GTN 10.3

PUBLISHER SURI MEDIA SDN BHD | KUMPULAN MEDIA CHANDI | SIRRON GALERIA SDN BHD | TRINITY DESIGNWORKS ADVISOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MANAGING DIRECTOR SGSB PROGRAMMES, OPERATIONS & RELATIONS DIRECTOR GENERAL MANAGER KTSB FINANCE DIRECTOR KTSB FINANCE & ACCOUNTING KTSB PRODUCTION MANAGER DISTRIBUTION MANAGER SPECIAL PROJECT MANAGER TRAFFIC MANAGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGERS ADVERTISING MANAGERS PROGRAMMES & RELATIONS EXECUTIVE

Dato’ Sri Azmi Ismail | Yusoff Awang | Liew Mei Fan Nuar @ Md Nor Md Diah Irnee Norris Dato’ Ishak Shamsul Bahrin Zainuzzaman Kerk Chan Pon Lim Joanna Teo | Julia Han Catherine Kh’ Ng An An Sung Furqaan Hod Anthony De Costa | An An Sung Suhaila Ahmad | Sharon Wong Ameerah Abdullah | Datin Zakiah Ahmad | Datin Sharifah Salmah Anas Abas

Editorial PHOTOGRAPHERS Amierah Noor Ibrahim Faiz Jalal Zaty Ramlan Corporate Communications Unit, Ministry of Tourism & Culture Malaysia Photography Unit, Tourism Malaysia

EDITOR-IN-CHEIF Juhan Kamaruddin @ Jeremy Khalil CREATIVE EDITOR Irina Norris Dato’ Ishak CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Irnee Norris Dato’ Ishak WEB CONTENT EDITOR Ed Junaidi Abu Bakar WRITERS Shahida Sakeri | Raihan Fozian | Furqaan Hod | Syaza Adilah CORRESPONDENT WRITER (INDIA) Midhun Shibu Pandala CORRESPONDENT WRITER (GERMANY) Anne Bechler CORRESPONDENT WRITERS (PHILIPPINES) Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap | Vittorio Lloyd GRAPHIC DESIGNER Imaya ILLUSTRATOR Syaza Adilah Mohamad Roslan CONTRIBUTORS Emila Yusof | Naeila Kahn | Tourism Malaysia

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Reproduction in whole or in part without permission from the publisher and editor is strictly prohibited. All information is accurate at time of press but subject to change. The publisher and its employees cannot be held liable for any error, inaccuracy and/or admissions whatsoever caused. Liability would not be accepted for any action taken based on the views expressed or information provided in this publication.

Contents issue 10.3

Departments Editor’s Note 12 Calendar of Events 16 Bulletin 20

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Destinations Discover Perak 2015: Perak in Multiple Perspectives 64 Discovering the Southern Gem 74 Eat.Travel.Write Magic of the Night 2015 Putrajaya 28–30 May 2015 78 Putting Terengganu on the International Travellers’ Map: Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015 84 Wildlife Reserves Singapore 94 Labuan flexed its muscles during Malaysia Water Festival – Labuan National Sea Challenge 100 Cruising towards Spirituality 104 Angling for Kelah at Keniam River 108 GayaTravel Magazine’s Selected 10 Picks 116

84

104 010

30

148

52

Gaya Interview Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, Director General, Tourism Malaysia 30

Gaya Traveller 35

Adela’s Doodled Travelogue 44

Gaya Coffee Culture 52

Hotels & Resorts Gaya Travel 10.3: Cover Illustration by Chan Koh Hooi Title: Boleh!

Year: 2003 Material: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 152 cm x 185 cm National Visual Arts Gallery Collection

Hotel Tugu Blitar, Indonesia 148 Club Med Bali, Indonesia 152 ibis Styles, Ipoh 158 The Viceroy Bali, Indonesia 160 Sentosa Villa, Taiping 167 011

Time flies so fast that we honestly feel like we are unable to catch up! For all we know, it is already the second half of 2015, and time seems to be picking up speed.

The past few months have been nothing ordinary for the Gaya Travel Magazine team. Besides collaborating with the Terengganu State Government as the Media Coordinator for the Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015 held in June 2015 (page 84), we also organised the Jom Jelajah Koperasi (Let’s Explore the Cooperatives) familiarisation trip to Johor to uncover the products and services offered by selected Johor cooperatives that are related to travel and tourism (page 74); as well as running two Eat.Travel.Write programmes: one explored Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya in conjunction with the Magic of the Night event in Putrajaya (page 78), while the other covered Kuala Selangor, Sekinchan & Sabak Bernam (to be featured in the next issue). Of course, besides those trips, there were also various places, packages and attractions that we experienced and mention in this issue such as the Discover Perak 2015 programme (page 64), Wildlife Reserves Singapore (page 94) and Islamic Cruise (page 104), among others. These aforementioned tourism products allow travellers to escape from the ordinary, thus making their lives more interesting as well as enriching.

Speaking of escaping from the ordinary, one place that travellers can head to when being in Kuala Lumpur is the National Visual Arts Gallery (NVAG), which is currently holding its latest exhibition called Haremeyn: Makkah al Mukarramah and al Madinah al Munawarrah in Photographs from the Ottoman Period from 12 June 2015 until 30 September 2015. This exhibition transports travellers back to the days when the Ottomans ruled over Islam’s two holiest sites in the world, Makkah and Madinah. The pictures displayed are selected from the collection belonging to Sultan Abdulhamid II, the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire who reigned from 1876 to 1909, as well as Fahreddin Pasha (1868 – 1948), the Commander of the Ottoman Army and Governor of Madinah. These black-and-white nostalgic images, which are bound to resonate among Muslims and non-Muslims alike, beautifully capture the halcyon sceneries of both cities during the late 19th and 20th centuries, before rapid modernisation took over and changed their bucolic landscapes. Besides the exhibition, travellers are also invited to check out the remarkable artworks that are part of NVAG’s permanent collection, including other concurrent exhibitions, which are being held within NVAG’s premises, all promising travellers the quick escape from the ordinary…

Till we meet again in the next issue, safe travels!

JUHAN KAMARUDDIN@JEREMY KHALIL Email your comments to editor@gayatravel.com.my or jeremy@gayatravel.com.my

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Free Copies are available at: MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICES/AGENCIES Malaysian Ministries ALL Tourism Malaysia State Offices Tourism Malaysia Overseas Offices Tourism Malaysia Information Centre (TIC) Malaysian Embassies & Consulates

TOURISM BOARDS/AUTHORITIES Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia & New Zealand

AIRPORTS Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Malaysia KLIA 2, Malaysia Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Indonesia Changi Airport, Singapore

AIRLINES

SPAS

MAS Golden Lounge, KLIA Fire Fly, Subang Skypark Garuda Indonesia, KLIA Japan Airlines, KLIA Austrian Airlines, KLIA Emirates, KLIA Cathay Pacific, KLIA

Selected spas in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Brunei, Sri Lanka & China

HOTELS & RESORTS

Hotels, Resorts and Food & Baverage outlets interested to receive FREE copies of GAYA TRAVEL MAGAZINE please e-mail to:

Selected hotels and resorts in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, London, India, Australia & China

TRAVEL AGENTS Selected travel agents in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Australia, London, India, China & Iran

editor@gayatravel.com.my

FOOD & BEVERAGE Starbucks Outlets throughout Malaysia, selected F&B outlets in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Australia, London, India & China

JUNE - JULY 2015

Festival Ramadhan

1Malaysia Mega Sale Shopping Carnival

18 June - 17 July 2015

July – August 2015

This programme is a tribute to the month of Ramadan as a month of worship and caring among human beings through welfare practices.

It also helps to foster closer ties through participation in various community programmes and festival activities while promoting Islamic arts and culture to both local and international tourists.

The 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival makes up one of the three major shopping events in the country, transforming Malaysia into a festive shoppers’ paradise for 2 months.

Retail outlets, malls and shops sell a variety of products ranging from luxurious goods, to electronics and souvenirs.

Besides shopping, visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy the carnival atmosphere consisting of contests, prizes, and exotic food. Some of the shopping

VENUE : TEL : WEB :

Kuala Lumpur +6 03 2614 8200 / 8283 / 8316 noraliza@jkkn.gov.my / rosnan@jkkn.gov.my

destinations worth checking out include Langkawi and Penang, besides Kuala Lumpur with its massive malls like Mid Valley Megamall and Pavilion.

VENUE : TEL : WEB :

Nationwide +6 03 8891 8000 www.tourismmalaysia. gov.my

Bario Food Festival 30 July - 1 August 2015 The 10th Anniversary Bario Food & Cultural Festival a.k.a Pesta Nukenan & Kebudayaan Kelabit Bario celebrates the unique food, farming, forest and cultural heritage of the Bario Highlands – one of the last surviving traditionally farmed and forested highland watersheds in Sarawak and East Malaysia. Enjoy the delicious organic food cooked by the various longhouse communities

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of the Kelabit Highlands. There are also be traditional games and dances by young and old.

VENUE : TEL : FB :

Kelabit Highlands +6 019 8060 710 www.facebook.com/ pages/ bariofoodfestival

AUGUST 2015

Malaysia Aidilfitri Open House Celebration

George Town Festival

Port Dickson International Triathlon

1 August 2015

1 - 31 August 2015

8 - 9 August 2015

Hari Raya Aiditlfitri is the biggest Muslim festival in the country. Experience the festivities by visiting an open house, a Malay custom that welcomes everybody to the house to celebrate Hari Raya. Guests are sure to be enthralled by cultural performances and traditional delicacies during the festival.

George Town Festival is a monthlong festival that has turned into an illustrious platform for the arts in Penang. From its beginning as a series of arts and culture events in celebration of George Town’s listing as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2008, George Town Festival was mooted and celebrated its first inauguration in 2010. Since then, it had the privilege of hosting spectacular events spanning the arts, from world-class performances to crosscultural creative collaborations, experimental art, traditional and contemporary performing arts, including community initiatives and public installations.

Port Dickson International Triathlon first began in 2002. Over the years, the number has grown from merely 387 entries from 17 countries up to under 2,000 participants in 2014. This event is one of the signature international events in Negeri Sembilan. It highlights three sports categories including the Olympic Distance (1.5 km swim, 40 km cycling and 10 km run); Sprint Distance (750 m swim, 20 km cycling and 5 km run); and Kids Triathlon, which consists of two stages: 11 years and under (150 m swim, 4.5 km bike ride and 1 km run), and 13 years under (350 m swim, 9 km bike ride and 2km run).

VENUE : TEL : WEB :

VENUE :

Georgetown, Pulau Pinang

TEL : EMAIL :

+6 04 261 6308

VENUE : TEL : WEB :

Rembau, Negeri Sembilan +6 03 8000 8000 www.motac.gov.my

info@georgetownfestival. com

www.triathlonmalaysia. com

20 - 23 August 2015

7 - 9 August, 2015

PHOTO CREDIT : TOURISM MALAYSIA

+6 06 765 9725/34

Start In Tioman

Rainforest World Music Festival The Rainforest World Music Festival features musicians from around the world, showcasing traditional and original musical instruments. Sarawak’s renowned traditional musical instrument, sape, has been transformed into this festival’s icon. This event is part of Sarawak’s efforts to conserve and preserve the natural environment through music, besides attracting foreign tourists to the state and see the culture

Port Dickson

and uniqueness of Sarawak while enjoying its natural beauty and tourism products.

VENUE : TEL : WEB :

Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, Sarawak +6 082 423 600 www.rwmf.net

A scuba diving event that popularises Tioman Island as an attractive watersports destination, Start in Tioman invites skilled and semi-skilled participants from within and outside the country to participate in activities such as Adopt A Coral, which involves replanting coral reefs on the seabed.

VENUE :

Kampung Genting, Pulau Tioman

TEL : EMAIL :

+6 09 517 1111 pahang@motac.gov.my

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KUALA LUMPUR ORCHID & BONSAI SHOW 2015

The Kuala Lumpur Orchid and Bonsai Show (KLOBS) 2015 is back for the fourth time and will be held from 7 to 16 August 2015. To be held at the Perdana Botanical Gardens, the event aims to attract more than 15,000 visitors recorded last year.

Besides promoting Kuala Lumpur as a prime destination for all travellers alike, KLOBS 2015 intends to reintroduce Perdana Botanical Gardens after it received a facelift back in 2011.

It involved a newly added visitor centre, Canopy Botanical Gardens, bamboo playhouse, café, souvenir stalls and multi-storey parking space that can accommodate up to 388 cars.

In addition, KLOBS 2015 will revolve around 3F (Flora, Festival, Food) as the theme, in an effort to enliven the event and boost public interest towards it. Over 500 orchids and bonsai trees will be exhibited, some of which will run in the competition for the title as the prettiest orchid and bonsai.

As for the orchid exhibition and competition, the event will see the participation by 22 countries including Australia, Brunei, China, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New

Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United State and Vietnam.

Also, KLOBS 2015 will feature the ‘Bonsai Walk – Art and Culture’ experience, allowing visitors to appreciate and learn more about the 200 artificially dwarfed trees of various species like Wrigtia Religiosa and Juniperus/Ficus displayed along the path.

This year’s festival also includes food trucks, Malaysian Art Craft, Appreciation Walk, Garden Hunt, photography competition, Fun Run, busker performances and garden tea party.

KLOBS 2015 is expected to be launched by Her Majesty the Queen Tuanku Sultanah Hajjah Haminah. It will be opened to the public Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

For more info, please contact: Tourism Unit @ Kuala Lumpur City Hall 1st Floor, Kuala Lumpur City Gallery No. 27 Jalan Raja, Dataran Merdeka 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T: +6 03 2698 0332 W: www.visitkl.gov.my

The above graphics are designed by Freepik.com 051

<bulletin@gayatravel.com.my>

KUALA LUMPUR RANKED 8TH IN THE MASTERCARD GLOBAL DESTINATION CITIES INDEX 2015 Kuala Lumpur among the five Asian cities that made it into the top ten in annual Index Realising the vast growth of Asian markets in the tourism and economic landscape, Matthew Driver, president, Southeast Asia for MasterCard, commented...

“Tourism is becoming an increasingly important source of income and employment for many Asian countries. This reflects the growing appeal of Asia as it continues to develop, led by the fast emerging ASEAN economies, China and India. As countries compete for tourist receipts, and seek to improve the visitor experience, it will be key for governments and tourist authorities to continue to invest in smarter city infrastructure while preserving and protecting the heritage from monuments to cultural events - that makes their cities unique. In this way, Asia will be able to maintain and build dynamic, exciting, global cities, which will fast become brands in their own right, pulling people to the region.”

With an estimated 11.12 million international overnight visitors expected this year, Kuala Lumpur has once again been ranked ahead of major tourist destinations such as Hong Kong, Tokyo and Barcelona in the latest edition of the MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index.

London tops the Index again with 18.82 million international overnight visitors expected in 2015, just slightly ahead of Bangkok which is expecting 18.24 million visitors.

In terms of visitors’ cross-border spending, the MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index ranked Kuala Lumpur as having the second fastest growth rate in visitor spending, with visitors expected to spend an estimated US$12 billion in 2015, an increase of 8.7% from last year. Despite the depreciation of most currencies against the U.S. dollar, the visitors spend in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey and UAE have increased strongly, showing robust growth.

The increased number of international visitors is having a significant impact on the economies of cities in Asia Pacific’s emerging markets. In order to compete for growing tourist receipts, Governments are investing in infrastructure and improving the capacity of airports to accept an increased number of flights and bigger planes.

Driven by insights into travel patterns, the MasterCard Global Destinations 020

Cities Index provides a ranking of the 132 most visited cities from around the world. It is expected that 382.9 million trips will be made by international visitors by air between these cities by the fourth quarter of this year. More than just a travel tracker, the study provides an understanding of how people move around the world and the importance of the world’s cities as homes, destinations and engines of growth.

Recognising Kuala Lumpur’s position as a leading tourist destination globally, Safdar Khan, group country manager, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei; group head, Islamic Payments, Southeast Asia, MasterCard stated: “The results of this Index further solidifies Kuala Lumpur’s position as a preferred destination for international travellers. As we have seen from the recent MasterCardCrescentRating’s Global Muslim Travel Index, Malaysia is already a top destination amongst the Muslim travel market for its Muslim-friendly facilities.

We are confident that the country will grow from strength to strength and we are here to support the growth with innovative secured payment solutions engineered to accommodate global travellers with utmost convenience.”

Malaysia’s ranking in the MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index complements Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s vision to boost the travel industry and promote intra-ASEAN tourism in the region, which is expected to generate a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3 trillion by

Forecasted international overnight visitors to the top 10 destination cities in 2015 are as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

London – 18.82 million visitors Bangkok – 18.24 million visitors Paris – 16.06 million visitors Dubai – 14.26 million visitors Istanbul – 12.56 million visitors New York – 12.27 million visitors Singapore – 11.88 million visitors Kuala Lumpur – 11.12 million visitors Seoul – 10.35 million visitors Hong Kong – 8.66 million visitors

Report in full can be downloaded from here: http://news.mstr.cd/1BGlGSw

2017. [1] MasterCard has also developed consumer marketing programs to support the significant role cities play as centers of human interaction. In fact, six of the Top 10 Global Destination Cities are also Priceless Cities, a one-of-a-kind global platform that curates unique experiences, privileged event and attraction access, and special merchant offers.

Destination Cities: Spotting the Trends Across the globe, among the key trends that stand out include: · Europe – Istanbul receives the most diverse visitors, with 50% of its inbound overnight visitors coming from 33 different cities. · Latin America – Lima is both the top destination and the fastest growing city in the region, featuring almost 50% more international overnight visitors than second-ranked Mexico City. · Middle East and Africa – Dubai continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the global Top 10 while Abu Dhabi is the third fastest growing destination city overall between 2009 and 2015. · North America – Houston is the fastest growing city in North America since 2009 and is the only destination city in North America with a double-digit growth.

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YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY IS JUST ‘DEKAT JE’

Tourism Malaysia has launched a new domestic travel campaign called ‘CutiCuti 1 Malaysia Dekat Je’ to encourage more Malaysians to travel to nearby places in the country for their next weekend getaway.

The unmistakably Malaysian use of colloquial phrase ‘dekat je’, which loosely translates as ‘nearby only’ / ‘so close’ / ‘so near’, aims to remind Malaysians that the next exciting holiday destination is actually just right at their doorstep, and that travelling helps foster closer relationships with families and friends.

Choices for the next local holiday are endless and meet all types of budgets.

It can be a simple staycation in the city, a quick getaway at the next town, a gastronomic journey across several states, or living it up in lush rainforest resorts.

The campaign was launched today by the newly-appointed Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Wee Choo Keong at Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Also attending the event was Director General of Tourism Malaysia Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab.

“When we think of travelling, it is usually just to ‘balik kampung’ during the festive season or school holiday. This campaign aims to remind Malaysians that there are many places they can travel to over the weekend, without having to take extra time off work,” said Wee. “Travelling locally whether by car, airplane, or train is cost and time effective, more fun, and help foster better relationships, whether it’s family bonding at the waterfalls in Negeri Sembilan, newlyweds on honeymoon 022

up in the highlands of Pahang, or a group of friends looking for adventure during a road trip to the outskirts of Selangor,” the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia continued.

During the press launch, Mr. Wee ‘rode across Malaysia’ from KLCC to Langkawi, passing through iconic tourist attractions in Melaka and Penang, which symbolises how one can enjoy breathtaking sceneries, magnificent architectures and amazing flora and fauna that are literally in their backyard.

Malaysian hip hop legend Altimet, along with the masters of percussion the Diplomats of Drum, were also at the press launch to entertain the guests.

“In today’s busy and ever-evolving lifestyle, time is very precious, hence spending quality time with family is crucial. Every weekend can be an adventure, so make the most of it and have fun – a lot of beautiful attractions and delicious food are just ‘dekat je’. Malaysia is blessed with beautiful natural resources, state-of-the-art family attractions and a myriad of delectable food thanks to our multicultural society,” said Wee. As social media plays an integral role in today’s society, the popular ‘wefie’ forms part of the domestic tourism campaign. It encourages travellers to take wefies, and post it on their social media platforms with a hashtag of the location to promote their trip, be it against a stunning scenery, iconic monument, or while enjoying scrumptious local delights.

With the next trip or gastro affair ‘dekat je’, lots of photos and ‘wefies’ are expected to take over virtual spaces, thus promoting and increasing domestic tourism, whilst creating a lasting and memorable holiday.

FAMOUS PERSONALITIES LEND A HAND TO BOOST MALAYSIA’S TOURIST ARRIVALS AND RECEIPTS Tourism Malaysia has engaged a list of Who’s Who in various fields to help promote the country’s tourism and boost its arrivals and receipts. A High Tea Reception was organised at Carcosa Seri Negara on 12 June 2015 to officially announce and present the credentials to the nine famous personalities who have been selected as Malaysia’s Tourism Advisors.

The Minister of Tourism and Culture Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz personally presented the certificate of appointment to entrepreneurs Tan Sri Syed Mohd Yusof Tun Syed Nasir and Datuk Jeffery Sandragesan, renowned shoes maestro Prof. Datuk Dr. Jimmy Choo OBE, famous 80’s singer Dato’ Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad (better known as Dato’ Shake), multi-award winning entertainer and entrepreneur Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, famed chef Dato’ Hj Chef Ismail Ahmad, and diving ambassador and conservationist Clement Lee. Malaysia’s Tourism Advisor also includes a Korean, Datuk Lee Jin Bok. A man of many hats, Datuk Lee can best be described as a bridge connecting South Korea and Malaysia.

The list also includes singersongwriter Yunalis Mat Zara’ai (better known as Yuna), who was unable to attend the function.

The Tourism Advisor Programme is an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture through Tourism Malaysia to engage prominent, well-established and influential Malaysians in various fields, either living abroad or in Malaysia, to promote the country among their circle of friends, fans, and network of contacts.

