful and some eerie shape of nature creations, the stalactites and stalagmites. There is a formation that has been likened to the Goddess of Mercy which at about 3 meters in height resembles a woman dressed in classical Chinese robes, look down benignly upon worshipers. Another formation looks like an old man crouching down.

Wind Cave is nearby. This dark tunnel like cave is filled with bats and swiftest. Wall of the cave to be seen by torchlight to spot the bird nest with some eggs in it.

A cruise along the Sarawak River by a sail boat is a relaxing way to enjoy the various phases of the city. It retrace the trip James Brooke made when he first arrived in Sarawak. On this sail boat river cruise may pass the Waterfront, Brooke Dockyard, the 100 year old Malay Kampung, Fort Magherita, Astana, Square Tower and the Industrial Estate. On way to the sea or river mouth, tourist can watch the colorful fishing boats nearby Bako after the Chinese and Malay villages are the villas and mansions of Kuching’s affluent society. This trip will give the idea of the picture of history and lifestyles in Kuching.

Malacca name derived from Melaka, the Arabic word for Market.

Malacca has fascinating mix of cultures and religions. This was ruled and settled by Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British for almost five centuries. Visitors to Malacca can explore this heritage at the same time they sample the vibrant culture of modern Malaysia.

Malacca the capital city of the state of Malacca, is across the Strait of Malacca from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. This state is the second smallest in the country.

Portuguese people defeated Muslim Sultan in 1511 and ruled this beautiful and important city to protect their’s Spice trade. Portuguese built a fort called Famosa, of which the gate is all that remains today.

After Portuguese Dutch took over the city in 1641. They ruled till 1824. Instead of developing this city they were interested in Batavia (Jakarta) in Indonesia. Now reminder of the long Dutch presence in Malacca is this windmill.

Most of the important sites in Malacca are around Red Square: Christ Church, the Stadthuys (on the right) and the clock tower

As this was ruled by many people of different religion believe they left the sign of their presence by building their places of worship. One beautiful one is the French built Gothic style church St. Francis Xavier, known as the “Apostle of the East”

Chinese King Kapitan Lee Wei built Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in 1645 with building materials imported from China. This is the main place of worship for the local Hokkien Chinese community and is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia.

There are so museums with with cultural heritage of this old civilization worth visiting.
Jonker Walk, on Jonker street, is an open air night market. It held only on every weekend evening until late night. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll, catch a free street performance, and shop for some great local souvenirs and antiques.

The Night Market, known in Malay as Pasar Malam, is a market is from evening to around 9 p.m. every night in a different locations of the city. Here almost anything is sold, including food, clothing, small electronics and Chinese herbal medicine.

Eating and Drinking in Malacca

Noodles like these are a staple of the Malaysian diet

Though standard Malaysian and Western foods are easily available in Malacca, but visitors should try the Perenakan (or Baba-Nyonya) a few specialties of this town.

Ayam pongteh: Chicken casserole with salted brown-bean sauce, usually served with potatoes.

Ayam buah keluak Chicken cooked with the paste made from crushed buah keluak nuts. Suggest to try this one at a reputable good restaurant as the seeds of the buah keluak is poisonous if not properly cleaned and prepared.

Enjoy satay celup, you need to dip fishballs, crabsticks, prawns or other meats into a boiling vat of satay sauce. Satay sauce is a very popular delicacy amongst the locals.
Itek tim: A soup containing duck and salted vegetables.

Chicken rice ball: Common in Malacca, the chicken are same as the boiled chicken offered throughout Malaysia. Ping-pong sized rice balls are unique.

Another Malacca-specifically is the Portuguese dishes and Eurasian food. The Portuguese colonists contributed dishes like devil’s curry and egg tarts.

Fresh and tasty, Malaysian foods such as satay celup will be a memorable part of your trip

Drinking:

Visitors of Malacca, should not miss the cendol (”chen-dul”), a sweet dessert of coconut milk, lurid green noodles and gula Melaka (Malacca sugar), made from palm sap.

Ipoh
Malaysia’s third-largest city. The actual meaning of the name is the ‘City of Millionaires’ The Tin mining wealth during the colonial time made the city dwellers rich. This is almost like ghosts of its grand colonial days with the mixture of colonial and modern architecture. Moorish and Victorian pastiche of the train station the best example. The city center with colonial-era shops, retains their originality.

Ipoh is of great interest to all nature lovers for Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary. Almost over 160 different species of birds made their natural habitat here. Visitors may see smooth otters, long-tailed macque and ridge-back dolphins. During winter September to December many other migratory birds arrive here.

Batu Caves few miles north of the Kuala Lampur city. Visitors need to cover 272 steps upward to reach these large natural caves. Here is the Hindu shrine of Lord Subramaniam. Museum Caves, has the fascinating display of brightly colored statues and murals from Hindu mythology.

Hungry stomachs can find nourishment at a small vegetarian restaurant, but for a real taste explosion, pick up some local fruits at the small market a few steps from the temple. The locally grown pomellos (a citrus fruit the size of a small melon) will provide you with refreshment.

