Shop till you drop at the 1Malaysia Year End Sale

If shopping is your passion, there is one shopping extravaganza; you can’t afford to pass up on- the fabulous 1Malaysia Year End Sale (1MYES). Offering freebies, rebates, bargains and bargains galore this shopping festival is currently underway at every shopping destination in Malaysia and thus Malaysia’s every mall, shopping center and market is pulling out all stops for the grand shopping event.

This shopping bonanza kicked off on Saturday 16^th November and is expected to last way into the New Year, until Sunday 5^th January 2014.  The year-end shopping carnival is a highly-anticipated affair and both visitors and residents of Malaysia look forward to the festival,  hoping to snag deals for the year end festive season when parties and social occasions abound.

Like other annual shopping events held during the year, the 1 Malaysia Year End Sale is also organized under the aegis of the well-known organization, Tourism Malaysia.  This body endeavors to increase tourist arrivals to Malaysia by way of its various shopping extravaganzas and also seeks to establish Malaysia, as a prominent shopping destination of the South East Asian Region.

A truly worthy cause for not only does Malaysia offer a wide selection of products sourced from leading brands from around the world, its pricing is also competitive when compared to other countries in the region. Moreover, during shopping festivals like the 1 Malaysia Year End Sale, shoppers can also look forward to spectacular discounts and deals offered by participating retailers, which help make items even more attractive. Another attractive feature of Malaysia’s retail scene is the fact that various high-end products associated with coveted labels are also offered duty-free in Malaysia and during the year-end sale these products are additionally heavily discounted.

All in all, shopping festivals such as the 1 Malaysia Year End Sale offer a world of possibilities for the enthusiastic shopper. If by chance you consider yourself to be one, then you can’t afford to procrastinate any longer. In fact you should book your air tickets, dust off your largest suitcases and get ready to fly off to Malaysia to shop up a storm at the 1 Malaysia Year End Sale.

For details about the many sales events during this year-end shopping extravaganza do visit: -

http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/Master/Web-Page/Events-n-Festivals/2013/11/Malaysia-Year-End-Sale

 

Celebrate a balmy Christmas in Malaysia

Celebrate a balmy Christmas in Malaysia

The celebration of Christmas in multi-faith Malaysia is quite unique for the festivities associated with the holiday are essentially commercial in nature without overt religious overtones. Christmas day is designated as a public holiday throughout the country and this allows all citizens to join in the revelries traditionally associated with the festival.

Essential features of the Christmas Holiday in Malaysia

Shopping frenzy at the malls

Malls and shopping centers all over Malaysia are usually dressed up for Christmas with glittering lights, sparkling Christmas trees and jolly ‘Santa Clauses’ who beckon shoppers to shop up a storm and hand out gifts and trinkets to visitors of all ages.

As Christmas usually falls in the midst of Malaysia’s popular 1 Malaysia Year End Shopping extravaganza, there are countless discounts, promotions and freebies to be had at the country’s many shopping locales, where the non-stop playing of Christmas carols and songs only add to the festive atmosphere.

Sumptuous banquets and meals

Most restaurants and hotels in Malaysia have special meal offers and banquets planned for Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day. These elaborate meal sets and buffets, usually feature all the traditional eats associated with Christmas like roast turkey, mince pies, Christmas puddings and much more. So if you plan to be in Malaysia over the Christmas holiday and would like to partake of a Christmassy meal, you are likely to be spoilt for choice.

Christmas Parades

Malaysia is known to be home to a harmonious multi-ethnic, multi-cultural population as a result, Christmas celebrations are not an exclusive affair for the country’s Christian community. In fact, in Malaysian cities like Miri and Kuching on the island of Borneo, the lively annual Christmas parades organized by the local churches are popular affairs that routinely draw huge crowds.

Winter Wonderland

Malaysia as a tropical country doesn’t receive any snowfall but in keeping with the winter theme of Christmas, various malls and shopping centers erect winter wonderlands, which are equipped with snow and ice and offer visitors the chance to skate on ice, an immensely popular wintertime activity.  Sunway Pyramid in the Klang Valley, The Mines, the Curve in Petaling Jaya, and the Snowland at the Megamall in Penang are all equipped with facilities for ice-skating, quite a novelty in tropical Malaysia.

 

The Heritage of Georgetown

Georgetown, Penang’s capital situated on the northeastern coast of the island is littered with several interesting attractions.  The city was founded and built by the British in Malaysia, who named it after King George III.  There after the city experienced various waves of immigration which gave rise to its multicultural, multiethnic identity, a characteristic well represented in the many heritage buildings, which dot its cityscape.