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HONG KONG SUMMER FUN (15 JUNE TO 31 AUGUST) From 15 June to 31 August 2015, visitors to Hong Kong are more rewarded than ever, as the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) rolls out the massive Hong Kong Summer Fun campaign, providing visitors with tempting offers on tourism products and hotel rooms. Visitors can also take part in two lucky draws at the Hong Kong International Airport, namely the “Instant Mega Draw”, which guarantees a prize for every visitor, and the “Return to Hong Kong like a Millionaire” draw, with the prize of a luxury return trip to Hong Kong.

With the aim of attracting overnight visitors during the upcoming peak travel season and boosting retail spending, the Hong Kong Summer Fun campaign will be promoted in key short-haul markets and the Mainland.

OVERSEAS PROMOTIONS AND CITYWIDE OFFERS

Hong Kong Summer Fun – SHOP EAT PLAY The Hong Kong Summer Fun campaign will highlight three areas: shopping, dining and entertainment. According to HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam, the estimated budget for the entire campaign is HK$80 million, including HK$30 million earmarked for the summer promotion and additional funding of HK$50 million from the Government.

“This will be the biggest HKTB promotion in recent years, as it will be intensively promoted in major short-haul and Mainland markets, with a new promotional video broadcast on key TV and digital channels in the target markets and consumer promotions on social media platforms to maximise exposure. We are also partnering with hotels, airlines and other trade partners to roll out attractive tourism products and competitively priced hotel offers.

“Supported by the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the local retail, catering and hotel sectors, attractions, and shopping malls, the HKTB will stage two lucky draws, namely the ‘Instant Mega Draw’ and ‘Return to Hong Kong like a Millionaire’, giving out a variety of prizes sponsored by the local trade.

There will also be special offers on dining, shopping and entertainment across the city, and a huge array of events to enrich the visitor experience this summer,” explained Dr Lam. 024

Starting from June, the HKTB will launch a mega promotion to raise awareness of the campaign in various markets. On top of broadcasting a new commercial on digital channels and major TV channels, like National Geographic Channel, Discovery Networks, CNN, the BBC, and Star Movies, it will organise PR events in southeast Asian markets and Taiwan, and invite international media guests and influential bloggers on familiarisation trips to Hong Kong to encourage them to showcase the impressive line-up of summer programmes to consumers in their home markets through their coverage.

In addition, thanks to strong support from the Hong Kong Hotels Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, visitors will be able to enjoy attractive hotel accommodation offers.

For instance, some hotels will give visitors who stay three nights one night free, while others will allow guests who stay three consecutive nights or more to be fully reimbursed with dining credits for use in their restaurants.

Meanwhile, in collaboration with airlines and other trade partners, the HKTB has developed tactical packages for various markets, such as a three-day, two-night package for two at HK$2,500 for Taiwan, and half-price packages for Japan.

The highlight of Hong Kong Summer Fun are the lucky draws. Visitors entering and leaving Hong Kong through the airport can take part in two lucky draws to win prizes provided by local merchants and attractions. The grand prize, available for 10 winners, is a luxury return trip to Hong Kong.

1) UPON ARRIVAL – Instant Mega Draw (Total Value Of Prizes: Over HK$ 400 Million) When visitors land at Hong Kong International Airport, they can take part in the “Instant Mega Draw” to be immediately given a “Free 7-Day CSL Wi-Fi Pass” and prizes including jewellery; designer watches; HK$1,000 UnionPay Card spending credits; four-day, three-night cruise trips; tickets for attractions; HK$1,000 shopping mall cash coupons; and dining vouchers.

2) BEFORE DEPARTURE – Return To Hong Kong Like A Millionaire Lucky Draw (Total Value Of Prizes: Over HK$ 3 Million) Before leaving Hong Kong, visitors can enter the “Return to Hong Kong like a Millionaire” lucky draw. The 10 winners will be able to take one friend or family member on a luxury four-day, three-night return trip to Hong Kong. Not only will they travel in business class tickets sponsored by Cathay Pacific or Dragonair, but they will also receive a HK$50,000 UnionPay Card spending credit, luxury mobile phones offered by CSL Mobile Limited, a luxury hotel stay, 10 Michelinstarred dining experiences, and VIP tours offered by attractions.

3) CITYWIDE SPENDING OFFERS

Members of the Quality Tourism Services Association, other merchants from the retail, catering and hotel sectors, and attractions will roll out special offers during the campaign period. Visitors can also download e-coupons from the HKTB website and the “My Hong Kong Guide” mobile application to enjoy a host of offers.

In addition to the above, the HKTB will promote a superb line-up of events to visitors to ensure they have endless fun of shopping, eating and playing in Hong Kong.

Click http://www.discoverhongkong.com/ca/see-do/ events-festivals/highlight-events/summer-fun.jsp to know more about Hong Kong Summer Fun.

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TOURISM MALAYSIA LAUNCHES TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE AT KIDZANIA KUALA LUMPUR

KidZania Kuala Lumpur successfully launched a mini Tourism Malaysia Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in its premises on 10 June 2015. Gracing the launch was YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. Ong Hong Peng, Secretary General Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia who officiated the launch event together with Susanah Abdul Rani, Governor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the KidZania theatre.

Working together with Tourism Malaysia as a smart partner, the mini Tourism Malaysia TIC aims to instil the interest of travelling among children, particularly in exploring domestic destinations. It also teaches children about how to plan family vacations to domestic destinations, besides educating them on the importance of the tourism industry. It is anticipated that children would be excited after their role-playing experience, sharing about it and learn about Malaysian destinations with family and friends.

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The concept of the Tourism Malaysia TIC revolves around children being in an environment similar to an actual Tourism Malaysia TIC, with activities such as creating tour packages and tour itineraries.

The chilren are exposed to local destinations and learn to create detailed planned holiday travels. Activities such as these would assist participating children in developing and organising their strategic and creative thinking skills.

YBhg. Tan Sri Dr. Ong Hong Peng said, “The establishment of this TIC in KidZania is a great platform to educate the young generation about the important role of tourism in the nation’s economy.”

Susanah Abdul Rani also said, ”Tourism is a people-oriented industry and through this new establishment, we would like to be able to instil in children the confidence and ability required to manage large groups of people; while also exposing them to the workings of one of the world’s fastest growing industries.

As KidZania is a city for children, the tourism centre is truly a welcome addition as KidZania aspires and continually provides a realistic city environment where children can work, participate in an economy and contribute to society. We at KidZania would like to take the opportunity to thank Tourism Malaysia for embarking on a new and exciting journey with us.”

Named the ‘Best Experience for Kids’ in Expatriate Lifestyle’s Best of Malaysia Awards 2014 for the second consecutive year running, KidZania Kuala Lumpur continuously to look for opportunities to expose children to new experiences and endless smart partnerships.

For more information, visit www.kidzania. com.my or call the KidZania CareLine at +6 1 300 88 KIDZ (5439) or get connected with KidZania through Facebook at www. fecebook.com/KidZaniaKualaLumpur or tweet us at @KidZaniaKL.

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MALAYSIA TO GET FIRST HILTON BRANDED RESORT

The first DoubleTree by Hilton branded property up north will also feature TeddyVille, Malaysia’s first teddy bear gallery and museum

One of the primary attractions of the hotel will be the introduction of Malaysia’s first teddy bear themed museum and gallery – TeddyVille – which will be located within the hotel itself and is set to be another landmark for Penang. The museum will feature the rich history of Malaysia told in a fun way told through the adorable teddy bears.

Malaysia will soon have its first Hilton branded resort following an official announcement today of the initiation of DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang.

The project, which comes as the product of a collaborative effort between Pinnacle Nexus Sdn. Bhd, a member of Cornerstone Partners and Hilton Worldwide, is expected to see completion in the final quarter of 2015. The hotel’s grand opening will be held in early 2016.

The announcement was held in Penang in an event attended by Chief Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Lim Guan Eng. Also in attendance were YBhg. Dato’ Daljit Singh Dalliwal, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, YB Danny Law Heng Kiang, EXCO member of the Penang State Tourism Development and Culture Board, and Dato’ Seri Nazir Ariff, Vice President of the Majlis Dato’ Dato’ Pulau Pinang, among others.

“Penang’s rich heritage and strong cultural presence has also earned it the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the listing, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) estimates that hotel occupancy rates within the city have increased from four to five percent annually. I am confident that DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang will certainly contribute further towards this growth rate,” said YAB Lim Guan 028

Eng in his speech.

Built with an estimated Gross Development Value of RM230 million, the introduction of DoubleTree Resort

by Hilton Penang also marks the first Hilton branded resort in Malaysia and the first Hilton branded hotel in northern Malaysia.

Located in the tourist belt of Batu Feringghi, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang will consist of 318 rooms, mostly with sea-views. Some of the hotel’s unique features will include a kid’s zone and water-park, a sand lounge with an artificial beach, as well as family-friendly dual key rooms with a common foyer for the perfect family getaway. Not forgetting the discerning business traveller, the hotel also includes function rooms and meeting spaces, all day dining as well as a spa to relax and unwind.

The theme and design for DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang is the result of a rare collaboration between locally renowned design house, IDS and internationally renowned design house, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) to device an international branded resort streaked with local cultural influences.

Speaking about the project, Jason Chong, CEO of Cornerstone Partners said, “Given all that Penang has going for it, not least being its international appeal, we truly believe that there could not be a better place for the next DoubleTree Resort by Hilton than right here in Penang.”

“It is, in this regard, truly an honour for us at Cornerstone Partners to be associated with such an esteemed name in international hospitality, with our offering of DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang,” he added.

Guy Phillips, Vice President of Development, Asia, Hilton Worldwide said, “We are very pleased to be working with a well-respected partner such as Cornerstone Partners to introduce the DoubleTree by Hilton brand to Penang. The signing of this agreement underscores our commitment to developing Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of brands in Malaysia. DoubleTree Resort

by Hilton Penang will be a tremendous addition to the brand’s rapidly-expanding global portfolio across six continents and at the same time, bolster the country’s tourism agenda to attract more travellers to destination Malaysia.”

A gala dinner was also held in the evening to commemorate the announcement of the latest hotel in the Pearl of the Orient.

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Marketing Malaysia Relentlessly Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, Director General, Tourism Malaysia IMAGES | Furqaan Hod

Due to his steadfast commitment and dedication in promoting Malaysia’s tourism industry for over three decades while overcoming various challenges along the way, Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab has become one of Malaysia’s foremost marketing personalities and tourism luminaries. Gaya Travel Magazine recently caught up with Dato’ Mirza to find out more about the state of Malaysia’s tourism industry.

Malaysia continues to be creative in promoting the destination When it comes to marketing and promotions, few would be able to match Dato’ Mirza’s experience and leadership in developing effective strategies to sell Malaysia as a leading tourism destination. Ever since he first started with the organisation (which was then known as Tourist Development Corporation) back in 1982, promotions had always been taken seriously by the organisation.

“The purpose of tourism marketing and promotion is to popularise a particular destination or country. To make it popular, we need to have an effective communication programme, and advertising is a major part of this communication,” he explains.

Until today, Tourism Malaysia, being the Malaysian tourism industry’s promotional and publicity arm, still

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continues its objective in promoting Malaysia as a leading tourism destination, especially after emerging from the unfortunate incidences that involved Malaysia Airlines’ MH370 and MH17 flights in 2014. The organisation engages reputable creative agencies in developing effective, clever and relevant advertisements in selling the country as a desirable destination.

“Since advertisements yield different impacts based on their appeal to their audience, Tourism Malaysia constantly

seeks and makes the best advertisements that sink in well with the audience and create the desired impact,” Dato’ Mirza shares.

During the International TourismusBörse (ITB) Travel Trade Show in Berlin held last March 2015, Tourism Malaysia garnered three awards, including the First Prize in the Print Category for an Advertisement that featured one of Malaysia’s icons, the intriguing wayang kulit (shadow puppets made out of leather) to target the European, American and the Australian markets.

Such award is an acclaim by the international communication experts, proving positive that the direction Tourism Malaysia took has yielded the right response, created impact and was effective. The said advertisement contains rich emotive suggestions that strongly expresses one of Malaysia’s unique essences.

One important aspect in developing impactful advertisements is to work with cutting edge creative houses that understand Tourism Malaysia’s strategic direction. Dato’ Mirza says that Tourism Malaysia had long been working with the creative agency that helped to develop the winning advertisement because of its creative and innovative ideas. Having said that, he also notes that it also required some time for the agency to arrive at that level of sophistication.

Of course, Dato’ Mirza also agrees that advertisements can only go so far because they “simply trigger tourists’ interests, but we also need to convert it into actual action”. In doing so, the other aspects of marketing and promotion work in tandem with advertising to create deeper awareness towards promoting Malaysia as a leading tourism destination such as seminars, roadshows and familiarisation trips for travel agents and media, including participation in travel fairs by Tourism Malaysia to

reach out to the international tourism players and the public.

Tourism arrivals to grow positively in 2015 Despite the challenges faced in 2014, Dato’ Mirza remains hopeful that tourist arrivals to Malaysia will improve beginning March 2015 onwards.

To restore confidence among tourists to visit Malaysia, Dato’ Mirza views that crisis management needs to be conducted effectively and quickly. “If we are slow to respond to crisis, we open ourselves up to too much speculation, making the matter worse. We must dispense clear cut and effective information,” he advises.

“We also need to hype up our advertising and promotion to remain visible among our global audience and maintain their interest towards the destination. More effort is required, including market redevelopment and revival campaigns, to rebuild confidence,” he adds.

To encourage tourists to continue exploring the country, Dato’ Mirza suggests that there is no limit to the choice of transportation modes available in Malaysia. “If tourists are apprehensive about flying, they can enter Malaysia and explore the country by land, since Malaysia’s good roads are accessible from Singapore and Thailand to enter Peninsular Malaysia, as well as from Kalimantan and Brunei to access Sabah and Sarawak. More emphasis is being done to encourage tourists to travel by road and rail,” he mentions.

Due to the global economic slowdown and decrease in international tourist arrivals, the Malaysian tourism industry now shifts its attention to the domestic market. Since the number of Malaysian outbound travellers has decreased due to the unfavourable exchange rate, Malaysians are instead vacationing locally, therefore boosting domestic travel.

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Tourism Malaysia places emphasis on domestic tourism by developing domestic campaigns, besides encouraging local companies and corporations to hold their management retreats and employee programmes such as family day in Malaysia rather than overseas. In light of this, Tourism Malaysia organises the Corporate Travel Bazaar, where big companies can buy Malaysian vacations and stay packages for their employees.

“People who are having difficulty in business might have some extra time while waiting for the market to improve, therefore they become potential domestic tourists who make short trips to destinations within Malaysia, creating demand for domestic travel. When people are busy making money, they have no time for much of anything else – once they take a recess, demand for vacation can grow because they will be travelling with their family and patronise local resorts and visit attractions,” he opines.

With all of these challenges, Dato’ Mirza is confident that the organisation’s personnel is capable of handling and addressing them head on. “Tourism Malaysia’s staff live and breathe marketing and promotions because it has become their daily ritual to continuously reach out to people year in and year out, identifying and meeting new media, new agents, new buyers, new sellers to shore up the Malaysian travel and tourism industry,” he beams.

Changes seen in the past 10 years For the past decade, Dato’ Mirza has witnessed many changes in terms of trends and shifts. Ten years ago, the country depended mainly on the long haul markets like Europe and the Americas; nowadays, six of Malaysia’s top ten markets (Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) come from ASEAN, indicating that the region’s travel and tourism industry, which is an integral part of the booming Asia Pacific market, is experiencing overall growth.

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“Malaysia now receives more regional tourists compared to a decade ago and tourists from the ASEAN region are now more affluent than before,” he explains.

China and India are also fast becoming important source markets in this day and age compared to before, therefore Tourism Malaysia’s strategies throughout the years have also changed accordingly to meet the demands of these markets.

Contributing to this growth are also the low cost carriers that open up direct routes, especially from different points in Indonesia, besides the return of full service airlines to Kuala Lumpur such as Lufthansa and British Airways, which bring in the much needed tourists from Europe, thus boosting international tourist arrivals.

“On the same note, we also see that the European market is reviving. From 2000 to 2012, the interest shown from the market was not strong since European tourists then preferred to travel to the Far East, Indochina, Latin American and the Eastern Bloc countries. However, of late, the Europeans are returning,” claims Dato’ Mirza. He further expounds that such phenomenon is due to nostalgia

because in the past, before the fall of the Iron Curtain, many from Europe mainly passed by Malaysia and Singapore en route to Australia and New Zealand.

Visiting the country now gives them the chance to rekindle that memory and capture the romance of travel from the bygone era. “You go to where you miss,” he quips.

He also cites other changes such as the emergence of new segments like student travel, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, and Corporate Travel Bazaar to introduce the Malaysian suppliers of travel and tourism products and services to corporate buyers. Certain hotels have been also upgraded, refurbished and rebranded. In the meantime, the evolution of mobile phones to smartphones also affects the behaviour of how people make decisions and record their experiences when travelling.

For Tourism Malaysia, the major change was in terms of shifting from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, which Dato’ Mirza considers as a quieter environment to work in, a boon for thinkers and philosophers.

can now find ASEAN citizens working in Malaysian hotels and resorts – the AEC will make it more structured. The ASEAN of old was fragmented due to the differences in political ideologies, but today it is all open. Airlines are also flying into all of ASEAN’s capitals and major cities, while improved road systems and rail are making connectivity and accessibility faster,” says Dato’ Mirza.

Dato’ Mirza foresees that the tourism industry will continue to grow. “As people have more money, more technology, more options and more information, they definitely will prefer to travel more. People are also being very selective of the places that they are heading to because they first need to know the place in greater detail so as not to take any chances. Dependence on travel institutions may be reduced because people do not need to refer to travel consultants any longer, while online booking will increase. The cost of travel will come down through the low cost carriers, online booking offers and technology. More travel packages will also be developed that involves two or more countries within ASEAN, for instance Malaysia and Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and Malaysia and Indonesia,” he predicts.

Bright future for the industry When asked about the looming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that is to take effect at the end of 2015, Dato’ Mirza hopes that ASEAN would further liberalise the visa policy to allow ASEAN citizens to move freely throughout the ASEAN region to boost arrivals.

Besides removing travel barriers, another aspect of the AEC is to allow ASEAN citizens to travel out of their country and seek employment in another country within ASEAN, thus freeing the movement of trade and skills. “Such phenomenon is already rampant in the Malaysian tourism industry because we

For those who want to be in the tourism industry, Dato’ Mirza recommends that first and foremost they need to be pleasant and like to mix with people.

“Those who prefer to be alone and isolated will find it difficult to thrive in the tourism industry because it requires one to socialise. The more languages you know, the better. The tourism student also needs to be engaged by the industry to ensure that they are given the best position that they are most suited for,” he advises.

On the final note, in the next five years, Dato’ Mirza ultimately hopes that Malaysia reaches its target of 36 million tourist arrivals and RM68 billion tourist receipts.

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IMAGES BY : © TOURISM MALAYSIA / CRUISE TASIK PUTRAJAYA / MARINA PUTRAJAYA / GAYA TRAVEL MAGAZINE

+ WIL AYAH PERSEKUTUAN +

E S CA P E T O P U T R A J AYA

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PUTRAJAYA

WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN

Putrajaya somehow escapes the mind when it comes to short weekend getaway choices.

Which is quite unfortunate, really! Putrajaya should be the first destination that comes to city folks’ minds when deciding where to go for a quick rejuvenating trip.

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We have witnessed how Americans love a trip to their capital Washington DC, with huge crowds walking along the boulevard and do museum hop! We would love to see Putrajaya with huge crowds throng the city every weekend to enjoy what the city has to offer.

The amazing architecture of various government ministry’s buildings will make you feel like you’re in a different environment instantly.

With wide boulevard and carefully manicured landscaping, Putrajaya seemed like a page out of Disney’s Aladdin fairytale that meets futuristic architecture.

Putrajaya is less than an hour away from KLIA and Kuala Lumpur City Centre, definitely nearer than the usual weekend getaway favourites Port Dickson and Melaka.

IMAGES BY : © TOURISM MALAYSIA

PLACES

FANTASTIC STAYS

HOTELS IN PUTRAJAYA

The city is not short of places to stay. Five star hotels and nearby resorts provide a very nice home away from home for weekend travellers. Putrajaya is a great destination for a pampering break. Hotels like Shangri-la, Pullman and The Everly are located right in Putrajaya for travellers’ convenience; while hotels such as Marriott, Palm Garden, Equatorial Bangi and Cyberview Lodge are still within an easy reach from the garden city of Putrajaya. These hotels offer great facilities, should you prefer to just laze around at the hotel.

SHANGRI - LA PUTRAJAYA

PALM GARDEN HOTEL

Taman Putra Perdana Presint 1, 62200 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia Phone : +60 (3) 8887 8888 www.shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/ putrajayashangrila/

IOI Resort City 62502 Putrajaya Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia Phone : +60 (3) 8943 2233 http://palmgarden.com.my

PULLMAN PUTRAJAYA LAKESIDE

MARIOTT PUTRAJAYA

No.2, Jalan P5/5, Presint 5 62200 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia Phone : +60 (3) 8890 0000 www.pullmanputrajaya.com

IOI Resort City 62502 Sepang Utara, Malaysia Phone : +60 (3) 8949 8888 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/kulpgputrajaya-marriott-hotel/

THE EVERLY PUTRAJAYA

CYBERVIEW LODGE

While we are great advocators of enjoying hotel facilities fully, it will be a waste to not want to explore what Putrajaya has to offer! So stay a night or two, or maybe three, to learn more about Malaysia’s seat of administration.

No.1 Jalan Alamanda 2, Precinct 1, 62200 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia Phone : +60 (3) 8892 2929 http://putrajaya.theeverlyhotel.com

Persiaran Multimedia, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia Phone : +60 (3) 8312 7000 http://cyberviewresort.com

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THE ICONIC BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES OF PUTRAJAYA It is hard to miss the great buildings of Putrajaya, the Federal Administrative Capital of Malaysia, all built in handsome and palatial fashion, emitting the air of sophistication. It is quite hard to describe the aura of Putrajaya â&#x20AC;&#x201C; travellers simply must come to the place to experience it for themselves if they have not done so already!