Templar Park, 22km (14 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, is a well-preserved tract of primary rainforest, which is rich in scenic beauty. Jungle paths, swimming lagoons and waterfalls all lie within the park boundaries.

Trip to the Tip of Borneo is one of the best trip. Start from Kota Belud the largest market in Sabah, excellent for picking up local bargains such as pottery, saris, wooden face masks, etc.

Last part of the road are without tarmac, but real spectacular – the South China Sea on the left and the Sulu Sea on the right with the Philippines straight ahead. Tourists will be amazed with the amount of wildlife

in the rock pools and the sandstone formation that made natural footfalls down.

Lunch may be at a local market restaurant, excellent local cuisines, delicious sea food. Locals are very polite, friendly. It is a treat for the locals to meet the white tourists, they call “Orang-Wateh” (White Man). Local Children enjoy and cry on top of their voice Orang-Wateh! Orang-Wateh.

Next on the road is Gong making village. Villagers treat all tourists as guests and show around. The villages spring up round one main industry – for example, the gong-making village, the kite-making village, the knife-making village, the longhouse village, etc.

The villagers encourage tourists and record them in a book. They then receive benefits from the Government according to how many tourists have visited. This also ensures a warm and friendly welcome.

Sipadan Island

Cousteau documentary called “Ghost of the Sea Turtle”is on this island. It is one of the most popular diving destination for many divers. Located off the north-east coast of Sabah at the Celebes Sea, this island is formed by corals on an extinct volcanic cone that rises 600m or 2,000 feet from the seabed. It has one of the most richest marine habitats with over 3,000 species of fish in the world along with Galapagos Islands and Truk in Micronesia. This island has been voted as the best diving spot in the world. The uniqueness of this island is the drop-off of approximately 600m or 2,000 feet just 9m or 30 feet away from the beach. It is like a wall that drops off suddenly to a bottomless depth.

As you dive, you will be able to see groups of green turtles and hawksbill turtles resting on corals in their natural habitat. Hammerhead shark, leopard shark and grey reef shark are a common marine life that you will encounter here. The elongated fish with strong jaw fish called barracuda is commonly found here. Other marine life include the octopus, the parrotfish and manta rays to name a few.

Strict rules to be followed by all the visitors and divers of this island, as this is one of the best Marine park of the region.

• No fishing or killing of fish is allowed.
• No collecting of corals or other marine organisms.
• No collecting sand, dead shells or dead corals.
• No polluting or littering.
• No anchoring on reefs.
• No building or erecting any type of structure on the water.

Forested hills, white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters greet visitors to tropical Palau Langkawi, the largest of the 99 islands in Langkawi archipelago. Also known as “Legendary Island” thanks to the myths associated with its ancient geological formations, it drifts serenely in the azure Andaman Sea alongside Malaysia. Sample local cuisine at the night markets, hike to dramatic waterfalls or dive into an underwater marine park. Access is available via ferry or flights from Kuala Lumpur. It is also the venue of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA).

Pulau Langkawi, approximately 30 km from Kuala Perlis, Perlis and 51 km from Kuala Kedah, Kedah. The island is a duty free island where goods such as perfumes, cigarattes, liquor, cosmetics, leather wear and confectionery are sold without duty imposed by the government. Langkawi Mall, Langkawi Fair Shopping Complex and Jetty Point Duty Free Complex are some of the shopping complexes that offer lots of goods for your selection.

Good beaches that you can explore and swim include Kok Beach, Cenang Beach, Tengah Beach and Burau Bay Beach which are all located at the west coast of the main island. Go round the island of Dayang Bunting and experience the cool breeze and breathtaking view of Langkawi.

Once a sleepy backwater hampered by inaccessibility, it comes as no surprise that Langkawi was touted as ‘Malaysia’s best kept secret’. Then in 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status with the intention of promoting tourism, the island’s airport was upgraded and ferry links were increased. Our Langkawi accommodation makes a fantastic base, for many of the recreational activities available to you, from cave and waterfall adventures, to jungle treks deep into the lush forest.

Today the many Langkawi resorts compete with nearby Penang, for the much sought after title of Malaysia’s largest tourist draw. There is a host of Langkawi hotels and 5 star resorts, which line the stunning white sandy beaches of this exquisite Island. Langkawi beach resorts are then without a doubt, the perfect way to experience what has been touted by many, as the true ‘Pearl of the Orient’.

Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating is situated along one of the finest beaches off the east coast in Malaysia. Here is where giant leatherback turtles used to return annually to lay eggs between the month of May to September. These days, the hawksbills and green turtles are more commonly seen during this time of the year.

Visit the Eagle Square, Ayer Hangat Village (Warm Water Village), Kota Mahsuri (Memorial in honour of Mahsuri) and Oriental Village. Try Langkawi Cable Car and see the spectacular view of the area. If you are for fishes but are not able to find the time to do your own diving or snorkelling, visit Underwater World Langkawi at Cenang Beach and experience the more than 5,000 types of aquatic life.

Some of the beautiful scenes of Langkawi as recorded by visitors of this vacation spot