Georgetown’s various heritage attractions are conveniently located close to each other within the city’s historic core, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Cultural site and can be easily explored on foot.

Some prominent heritage sights of Georgetown include: -

Fort Cornwallis- this star-shaped fort was constructed by Captain Francis Light as soon as he arrived in Penang in the 17^th century. The fort was reinforced and finished in the 19^th century. On display here are various original structures like prison cells, a chapel, ammunition storage areas, a harbor light, the original flagstaff and a few bronze cannons dating back to the 17^th century.

The Penang Town Hall-this grand Victorian edifice, inaugurated by Governor Sir Fedderick Weld in 1880, served as the epicenter of the town’s social activities.  Theater performances, church services and even the Penang State Library were hosted here.  A lofty Cenotaph onsite pays homage to the victims of World War1.

Convent Light Street school- This is the oldest girls school in Malaysia and is housed in a building, which was once the residence of the governor of Penang.

Kapitan Keling Mosque- this mosque was built in the 19^th century by Indian Muslim Soldiers attached to the British Army.

Ancient churches- Georgetown’s magnificent churches the Cathedral of the Assumption, a catholic church circa 1890, and the St. George’s Anglican Church completed in 1818 are definitely worth visiting.

The Penang State Museum- this stately building established in 1816, has housed the Penang Free School and the Hutchings School over the years.

The City Hall – is a magnificent exponent of the new Palladian school of architecture. Completed in 1903, it once housed the Penang seat of government but now houses the Municipal council of Penang Island.

The Srimahamarriman Temple –the oldest Hindu temple in Penang is dedicated to Hindu deity, Sri Muthu Marriaman. Originally erected as a humble structure, it has grown in stature over the years and is topped with an elaborate gopuram(tower) featuring 38 Hindu gods and goddesses.

The Goddess of Mercy Temple- Dating back to 1728, the Goddess of Mercy Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang.

Chinese clan houses and temples- notable attractions of Georgetown also include the various, embellished Chines clan houses and temples, like the Khoo Kongsi,  the Yap Kongsi Temple, the Tua Pek Kong Temple and the Cheah Kongsi.

The complete listing of notable heritage buildings in Georgetown can be found at:- http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/UnescoHeritageBrochure.pdf

Malaysia’s unique handcrafted souvenirs

Malaysia is home to various handicraft museums, arts and crafts centers and even markets where local handicrafts are available in abundance. Locales like KL’s Central Market, the KL Craft Complex, the Handicraft Village and Craft Museum in Kohta Bahru, the Sarakraf center in Kuching and others welcome hordes of visitors all year round. This is largely due to the fact that Malaysia has rich tradition of arts and crafts and the country’s many handcrafted wares are immensely popular as souvenirs.

Popular handcrafted Malaysian souvenirs include:-

Batik and Songket textile

Batik and Songket(a rich brocade-like opulent hand-woven) textiles are representative of Malaysia’s renowned handicraft heritage. Both these textiles are used to make apparel, handbags, soft furnishings and so forth, items ideal as souvenirs.

Beadwork

Malaysia’s various indigenous peoples are known for their exquisite beading skills, which are generally handed down through generations. Beaded lampshades, collars and necklaces, handcrafted by the Orang Ulu and Iban tribes of Sarawak are known all over the world.

Nyonya wares

The Baba Nyonya or Peranakan people of Malaysia are reputed for their embroidery and glass-beading skills. Delicate Nyonya wares like intricately handcrafted beaded slippers, handbags, coin purses and phone covers and so forth  are much coveted as souvenirs as is the traditional sarong kebaya ensemble (skirt and blouse combo) sported by Nyonya womenfolk.

Silver ware and Pewter

Resource rich Malaysia is home to a seemingly inexhaustible supply of silver and pewter (an alloy of tin). Both these metals are used to make home and lifestyle wares and are favored as souvenirs too. Filigreed intricate silverware from Kelantan, including fruit bowls, tea sets, ashtrays, brooches and bracelets is also much sought after.

Woodcarvings

Intricate Malaysian woodcarvings from the states of Kelantan and Terengganu are often used to adorn handles of daggers and various furniture items and serve as popular souvenirs too.

Pottery

Malaysian pottery items like vases, jars and water receptacles are produced by hand in states like Perak and Sarawak and are popular souvenirs too.