Our personal favourites are the Putra Mosque, Perbadanan Putrajaya and Ministry of Finance.

Besides the buildings, the Putrajaya bridges are definitely worth mentioning. There are eight bridges

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in Putrajaya. Like the buildings, they too have their wow factor.

The bridges add more charm to the already fascinating Putrajaya. Some are built with a classical feel to it, while others have a very modern and futuristic look. We pick the modern and utilitarian Seri Wawasan Bridge as our favourite!

We have come to Putrajaya countless times, and never once the buildings and bridges cease to amaze us. Due to these manmade wonders, Putrajaya also has become one of the favourite destinations for photography enthusiasts!

IMAGE BY : Š TOURISM MALAYSIA

A BIG GARDEN Driving through Putrajaya is like driving through a huge maze of garden, as approximately a third of its 45.8 square kilometres of land have been set aside for green lungs and natural settings. This carefully planned city is intended to become a garden and intelligent conurbation, and now we can see that it was well executed and implemented.

Nature buffs would love Putrajaya Botanical Garden (Taman Botani Putrajaya); the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest botanical garden that covers 92 hectares of land. The garden has been designed as a national sanctuary for Malaysian living collection of plant taxonomy, including as a centre for education and research. Another distinctive feature of the garden city is

Putrajaya Wetlands (Taman Wetland Putrajaya), the first constructed freshwater wetland deemed to be the largest in the tropics. Besides these two parks, there are also Agriculture Heritage Park (Taman Warisan Pertanian) and Taman Saujana Hijau. Do take time to enjoy the greenery and be with nature by visiting those parks!

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CRUISE TASIK PUTRAJAYA The main feature of Putrajaya would be Putrajaya Lake (Tasik Putrajaya), which makes up about 12% of Putrajaya. It functions as both a recreational area and scenic element, while serving as an environmental filter and cooling system.

If there is one thing you cannot miss during your Putrajaya getaway, it is taking a ride on the scenic Cruise Tasik Putrajaya. Truly, this is our top favourite thing to do in Putrajaya! We love taking river cruises whenever we go travelling because it gives us the best way to

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experience the city from a different perspective. We have had the pleasure of cruising in Johor Bahru, Melaka, Paris, London, Kashmir, Istanbul, New York, Amsterdam, Brugges, Geneva and Prague, just to name a few. So cruising in Putrajaya is simply a natural choice for us, no doubt about it.

Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is the only cruise operator in the whole of Putrajaya and they have been in business since 2003 – that’s 12 years of hospitality experience! We had the pleasure of meeting Captain Ramli Yunus who has years of ship navigation experience, his service in the Royal Navy included. Guests are definitely kept safe in the hands of

an expert!

Upon looking at Cruise Tasik Putrajaya’s website (www. cruisetasikputrajaya.com), we were pleasantly surprised to find out that there are many options available for us to choose from. Let’s see what options are available and which one suits us best, shall we?

Generally, Cruise Tasik Putrajaya offers three types of vessels for us to select: the traditional Perahu Dondang Sayang; the Lepa-Lepa, a traditional boat used by the Bajaus of Semporna; and the

IMAGES BY : ©CRUISE TASIK PUTRAJAYA

modern air-conditioned cruise boat.

Perahu Dondang Sayang is a handcrafted genuine replicas of the local Malay traditional perahu or wooden gondola-like vessels. This boat was intricately handcrafted and made in the state of Terengganu. This vessel, which is able to seat up to seven people, is definitely suitable for those who seek intimate and nostalgic experience, especially romantic couples.

Another unique traditional vessel option would be the Lepa-Lepa, the traditional

single-mast sailing boats of the Bajau Laut people, sea gypsies who live off the east coast of Semporna, Sabah. Travellers do not have to go to all the way to Semporna to experience sailing on board LepaLepa. Readers might be able to recall that Gaya Travellers had the pleasure of visiting Semporna and Mabul island and meeting the Bajau Laut people in the previous issue of Gaya Travel Magazine. We can tell you that the original Lepa-Lepa in Semporna is not readily available for visitors to board. So you should grab this unique opportunity to experience boarding Cruise Tasik Putrajaya’s Lepa-Lepa since the boat is especially designed so that it can accommodate up to 10 people at one time.

However, for travellers who couldn’t stand the heat, perhaps the modern air-conditioned cruise boat would be a better choice, which comes in two types: single or double deck. These boats are specifically designed and custom built with wraparound windows arching from armrest level to the ceiling, allowing passengers clear and unobstructed view of both sides of Putrajaya Lake in luxurious comfort. The best part is that travellers get the best of both worlds: they can simply hop over to the outdoor decks and feel the wind brush against their faces, then

come back inside for the cool airconditioned comfort.

Apart from the scheduled cruise, these boats are also available for private charter. There are also cruises with dining options!

The Dining Cruise offered by Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is ideal for entertaining guests or clients, with its range of menu that sounds too mouth-watering to pass. Fantastic traditional dishes like Beef Rendang and Stuffed Squid are some dishes that are available on rotation basis.

We have seen on TV some private functions being held on board the cruise, which is really cool! We enquired about the rates for this private function chartered cruise, and we found that their charges are reasonable.

Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is definitely a must do when you are visiting Putrajaya!

CRUISE TASIK PUTRAJAYA Jetty Putra, Jambatan Putra, Precint 1, 62000 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia.

Enquiry : + 603 8888 5539 E-Mail : sales@cruisetasikputrajaya.com Web : www.cruisetasikputrajaya.com FB : www.facebook.com/CruiseTasikPtjy

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Not too far from Pullman Hotel is Marina Putrajaya. Located just beside the Putrajaya Lake, Marina Putrajaya is more than just a marina.

Besides the usual marina services like boat and equipment storage, berthing, slipway and jetty, this place offers many facilities for family leisure activity at reasonable rates. At first glance, Marina Putrajaya seems like an exclusive members-only club. But upon closer inspection, we found out that it is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Do find out at the reception area for rates and more information.

There is something for everyone here, as we have come to discover.

IMAGES BY : ©MARINA PUTRAJAYA

MARINA PUTRAJAYA

Besides their function rooms of various sizes, Marina Putrajaya houses a well equipped gymnasium, sauna, swimming pool, squash court, snooker and pool centre, family karaoke rooms and a restaurant.

Marina Putrajaya also offers water sports such as waterskiing, wake boarding, flyboards, jetskis, canoeing, kayaking, dragon boat racing and sailing! Lessons are available and what an excellent place to take up water sports, since the Putrajaya Lake has become the venue for various international water sports events. We are starting to feel envious of Putrajaya residents!

THE MUSICAL FOUNTAIN We have heard of this latest attraction in Putrajaya, The Musical Fountain! But before that, how does it work?

A musical fountain is actually an interplay of synchronised music and lights, both coordinated using the fountain’s various pressure control adjustments and flow of water to create a magnificent composition of patterns and lights that rise and fall to the beat of the songs. This reminds us of the water fountain

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show we saw in Dubai, at the foot of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.

The Musical Fountain at Marina Putrajaya comes alive at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on weekdays. Extra shows are available during weekends at 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and finally at 10:30 p.m.

For more amazing photos, follow : @gayatraveller on Instagram. #gayatraveller

COME JOIN MYFEST2015!

There are many major events happening in Putrajaya this year, and be sure not to miss them!

SKYRIDES FESTIVALS PARK WHERE : Next to the New Millennium Monument in Precinct 2 WHEN : Open Daily

The latest attraction in Putrajaya is a family theme park that has something for everyone! Its star attraction is Skyrides Balloon, said to be one of the world’s highest and biggest tethered balloon rides with the capacity of 30 passengers at one time. Travellers can feast their eyes on the amazing 360-degree panoramic view of Putrajaya’s architectural grandeur. On a clear day, the view could go unhindered up to 50 km into the horizon!

Other attractions include SkyWarrior Rainforest Challenge with its waterthemed obstacle courses; SkyDemo interactive handicraft centre; SkyGallery showcasing creative collectibles; SkyKids amusement centre for children; including SkyTaste and SkyCafe with delicious dining options. Don’t forget to visit Skyrides Centre,

where travellers can find many fun facts concerning all things balloon; SkyCruise for lovely lakeside sailing; and SkyStage, a platform where live performances and musical showcases are staged during weekends.

ASYIK @ MARINA

WHERE : Marina Putrajaya WHEN : Every Saturdays, 6pm to 11pm Besides The Musical Fountain shows, Marina Putrajaya comes alive every Saturday evenings with a variety of entertainment suitable for the whole family including performances from buskers, fire eaters, a magic show, clowns and the like. There are also stalls and other recreational activities such as free karaoke sessions, KMX bikes, mini futsal and giant bubbles. During the end of the month, there will be cultural performances, showcasing Malaysia’s rich heritage.

MAGIC OF THE NIGHT 2015 WHERE : Marina Putrajaya WHEN : 28 - 31 May 2015

Enjoy a dazzling evening with the glittering lights of decorated floats brought in from every state in Malaysia. This event features Malaysia as one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Enjoy a grand showcase of the country’s flora and

fauna, including attractions found in the different states in Malaysia.

Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival (FLORIA) WHERE : Anjung Floria, Presint 4, Putrajaya WHEN : 30 May 2015 – 7 June 2015

This event promises a dazzling and flamboyant display of flowers and gardens, including an exhibition of lilies totalling 150 species in specially designed gardens. For the first time ever, there will be a showcase of its very own Spring and Winter Gardens.

Putrajaya International Islamic Arts and Culture Festival (PIIACUF) WHERE : Dataran Putrajaya, Presint 3, Putrajaya WHEN : 29 October 2015 1 November 2015

This event was conceived as the platform for the expression and appreciation of Islamic values.

The aim is to celebrate Islam as a complete lifestyle through the staging of an exhibition, seminar, symposium, music and the performing arts under one roof.

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“To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.”

Edmund Burke Because who doesn’t, right?

When I was was about 8, which was 16 years ago, my mother warned me not to befriend with anyone from the East Coast, especially Terengganu and Kelantan. When I grew older and became brave enough to ask why, my mother simply answered “they live and only get along with their own and they often eat sweet food, which I don’t like.”

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Today, I proved my mother wrong.

Though I agree with her about the food being sweeter than our liking but the East Coast, especially Terengganu, is just too lovely to miss! This was made evident during my recent trip to Terengganu, which I found not just lovely but also a place that I felt belonged.

I am intrigued by their dialects. A person from Kuala Lumpur like me speaks standard Malay, but the people in Terengganu often put the extra consonant “g” with Malay words that end with the letters “n” such as makang instead of makan (eat) and ikang instead of ikan (fish), and “ng” or words ending with “m” such as malang instead of malam (night)! They do not see the need in changing the way how they speak, thus maintaining their distinct identity – Malaysians generally would know where they are from just by listening to their speech. Travellers who intend to stay in Terengganu for a lengthy period may need to familiarise with the way how they speak, not only in Malay but also in English, for ease of communication.

Terengganu history and culture has always been inextricably linked to the sea and marine life. The state has some of the most beautiful paradise islands including the ever popular Perhentian, coral-fringed Redang and the laid back Kapas. Back on mainland, Terengganu boasts the best beaches in Peninsular Malaysia.

Thousands of tourists flock to the islands every year. As parents tan under the sun, their children simply play in the pool or by the beach and sometimes even help locals to release the baby turtles into the water! The resorts in Terengganu are generally decent with cosy beds, pools, all day dining outlets and friendly staff.

Most of the resorts have their own dive centres, therefore anyone who feels like getting into the water to admire marine life can simply rent snorkelling or diving equipment.

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However, travellers should also remember that Terengganu’s hinterland is not without its own wonders. Last year, I hiked the mountains of Cemerong, Berembun and Langsir, all known for their numerous waterfalls and rapids. Located 30 kilometres away from Muktafi Billah Shah town in Dungun, there is the pristine Cemerong Waterfall, known to be the highest waterfall in Malaysia at 305 metres. The adventurous trek leading to the waterfall offers rich tropical vegetation and wildlife. Before we found the waterfall, we spent three days to reach Berembun peak, which was about 1,014 metres above sea level. Despite the challenging hills and hours of hiking, all the exhaustion was rewarded with the sight of the refreshing Langsir waterfall, where we camped for the night. The whole experience was an experience not to be forgotten that make Terengganu all the more memorable as a wonderful tourism destination.

Terengganu is a traditional delicacy haven. The state’s capital, Kuala Terengganu, is a pleasant city ideal for short walks.

Travellers can start experiencing Terengganu food from Pasar Payang. The market’s upper floor is where travellers would

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find the tempting and colourful local traditional kueh such as sago, kueh menganang, lompat tikam, akok, lok lit and mek comey. Besides kueh, there are also fruits, vegetables and delicacies like keropok lekor (fish sausage) and dried keropok (fish crackers) that can be tightly packed for travellers to take home. Visitors to this market will have a delightful experience shopping for unique local items at reasonable prices.

While being in Kuala Terengganu, travellers should not lose the opportunity to visit Tengku Tengah Zaharah Mosque, which is a much admired landmark that is situated on a man-made lake that flows into the Ibai River. As the lake’s water rises during high tide, it hides the mosque’s foundations, giving the illusion that the mosque is floating, hence the moniker ‘Floating Mosque’. The surrounding area is also breezy, making it a suitable place for travellers to take respite. Another mosque

that is worth visiting is the iconic Crystal Mosque at the Islamic Civilisations Park on Pulau Wan Man, also in Kuala Terengganu.

One more thing travellers should try when being in Terengganu from April to September is squid jigging – the name of the activity is derived from the jerking motion used to lure squid to take the bait. I was lucky to experience squid jigging for the first time during the recent Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival held last June 2015 together with many local and international participants.

The best time to jig squid is from early evening till late night, using the light from the boat to attract the squid. The light mimics the moonlight, luring the squid to come closer to the surface to spawn. Nylon lines with hooks and baits are then lowered into the bottom of the sea to increase the chances of catching the squid. Once the lines are down, they are then

tugged in jerking motion repeatedly to nab the squid. The art of jigging is no easy task, especially among those who are prone to sea sickness. Travellers need to understand that they could get overwhelmed by motion sickness (even after taking sea sickness pills) if the sea becomes choppier.

However, based on my experience, not long after we dropped our lines into the water, we were able to catch them! I didn’t expect it to be that easy and we were overjoyed with the catch!

The squid was huge, about the size of my head. Squids do not bite; instead, they wrap their tentacles around their prey, including the bait. As defence mechanism, they tend to squirt black fluid substance to their predators, so travellers need to be careful not to get themselves squirted by the squid they caught.

We then rewarded ourselves by cutting up the squid and frying them in the boat; it was the most delicious and freshest fried squid we have ever tasted!

Obviously, there are more places in Terengganu that I have yet to discover. The state is filled with colourful villages, cattle roaming on the roadside, pristine beaches, dreamy tropical accommodations and laidback lifestyle. Travel here with an open mind and travellers are bound to be pleasantly surprised to find how contented the people generally are, which gives the destination a more welcoming, relaxed and unpretentious vibe.

Terengganu can be visited all year round, but be mindful of the monsoon season beginning from somewhere around late October until mid-March – it is during this period that the islands are generally closed and some areas on mainland are prone to floods.

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Highland Escapes TEXT | Shad Sakeri

IMAGES | Product Owners

When the heat wave strikes the city, there is no better place for travellers alike to escape other than the highlands that offer tranquillity, soothing and lush green landscapes and cooler climate. The following are Gaya Travel’s selection of 10 Highland Escapes in South East Asia that readers can check out:

01 | Awana Genting Hotel, Pahang

02 | Idaman, Pahang Malaysia Enclosed in a beautiful garden with exclusive privacy within a gated community in Janda Baik, this homely villa consists of five cosy and well-appointed bedrooms that offer breath-taking views of one of the oldest rainforests in Malaysia.

The property was built with an eco-sensitive philosophy in mind, made evident in the way of how its architecture complements the natural setting. Idaman is filled with beautiful collector’s items ranging from sculptures, woodcarvings, original paintings and plenty of books.

private infinity swimming pool, all built on a 12-acre land. Besides enjoying the pretty garden, a karaoke lounge in a small hut provides entertainment for guests. www.saufiville.my

Malaysia www.avillionprivatecollection.com Located roughly 3,000 feet above sea level, the hotel offers a wide range of facilities for personal challenges and team-building alike. The natural landscape is especially suitable for activities such as jungle-trekking and obstacle courses, with steep cliffs and inclines ideal for abseiling and rockclimbing. Golfers can enjoy the awardwinning 18-hole championship golf course while taking in the cool crisp air.

04 | Ye Olde Smokehouse Cameron Highland, Pahang Malaysia

www.rwgenting.com/hotel/awana-hotel

03 | Saufiville Boutique Resort, Pahang Malaysia For travellers who love natural ambiance and quiet environment, they will definitely love this property. Located 1,800 feet above sea level surrounded by lush vegetation, Saufiville Boutique Resort features a bungalow concept resort containing six rooms and a

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A three-hour drive from the KL city takes travellers to Ye Olde Smokehouse, located on a verdant hill standing adjacent to a beautiful golf course. This English Tudor boutique style hotel, built in 1939, houses a number of pleasantly-named rooms like Spencer and Fairhaven.

Guests who yearn for English delicacies will be glad to know that they can satiate their appetite by savouring the property’s wonderful traditional English breakfast spread, including tea and pastries, while taking in the highlands’ calming atmosphere. www.thesmokehouse.com.my

06 | Borneo Highlands Resort, Sarawak Malaysia Cocooned in the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, the resort sits at the height of 1,000 metres above sea level on the Sarawak-Kalimantan border. It is located just an hour’s drive (60km) from Kuching city, the capital of Sarawak, and indeed is a destination in itself since it provides plenty of attractions including the Kalimantan Lookout Point, Flower Garden, Rabbit Park, Horticulture Nursery, Organic Farm, Simangas Waterfalls and Chinese Tea House.

05 | Aman Rimba the Estate, Pahang

www.borneohighlands.com.my

Malaysia

08 | Kampung Sampireun Resort & Spa, Garut Indonesia

Aman Rimba’s concept is to sell privacy and exclusivity. Situated in Kampung Janda Baik upon three acres of land, the property features six exquisite villas, four of which embody the Malay kampung style. The resort is created with the family or large groups of guests in mind, offering plenty of activities such boat-paddling for children, cycling, river-dipping, games in a fully-equipped Games Room and fruit-plucking from the resort’s orchard. www.amanrimba.com/the-estate

07 | Kasih Sayang Health Resort, Sabah Malaysia

Inspired by the traditional Sundanese village, Kampung Sampireun Resort & Spa offers luxurious bungalows 1,000 metres above sea level. Guests can expect to be overwhelmed by the beauty the property’s surrounding landscape, which features a small lake surrounded by cosy villas that require guests to aboard boats to reach to them, alluding to the Sundanese connection to highland life. Guests are welcome to feed fish, row around the lake or enjoy tea time and dinner served from a boat at their villa. www.kampungsampireun.com

Kasih Sayang is dedicated in providing a retreat where guests can find a holistic approach to health: rejuvenating the body, mind and soul in the midst of nature. It features 23 rooms with private balconies. Standing at 2,400 feet above sea level, it has a stunning 360° view of the surrounding tropical rainforest. The resort is only a 10-minute drive away to Kiansom Waterfall and a 15-minute drive to the popular living museum in the state, Mari-Mari Cultural Village. kasihsayang.com.my

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Gaya Tech

Heightening Travellers’ Sense of Sight through

Nikon’s Coolpix S6900 TEXT | Furqaan Hod IMAGES | Nikon Malaysia

Amongst all of its collection up until today, Nikon finally introduced a new gadget in town: the Coolpix S6900 camera. Mainly targeted for travel enthusiasts and definitely selfie lovers, this handy camera is an indispensable companion to photograph beautiful sceneries and landscapes, as well as uploading onto the social media in just one click!

Gaya Travel team had the opportunity to use this nifty camera during the recent Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015 held last June 2015 and found that the images taken using the Coolpix S6900 were remarkable.

One of the camera’s attractive features is that its monitor can turn up to 180 degrees, allowing photographers to capture from various creative angles effortlessly.

We also found that the sky in Terengganu was made extra vibrant when captured

by Coolpix S6900 lens without the need for filter – the cloud appeared more dramatic while the transparent sea and human activities more vivid.

Most importantly, it maintains the natural colour of the skin tone without diluting the background panorama – the luminosity for both the background and foreground is well balanced.

Travellers can make steady selfie shots by either using the front shutter-release button or by simply using the touch screen monitor. Its wide-angle 25mm selfie portrait can fit up to six persons, a boon to travellers.

On top of that, this camera can be attached easily onto a monopod and read hand gestures or Wireless Mobile Utility (via smartphone) to remotely operate the shutter.

The camera is Wi-Fi friendly, while its NFC pairing feature makes social media sharing stress-free. Talking about media sharing, travellers now can conveniently and infinitely ‘capshare’ (capture and share) their moments by simply clicking or tapping on NFC-compatible smart devices. Nikon provides an application called Wireless Mobility Utility that lets its digital cameras seamlessly connect with iOS and Android platform devices, enabling travellers to download, take photos remotely and share them without much hassle.

It is amazing to know that during the Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015, one of the international participants shared something great about Malaysia through an app called Triposo, a detailed and personalised application that can trace everything in a destination down to the nearest pharmacy or police station.

Triposo covers up to 30,000 destinations and comes complete with travel information. It manages simple currency exchange and dictionary of local places as well. It also offers offline maps for travellers, including chock-full information from the 6,000 travellers who shared their travel experiences, including blogs about the destinations and local perspectives.

Travellers are bound to be satisfied with Nikon’s Coolpix S6900. It allows for easy selfie-taking and sharing with just one simple tap. This deliberately light camera, which can be charged using power bank, is worth every penny.

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Caffeine Fix

with Melbourne Feel at

Garage 51 TEXT | Shad Sakeri IMAGES | Furqaan Hod

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Over the past few years, Malaysians, who are generally avid drinkers of local coffee, are now elevating their experience in enjoying coffee by patronising hip and trendy coffee shops that are now sprouting throughout the country. But these coffee shops are not only about offering ambient drinking atmosphere but they are more about educating the Malaysian public about what constitutes excellent coffee.

One such coffee shop is Garage 51, which has been opened since 2013 by brothers Choong Kar Wai and Choong Kar Heng.

A perfect spot for dining with family and friends in a hidden alley surrounded by auto workshops in Sunway area, Garage 51 intends to bring the Melbourne vibe and coffee experience to the city, and the strong crowd thronging the coffee shop indicates that the locals welcome it with open arms.

Garage 51 proves that a risky choice does actually pay off. It offers specialty coffee and a menu of distinct gourmet dishes. Kar Heng has taken his experience in the design field and applied it when transforming the used-to-be garage to a rustic-industrial aesthetic – seemingly unfinished room outfitted with a rustic communal table made from age-old sampan (small boat commonly found throughout South East Asia), colourful tank chairs, high ceiling, full glass window that lets in ample natural light, dangling light bulb and a custom-made container that serves as the kitchen. The space is cosy for sipping a cup of freshlybrewed coffee and indulge in comfort food with good company. The young service staff are also attentive and helpful.

Garage 51 serves ‘The Société Blend’, which uses beans sourced from Ethiopia, Sumatera and Brazil, said to be mild to medium bodied. Since the whole idea of Café Société is to bring the Melbourne café experience to Klang Valley, the coffee shop also serves Flat White Coffee, considered as a very ‘Australian thing’.

The Doppio (RM6.90) is weighty in flavour but not too heavy in the mouth, with an immediate piquant note upon sipping. But should you prefer milder and creamier coffee profile, do have a cup of the well-rounded Latte (RM8.90), which in my companion, has a nice balance of sweet milk and coffee. For Nutella lovers, be sure to savour the divine concoction called ‘Mochatella’ (RM16.90) that is bound to tempt you to come back for more.

In terms of the menu, it is lined with Melbourne-inspired brunch staples including ‘Eggs Atlantic’, ‘Roll-with-ahole’, ‘Media Lunas’ and the regulars’ favourite called ‘Awesome Garage Breakfast’. For dinner, dishes such as ‘Olive Aglio Olio with Smoked Salmon’, ‘Grilled Chicken with Homemade Croquette Potatoes’ and ‘Grilled Lamb Shoulder with Mashed Potatoes’ come highly recommended.

Above all of this, my personal favourite from the menu would be the ‘Baked Eggs with Splash of Cream’ (RM17), made of sliced chipolata (fresh sausage), capsicum, zucchini and a rich pot of parmesan and mozzarella cheese, served along with two slices of toasted sesame bread on a chopping board for a more rustic feel. As for dessert, the ‘Blueberry Cheese Cake’ (RM9.90) is simply a slice of decadent heaven. The attention to detail in Garage 51’s food presentation is also worthy of mention, making the servings some of the most Instagram-friendly in town.

“Garage 51 is all about quality over quantity. We test shots every morning just to ensure our coffee maintains the same good taste.”

-Kar Wai

So next time when you need to get a caffeine fix or to fulfil your strong urge in enriching your Instagram account with beautiful #instacoffee and #foodgasm photos, do head straight to Garage 51, Bandar Sunway, which is a chic establishment that transports patrons to a place somewhere in Melbourne, favoured by the young, urbane and professional.

Garage 51 Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

(Closed on Monday) 51, Jalan PJS 11/9, Bandar Sunway 46150 Selangor Tel: +6 03 5612 5618 FB: Garage 51 IG: garage51my Twitter: Garage51MY 053

A View From Al-Madina Al-Munawwara | IRCICA YILDIZ 90743-9,16

Construction Work in Al-Madina Al-Munawwara | IRCICA FP021130

Al-Haram Al-Sharif | IRCICA MD-HYN 4804

National Visual Arts Gallery’s Latest Exhibition (12 June - 30 Sept 2015)

Makkah and Madinah are specifically safeguarded by Islamic jurisprudence and considered to be “harem” (sacred) and are called “haremeyn”, meaning sacred cities.

They were where the Holy Qur’an was revealed and the originating points of the Islamic faith’s history and civilisation, besides being the locations where Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) spent his worldly days.

They are maintained not only as places of worship, but also as sources of inspiration and invaluable heritage of the Islamic civilisation.

In support of this effort, the National Visual Arts Development Board (NVADB) in cooperation with IRCICA, a body established under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is currently presenting an exhibition of rare photographs that record various events that took place in Makkah and Madinah during the Ottoman rule.

The photographs exhibited are selected from the collection of Sultan Abdulhamid II (r. 1876 - 1909), the 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire who was also known as “The Great Khan”, and from the collection of Fahreddin Pasha (1868 - 1948), the Commander of the Ottoman Army and Governor of Madinah, also known as “The Lion of the Desert.” Some of these exhibits have been preserved and maintained

by IRCICA, which is involved in

View From Al-Madina Al-Munawwara Plain | IRCICA FP011869

No other sites in the world are considered to be more holy and sacred in Islam than the landmarks in humanity’s sphere of faith and worship, which are the Kaaba (Masjid al Haram) in Makkah al Mukarramah and Masjid al Nabawi in al Madinah al Munawarrah. For this reason, Makkah and Madinah have an inestimable place in the hearts of Muslims.

research, publication, archives and documentation on Islamic history, culture and civilisation.

Among the photographs being displayed is “Al Haram Al Sharif” taken during the Hajj season of 1297/1880 by Colonel Mehmed Sadik who saw a group of Ottoman soldiers taking photographs and recording the topographical environment of Makkah, Madinah and Taif in order to provide a sketch map of the cities and the streets.

As a result, a map of Makkah was able to be successfully created a few months later, in Rabi al Waal 1298/ March 1881. More remarkably rare photographs showing a number of other important and interesting events are also on display.

The public is invited to attend the exhibition and learn more about the historiography of these holy sites

specifically during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Visitors also can see the development and changes made by the Ottoman government to uphold these two holy cities and meet the needs of visitors especially during the Hajj season, without changing the original condition of the cities.

Another element of the exhibition includes the chance for the public to share their moments in Makkah and Madinah. A special Facebook page called “Haremeyn – Kota Suci Mekah Dan Madinah” have been set up to allow members of the public to share their experiences performing Umrah or Hajj. They are welcome to upload their photos onto the Facebook page to inspire more people to visit these cities.

The uploaded photos would also be featured on the screen throughout the exhibition.

Packing For Travelling and The Outdoors TEXT | Adela Roslan IMAGES | Respective Product Owners’ Websites

For those who love to travel and spend time outdoors, it is not easy to determine what exactly we need to buy for travelling and outdoor activities. We acknowledge that overspending can be a terrible idea yet we just have no clue of what kind of situation awaits, leading us to purchase many unnecessary items in fear of being insufficient later. Making decision on what to purchase should not be an ordeal. Keep in mind that for travellers, buying practical things is critical.

Here are some items that Gaya Travel hopes would enrich our readers’ travelling experience…

Oakley

Ethnotek Oakley’s sunglasses are popular, perfect for boat cruise or beach vacation. All sunglasses come in standard fit and designed for impact resistance, great optical clarity and excellent visual fidelity. Oakley has made its sunglasses in a way that doesn’t put substantial amounts of pressure on the side of the head and near the ears. One popular style that Oakley has released is the aviator, commonly known for being lightweight and comfortable. Prices of the sunglasses can go up to RM1,000+.

Travelling light may need you to find the right bag that can be quickly accessed yet tightly secure. The Ethnotek travel sling’s main compartment rolls open and close for maximum access plus built-in organiser containing a small document pocket, two stretch mesh pockets and a pen slot. It is also padded with air mesh back panel for increased comfort. The bag is built with water resistant nylon ripstop lining to keep everything dry and safe! Price starts from RM109. http://www.ethnotekbags.com/

http://www.oakley.com// 056

Kanken Straight backs are always happy backs.

Since back problems had begun to appear increasingly among younger age groups, shoulder bags regain its popularity.

Thus, the idea of using backpack quickly spread and Kanken backpacks become a common sight for all ages. Kanken is made out of durable, lightweight Vinylon F. The main compartment with a large opening makes it easy to put in and take out items. The handle at the top is narrow with shoulder straps included. The sitting pad in the pocket at the back plus logo that doubles as a reflector are practical for travellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outings. Prices are as low as RM290. http://www.fjallraven.us//collections/ kanken

Banana Boat

Under Amour Being outdoors for an extended time, travellers need sun screen for skin protection at whatever time of the year.

Banana Boat sun screen offers a wide range of moderate to high UVA/UVB protection to protect from skin cancer due to the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harmful rays. It comes in several forms such as sprays, lotions and sticks (for the face and those hardto-reach spots like the ears), all come in lightweight packaging, allowing users to stay in the sun for long periods. Price starts from RM21.10.

It is always wise to stick to closed-toe shoes when travelling since it can help prevent insect bites or cuts from sharp surfaces and long walks. Today, not only athletes need sports shoes; travellers need a pair as well. Under Amour shoes are engineered to keep feet cool, dry and light throughout the day since they provide compression and remove perspiration off the feet. Coming in different colours and designs, the shoes are absolutely useful for travelling. Starting at RM399 per pair, the price is definitely worth the wear as it takes a life time to change for a new one.

http://www.bananaboat.com/ http://www.underarmour.com.my/en-my 057

Rock Bar:

Magical Sunset on the Rocks TEXT | Nawar Anisah IMAGES | Rock Bar

“When the sun has set, no one can replace it” George R. R. Martin

Much have been said about the stylish the Rock Bar located in the picturesque Uluwatu in Bali. Exceedingly popular due to its spectacular sunset view, the bar – which is situated within the confines of the lovingly landscaped Ayana Resort – has been well frequented. The extent of the bar’s popularity can be seen based on the long queue waiting to board the inclinator that takes guests down to the rocks along the beach facing the sea, affirming its status as one of the premier sunset avenues in the Land of the Gods.

Located on natural rocks 14 metres above the Indian Ocean at the base of Ayana’s towering cliffs, this innovative bar has become one of Bali’s most glamourous sunset and after dark destinations. Judging by the crowd that flocks to this bar, it is indeed one of the most talked about hang out places in Bali, so much so that it received accolades and listed as among the 2012 World’s Best Bars With Views by Forbes Travel Guide, 2013 Best Beach Bar In The World by CNN Travel, 2013 Great Wine News Readers’ Choice Awards and Best Oceanside Wine Experience.

The experience descending to the bar is dramatic via an inclinator that traverses the cliff-face, giving guests the bird’s

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eye view of the surroundings before they arrive to take their seats close to the dazzling ‘aquatic fireworks’ (the result of waves breaking on a 100m-long coral reef at high tide). Wooden deck areas – one of which is accessed via a natural cave – are built on either side of the main rock and extend along the beach to provide additional viewing points.

What makes the place magical seems to be the working combination of Rock Bar’s chic ambience and superstar views being merged with the rhythm of the ocean and funky tunes spun by the DJ. The bar’s minimalistic design by Yasuhiro Koichi of Japan’s Design Studio SPIN exploits the natural formation and character of the rock. Koichi’s triumphant masterpiece ensures nothing comes between guests and the horizon but shimmering ocean waves (and the odd traditional fishing boat, adding another touch of magic to postcard-worthy photos).

The bar itself was created by Japanese glass artist Seiki Torige, using thousands of layers of recycled glass canes to produce a shimmering effect accentuated by sunlight. Jutting out from the cliff-face, the crystallised rocks hundreds of years old add natural glitter to this spectacular venue.

Guests should try securing the seats at the top most deck where the main bar area sits, which have the best seats in the house, affording the most unobstructed view of the much awaited sunset.

Despite the bar being upbeat and hectic with patrons and house music, things almost automatically comes to a halt as the sun sets. It is amazing to see how sunset-viewing can bring people from all over the world closer together. Many attempted to capture the magic using a plethora of electronic devices.

Thankfully, the place is not only to be enjoyed during sunset. As night falls, patrons are also encouraged to stay and take in the sea breeze and sounds of the waves crashing in, alongside infectious music and enjoy food and beverages over tête-à-tête. Since most patrons with children might leave the bar after sunset, there is no limitation for others to stay and revel in Rock Bar’s glory.

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Destinations

Islamic Cruise on SuperStar Libra by IntraTama Travel Consultant & Tours IMAGE | Amierah Noor Ibrahim

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hearts of many by breaking rather than following convention. She challenged Malaysian stereotypes by tackling topics and difficult subjects openly through endearing films and commercials that taught us the real value of love, friendship and harmony, making her as nothing short of a Malaysian legendary story-teller and proponent of social cohesion.

Discover Perak 2015:

Perak in Multiple Perspectives TEXT | Shad Sakeri IMAGES Furqaan Hod

In conjunction with the Discover Perak 2015 programme organised by Tourism Perak and Gaya Travel magazine held earlier this year, 23 participants comprising selected media and travel agents packed their bags and headed to Perak to experience the state’s delights.

In short, the participants found the whole four-day and three-night programme enriching. Follow us as we take you to all of the interesting places covered during the programme.

Immersive attractions Yasmin at Kong Heng Museum When Yasmin Ahmad died on 25 July 2009, the entire nation was devastated as Malaysia lost one of its much admired luminaries – an advertising big-wig, film-maker and philanthropist rolled into one – who captured the 064

To commemorate her contributions, a gallery was built for her later after her passing. The museum was Yasmin’s mother’s dream, which was realised by her friends and fans who pooled their resources to establish this gallery in Ipoh, her beloved town that is featured in most of her movies. The gallery aims to become “a space to showcase upcoming creative talents – be it in film-making, design, advertising, performing arts and more.”

The museum opens only on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The entrance fee per person, which is RM3, is in a form of donation to cover the cost of operating the space (visitors can give more if they so choose). Children under 12 enter free.

89-91, Old Block Apartments Jalan Sultan Yussuf 30000 Ipoh, Perak Tel: +605 - 241 8977 Web: www.facebook.com/ yasminatkongheng GPS: 4°35’49.5”N 101°04’41.7”E

Boat-making at Tukang Bot Hoo Huat Sea fishing was one of the most significant economic activities during the British colonial era and the island of Pangkor, off coast Lumut, was and still is an important fishery hub for the state.

With this fact in mind, anglers and fishing enthusiasts are drawn to the island’s rich nautical heritage of traditional boat and ship-building. Anyone wishing to look into woodwork bound for the high seas can head to a boatyard called Tukang Bot Hoo Huat, owned by Tan Ho An. This grizzled 68-year old runs a boatyard that is famous for building oceangoing fishing boats that are popular among fishermen and maritime sector.

He learned the boatbuilding skills and techniques from his father, who learned it from his older relatives. As far as he remembers, he has being doing this for over 50 years.

it contains natural resin that makes it almost invincible against termites and other rodents, including erosion from seawater. Due to its high quality craftsmanship, Tan Ho An receives many orders from around the country.

Tukang Bot Hoo Huat Sungai Pinang Kecil, Pangkor Tel: +6 012 457 4984 GPS: 4.22975155, 100.57384729

Hai Seng Hing Satay Factory When being on an island rich with maritime resources, travellers naturally buy seafood snacks as souvenirs to

bring back home. Established in 1969, Hai Seng Hing Satay Factory is a major seafood trader that stocks up wellloved seafood snacks such as crispy cuttlefish satay, barbequed fish, fish satay, including squid and prawn crackers. The factory’s shop also sells frozen fresh and sea water fishes including Indian mackerel, hilsa, Spanish mackerel, dried shrimps, salted fish and salted jellyfish.

Hai Seng Hin Fish Satay Factory 200, Sungai Pinang Kecil, Pangkor Tel: +6 05 685 109 Web: www.haisenghin.net GPS: 4.22975155, 100.57384729

Certainly, one of the reasons for his success is in the use of a resilient tropical hardwood called chengal – every single part of the boat except metal fittings and engine is handmade from the wood, which is perfect for boat building because

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Gua Tempurung Outdoor Camp Gua Tempurung in Gopeng is one of the longest limestone cave tunnels in Peninsular Malaysia that extends as far as two kilometres. Although it is not as big as the Niah and Mulu Caves in Sarawak, novice cavers will be glad to know that cave exploration here is made relatively easy by accessible steel and concrete staircases constructed along the track. Viewing platforms and railings are added as additional safety measures and spotlights are strategically placed to illuminate the cave’s most attractive features.

Interested cavers can experience Gua Tempurung Outdoor Camp, an establishment that aims to please adrenaline junkies with adventurous outdoor activities such as caving, white-water rafting, tubing and waterfall abseiling. There are four types of caving tour altogether, with prices that range from RM8 to RM30 per person.

No. 25 (Tingkat Bawah), Jalan Tasik, 31600 Gopeng, Perak Tel: +6 05 359 1561 Web: www.gtoc.asia GPS: 4°24’58.6”N 101°11’15.6”E

Night Safari, Taiping Zoo Contrary to popular belief, zoos are not just for children. To prove this point, travellers should head to the Taiping Zoo where they can see how excited the adults get when learning about wild animals. By joining the night safari (the zoo’s most popular experience), visitors can opt to either walk on their own along a guided footpath or take a ride on the tram to observe the animals’ activities at night.

Located on a 36-acre land at the heart of Taiping Lake Garden, Taiping Zoo is an ex situ conservation site where animals are placed in an environment outside their original habitats. However, the zoo does an excellent work in ensuring that the animals’ paddocks closely resemble their respective habitats. It has more than 1,300 animals 066

representing 186 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Zoo Taiping & Night Safari won the Malaysian Tourism Award for Best Man-Made Tourism Attraction. The safari opens every day, including Public Holidays. Entrance fees are RM20 per adult and RM 10 per child.

Jalan Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak Tel: +6 05 808 6577 Web: www.zootaiping.gov.my GPS: 4°50’03.9”N 100°44’17.7”E

Taiping Heritage Trail Taiping Heritage Trail is a designated

journey that brings travellers to learn more about Perak’s history, culture, architecture, flora and fauna by visiting 39 historical sites and buildings including Old Market, Taiping Prison and Perak Museum.

Travellers can test their fitness level and get intimately connected with Taiping’s historical landmarks by walking through the suggested trails or board an electric bus that takes around 40 minutes to finish.

Majlis Perbandaran Taiping Jalan Taming Sari, 34000 Taiping, Perak Tel: +6 05 808 0777 Web: www.mptaiping.gov.my GPS: 4°50’58.0”N 100°45’06.2”E

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To rest and rejuvenate After a long day of sightseeing and playing, it is understandable that travellers require lodgings that provide the utmost comfort. Luckily for travellers, Perak’s accommodation never disappoint – from charming midrange ventures such as Rockbund Fishing Chalet and Nipah Guesthouse to popular hotel chains like BEST WESTERN Marina Island Resort, travellers are definitely spoilt for choice.

Best Western Marina Island Resort Marina Island is a beautiful reclaimed land covering 316.9 acres, connected to the mainland by a 400-metre causeway bridge. Ideally situated on the island’s man-made seafront with a long stretch of promenade is the Marina Island Resort, managed by Best Western, one of the biggest hospitality chains in the world.

The rooms are spacious, almost twice the size of a standard room. The resort offers a wide range of amenities and perks for guests’ convenience such as concierge service, in-room dining and Wi-Fi connectivity in public areas. We were also told that a trip to Pangkor is cheaper and shorter (around 10 minutes) if travellers were to take the boat ride from Marina Island compared to Lumut jetty.

Marina Island KM1, Teluk Muroh, 32200 Lumut, Perak Tel: +6 05 683 2881 / +6 05 683 3881 Web: www.bestwestern-pangkor.com GPS: 4°12’42.2”N 100°36’17.0”E 068

Rockbund Fishing Chalet Rockbund Fishing Chalet offers good fishing platforms. It is said that many avid anglers come to fish here and return home with heavy and satisfying catches, especially sea bass and snapper.

Besides fishing decks, the chalet features 21 average-sized colourful cabins that are reminiscent of Brighton Beach in Melbourne, Australia. Whether the visitors are in-house guests or not, they will definitely find Rockbund Fishing Chalet enjoyable that offers more than just fishing since other activities such as snorkelling, island-hopping, sunset cruise, cycling, kayaking and swimming are also provided.

Marina Island KM1, Teluk Muroh, 32200 Lumut, Perak Tel: +6 016 558 0388 Web: www.rockbund.my GPS: 4°12’09.5”N 100°35’52.3”E

Nipah Guesthouse

Pictures Source: rockbund.inndesk.com

Rates: Weekdays – RM230 per night/per chalet with breakfast (4 pax) Weekends – RM300 per night/per chalet with breakfast (4 pax)

Upon arrival, guests will be immediately greeted by the warm smiles of a lovely couple, En. Anuar and Puan Alia, who are none other than the owners of the place itself. Guests would then realise that no grand entrance or trained concierge is needed here to welcome them – simple, sincere and unpretentious approach will definitely win the guests over. Nipah Guesthouse’s cosy ambiance runs throughout the whole place, from the inviting open library at the entrance, to the average-sized pool and the charming A-Frame cottages that turn the accommodation into arguably the most attractive accommodation in Teluk Nipah. Another interesting factor is that the guesthouse allows guests to make their own breakfast to their own liking!

Rates: Weekdays – RM120 per night/per guestroom with breakfast Weekends – RM150 per night/per guestroom with breakfast Public Holidays – RM180 per night/per guestroom with breakfast Lot 4506, Teluk Nipah, 32300 Pulau Pangkor Tel: +6 017 506 9259 (Encik Anuar Razak) Web: www.pangkorbeachchalet.com GPS: 4°13’55.1”N 100°32’49.0”E 069

But wait, what about the food?

Fine, we heard you. It is interesting to learn that most Malaysians are undeniably a gourmand by trait, with some having an inscrutable passion for food that they put more effort than the rest of us and go the extra mile – in this case, to Perak – to satisfy their hunger and quench their thirst.

Perak is indeed a food haven that receives much of its influence from the Chinese community. The following are the food and beverage joints that we believe worth trying when travelling to the state: Seafood @ Nipah Deli Steamboat & Noodle House in Pangkor You have to admit that the best way to enjoy seafood is by getting down and dirty with your hands and eat as you please! Luckily, Nipah Deli Steamboat & Noodle House allows such practice.