Forest fiber items

Much of Malaysia is covered by ancient rainforests, which provide a steady supply of forest fibers like rattan, bamboo, ribu-ribu, pandanus , mengkuang  and so on. These fibers are intertwined, coiled, woven and plaited to make functional and decorative items like bags, baskets, mats and various other products by local artisans and the many Orang Asli people of Malaysia. These well-made colorful items are favored as souvenirs by tourists.

 

Malaysia’s Unique and Exotic Fauna

Have you heard of Orangutans? Of Proboscis Monkeys or Tapirs?  What of bearded pigs? Now, if I have piqued your interest let me tell you that these exotic sounding creatures are resident in the many rainforests and jungle terrains of Malaysia and to quote an old adage ‘have to be seen to be believed’.

It is estimated that tropical paradise of Malaysia, is home to a vast repository of exotic fauna, which features approximately 210 species of mammals, 600 species of birds and 200 species of reptiles. Rare and unusual creatures like Malayan sun bears, tapirs, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, Bornean pygmy elephants, Sumatran rhinoceros, bearded pigs and more roam the lush forests of peninsula Malaysia and the island of Borneo. Unfortunately many of these creatures are considered ‘endangered’ and are now protected in sanctuaries and nature reserves, which are however accessible by the general public.

A guide for viewing some of Malaysia’s unique fauna

The Malayan Tapir

The Malaysian version of the tapir is believed to be the largest of its kind. This oddly shaped, snout-nosed mammal faces extinction and is protected within nature reserves like the Jerangu Forest Reserve (in Terengganu) and the Krau Wildlife Reserve in Pahang.

The Malayan Tiger

The Malayan tiger is respected as a symbol of bravery and strength throughout Malaysia. This magnificent beast, who like others of its kind faces extinction today, is known to be protected within Malaysia’s national parks like the Taman Negara, the Krau Wildlife Reserve, the Endau Rompin National Park and the Royal Belum State Park.

The Proboscis Monkey

This comical creature is native to Malaysia and is not found anywhere else in the world. While the females of the species are quite ordinary-looking, it’s the males that evoke guffaws with their funny appearance, as they sport oversized, dangling hooters, potbellies and flattop thatches of hair. As these primates are endemic to the island of Borneo, the best place for a viewing of these creatures the privately owned Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, near Kota Kinabalu.

The Orangutan

This fuzzy, red-haired large primate has legions of fans throughout the world. Unfortunately, over the years its population has dwindled considerably so that it is now protected in reserves like Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah and at Pulau Orang Utan, in Perak. However, sightings of orangutans in the wild are still possible at the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah or within Borneo’s Danum Valley Conservation Area.

 

 

 

Petaling Jaya: Grand Malls and Much More

If you are at all familiar with the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, you perhaps have heard of its satellite township, Petaling Jaya, home to some of the largest malls of the KL area like 1Utama, IPC, Ikea, Sunway Pyramid and The Curve.
Petaling Jaya or ‘PJ’ as it is popularly known, is situated at a distance of 10 km from Kuala Lumpur city and is easily by road and rail from KL. Most visitors to Kuala Lumpur do pencil in visit to PJ, for aside from its grand malls, it also hosts one of Malaysia’s largest and most popular theme parks, the Sunway Lagoon complex.

The origin of Petaling Jaya can be traced back to the 1950’s, when it founded by the British to cope with the population boom in KL, during the era’s tin rush in the Klang valley.  Petaling Jaya was created out by clearing out an expansive patch of dense jungle, part of the Effingham Estate.

The town’s first settlement was made up of approximately 800 houses largely located in the area, which is today forms Petaling Jaya South. During its initial existence PJ, was administered and managed by the Kuala Lumpur district office and when KL was declared a Federal Territory in 1972,the administration of Petaling Jaya was placed under the jurisdiction of the state of Selangor. Petaling Jaya received city status as recently as in 2006.

Over the years, Petaling Jaya grew and developed rapidly. In fact, the primary cause for its rapid expansion is believed to be construction of the Federal Highway, after Malaysia gained independence from the British. The construction of this highway linked PJ to Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang and this link proved vital to its development, for in the early 1960’s PJ had expanded to encompass as many as over 3000 houses, 100 shops and more than 30 factories.

Today, PJ is a mixed-use residential and industrial community home to a population numbering more than 500,000 with ample representation of each of Malaysia’s three main ethnicities Malay, Chinese and Indian. 