Located strategically on a beachfront overlooking the beautiful Straits of Malacca, the ambiance of the restaurant becomes more magical when the sun goes down. Plus, their seafood selection is to die for! The whole idea of getting your hands dirty is reinforced by the fact that the food is served directly to you on plates without any accompanying utensils.

Mixed Fruit Shaved Ice with Ice cream @ Tong Sui Kai (Dessert Street) in Ipoh “You will think that you have died and gone to heaven” – this is how most locals describe a popular dessert known as the mixed fruit shaved ice cream, typically found at street stalls including Tong Sui Kai. With such a claim, travellers known that it is worth a try. This must-try dessert comprises a bowl of sliced mixed fruit consisting of watermelon, kiwi, mango and honeydew, served with a big scoop of ice-cream on shaved ice with rose syrup, salted peanuts and milk – the right antidote to endure the hot weather.

Surprisingly, despite its rich content, it costs only RM5.50 per bowl, which is almost a steal.

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Crab Mee @ Kampung Dew Jetty in Taiping Kampung Dew in Taiping is gaining popularity as a firefly tourist destination where travellers board a boat to witness millions of fireflies flicker in perfect synchrony amongst trees on both sides of the riverbank. However, fireflies are not the only thing that is stealing the spotlight in Kampung Dew; its Crab Mee is said to be so delicious that each person would eat more than one bowl. The sweetness of the crab blends beautifully into the mild spicy gravy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a must try for all foodies!

Tau Fu Fa & Soy Bean @ Funny Mountain in Ipoh Funny Mountain is perfect for people on the go as there are no tables and chairs provided here â&#x20AC;&#x201C; customers can choose either to eat while standing or just pack the silky smooth Tau Fu Fa and go. Despite the lack of furniture, it is surprising to see how packed the stall can be during its opening hours. Each bowl of Tau Fu Fa costs RM1.

Satay Endut @ Kam Wan Restaurant (Gourmet Square) in Ipoh Kam Wan restaurant is one of the oldest food courts in Ipoh, featuring a long stretch of stalls comprising famous hawker delights, including Satay Endut, which are skewers of meat covered in sweet marinade then grilled and fanned over charcoal fire. The peanut sauce is chunky and mildly spicy. 15 sticks of Satay Endut will cost diners RM12, slightly pricier compared to the other satay providers in town but worth every ringgit.

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Day 1 Kampung Sungai Latoh Kongkong Masai Bhd Once we arrived in Kampung Sungai Latoh Kongkong, Puan Salbiah Haji Yahya, Eco Tourism Manager of Kampung Sungai Latoh Kongkong Masai Bhd and her team welcomed us. We then headed for the boat cruise, led by our tour guide Puan Normallah.

Discovering the

Southern Gem TEXT | Adela Roslan IMAGES | Faiz Jalal & Furqaan Hod

On 16-18 May 2015, the Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia (SKM), in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine, organised a familiarisation trip to Johor called Jom Jelajah Koperasi (Let’s Explore the Cooperatives) Johor 2015. The participants of the trip, comprising 25 representatives of various local media organisations and SKM officials, visited selected cooperative companies in Johor as part of SKM’s efforts to increase awareness towards their distinct product and services among the public.

The boat cruise is one of the attractions at Kampung Sungai Latoh Kongkong, used by locals and tourists to enjoy the area’s scenery. Both sides of the river are flanked with mangroves trees, which the students from the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) collaborate in conserving and conducting research on them. Since our cruise coincided with high tide, we were unable to try our hands on netting fish; however, we witnessed how prawns are caught using nets by Puan Normallah. The nets used are 100% locally made and possess special features to catch prawns and fish easily. Among the types of fish that can be caught here are ikan merah (red snapper), ikan kerapu (grouper) and ikan tamban (sardine).

Besides fish, Sungai Latoh Konkong is well-known for its snails. Sungai Latoh Konkong got its name from the conch snail, which are abundant in the area.

The snail is originally called gonggong, which then morphed into Kongkong later and give the village its name.

Since the cruise was followed by a hearty lunch at Rumah Rakit, we managed to try the steamed conch snail while others savoured prawns, caramelised mussels and fresh fish cooked in black pepper gravy. We washed down the food with Kampung Sungai Latoh Kongkong’s signature refreshing beverage, which was coconut mixed with gula Melaka (palm sugar).

their catches of the day. The small fish that were caught in their net were shredded into smaller pieces to become baits (called umpan tamban) for catching larger fish the next day. The king crab (belangkas) are also caged at Rumah Rakit for hawking purposes. We then returned to the cooperative office. Along the way, we passed under the Sungai Johor Bridge that looks similar to the Penang Bridge, which connects Senai to Desaru, cutting the journey from two hours to 45 minutes.

After the boat cruise experience, we headed for some honey-tasting, also in Kampung Sungai Latoh Kongkong. For many of us, it was the first time that we tasted honey directly from bee hives using straws. The type of honey bee called kelulut or trigona produces honey that tastes sweet with a tinge of sourness.

With the hives, the bees also produce bee bread (pollen) that can cure asthma, gout and a few non-serious health problems.

Kelulut is expensive in the markets: the price can go up to RM100 for just one medium-sized bottle! In Islam, honey is one of the food preferred by The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Muslims are recommended to consume it.

The day ended with the Opening Ceremony of Jom Jelajah Koperasi Johor programme at Restoran Warisan Asam Pedas & Seafood operated by Koperasi Warisan Kampung Senibong Johor Bahru Sdn Bhd. Once again, we were fed with seafood dinner by the sea. The area where the restaurant is located, Kampung Senibong, is already established as one of the main seafood hubs frequented by not only Johoreans but also Singaporeans!

We feted on crabs, mussels, grilled fish, fish cooked in sauce and gravy, caramelised chicken and refreshing beverages. While enjoying the food and taking the breeze from the Straits of Johor, we were serenaded by a live band that performed traditional numbers, which was the perfect end to our first day.

After lunch, we grabbed the chance to observe the local fishermen separating 075

Day 2 Koperasi Pemandu-Pemandu Teksi Bandaraya Johor Bahru Bhd As early as eight in the morning, we were greeted by five red taxis parked in front of the hotel to take us to our next stop: Koperasi Pemandu-Pemandu Teksi Bandaraya Johor Bahru Sdn Bhd. The ride was interesting: all of the taxis are well-equipped with user-friendly tablets displaying information about places and services. What makes taxis in Johor different from those in Klang Valley is that they use radio taxi service called Mawar Radio Taxi – customers just need to dial +6 07 235 2020 and they will be assisted by 304 operating taxis all over Johor. The fares are charged using the taximeter for destinations within Johor.

Tourists who choose the taxi service to enter Singapore only need to pay RM25 per person.

We then proceeded to Koperasi Pekebun Kecil Wilayah Johor Selatan Bhd, located two hours away from Johor Bahru, to get up close and personal with cows, chickens and goats in the farm. We were served creamy fresh cow’s milk and juicy fresh cow’s meat cooked in curry sauce for lunch before touring the farms. We then visited the chicken farm and learned the process of rearing poultry. We also tasted kelulut honey for the second time at a location half a kilometre away from the farm. Compared to the first kelulut, which was sweet and sour, the kelulut at the farm tasted rather tangy.

We moved to Homestay Kampung Parit Bugis Muar Bhd later in the evening and were given the opportunity to stay with foster families to learn about local culture. Interestingly, many residents of Kampung Parit Bugis are of Javanese descent, thus the structure of their houses follows Javanese custom such as larger kitchen and plenty of rooms because they live as extended families and hold cultural ceremonies. Most of the houses in Kampung Parit Bugis take part in the homestay programme because the 076

locals enjoy having tourists and guests.

The packages are not that expensive and tourists will be well-fed with Javanese cuisine all day long!

Our entertainment for the night was spooky yet humorous at the same time.

We were presented with tarian kuda kepang (dance depicting horsemen performed by beautiful girls) and tarian barongan (dance of a mythical hybrid creature performed by agile male dancers who adorned large peacock feathers on their heads). We were told that the barongan performed that night was a normal one that did not involve the invocations of spirits but remained spectacular nonetheless. We then returned to our respective foster families’ homes to chat and rest.

Day 3 Koperasi Homestay Kampung Parit Bugis Muar Bhd Breakfast was served right after subuh (dawn) prayers by our foster parents.

Some of them took the participants for a tour around the area, climbed coconut trees and demonstrated handmade crafts.

As the day commenced, we boarded a tram – which looked more like a string of traditional buggies – for a tour around the village. We then disembarked and taken to a field where traditional folk games were held. It was such a joyous experience mingling with the villagers and getting to know them better.

Our stay at Kampung Parit Bugis – as well as following the JJK Johor trip – ended with a closing ceremony and farewell from the foster parents, who endearingly reminded the participants to come back and visit them, before we departed back to Kuala Lumpur.

From eating conch snails at Kampung Sungai Latoh Kongkong to staying with foster families at Kampung Parit Bugis Muar, the participants of JJK Johor accumulated the valuable experience in bonding with the locals; learning about Johor’s grassroots communities; understanding the impact of real economy to the locals; and assisted the local cooperatives by making the public more aware of their products. All in all, the entire JJK Johor experience was not only enriching, but also fulfilling, to say the least.

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Eat.Travel.Write

Magic of the Night 2015

Putrajaya 28–30 May 2015 TEXT | Adela Roslan IMAGES | Zaty Ramlan & Muhammad Naqiudin Bin Badrul Hisham

Putrajaya enchanted night The Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), in collaboration with Gaya Travel Magazine, organised the three-day programme called Eat. Travel.Night Magic of the Night (MOTN) 2015 from 28 until 30 May 2015. This programme was joined by selected media, bloggers and travel agencies to experience and promote interesting tourism attractions in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the launch of MOTN in Putrajaya on 29 May 2015 through various media and social networking channels.

Besides the launch of MOTN, MOTAC also held the Photography and Selfie competitions for the public to participate that offered the total prize money of RM13,800.

Gaya Travel team with other media representatives, including 75 international media and tour agents under Tourism Malaysia’s Mega Fam programme, witnessed the spectacular MOTN launch.

With the theme of Endless Celebrations, MOTN showcased decorated floats that traverse the water from various states in Malaysia, including an entry from the Suzhou region of the People’s Republic of China.

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Day 1 Putrajaya Lake Cruise Our first day of programme started with a boat cruise along the Putrajaya Lake, which allowed us to witness Putrajaya’s amazing architecture, including the city’s new attraction, SkyRides, from the water. Throughout the cruise, the boat guide shared with the passengers about the packages that Putrajaya Lake Cruise

provides, including the cruise package specifically tailored for Magic of the Night whereby members of the public can ride together with the resplendent floats along the three-kilometre Putrajaya Lake.

SkyRides Festivals Park Putrajaya Located next to the Monumen Alaf Baru (Millennium Monument), a familyoriented theme park SkyRides Festivals

Park Putrajaya (SkyRides) is the new iconic tourism destination that caters to the entertainment needs of all ages. Right after the cruise, we soared up 120 meters into the sky on SkyRides Balloon, which is Malaysia’s first and largest tethered balloon. From the air, we were able to see Putrajaya’s magnificent landscape that is characterised by elegant eclectic architectural designs set amidst lush greenery. For those who seek physicallychallenging activities, they can head straight to the SkyWarrior Rainforest Challenge at only RM10 per entry.

Children and those who are young at heart can visit the SkyKids section that consists of SkyDemo, SkyGallery and SkyStage to experience art, music and crafts. It was at SkyGallery that we were able to catch the interesting top-spinning and crafts-making demonstrations.

Putrajaya International Convention Centre After having an enjoyable time at SkyRides, we then proceeded to the Putrajaya International Convention

Centre for lunch at its Cafe. Simply known as PICC, this impressive convention centre is at par with the other established international conferences centres. The Café @ PICC served up scrumptious seafood-based meals including dishes like tom yam, caramelised chicken and beef, including mouth-watering desserts. We were then given a tour around the centre to have a look at halls, conference rooms, VIP lounges and facilities. The tour culminated with a showcase of Malaysian traditional musical performances comprising the much loved local tunes like “Dia Datang” and zapin, including Indian dance, Chinese fan dance, ngajat (dance performed by Iban warriors who are based in Sarawak), which were then concluded by Malaysia Truly Asia dance-and-sing-along number. We even joined the dancers and performed simple dikir barat moves. To enjoy the fun-filled show while savouring delicious buffet spread, the experience only costs RM50 per adult and RM25 per child.

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Swiss Garden Hotel Kuala Lumpur Since our theme was to eat, travel and write places of interest in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, we then headed to the latter to check in at the Swiss-Garden Hotel & Residences. Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Swiss-Garden Hotel’s central location makes it an ideal place of stay. The hotel’s rooms were sufficiently spacious, cosy and contemporarily designed. After a quick rest, we congregated at restaurant at the hotel’s rooftop for the early dinner cum launch ceremony of Eat.Travel.Night MOTN 2015 programme by MOTAC’s Deputy Secretary General (Tourism) Datuk Rashidi Habullah. All participants and guests alike feted on the scrumptious buffet spread while relishing the relaxing rooftop ambience and good company.

Day 2 KL City Tour Hop-On Hop-Off The second day of the Eat.Travel.Night MOTN 2015 programme began with us riding on a double-deck bus operated by KL City Tour Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO), which took us around Kuala Lumpur’s touristy areas (there are 42 of them in total). Travellers who need extra tanning can access the blazing sun by sitting on the front part of the upper deck and take in the city in all of its glory, while the rest can remain in the sheltered areas of the bus and enjoy the city through the large windows. Along the journey, we were given information regarding KL’s attractions such as Petaling Street, the National Museum, Little India, KLCC and the National Mosque, among others.

The HOHO bus stops at each of the 42 attractions for tourists to disembark

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and explore them. The tour was such an eye-opener for many of us – even though many of the participants hailed from Kuala Lumpur, we learned many things that we never knew before about Malaysia’s much loved capital city, thus further deepen our love towards it.

Fabulous Food, Marina Putrajaya After touring Kuala Lumpur, we then returned to Putrajaya for the official launch of the Magic of the Night 2015 festival, which took place beside the Putrajaya Lake. Prior to feasting our eyes over spectacular flotillas over the lake’s

placid waters, we feasted on delicious local food at the various food stalls set up just a few minutes’ walk from the street performances. The stalls carry dishes that are popular in the Malaysian states. Some of the food that we found downright lipsmacking were mee kolok from Sarawak, satay tulang from Negeri Sembilan, nasi dagang from Terengganu, pulut mangga from Perlis and mee udang from Kedah.

We were definitely torn between trying more food and viewing the floats – we finally decided to drag our feet to the stand to catch the illuminating flotillas blazing in the night.

Launching of Magic of the Night 2015 Right after the sound of banging drums, Magic of the Night 2015 commenced with Malay, Chinese and Indian performances. Adding merriment to the atmosphere were glow-in-thedark decorations, dancers in dazzling costumes and children playing kompang (Malay traditional handheld percussion), amazing fireworks display, including Disney’s prince and princess characters, further pulling the crowd.

Each of the flotilla showcased during MOTN 2015 represented a state in Malaysia, bedecked with colourfully lighted displays and effects on board.

There was also an international entry from Suzhou as part of the city’s promotional effort in luring the

Malaysians to visit the destination. All of the flotillas competed for overall best flotilla, most creative flotilla and best-lighted flotilla categories, judged by professional judges. As for the popular flotilla category, it was voted by the public. We took photos of the flotillas and the performances non-stop, not only for publishing through our respective media channels but also to win the Photography and Selfie competitions.

By the end of the night, Sabah was declared the winner for the overall best flotilla category. Irrespective of whichever flotilla won that night, the event was a great success and became one that is worth remembering. MOTN 2015 indeed captured the hearts of all visitors, locals and foreign alike.

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Putting Terengganu on the International Travellers’ Map:

Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015 TEXT | Raihan Fozian IMAGES | Raihan Fozian, Amierah Noor & Faiz Jalal

In 2014, did you miss the chance to follow Terengganu’s breathtaking beaches and islands, amazing food, friendly locals and most importantly, riding on the choppy waters of the South China Sea to jig squid? In case you missed it, the state of Terengganu held the Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival (TISJF) again from 2 until 7 June 2015 for travellers to learn about squid-jigging, including what the wondrous state of Terengganu has to offer.

Now in its second year, the festival gathered 122 local media from over 22 countries such as the United States of America, Spain, France, Russia, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey and Indonesia, including Malaysia. It has also become the platform for media practitioners from around the world to experience squid jigging first hand while being mesmerised by Terengganu’s beauty.

Most of this year’s participants visited Terengganu for the first time in their lives, therefore they were all excited, especially when a number of last year’s participants’ also raved about the event.

Day 1 Upon arrival, participants were ushered into the Rajawali Hall 1 at Duyong Marina & Resort for a welcoming dinner and introductory briefing. All

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122 media attentively listened to the presentations led by representatives of Tourism Terengganu, the Fisheries Department and Gaya Travel Magazine as the media co-ordinator. The participants were encouraged by the organisers to use #SquidJiggingTgg, #TourismTerengganu, #Terengganu, #Malaysia and #GayaTravel hashtags to promote Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015. Do check out these hashtags in your social media account to see what happened during the festival, including the microsite www.gayatravel. com.my/terengganu-international-squidjigging-festival-2015.

Day 2 Pulau Pinang Day two began with a one hour and a half ferry ride from the Shahbandar Jetty in Kuala Terengganu to the shimmering blue waters of Pulau Pinang, one of the islands that is part of the Redang archipelago. It would be a sin not to jump into the water when being on the island since Pulau Pinang is located within a Marine Park, replete with beautiful corals and marine life. Snorkelling and diving gear can easily be rented. However, for those who prefer to remain dry, they may explore the island and feast their eyes on its pristinely tropical landscape.

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was not on our side and the sea was unusually rough that most participants were eventually hit by seasickness. None of us managed to catch any squid during the first round. Despite the rough sea conditions, we arrived at the jetty safely.

The tiring four hours in the open sea fail to deter participants to dress beautifully in accordance to the theme for the dinner, which was ‘Beach Party’. Following the theme, dinner was held at the Laguna Island Resort beach and Acen, a blogger from Indonesia as well as Azlina, a journalist from Malaysia, managed to grab the ‘Best Dressed’ title and won themselves free stay vouchers at Laguna Island Resort. The fun-filled dinner was indeed a consolation for all participants as compensation for the hard time at the sea earlier.

Redang Island From Pulau Pinang, the participants were taken on another 15-minute ferry ride to get to the Laguna Island Resort, where we will be spending one night on the island. The moment we arrived at Redang Island, we knew it was a love at first sight. The white beach, crystal clear water, and everything in between, made us wander: “is this what you call heaven on earth?”

While Pulau Pinang was beautiful, Redang island took the standard several notches up, leaving almost everybody speechless. It was a jaw-dropping sight to behold with its powdery white and sandy beaches lined-up with coconut trees, surrounded by crystal clear water – a tropical island idyll at its best.

Squid Jigging (Round I) Once we finished admiring the view, we readied for our first squid jigging trip.

After one-hour journey from the Laguna Island Resort Jetty, we reached a spot on the open sea and everyone started to jig for squid. Unfortunately, the weather 086

Laguna Redang Island Resort Laguna Redang Island Resort is one of the most established resorts on Redang Island, located facing the blue water.

This property has comfortable rooms, friendly staff and interesting activities such as snorkelling, diving and jungle trekking to keep guests occupied. Like other resorts on Redang, Laguna Redang Island Resort’s rooms are mostly close to the beach.

Website: www.redangresorts.com Redang Beach Resort Another place worth mentioning is the Redang Beach Resort, an affordably priced accommodation in the form of basic comfortable rooms that are value for money. Besides the expected facilities, Redang Beach Resort offers bargained snorkelling packages to suit the guests’ budget. Staying at Redang Beach Resorts means waking up to the sea breeze caressing your skin and being only a few steps away from the beach.

Website: www.redang.com.my

Day 3 Setiu After spending one night at Redang, we headed back to Shahbandar Jetty in Kuala Terengganu before continuing the journey to Setiu, the venue for Setiu Cultural Fest at Pantai Peranginan Rhu 10 for lunch by the beach and get up close and personal with Terengganu traditional games and activities. Participants were entertained by the demonstration of traditional Malay martial art called the silat, tumbuk emping (pounding of rice flakes), fruit decoration, and the captivating flying top-spinning, which is one of the most popular games among the locals, only to be played by adults as one spinning top could weigh up to five kilograms and require skill and experience in handling them – definitely not a child’s plaything.

From Pantai Peranginan Rhu 10, a 10-minute drive brought us to Kampung Mangkuk where 30 boats were already waiting to take us to the Kuala Baru estuary for mussel-picking.

All participants got out of the boats and treaded into the water and started digging into the muddy bed in search of mussels. Amazingly, the amount of mussels caught by the participants was impressive, considering all of them did it for the first time and had great fun doing so. After a tiring yet fulfilling two-hour mussel-picking session, we were brought to the Primula Beach Hotel in Kuala Terengganu for dinner together with the mussels that we caught, of course, which was served as part of the menu. Everyone was happy being able to eat his or her own catch earlier that evening.

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Day 4 Kenyir Lake The fourth day in Terengganu called for another fun and wet day! We headed to Kenyir Lake in Hulu Terengganu for exciting games and water activities.

Arriving at Pengkalan Gawi in Kenyir Lake around 10:00 a.m., participants were all energised and excited to play local games such as congkak, batu seremban, giant clog and running with water balloons. The participants were then taken on a 15-minute boat ride to Poh Island in Kenyir Lake where the new Kenyir Water Theme Park is located. Kenyir Water Theme Park, popular among locals, is a new attraction in Kenyir Lake that offers Malaysia’s first outdoor inflatable floating water games that are suitable for the whole family to have fun.

Website: www.kenyirlake.com Kenyir Elephant Village (KEV)

Chinatown

From the Kenyir Water Theme Park, the participants then took a 10-minute bus ride to the Kenyir Elephant Village (KEV). Built on a 256-hectare land, KEV is a well-constructed conservation place for elephants. We had to walk through a 500-metre canopy walk – which gave us the chance to observe the elephants from a different angle – before arriving at the main area where the shows are held. Unlike most ‘conservation village’, KEV takes good care of the elephants as each one of them has its own mahout (person who works and tends the elephant) who cares and loves them like their own baby. The elephants here are trained to understand simple instructions from the mahouts, which evidently comes in handy when communicating and conducting educational shows. Visitors are also welcome to bathe with the elephants. The mahouts took the elephants down to the river and the participants were able to touch and bathe these gentle giants. Readers who are interested to partake in this activity should bring extra clothes.

After a full day of playing under the sun, the participants of TISJF 2015 headed back to Kuala Terengganu to join the Opening Ceremony of the Terengganu Peranakan Festival 2015 held in Chinatown. The term Peranakan refers to the Chinese long ago who married locals and adopted many parts of local culture as their lifestyle.

Despite having Chinese blood, the Malay influence is more dominant in the Peranakan culture. This is proven as most Peranakan descendants speak Malay and eat Malay food. The fusion of the local and Chinese culture embodied by the members of the Peranakan community makes them unique. In conjunction with the opening ceremony, Chinatown turned lively with lanterns hung in between old shop houses, lion dance performances with their loud drums, and various kinds of Peranakan food being sold along Chinatown street.

Seeing pretty Peranakan ladies wearing kebaya everywhere and speaking Malay with their unmistakable Terengganu dialect gives a new dimension to Kuala Terengganu, tourism-wise.

Website: www.kenyirelephantvillage.com 088

Day 5 Pasar Payang A trip to Kuala Terengganu is never complete without visiting the Pasar Payang (Payang Market), which is definitely the right place to buy souvenirs and various local handicrafts such as batik, songket, silk, brassware, but also local food and snacks.

Terengganu State Museum Terengganu State Museum is known to be the largest museum in South East Asia, covering an area of 23.33 hectares.

Visitors can walk around through the nine main galleries; Islamic Gallery, Textile Gallery, Royal Gallery, Historic Gallery, Craft Gallery, Petroleum Gallery and Natural History Gallery that exhibit interesting and educational exhibits.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to have a look at the original Terengganu Inscription Stone, which can be seen at the main entrance of the museum, giving proof that the state received the arrival of Islam in 1303 A.D., earlier than the Melaka Sultanate.

Website: http//museum.terengganu.gov. my Islamic Civilisation Park (ICP) If you have been dreaming of seeing the Taj Mahal of India or the Sacred Grand Mosque of Saudi Arabia but never have the chance to visit them, then a trip to the Islamic Civilisation Park is recommended to satiate your wanderlust.

The park is home to 21 replicas of major Islamic monuments and architecture from around the world built on the scale of 1:8 of the original size, complete with corresponding intricate designs that blow visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; minds away. This interactive and educational park is the right place for those who are into Islamic architecture and history.

Website: tti.com.my 090

Squid Jigging (Round 2) Departing from Duyong Marina & Resort jetty, the second round of squid jigging had everyone well prepared, mentally and physically. To those who were prone to seasickness, they readily took the seasickness pill one hour before going to the sea. The pill would make one drowsy and less sensitive to motion, thus reducing seasickness.

After about an hour, we finally reached â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;theâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; spot and everyone started jigging.

This time around, luck was really on our side: unlike the first round, this time we did not have to wait long until the first squid was hauled onto the boat and got everyone excited! One after another, the participants managed to successfully catch squid, making them pleased. Those who brought along fishing rods were also well rewarded with a huge catch of a variety of fish.

Our boat managed to get up to six squid that belong to the big-fin reef species, known by the locals as sotong mengabang.

Other types of squid that can be caught in the Terengganu waters are the mitre squid (sotong torak), sotong ketupat, sotong jarum and cuttlefish (sotong katak).

Although we only managed to get sotong mengabang, to us it was a huge enough reward. The squid were then fried fresh on board and enjoyed by all participants.

Without doubt, it was the most delicious squid we have ever eaten!

Crystal Mosque As its name suggests, the Crystal Mosque is made from crystal-shine glass and steel that stands majestically by the Terengganu River. The mosque has become one of the landmarks for Terengganu as well as Malaysia due to its unique architecture.

Once visiting the Islamic Civilisation Park and Crystal Mosque that lie along the Terengganu River Cruise route, the participants were then ferried over to the Duyong Marina & Resort by the river cruise in preparation for the second round of squid-jigging.

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Participants of this year’s festival stayed at two different locations, Duyong Marina & Resort and Permai Hotel, both located in Kuala Terengganu.

These two accommodations offer different yet viable stay options.

Duyong Marina & Resort Duyong Marina & Resort is an expansive property located on the banks of Kuala Terengganu River estuary, Pulau Duyong, secluded in its own world.

Each room offers privacy with facilities like Wi-Fi connectivity, safe boxes, room service and turndown service. Duyong Marina & Resort is the perfect place to stay if you need to take a break from your hectic lifestyle.

Permai Hotel

After being almost four hours in the sea, we finally headed back to the jetty. It was such a beautiful experience, not only because we managed to catch squid, but also because of the company. In each boat, the media members from different countries not only caught and consumed squid more than they have ever done in their lives but also and bonded and enjoyed the camaraderie.

On the last night in Terengganu, the participants were feted to a memorable closing dinner together with the Terengganu state VIPs. Winners of the contests held during the festival such as ‘Best Instagram Captions’ and others were announced. The most awaited result was for ‘Best Video Teaser’, which was won by Brian Cox from the Spain-based The Travel Vlogger. It was a 092

stiff competition among the four entries, which were from France, Indonesia and Malaysia, including Spain. Cox also won the ‘Best Video’ prize during last year’s festival.

All in all, the Terengganu International Squid Jigging Festival 2015 was a great event to introduce Terengganu specifically and Malaysia, generally.

Since Terengganu is bestowed with the some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in Malaysia, event such as this helps to promote the state. Thank you Tourism Terengganu for such an eyeopening experience! The participants had a great time exploring Terengganu and look forward to seeing more of Terengganu during next year’s festival, God-willing.

On the other hand, Permai Hotel is strategically located in the heart of Kuala Terengganu.

This 3-star hotel is only 15 minutes’ drive from the Sultan Mahmud Airport and accessible to various attractions such as the Batu Burok Beach, Istana Maziah and more. Permai Hotel is a good choice for those who want to explore Kuala Terengganu at their own pace as it is easy to get public transportation along the way.

Besides its strategic location, this hotel offers facilities intending to reach up to the 4-star level.

Website: www.terengganutourism.com

Wildlife Reserves

Singapore TEXT | Ed Junaidi IMAGES | Ed Junaidi

Singapore is a concrete jungle where neon lights shine brightly at night, traffic runs incessantly during the day and residents mainly dwelling in high rises – the entire city is an epitome of modern economic progress, making this city-state one of the most developed nations within South East Asia.

But there is also another side to Singapore besides advanced urbanisation that I found amazing – apparently this island is also a paradise full of wildlife, preserved and conserved within four parks managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS)! These parks offer the chance for visitors to get close to wildlife; to see, observe and learn about animals living in many areas around the world and to appreciate and conserve animals that are extinct. These four parks – Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park – receive many awards and recognition that they are certified as world-class.

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Due to such high exemplary standards, I reckon that other zoos and wildlife parks throughout the world should emulate WRS not only in terms of visitor experience but also wildlife sustainability, rehabilitation and conservation. It is very important that humans realise the importance of preserving nature and wildlife because they ensure ecological balance that is essential for human survival.

Singapore Zoo World’s Best Rainforest Zoo That morning when I stepped in front of the entrance gate to the zoo, I was already intrigued as to how Singapore Zoo offers such remarkable settings to simulate the animals’ natural habitats.

Today, the park is a home to over 2,800 animals representing over 300 species.

I arrived early at the Singapore Zoo to experience the popular Jungle Breakfast

with Wildlife, where visitors can enjoy morning breakfast in the company of orang-utans. Of course, the humans and the orang-utans didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t share the same food â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the former fed on bread and jam while the latter fed on mainly bananas and fruits. After we finished our breakfast, I was able to take a selfie together with the orang-utans to immortalise the unique moment!

Talking about orang-utans, Singapore Zoo takes pride in being one of the first in the world to offer two free-ranging orang-utan habitats in the zoo. Visitors are able to enjoy great views of the orang-utans, some of which are at eye level, thanks to the elevated boardwalk surrounding the island habitat and freeranging area. I tried calling some of them for another round of selfie, but they turned me down. Apparently they were only interested in me during breakfast!

As I explored the zoo, I was totally fascinated by how each enclosure is designed to replicate the animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; natural habitat, ranging from Fragile Forest to Elephants of Asia, Australian Zone to the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia. The whole set up allowed me to not just observe the animals but also learn a great deal about them and their natural habitats.

One impressive feature that I would like to highlight about Singapore Zoo is its Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre, built to the tune of SGD3.6 million to offer another add-on experience visiting the zoo. There is a viewing facility, which is equipped with interactive displays to allow visitors to learn how the vets maintain the health of the animals, and also allows visitors to witness surgery and treatments conducted on the animals.

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Night Safari The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First One of the most famous parks belonging to WRS is the Night Safari. Opened in 1994, Night Safari is the first safari park ever built dedicated to nocturnal animals.

Now, Night Safari is home to over 2,500 animals from 130 species, of which 38% of them are already threatened. It is an independent zoo in itself and with its own set of animals.

According to WRS, Night Safari is a 12-time winner of the Best Attraction category awarded by Singapore Tourism Board, receiving over 1.1 million visitors annually.

When I arrived, it was still early and the park was not opened yet. While waiting, I had the chance to witness fire eating performance by Thumbuakar tribal dancers, making me feel like I have been transported to some remote jungle in Africa!

There are two ways to explore the park: one is by following the walking trails, and the other is by hopping on a 40-minute tram ride through seven geographic regions, from the Himalayan foothills to the jungles of Southeast Asia.

I did both find it totally awesome!

There was live commentary on the tram, presenting the animals that roamed freely within their own respective geographic regions. The guides share with the visitors educational information about wildlife and what it takes to conserve them. The ride was fun, especially when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re passing by side by side with the animals, like the friendly Malayan tapir that slowly approached us when we passed by the South East Asia region.

At the end of the tram ride was a show called the Creatures of the Night, held at a small open theatre and performed by nocturnal animals. The show was informative as well as fun, which highlighted on the aspects of predatory nocturnal wildlife and how to survive the 096

night in a jungle.

Once the show was over I tried out the four interlinked trails that cross through the seven geographic regions. The trails are equipped with discovery stations for visitors to learn more about each animal presented during the Night Safari.

Visitors get to get up close and personal with many endangered animals such as the Sunda pangolin and the clouded leopard.

to profile freshwater habitats from iconic rivers of the world such as Mekong, Amazon, Nile, Mississippi, Congo, Ganges and Yangtze.

Taking a stroll along the aquariums put me in awe. I discovered that there are hundreds of freshwater animals that I had never heard before and was surprised to know that stingrays and dolphins also live in the river systems. It was eyeopening to learn that the Mekong River has the most types of gigantic fish.

I find that most fascinating animals displayed here are mostly the giants and megafishes such as the giant freshwater stingray (up to 5m in length and 600 kg in weight) and the Mekong giant catfish (up to 3m in length and 295kg in weight). Besides that, visitors can also witness giant river otter, Chinese giant salamander, arapaima, and alligator gar.

All of these are displayed in enclosures, while the other animals that live in the rivers can be seen by taking the Amazon River Quest boat ride, which is only 10 minutes long. The cruise takes visitors on a journey through the man-made river to witness almost 30 types of animals that live along the Amazon River including the jaguar, Brazilian tapir, capybara and giant anteater.

River Safari Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First and Only River-Themed Wildlife Park I must admit, compared to the rest, this park is the one that intrigued me the most. I have been visiting several aquariums in several countries, from Malaysia to Indonesia, Korea to South America, but this is the first river-themed aquarium I had ever been to, which is the first and only river-themed wildlife park in Asia.

The park is home to 400 plant species and over 6,000 animal specimens representing 200 species, of which 40 are threatened. River Safari is designed

On top of the river animals, there is also a pair of giant pandas and red pandas, located within the Giant Panda Forest located within the Yangtze River zone. I had the opportunity to meet Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the giant panda couple loaned by China, but these lazy giants only chose to remain on their back while chewing on bamboo non-stop.

In this park, WRS draws publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention towards the loss of natural habitats due to water extraction, overexploitation and pollution. WRS stresses the importance of taking care of the freshwater ecosystem because based on scientific reports; the biodiversity of freshwater habitats is disappearing at a faster rate than marine and forest environments.

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My arrival was also in time for the High Flyers Show held at the Pools Amphitheatre. This is indeed one of the significant attractions that should not be missed as visitors will get the chance to witness how intelligent and beautiful the birds are.

Then I further ventured from the Heliconia Walk to Lory Loft, the zone where birds roam and fly freely. I truly enjoyed getting closer to birds within the Shore Birds, Scarlet Ibis and Royal Ramble exhibits. Hornbills and toucans are kept in an enormous cage though.

Jurong Bird Park Where Colour Lives Jurong Bird Park is the oldest and the first wildlife park in Singapore as well as the largest bird park in Asia. WRS has successfully been keeping this park alive and sustainable. It is evident that Jurong Bird Park takes the extra effort in setting up the park to simulate the birds’ natural habits such as the iconic 30 metre high Waterfall Aviary, Lory Loft and Penguin Coast.

As I entered the park, I first explored the Penguin Coast, where I was greeted by around 100 penguins. Penguin Coast is divided into two sections: indoor and outdoor. The indoor section houses the cooler climate penguins like Humboldt, rockhopper, macaroni and the majestic king penguin, while the outdoor is filled with African penguins. At first I found it was very intriguing how the African penguin can live in a warm climate like Africa, consequently I learned that the African penguin is a species that’s confined to southern African waters; therefore they are naturally found in a warmer climate unlike the penguins exhibited in the indoor section.

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Walking through Lory Loft was a fun experience! There are about nine colourful lory species. I took the opportunity to feed these birds. It was fun, especially when there are more birds coming to eat from your hands and felt like I was the centre of attention!

WRS impressively built the world’s first and tallest man-made waterfall inside an aviary. The Waterfall Aviary is one of the largest walk-in aviary that consists of more than 600 birds that fly and roam freely, crossing between more than 50 species including common crowned pigeons, sun conures and Von der Decken’s hornbills.

I did not get to explore more of Jurong Bird Park due to time constraint, but I truly recommend that visitors must also visit the other interesting zones within the park such as Wings of Asia, Pelican Cove, Bird Discovery Centre, and Breeding and Research Centre.

Gaya Travel expresses our heartfelt gratitude to Wildlife Reserve Singapore for making Ed Junaidi’s trip to Singapore a reality.

Labuan flexed its muscles during Malaysia Water Festival

– Labuan National Sea Challenge TEXT | Furqaan Hod IMAGES | Hasif Amir

In conjunction with Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFest) 2015, the state of Sabah promoted one of Malaysia’s most important events held in Labuan, which was the annual Malaysia Water Festival – Labuan National Sea Challenge.

The objective of this event was to help promote Malaysia and Labuan to the eyes of the world through an exciting line up of sea-based and water sports activities that promote bonding among participants and locals while boosting the local economy through tourism.

This year, the Labuan National Sea Challenge was held on 24 to 26 April at the Labuan International Sea Complex.

This yearly event – organised by Ministry of Tourism and Culture in collaboration with Labuan Corporation – was the 19th edition since its inception in 1997.

The Labuan National Sea Challenge received 2,000 entries from both local and international participants of different age ranges. This signature event attracted enthusiasts from all over the world including participants from Russia, France, Japan, Africa, Netherlands and not forgetting to mention, our neighbouring countries, Brunei and Indonesia. The event offered participants to compete in activities such as the Labuan Cross Channel Swimming Competition and the Labuan Round Island Kayak Challenge.

The Cross Channel Swimming Competition tests the participants’ endurance by having them swim the distance of approximately 3 kilometres from the starting point at Labuan 100

International Sea Complex to the Papan Island and back at the starting point.

Cash prizes of almost RM10,000 were offered for this event, which was then divided into several categories.

Another activity that challenged the endurance and spirit of participants was the Labuan Round Island Kayak Challenge. With the distance covering up to 50 kilometres, the participants needed to complete five checkpoints through challenging obstacles. One of the challenging parts was when theparticipants had to paddle against the sea current. This was where almost half of the participants gave up.

According to the Chairman of Labuan Corporation, YB Datuk Razman Bin Datuk Haji Isli, Labuan is one of Malaysia’s tuna exporters. Thus, it was no wonder that the Labuan Fishing Safari Competition was one of the main competitions held during the event that offered cash prizes up to RM40,500.

Some types of fish hauled during the competition included the billfish and tuna.

There were also less physically demanding activities that took place during the event such as the Coastal Fishing Competition, Stand Up Paddle Competition, Sand Castle Building Competition, Slippery Pole Climbing Competition, Pillow Fight Competition and Tug Of War, altogether offering prizes worth more than RM10,000.

Labuan at a Glance Labuan, once known as Victoria, is a beautiful island at the South China Sea, located 8 kilometres off the coast of Sabah. Labuan itself is an archipelago comprising the main island and six smaller islands: Pulau Burung, Pulau Daat, Pulau Kuraman, Pulau Papan, Pulau Rusukan Kecil and Pulau Rusukan Besar. With an area of 92 square kilometres, travellers can cover the whole of Labuan main island in an hour by car. This is also the reason why Labuan is pedestrian-friendly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; most hotels, restaurants, shops and transport facilities are within walking distance from each other. You may notice that cyclists, local and foreign can be seen everywhere, especially on weekends.

However, travelling and exploring the island is easier with taxis.

In addition to its quaint charm, this Pearl of Borneo is also known as a modern trade centre. Wide range of facilities available in Labuan makes it ideal place for business and leisure.

The islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy thrives on its oil and gas resources, including its international investment and banking industry. Labuan was also declared as an International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC) in 1990.

According to Labuan Corporation, the population in Labuan is 91,410, made up mainly of Kedayan, Brunei-Malay, Kadazandusun, Chinese and Murut.

Tourists will find that communicating here is easy since Bahasa Malaysia and English is widely spoken.

There are several options available to get to Labuan. Malaysia Airlines, MASWings and AirAsia offers flights to Labuan from all states in Malaysia.

Labuan is also easily accessible from Brunei Darussalam. From the sea, Labuan International Ferry Terminal receives ferries from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam. The journey takes about 3 hours from Kota Kinabalu

(Sabah); 2 hours from Lawas and Limbang (Sarawak); and only one hour from Brunei Darussalam.

What travellers can do in Labuan: 1. Duty Free Shopping is one of the biggest attractions in Labuan since it enjoys a duty-free status, offering wide range of imported items to choose at discounted prices. Visitors can find everything from chocolates, liquor, jewellery, cosmetics and perfumes to timepieces and local souvenirs.

2. The Peace Park serves as a memorial and a renunciation of the war. A bronze plaque stands at the entrance, remembering the surrender of Japan during World War II. This serene park features a large raised mound with two arched walls, gazebos and Japanese inspired bridges and ponds. Labuan Peace Park is only one-of-its-kind in the country, built for peace and harmony.

3. Situated adjacent to the Peace Park, the Surrender Point is another meaningful memorial where the Japanese army officially surrendered to the Australian troops on 10 September 1945.

On this day, the 37th Japanese Southern Army surrendered to the 9th Division Australian Imperial Forces, which marked the end of the World War ll in Borneo.

4. The Chimney is one of the most iconic and mysterious attractions in Labuan. The 106 feet structure was made from 23,000 pieces of red bricks that were imported from England. The Chimney was originally thought to be ventilation stack. However, in recent years, it was discovered that there are no traces of smoke within, making its existence and purpose a puzzle.

The Chimney is the winner of The Green Apple Awards 2013 for the Archaeological Heritage Category.

This award entitled Labuan as the Green World Ambassador 2014.

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RELAX AND RECHARGE WITH THE FAMILY AT Discover the Wonders of Kuala Lumpur, including Rich Cultural Sites, World Class Shopping and Compelling Restaurants, with a Great Weekend Family Package at The Westin Kuala Lumpur

Starwood Hotels & Resorts invites guests to explore the uniquely dynamic city of Kuala Lumpur on the weekends, with The Westin Kuala Lumpur as their base. A tranquil bastion in the heart of the city, the hotel is ideally situated on Jalan Bukit Bintang – right in the midst of the Malaysian capital’s best shopping, entertainment and local attractions. Moreover, The Westin Kuala Lumpur is within walking distance of the monorail, seamlessly connecting visitors to the main transportation hub of KL Sentral, Chinatown and Central Market, among others.

Guests will experience The Westin Kuala Lumpur’s innovative programs and instinctive services that turn their stay into a revitalising experience. At Westin, each signature offering has been designed to leave guests feeling better than when they first arrived, including deliciously wholesome SuperFoodsRx™ dishes; industryleading WestinWORKOUT® programs; the Heavenly® Bath for a spa-like bathroom experience; and the worldrenowned Heavenly® Bed for truly restorative sleep.

For the special family weekend package, participating room types include the Two Bedroom Executive Residences, a 120-metre square 2-bedroom suite with sweeping balcony views, separate living and dining spaces, and spacious bedrooms furnished with one king bed and two single beds. Also, a kitchenette enhances guests’ comfort, providing basic cooking facilities,

a refrigerator and a mini-bar. Visitors may also opt for single connecting rooms, including the 42 square metre Deluxe and Premium guestrooms, with one room featuring a king bed and the other with two single beds.

Other family-friendly amenities include a dedicated children’s pool and a variety of engaging activities. The latter includes the Bubbalicious Sunday Brunch activity corner just for kids at Prego, The Westin Kuala Lumpur’s award winning Italian restaurant, with a live show kitchen and rustic home-style Italian fare, including gourmet wood fired pizzas and homemade pasta. Also, upon request, the hotel can host children’s cooking class on the weekends.