Aside from modern-day malls and theme parks, PJ offers various old-world, attractions like its lively pasar malam (night market), held on Monday evenings on the streets of one of town’s oldest districts, SS2. Also of note are the town’s many indigenous coffee shops (kopitiams), which continue to survive in spite of the presence global chains like Starbucks and dish up native variations of  ‘Kopi’ or coffee.

 

 

 

 

Explore the many charms of Ipoh

The city of Ipoh, situated on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia is the country’s third largest city. The administrative capital of the state of Perak, Ipoh, located in the rich tin- bearing valley of the Kinta River, was a hot bed of the tin mining industry during the British colonial era in Malaysia. 
However, when the industry collapsed and the mines closed in the 1970’s, Ipoh lost much of its prominence as growth in the city came to an abrupt halt and the many residents associated with industry migrated to other parts of the country. Since then, Ipoh whose cityscape features quaint Chinese shop houses and various colonial era buildings, has come to be renowned as a good locale for retirement, though it continues to be one of the most populous cities in Malaysia.

Reasons to visit Ipoh

Easily Accessible from Kuala Lumpur

Ipoh is situated at a distance of 200km to the north of Kuala Lumpur and is easily accessible via various modes of transport.

Many architectural sights of historical and cultural importance

If you are an avid sightseer, you are in luck in Ipoh, for the city is dotted with numerous ancient buildings dating back to the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, like the Ipoh Town Hall, the High Court and the Ipoh Railway Station. Other attractions of note in Ipoh include the Muzium Darul Ridzuan, a museum housed in a charming mansion, which once belonged to a tin-mining tycoon and the city’s ancient Mariamman temple.

Access city for theme parks

Ipoh provides easy access for popular, attraction-filled theme parks like the Gunung Lang Recreational Park and the Lost World of Tambun. Ipoh also provides easy access to another popular attraction, Kellie’s Castle, a deserted mansion and, the former home of an English plantation owner. The mansion is believed to be haunted and also hosts various secret chambers. This popular attraction located within close proximity to Ipoh in Batu Gajah.

Food glorious food

Ipoh is a well known ‘foodie destination’ and hosts a culinary landscape littered with delectable hawker fare. The city is famously associated with much loved delicacies like Hainanese Chicken Rice, Kai See Sar Hor Fun (rice noodles in a soupy broth), Tauge Ayam, Wantan Mee, Ipoh old town white coffee, Char Quay Teow, Chicken curry bread, Ipoh salted chicken, Egg tarts, Taro puffs and more.

Explore the Endau Rompin National Park

Located in the southern half of Peninsular Malaysia near the Johor/Pahang border, the Endau Rompin national park is an expansive national park spanning 80,000 hectares and encompassing two rivers, the Endau and the Rompin, after which it has been named.

The park is a protected enclave, which can be visited only with the acquisition of a special permit from the Johor National Park Corporation. Additionally, as it functions an area of conservation, only a few sections of this huge park are open to the public. The lush green paradise of the Endau Rompin national park is home to vast repository of birds, mammals, insects and amphibians, along with numerous plants, herbs and trees, many of which have much medicinal value.

Entrance to the park is not easy and most visitors keen to explore its myriad attractions like tumbling waterfalls and the resident Orang Asli (Jakun) tribe need to be part of a guided tour in order to do so. Various travel operators offer explorations within the Endau Rompin national park, which tend to extend over a few days and offer sightings of exotic and largely endangered Malaysian fauna like the leaf monkeys, Asian elephants, white-handed gibbons, tapirs, deer, long-tailed macaques along with occasional sightings of Malaysian tigers and leopards. The park is in fact believed to be home to the largest remaining population of the highly endangered Sumatran rhinoceros and a sighting of this awe-inspiring beast brings forth much excitement and wonder.

The Endau Rompin national park is equipped with three main access points, two of which are located within the state of Johor, while one is situated in Pahang. Most tour groups access the park from the Johor side and tour the park aboard 4X4 vehicles. Accommodations within the park take the form of rustic chalets, though visitors can also choose to bed down at the dormitories located within the park headquarters.  The park is also equipped with a few campsites and tents are available for hire at its visitor center.

Aside from jungle treks, the guided tours of the Endau Rompin national park usually offer visitors a chance to go tube rafting on the park’s fast-flowing rivers and to experience the thrill of a night safari on foot or aboard a vehicle.

The best time to visit this national park is during the region’s annual dry season (April to October) for the park is closed during the monsoon season (November to March).