Additional dining options for families include The Living Room, a comfortable place for meals at any time of the day. From Breakfast Adventure and nutritious SuperFoodsRx™ selection to classic high tea sets during weekends, the venue serves as an oasis of culinary delights. Also, families may dine at Five Sen5es, home to the city’s most authentic Cantonese cuisine, with a wide array of tasty Dim Sum delicacies. As part of the weekend package, children from 4 to 12 years old enjoy a 50% discount on high tea at The Living Room and Dim Sum at Five Sen5es; children aged 7 to 12 are entitled to a 50% discount at Bubbalicious Sunday Brunch, with complimentary access to the kids club so parents can relax and take Sundays to Bubbalicious heights.

Mums, dads and other accompanying adults can save 20% off on food and beverages at the hotel’s six signature restaurants, including Five Sen5es, Prego, Qba Latin Bar and Grill, The Living Room, Splash and Daily Treats – all presenting a variety of casual, yet compelling dining experiences.

Children aged 3 to 12 are whole-heartedly welcomed at The Westin Kids Club®, which operates from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The fee starts at RM30 nett for the first hour and RM20 nett for subsequent hours. The special weekend package includes one complimentary hour at the club each day. Depending on their ages, children can partake in various hands-on crafts, fun games and active pursuits, such as scavenger and treasure hunts.

In addition, the weekend package includes complimentary Internet access and self-parking, including guaranteed late check-out at 3:00 p.m. and extended breakfast hours on Sundays.

Guests can save big with this great weekend package, indulging in a short family trip or local staycation, and experiencing the best of Kuala Lumpur. Rates begin at RM589 nett per night for a Deluxe City View room for stays on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Bookings can be made through www. thewestinkualalumpur.com or directly with the hotel’s reservation department at twkl.reservations@westin. com or at +6 03 2713 8333. The package is valid until 26 December 2015. For more information, please visit www.thewestinkualalumpur.com

Gaya Travel was invited to follow a programme organised by an innovative company called IntraTama Travel Consultant & Tours from 8 until 11 March 2015.

It organises a new experience for Malay-speaking Muslim travellers called the Islamic Cruise, leaving our team members stronger in faith and more positive in outlook towards life.

TEXT | Raihan Fozian IMAGES | Amierah Noor Ibrahim & IntraTama Travel Consultant & Tours

Cruising towards

Spirituality Since day one, Gaya Travel has been to a lot of places in the world, experiencing various kinds of holidays during all kinds of seasons, all for the purpose of inspiring our readers to travel and experience what the world has to offer.

Despite our various travelling experience, we have never been aboard an Islamic Cruise before. The invitation by IntraTama Travel Consultant & Tours to join the world’s very first Islamic Cruise intrigued us.

We wondered what is the difference between an Islamic Cruise and the normal cruise? It uses the 10-storey 104

the SuperStar Libra vessel that carries over 1,000 passengers who embark from Penang then head towards Phuket and Krabi before sailing back to Penang, all in four days and three nights. Passengers get to experience the facilities and treatment similar to any other cruise holiday. However this is where the similarity ends: since this is an Islamic Cruise, the participants also get to experience a voyage like no other because the cruise’s programme also includes listening to presentations and spiritual advice by Malaysia’s popular Islamic personalities who are also excellent speakers such as Prof.

Dr. Muhaya Mohamad, Imam Muda Muhammad Asyraf Mohd. Ridzwan, Ustaz Haslin Baharim and Pencetus Ummah Mohd. Yusof Arbain.

As the pioneer in introducing Islamic Cruise to the world, IntraTama Travel Consultant & Tours managed to attract the attention of Muslim travellers who have always been dreaming of following a cruise that is in line with Islamic principles. The experience during the Islamic cruise were packed with religious talks and Q&A session. Everybody who participated on that cruise took the

opportunity to interact and personally learn from these famous personalities.

It was indeed a sight to behold when participants congregated on the top deck performing their prayers together in unison while following the imam (the man who leads the congregational prayer). As a Muslim, I was so touched listening to the azan (call to prayer) with the sea breeze kissing my face while being surrounded by the majestic ocean; praying facing towards Mecca on the open deck while being accompanied by the glorious sunset; and sujud (prostrating) under the open night sky filled with brightly shining stars. These unforgettable moments were so humbling yet fulfilling.

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As the ship docked at the respective ports of Phuket and Krabi, the passengers disembarked to explore the destinations.

When they were in Phuket, they were first brought by bus to visit the AlMadinah Mosque in, which was still under construction; in Krabi, they visited the Krabi Central Mosque, before given the opportunity to explore both destinations on their own. The Muslim communities in Phuket and Krabi prepared decent feasts to celebrate the arrival of the passengers. They prepared abundant local food and presented cultural performances to entertain us.

We were touched by the hospitality of the Muslim communities in Phuket and Krabi. We had nothing to repay their kindness except with our doa (prayers) for them to have better life in this world and the hereafter.

After visiting the Muslim community in Phuket and Krabi, the passengers that participated in the Islamic Cruise were free to do whatever they wanted during the remaining few hours on land before returning to the ship. Some of them shopped, played water sports or simply enjoyed the breathtaking view of the islands. We find that it was easier to find halal food in Krabi than in Phuket, since there are more Muslims residing in Krabi. However, Muslims can still visit Phuket because there are eateries that serve halal food, which can be identified just by seeking the halal sign.

One street food that travellers must try when being in Krabi or Phuket is the banana pancake, made from cuts of banana slices covered in thin crispy crepe and topped with chocolate syrup, which tastes divine when it is still hot.

Travellers can easily find banana pancake vendors along the streets.

In case passengers of the cruise donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like having meals in Krabi or Phuket, they could just go back to the ship by a ferry provided by the Cruise Company and head to the restaurant on the cruise.

After all, meals are already included in the cruise package.

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On the last night of the cruise, the passengers were honoured with a grand dinner held on the vesselâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-most deck.

The Islamic personalities also joined the dinner, giving passengers the chance to take photographs with them. Some of the passengers enjoyed the cruise so much that they have made reservation to be on the next cruise, even before disembarking.

Due to the unique experience provided by the Islamic Cruise, Gaya Travel recommends that Malay-speaking Muslims consider the opportunity to join the cruise with their loved ones to experience the extraordinary.

Gaya Travel expresses our gratitude to IntraTama Travel Consultant & Tours for allowing us to join the Islamic Cruise.

May Allah bless the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s every effort in making people happy through travel while allowing them to perform ibadah (acts of worship) at the same time.

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Angling for Kelah at

Keniam River TEXT | IMAGES Ena Ramli

In mid-April this year, just a week after turning 41, I ventured with some apprehension into the hinterlands of Malaysia’s Taman Negara Pahang, virgin jungle reputed to be older than the Amazon Rainforest. It was an experience that charted many firsts for me -- my first time to Taman Negara, my first fishing trip, my first camping trip with my young children (aged 4 and 7), and well, my first camping trip in the wild, basically.

My destination was the Keniam River, one of the tributary rivers that flowed into Taman Negara’s Tembeling River. It was deep territory known only to hard-core anglers seeking the much-prized kelah or red mahseer.

where we boarded a “ferry” – a longboat with a roof – and whizzed upriver along the Tembeling River for about two hours.

We became witness to the impact of the great flood that occurred early this year – uprooted trees turned upside down, a boat stuck in the upper branches of the canopy and erosion that left layers of rock exposed. It was definitely not a pretty sight.

We later switched to a narrower longboat fitted with a smaller propeller that would enable us to navigate the shallow waters of Keniam River. The boat ride took us past scenic panoramas of evergreen trees towering above on which we spotted eagles and other colourful birds, and in the river, the tomans flitting by.

After another two hours upriver – mainly with the underside of the boat grinding along the rocky bottom of the shallow river requiring us passengers to get down and push the boat along – we finally arrived at the fifth and upper-most campsite of Keniam River.

The riverbank was a carpet of smooth, solid rocks, on the edge of which the clear Keniam River flowed freely. We pitched our tents complete with ground and fly sheets on higher ground. And this became home for the next few nights for our group of eight adults and two children, accompanied by six very ablebodied nature guides cum boatmen.

Certainly, I was nervous about the entire trip. No comforts to lull me to sleep, no room for privacy, and most of all – the source of all my worries – no ceramic throne on which to answer the call of nature. It would be all water, dirt and leeches – they call it the great outdoors!

I wondered how I would survive four nights in the Malaysian jungle. In case you are asking why I even agreed to the trip… well, I desperately wanted to tear my children away from gadget addiction and expose them to the natural things in life.

My adventure started at Kuala Tahan jetty

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A little about our guides: they had been in the jungle this year since early March, right after the flood receded. We were probably the seventh group they had brought to the campsite this year. Each trip into the jungle for them lasted about five days with just a day’s rest before they brought another group in, which meant that for some of them, they hadn’t seen their families for days and weeks.

They had set up a nice campsite by the Keniam River complete with kitchen and sleeping quarters. They knew the jungle and the river like the back of their hand – we were certainly in good hands.

The group I camped with were friends who were nature lovers and avid anglers.

Their mission was singular: to catch as many kelah as they could. Given their track record and experience in freshwater fishing, and seeing the gear they came equipped with, I was confident that we would soon be dining on thousand ringgit fish every night. I was told that Chinese restaurants charge RM1,000 onwards for a meal prepared with the kelah – they were definitely much-prized for their soft tender flesh and edible scales.

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Every morning, the group would leave the campsite early with the guides to seek out fishing spots known to be home to the kelah, returning only in the evening to prepare the day’s catch for dinner. Some employ a kind of fly fishing technique where the line is gracefully whipped onto the river’s surface. Others prefer to find a quiet spot in the shade for still fishing (or fishing without moving the bait once it is cast) where they can wait patiently for the fish to bite. Lures and baits were seriously discussed during dinner -- the typical bait is the palm oil fruit that has been fermented to give out a sour taste and smell, said to be a temptation to the kelah. It was also the time to relax at the campsite and regale each other with their past angling adventures. Close to midnight, some of them would pack up a small tackle box and trek upriver to fish in the dark.

The weather throughout our stay was good with occasional showers in the afternoons. This however, did not deter the anglers from their mission. The group looked forward to the challenge of hooking a good-sized fish, anywhere above 1 kilogram in weight would guarantee them bragging rights! They say that the kelah, though elusive in the deep dark parts of the water, display a great fighting spirit when hooked, giving a great fight to the angler before it concedes defeat and lands in the cooking pot.

Identifying Keniam River’s many still pools and shady spots said to be the perfect home for the kelah is easy, but tempting it to take a bite and tackling it once hooked, is another matter.

However, on this trip, the fish was simply not biting. The kelah are known to be intelligent species of fish and perhaps they were smart enough not to take the bait this time. Our boatmen, who had brought several other fishing groups earlier who were similarly disappointed, offered a theory that was plausible – the unusual floods early in the year had probably carried the fish further away from their regular nesting sites at the Keniam River and were now taking longer to “balik kampong”!

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Nevertheless, the fishermen in our group consistently brought home enough fish to guarantee that we would all be well-fed during our stay. Besides kelah, we also had sebarau on the menu each night, cooked in a variety of ways: masak gulai tempoyak (curry with fermented durian flesh and some chilies); grilled; masak asam (spicy and sour broth); and simply fried with turmeric and salt. On one night, we even had river snails cooked in creamy coconut gravy. Eating it required some work, a certain technique of alternately sucking and blowing into the shell to coax the delicate flesh to slip out.

Delicious Malaysian escargot!

In the end, the camping trip to Taman Negaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Keniam River was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

And the bit that I was most apprehensive about (read: having to answer the call of nature in the wild) turned out to be the most liberating experience in my life!

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GayaTravel Magazine’s Selected 10 Picks

Feeling uninspired? At times, a good way to guide yourself to a better mental state is simply to pack your bag and take off to either a place near to one’s heart or a foreign land just to find the spark again in life. But with so much out there to see, taste, touch and experience, it seems impossible to cram it all in. To make things easier for our readers, we have narrowed down selected places and attractions within ASEAN, which we hope would inspire you to travel and experience.

TEXT | Shad Sakeri

Staycation:

1. Glamping at Sailor’s Rest Resort, Pahang ‘Glamorous camping’, widely known as ‘glamping’, is a global trend that offers travellers the chance to camp in the most 1a.

comfortable and convenient way possible while surrounded by Images By: 1a & 1b. www.sailorrest.com

pristine nature. It is also a perfect alternative to typical hotel stays where one may take refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. One great example of this growing trend is the Sailor’s Rest Resort, thoroughly designed to provide a complete relaxation experience.

Set 600 metres above sea level along the Titiwangsa Mountain Range, Sailor’s Rest Resort is only 25 kilometres from Genting Highlands. From Kuala Lumpur, take a leisurely drive along the 1b.

Karak highway and leave at exit 803 through Genting Sempah.

The journey takes travellers through thick tropical jungle and quaint Malay villages. The glamping rates here are RM95 per adult and RM80 per child. Rates are inclusive of meals. www.sailorrest.com

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2. Lying Low at Time Capsule Retreat, Pahang Time Capsule Retreat is a new concept hotel that offers a stay in 7 feet x 10 feet concrete pipe cylinder fitted with warm lighting and freshly laundered queen size beddings. Though the accommodation capsules are small in size, they are big in style, surrounded by reinvigorating lush landscape. All of these capsules are equipped with air-conditioning and plug sockets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; guests do not need to relinquish modern conveniences to enjoy nature.

Activities available here include riding on all-terrain vehicle (ATV), visiting Rainbow Waterfall, jungle-trekking, visiting mining museum and tunnels, exploring river streams and 2a.

checking out Sungai Lembing Deer Farm. Besides eight of these capsules, the place is now introducing a reflective rectangular glass retreat facing lush forest. Prices are as low as RM99 per night on weekdays and RM119 per night on weekends. Add another RM26 per person for a tasty barbecue meal. timecapsuleretreat.wix.com/home

Images By: 2a & 2b. Time Capsule Retreat Official Facebook Account 2c. Time Capsule Retreat Official Facebook Account - Credit to Amanda Leefun

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Images By: 3a. Faiz Jalal 3b & 3c. Ameerah Noor

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3. Overnight at The Kabin, Selangor Operated since December 2014, The Kabin is a small family-run boutique resort made up of recycled shipping containers that are converted into luxurious and cosy accommodation units that can host up to 78 guests at any one time. All of these units are named after major ports of call around the world such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Felixstone, Hamburg, Durban and Long Beach. Should guests become hungry, the resort also has a cafĂŠ that serves Western-style menu. It also has a barbeque area, swimming pool and loungers, urging guests to relax and bond with their kin and mates.

The Kabin is also a great location to hold private functions, gatherings, team-building, family day and weddings. Besides, guests of The Kabin have a myriad of things to do and places to visit such as testing their golf swing at the Royal Kampung Kuantan Golf Club, observing eagles at the estuary of Selangor River, frolicking on Remis Beach, climbing up Melawati Hill to understand areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topography and watching fireflies at Kuala Selangor. Room rates start at RM240 nett per night. www.thekabin.com.my 118

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4. Retreating at Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson is said to have set a new record in the development of an iconic resort in Malaysia, thanks to its avant-garde architecture designed by a team of award-winning designers. With a stellar collection of 639 pool villas comprising 117 tower rooms and 522 seawater villas in an expansive sundrenched setting, the resort also features a private dip pool, including steam and sauna room in each unit.

With its spectacular setting, convenient location, beautiful architecture and wonderful weather, Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson offers the perfect beach vacation and ideal for weekend getaways, leisure vacations, family reunions, weddings, honeymoons, 4a.

business retreats or other special events. Experience an enchanting getaway to one of the top luxury resorts in Negeri Sembilan that offers refuge from the usual rigmarole. lexishibiscuspd.com

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Images By: 4a, 4b & 4c. lexishibiscuspd.com

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But if Playcation is more Your Thing:

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Images By: 1a. Flickr - Contributor, Trevor Williams.

1b. Flickr - Contributor, Terry Priest.

1. Watching Fireflies at Kampung Kuantan, Malaysia Watching fireflies is an enchanting experience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there is nothing like cruising silently on a boat along the river at night to witness the fairy-like lights from the fireflies that inhabit the mangrove trees. The flickering of lights from these fireflies is spectacular

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and creates a surreal ambiance. The tour itself is a relaxing journey up and down the river. Should the visitors arrive early and need to wait for the sun to go down, they can fill the time by opting for eagle feeding.

Since fireflies are watched at night, capturing good photos of the fireflies is not easy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; try utilising your camera screen fully rather than depending on your own personal vision when capturing the images of the fireflies. www.kuala-selangor.com/kampung-kuantan-fireflies-partkuala-selangor.html 122

Good to Know Do wear long sleeve shirts, pants and put on mosquito repellent to avoid mosquito bites.

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2. Hot Air Ballooning over Bagan, Myanmar Myanmar is increasingly attracting more and more international tourists since it has started to open up. Many are flocking to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wondrous sites and landscapes, particularly the ancient city of Bagan, which is located on a 42-kilometre plain along the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River and home to the remaining 2,200 temples and pagodas that dot its landscape.

Good to Know One way to appreciate Bagan is to take the sunrise hot air balloon All visitors arriving in Bagan are required to pay US$10 for Bagan Archaeological Zone Entrance Fee.

ride over this ancient city and admire the view of the breathtaking light flooding the city at daybreak. Champagne is also served while passengers enjoy the flight. Though the ride is a tad expensive (USD320-375 per person for one hour ride), admiring sunrise over Bagan is simply a sight that travellers should not miss. easternsafaris.com/balloonsoverbagan_home.html

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Images By: 2a. Flickr - Contributor, Indigo Mood.

2b. Flickr - Contributor, Peter Halling Hillborg.

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Images By: 3a & 3b. Flickr - Contributor, Christian Jensen.

3. Swimming with Whale Sharks in Donsol or Oslob, Philippines 3b.

Donsol and Oslob are small towns in the Philippines, famous for an almost assured whale shark sightings during the season. In Good to Know The whale shark is a protected species in the Philippines and placed under the Republic Act 9147, which conserves and protects wildlife resources and habitats in the Philippines, making it illegal to touch the sharks. Touching these gentle giants can compromise the health of the animal in the long run. Penalties apply for offenders.

fact, they are thought to have the highest concentration of whale sharks (or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;butandingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the locals call them) than anywhere in the world. One of the best things about the whale shark tours in Philippines is that the price for each trip may cost around US$2035 per person, relatively cheaper than elsewhere.

Although there are variations from year to year, generally whale shark season is from December to May. The best sightings are from February to April, which is also the busiest period, so be sure to book well in advance. Travellers are recommended to swim between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. because visibility is best in the early morning. www.sharkdivingphilippines.com/whalesharks.html

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4. Playing with Dolphins in Bali, Indonesia Some say that the dolphin’s skin feels smooth and rubbery; others say it is delicate that it is almost similar to human skin. But for us, it doesn’t matter how it feels as any chance interacting with this intelligent animal is downright awesome. It seems that dolphins possess many endearing characteristics. In Bali, travellers get plenty of opportunities to pet, hug, kiss and play with them as there are many dolphin interaction operators available, including ‘Bali Dolphins’ for travellers to choose.

Most sessions take about 35 minutes to one hour in specially designed dolphin enclosures where visitors have the chance

Good to Know When petting dolphins, be aware that they are sensitive. Their skin is delicate and can easily be hurt by our finger nails.

Areas that are particularly sensitive include the blowhole, eyes, snout, lower jaw, and melon (the forehead).

to experience the thrill of being close and personal with these loveable and playful cetaceans. Just be prepared to pay US$79-85 per person for each fun-filled dolphin experience in Bali. www.balidolphins.com

Images By: 4a. Flickr - Contributor, Andreas Ahrens.

4b. Flickr - Contributor, Tammy Lo.

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Images By: 5a. Flickr - Contributor, Dany13.

5b. Flickr - Contributor, Donald Jusa.

5. Selfie at White Crater (Kawah Putih), Bandung Indonesia Located in Ciwidey in West Java, approximately two hours’ drive from Bandung, is a picturesque whitish sulphuric lake called the White Crater (Kawah Putih) amidst highlands and tropical jungle.

It is 2,430 metres above sea level and the climate can be chilly

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since the temperature could drop to 10º Celsius.

On sunny days, the lake seems milky white and bright, while on cloudy days, the entire crater can be shrouded in mist, turning the place mystical and spellbinding. Travellers just need to be mindful that they have to contend with the pungent smell of sulphur.

The lake is said to have been discovered in 1837 by Dr Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn, a German botanist, after various speculations were made about the area because birds were said to be reluctant to fly near the area and some even died after flying above the lake. White Crater is open to the public daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the weekend being the busiest time. indonesia.travel/en/destination/1003/kawah-putih 130

Good to Know The entrance fee is US$2 per person.

Travellers can choose to go here by taking the Ciwidey bus (IDR6,000) from Leuwi Panjang Bus Terminal and then an ‘angkot’ (minibus) to the entrance of White Crater (IDR7,500) or rent a car and park at the second level parking area (US$12) located a few metres away from the lake.

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6. Quad Riding at Mui Ne Sand Dunes, Vietnam Be forewarned: quad riding is not for the fainthearted. It is true when they say that riding on the sand is a vastly different experience than riding on track or trail â&#x20AC;&#x201C; seasoned riders who have never set a tire in the sand would find the experience challenging. Sand dunes offer a lot of diversity compared to just riding on a track or a trail system and thanks to nature, no day at the dunes will ever be the same.

Known as the sand toy capital of Vietnam, Mui Ne Sand Dunes is the most popular off-roading destination in the southern region,

Good to Know Best time to visit is either early in the morning or late afternoon because the sand can get very hot during the day. Take lots of water to avoid dehydration.

stretching from the province of Binh Thuan to Ninh Thuan and cover over 120,000 hectares. Mui Ne desert sand comes in 18 different colours, but the most famous dunes are in red and white colours. muine-explorer.com/en/mui-ne-tours/daily-tour-mui-ne/quadbike-rental-at-sand-dunes-muine.html

Images By: 6a. Flickr - Contributor, Hey Explorer.

6b. Quad Biking - Product Owner.

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Escaping to

Paradise that is

Tioman TEXT | Shad Sakeri IMAGES | Shad Sakeri & Respective Accommodations

As a travel writer, I feel blessed for the chance to explore destinations outside Malaysia that made me fall in love over and over. However, I must admit that eventhough I have been to exotic locations overseas, I still have not explored enough of my own homeland, especially the islands along Peninsular Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s East Coast, particularly Tioman.

When Tourism Malaysia Pahang Office invited Gaya Travel Magazine to experience the tropical island from 13 until 15 May 2015, I straight away agreed. There were 10 of us comprising media representatives and travel agents who joined the trip. My first trip to Tioman was such an eye-opener and make me realise that there are so many fascinating spots in Malaysia that I still have not discovered and should have visited.

The following pages are the high points of my trip that I think readers should experience when being in Tioman. But I must warn you that upon arriving at this idyllic island, subsequent vacations might pale in comparisonâ&#x20AC;Ś 134

Disconnecting from the Outside World!

Tunamaya Beach Spa & Resort, located on the southern part of Tioman Island, is indeed one elite beach getaway with sumptuous rooms overlooking clear blue sea, surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife. The resort is remarkably serene and its aquamarine waters are some of the most mesmerising in the world. There are 54 well-appointed villas to choose from, each facing either the turquoise waters of Tioman or the deep green rainforest. Besides water- and naturebased activities, guests are recommended to pamper themselves at the resort’s 4-star Sarang Spa, which offers various spa treatments incorporating traditional Malay and Balinese techniques.

Contact: Ms. Norliza (+6 019 330 3710)

Privacy, privacy, privacy!

Fringed with big trees, Bagus Place Retreat’s hidden location (close to Tunamaya Beach Spa & Resort) offers lesser crowd and more peace, answering travellers’ search for the perfect private getaway. Bagus Place Retreat’s concept involves preserving the island’s natural beauty and spirit, aided by friendly staff comprising local residents from the adjacent village called Kampung Mukut. It has nine individually unique and spacious chalets, all with the views of the sea and jungle. My favourite villas would be the ‘Big Chief Villa’ and ‘Tree House’. I’ve been told that the best time to visit the property is in May and June since there is a higher chance for guests to catch a glimpse of dolphins that time.

Contact: Ms. Rosie Daria (+6 016 993 3272) Good to Know: Both Tunamaya Beach Spa & Resort and Bagus Place Retreat are closed during the heavy monsoon season (November-March), thus it is advisable that travellers plan their trip accordingly.

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Best for Couples and Families Situated on a 200-acre of well landscaped land and a lengthy sandy beach with jungle clad mountains, Berjaya Tioman Resort has been built in traditional Malay vernacular. Guests can partake in a selection of activities and excursions that make the most of Tiomanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural attractions, including diving, jungletrekking, cruising, and engaging in motorised and non-motorised water sports. Both qualified and budding divers would also be glad to know that this resort has its own PADI dive centre that makes diving much easier and fun knowing that they will be in good hands.

Contact: Reservations Department (+6 03 2141 0088 / 1 800 88 3236)

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Finding Nemo!

It is hard to think of a sport or activity more exciting or rewarding than scubadiving when you are on an exotic tropical island that is blessed with beautiful reef and marine life. Naturally, that was what I mostly did when I was in Tioman.

The islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surrounding waters offers commendable diving opportunities with over 25 dive sites including Tiger Reef, Labas Island and Renggis Island, besides wreck diving spot such as at the Soyak Wreck. Best time to dive here is from September to November when water visibility ranges from 15 metres to 30 metres.

Help, I Cannot Breathe!

For some people, divers or not, there are times when people face moments of fear when submerged under metres of water, afraid that they would not be able to breathe, their equipment fail, being swept uncontrollably by underwater current or even attacked by ruthless sharks.

Luckily for such people, snorkelling is also available for them to enjoy Tiomanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s underwater beauty minus the rigours of diving. Most resorts in Tioman are able to arrange for speedboats to take guests to selected beaches and small uninhabited islands for snorkelling. Alternatively, snorkelling is also fantastic in front of most resorts like Tunamaya where snorkellers can conveniently check out the coral reefs without having to hire a boat.

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Listen to the Sound of Jungle When travellers had enough of the beaches, they may also opt for another way to be close to nature by exploring the rainforest! One may explore on foot along the seven kilometre trek from Tekek to Juara Village, or simply hire a four-wheel drive that costs around RM200 for four persons. Both modes lead to a small but spectacular cascading waterfall that is ideal as a picnic spot.

Contact: Mr. Saiful (+6 012 956 1326)

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cuddle a Mousedeer!

Juara Village also hosts a Mousedeer Farm where visitors can get up close and feed this smart and sly species with hibiscus. Most of the mousedeer that inhabit the centre are found from the wild, but have been trained and tamed.

Entrance fee is RM15 per person.

Contact: Mr. Saiful (+6 012 956 1326)

Look, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spidey!

Juara Village is also the hub for rock climbing on the island, especially at Karam Balau. Beginners can sign up for high ropes courses at Santai Bistro Restaurant and Chalet, while professionals may stretch their muscles by climbing the wall first before heading to the more challenging outdoor rocks.

Contact: Mr. Saiful (+6 012 956 1326) Gaya Travel Magazine expresses our heartfelt gratitude to Tourism Malaysia Pahang Office for allowing our writer to be a part of this memorable trip.

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Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan Offers Comfort and Convenience amid Stylish Settings Situated on Sandakan’s prominent waterfront overlooking the Sandakan Bay, Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan offers a comfortable, relaxed stay for value-oriented business and leisure travellers. Part of the award-winning integrated commercial development - Sandakan Harbour Square, a joint venture between ICSD Ventures Sdn Bhd and the Sandakan Municipal Council – the hotel is located amidst the city’s new Central Business District with many points of interest close to its doorstep, including the Central Market and Harbour Mall Sandakan shopping centre. The hotel is also 20 minutes away from the Sandakan Airport.

Each of the hotel’s 300 stylish contemporary guestrooms is filled with thoughtful touches. Each guestroom features the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort™ Bed: a plush mattress, down pillows, cosy duvet, and crisp 250-thread-count sheets and LCD flat screen television. The hotel also offers complimentary wireless high speed internet throughout the hotel. Hotel guests also enjoy use of a fully equipped gym and outdoor pool on the 13th floor, with expansive views of the bustling harbour and city.

Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan is the only hotel in the city to offer The Presidential Suite: a well-appointed onebedroom unit featuring a lounge area, dining facilities, separate kitchenette, and study. Other options include the efficient Deluxe Room and Deluxe Sea View Room; the spacious Executive Club Room and Executive Deluxe Club Room; and The Executive Suite.

Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan offers a variety of three world-class dining venues in its premises: The Eatery, the brand’s signature restaurant serving wide array of tantalising local and international dishes throughout the day; The Best Brew pub, part of Four Points

by Sheraton’s Best Brews™ program offering a varied selection of hand crafted beers from around the world; and The Wrapped Deli and Lobby Lounge that serves beverages, light meals, and sweet treats, including personalised cakes upon request.

Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan houses the largest state-of-theart function space in the city. The ballroom and meeting room, totalling close to 1,600 square metres in space, can host any event, from business meetings and conferences to social banquets and wedding receptions. Catering and wedding specialists are on hand to ensure that special occasions go off without a hitch. The hotel also offers a comprehensive Business Centre that provides additional support services, as needed, besides Pre-Function Area where delegates may mingle and network at this spacious area that could hold a reception for up to 400 persons.

What Sandakan is known for As the second largest city in Sabah, Sandakan is fast gaining popularity as a tourist destination in South East Asia. Unique attractions include the Sandakan Heritage Trail, which is a comprehensive walk throughout the beautiful town, dotted with various heritage attractions. The walk starts at the historical Masjid Jamek and leads to the Pryer Memorial, a statue to honour the founder of Sandakan, William B. Pryer. It is recommended that travellers climb up the hundred steps and be rewarded at the top with a spectacular view of the entire town of Sandakan.

Another highlight of this tour is the Agnes Keith’s House, which is a fascinating museum to visit for anyone who is familiar with

Agnes Newton Keith’s three-part autobiography. In addition, this trail also takes travellers back to 100 years ago with places such as St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, Puu Jih Shih Temple, Goddess of Mercy Temple and what remains of an old staircase thought to be from the Consulate building of the pre-war Chinese Government. The Sandakan Heritage Trail offers a great opportunity for travellers to get lost in the history and beauty that is Sandakan.

Sandakan is also fondly known as Little Hong Kong due to the large number of Cantonese immigrants who came to Sabah from the Guangdong Province in China via Hong Kong. Over the years, the migrants made Sandakan their home and evolved Sandakan cuisine.

Also known for affordable and tasty seafood due to its abundant fresh supply from the Sandakan Bay, take a visit to Kampung Buli Sim Sim, a fishing village by the city.

Nature lovers are bound to be bowled over by what the destination has to offer – all travellers must visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Kinabatangan River, Gomantong Caves and Turtle Islands Park! These venues are located within 30 minutes to 2 hours from the hotel, and you may plan for half day or full day tours with the hotel’s friendly concierge.

For more information, please call +6 089 244 888, visit us at www. fourpointssandakan.com or www. facebook.com/fourpointssandakan.

For reservations, please contact reservations.sandakan@fourpoints. com.

Kuantan

Century Ride

2015

IMAGES | Ministry of Tourism & Culture Malaysia, Pahang Office

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC) Pahang Office, Pahang State Government and Pahang Cycling Association (PBP), as well as recognised by the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (PKBM), Kuantan Century Ride or better known as Kuantan 160 was back for its fourth year on 7 June 2015 in Kuantan Pahang.

The event, also called as ‘Pahang Bicycle Mania 2015’, is one of the 50 major events listed in the MyFest 2015 calendar and now becomes one of Pahang’s tourism icon. The event implemented the concept of ‘by riders for riders’, whereby the individuals behind the scene were bike riders and bicycle (Roadbike, Mountain Bike, BMX and Downhill) enthusiasts themselves.

The ride was flagged off on 7 June 2015 by the Chairman of State Rural Development, Agriculture and AgroBased Industry Committee The Honourable Dato’ Shafik Fauzan bin Shariff, who also joined the race along with YB Dato Zaili Awang Besar (Panching State Assemblyman), Tuan Haji Edros Yahya (Director of MOTAC Pahang Office), Datuk Musa Yusuf (Director of Domestic Marketing Division, Tourism Malaysia), Dato’ Haji Zubair Mohd Zain (Pahang State Handicraft Director) and Mr Faharuddin Hatmin (Director of Tourism Malaysia Pahang), including several other heads of departments in Pahang.

Kuantan 160 is an open road cycling event covering 160km passing by places of interests such as waterfalls, historical heritage sites and beaches in the cities of Kuantan and Pekan. The purpose behind organising such event was not about making profit but to promote and publicise Pahang’s worthy attractions.

In addition, while en route through KOTASAS (Kuantan’s new landmark), participants of Kuantan 160 witnessed various infrastructure projects being

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developed to transform the city into an administrative centre similar to Putrajaya.

KOTASAS was also the main sponsor for this year’s Kuantan 160.

Kuantan 160 attracted a total of 1,504 cyclers from all over Malaysia and also from 15 countries such as Singapore (135 participants), Mongolia (6 participants), United Kingdom (4 participants), Japan (5 participants), Australia, India, Philippines, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, India, China and New Zealand.

Interestingly, most of the participants managed to complete the ride within four to eight hours as specified.

Besides cycling for 160km, the organisers also collaborated with Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) through special categories such as Mountain Bike 35km (involving 320 participants) and ‘Kayuhan Santai Warga Kuantan 8km’ (650 participants) that aimed to

encourage the people of Kuantan to lead a healthier and active lifestyle.

Also, in conjunction with Kuantan 160, Malaysia Tourism Council (MyTC) also organised the National Cycling Tourism Summit 2015 on 6 June 2015 at MS Garden Hotel Kuantan, which was attended by 200 participants. The speakers of the day were Datuk Musa Yusuf (Tourism Malaysia; Marketing on Tourism Cycling Package), Dr Alwee Yunus (the National Heart Institute; Healthy Heart & Bike), James Bak (Event Organiser) and Danney Feng (Shimano Singapore; Cycling & Gear).

For non-cyclers, there was also a day carnival on the site featuring fun activities like netball and futsal tournaments, sports for the disabled, snake and crocodile exhibition, cat competition, auto show, health screening and amateur audio performances.

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Langkawi International Laksa Carnival 2015 - When Laksa Meets Island Life TEXT | Langkawi Development Authority IMAGES | Faiz Jalal

Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) hosted the fourth Langkawi International Laksa Carnival (LILAC) 2015 from 29 until 31 May 2015 at Laman Padi, Pulau Langkawi, which attracted around 30,000 visitors and boosted arrivals to the island.

The theme for this year’s LILAC was ‘Sweet, Sour and Savoury’, which celebrated the variety of authentic laksa, besides delicious desserts offered by different states in Malaysia and Asia.

Furthermore, LILAC, being in its fourth year, is the one and only gastronomic event that gathers and celebrates the myriad of different types of laksa as a way to promote Malaysia’s uniqueness, diversity and harmony.

Besides the Malaysian laksa, the carnival also showcased rice noodles from the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, China, Thailand and Indonesia.

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This year’s carnival was joined by four renowned celebrity chefs: Chef Farah Quinn from Indonesia, Chef Joe from MasterChef Malaysia, Chef Sherson Lian of cooking show fame and Chef Farouk Hussain, an accomplished comedian.

All chefs gave live demonstrations in preparing and cooking laksa while actively interacting with the members of the public at the same time.

There were also other activities held during the carnival such as food sales and exhibition, lucky draw, laksa cooking contest, teh tarik (pulled tea) demonstration by the Teh Tarik King of Malaysia Fakir Jamal, appearance by popular animation characters Upin and Ipin, children’s colouring contest and musical performance by up-and-coming group Caliph Buskers, among others.

LILAC is part of Langkawi Tourism Blueprint’s Iconic Events initiative.

The Blueprint, officiated in November 2012, charts Langkawi’s milestone to become one of the world’s top ten islands and eco-tourism holiday destinations, targetting three million tourists and RM3.8 billion tourist receipts by end of 2015.

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Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to fun activities when being in Langkawi. The following are a few attractions that are worth experiencing when visiting the island: Admire Langkawi’s magnificent geological formations from the above by taking the cable car (especially the glass-bottomed one) to the peak of Matchinchang Mountain, managed by Panorama Langkawi. www. panoramalangkawi.com Take pictures and interact with realistic three-dimensional paintings at Langkawi’s own trick art museum called Art in Paradise 3-D Art Museum, also located within the premises of Oriental Village, close to the cable car station. www. panoramalangkawi.com/3d-artmuseum Take a dip and relax in hot saline waters, besides opting for foot reflexology or body massages, at Ayer Hangat Spa Village. naturallylangkawi.my/EN/ Air_Hangat_Village Witness Langkawi’s glorious sunset on the waters of Langkawi while being taken care by attentive cruise staff and fete on sumptuous dinner buffet through NAAM’s Sunset BBQ Cruise package. www.naam.bz Learn about paddy cultivation at Laman Padi Rice Museum, then savour delectable dishes (including its iconic teh tarik) served at the Seashell Café while looking out at Laman Padi’s soothing green surroundings. www.lada.gov.my/v2/en/ product/laman-padi.html

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Hotels & Resorts

Tugu Sri Bestari Blitar, INDONESIA IMAGE | Sharm

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Being introduced to Hotel Tugu Sri Bestari Blitar was such a surreal experience because Gaya Travel team members did feel like being transported back to the days of yore. Located in Blitar – a town three hours’ drive away from Surabaya and an hour and a half from Malang – this palatial property possesses historic soulfulness and sense of place, definitely recommended for lovers of history and heritage, including those seeking unique getaways.

The Soul

of Blitar Personified

Hotel Tugu Sri Bestari Blitar TEXT | Jeremy Khalil IMAGES | Sharm

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Hotel Tugu Sri Bestari Blitar, or simply known as Tugu Blitar, comprises a complex of historical buildings that make up a colonial mansion built in 1850s by a distinguished Blitar family, besides a three-storey block containing guestrooms standing on the land right next to it. With regard to the mansion, after World War II, it was converted into Hotel Zentrum, then later changed into Hotel Sri Lestari. Tugu Hotels later acquired the land where the block of guestrooms stands upon, including Hotel Sri Lestari, hence giving birth to Hotel Tugu Sri Bestari Blitar.

According to Ibu Hartini, Tugu Blitar’s Operations Manager, this property is special because it is a precursor to the other newer Tugu properties.

The hotel’s location, which is in a small quaint town called Blitar, is the birthplace of no other than the one and only Soekarno, the legendary personality who led Indonesia to its independence and became the country’s first President and deeply revered by his fellow countrymen to this very day. This is also the place where this larger-than-life personality was laid to rest.

As we entered the property, we were greeted by vines hanging from the pergola erected above the entryway that exuded an age-old feel. The entryway itself is flanked by two buildings, one being used as the guest reception area and open lounge, while the other houses the restaurant that serves tasty Indonesian, Chinese and European cuisines. Both buildings are characterised by distinctive Dutch colonial architecture that incorporates Javanese pitched roofs, admirable white-washed pillars, elegant antique furniture from the 19th and early 20th century, sepia-toned photographs and Art Deco chandeliers. Stepping into the property is likened to entering a palatial family mansion belonging to a friend who is a descendent of respectable and distinguished old money.

As with the other Tugu properties, valuable artefacts and cultural antiquities like wooden sculptures, paintings and even traditional Javanese musical instruments belonging to the owner Bapak Anhar Setjadibroto continuously grace Tugu Blitar’s many corners and niches that flow from the front of the property all the way to the Lali Djiwa Heritage Spa – which dispenses treatments using natural traditional ingredients – at the back. Ibu Hartini mentioned that Tugu Blitar holds a special place in Bapak Anhar’s heart, so much so that during Chinese New Year’s eve, Bapak Anhar’s family members tend to gather at this property for the customary annual family banquet.

To get the most of their stay at Tugu Blitar, Gaya Travel Magazine strongly recommends that guests at least opt for any of the 10 spacious and high-ceilinged Tugu Suites that are furnished with resplendent East Javanese panache, and outdoor bathrooms cladded in wellaged terrazzo tiles. For those who are interested in experiencing the ultimate, they should check into the Fajar Suite, which possesses the essence of 1940s romance and elegance as tribute to Soekarno as Indonesia’s Father of the Nation, who rose to power during that

period. Guests are bound to be charmed by the various memorabilia, artefacts and artworks attributed to this great leader. They will also be able to see the copy of Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence in the suite.

We must say that when it comes to food, all of Tugu’s properties never disappoint, and that includes the property’s all day dining restaurant called The Colony.

Gaya Travel team’s stay coincided with low season, therefore the hotel, especially the restaurant, was rather quiet and lacked the kind of bustle that travellers would normally expect from an established food and beverage outlet.

Since the number of diners that time were few, especially during dinner, we suspected that the restaurant might want to reduce on cost and energy, suspecting that the food may not be as excellent as the dishes served at Tugu Malang, which we stayed earlier. We were so, so wrong: though the menu is not as extensive as the one in Tugu Malang, the food served remained excellent. It is apparent that Tugu Hotels do not compromise on their quality of food, no matter where they are located and what number of guests are currently staying. In terms of upscale dining, The Colony is without doubt the best restaurant in Blitar.

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Besides the restaurant, guests should not miss savouring afternoon tea at Waroeng Jawa, a rustic and humble yet cheerful Javanese style stall lit by oil lamps located adjacent to the reception area leading towards the main building that houses the Tugu Suites. This is the place where guests can enjoy delicious traditional cakes and snacks along with local tea and coffee. If they are lucky, guests might also be served with herbal concoctions by a congenial Javanese man called Mbah (Grandfather) Man who is over 80 years of age and has been working at the hotel since he was a young boy.

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But one dining experience that Gaya Travel feels that all guests of Tugu Blitar should try out is the mystifying Lost Temple Private Dinner for Two package, where individuals and couples get to dine on the atmospheric grounds of Candi Penataran, which was a Hindu temple complex, first constructed in the 1200s by the Singhasari dynasty, then annexed and extended by the Majapahit kingdom. Being surrounded by such ancient splendour and elegance truly elevated the dining experience to an entirely new level because Tugu Blitarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team of experienced staff fastidiously turns the grounds into a magical and romantic setting. The experience was incredibly memorable that our team considered the dinner as one of the main highlights of our stay at Tugu Blitar. In case our readers are interested in the dining package, Tugu Blitar charges Rp1,800,000++ per couple for the experience, which we consider worthy due to the meticulous arrangement needed in making the dinner possible, besides the generous selection of delectable dishes served. To avoid disappointment, guests need to reserve The Lost Temple Private Dinner well in advance.

One thing is for sure: Tugu Blitar is decidedly nostalgic and reflective, a boon for travellers seeking peace and privacy, including heritage enthusiasts and those who want to experience unique getaways.

As such, travellers who are night owls craving for parties during their travels may not find this property ideal. To Gaya Travel, Tugu Blitar holds a remarkably strong appeal through its palpable sense of history, haunting nostalgia and timeless sophistication. The property, together with Blitar, are definitely destinations in their own right and carry weight among discerning travellers who find joy from the glory of Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bygone era. www.tuguhotels.com/hotels/blitar 151

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Club Med Bali

An All-Inclusive Oasis in the Island of the Gods TEXT | Shad Sakeri IMAGES | Shad Sakeri & Club Med Bali

Nestled on a tropical beach front in the heart of Nusa Dua, Club Med Bali boasts spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. This is an authentic Balinesestyle property with modern functionality woven into the fabric of its buildings that employ intricate traditional Balinese carpentry, replete with wonderful splash of colours in their details.

The rooms are, as you’d expect, spacious and cosy. The beds offer ubercomfortable sleep, especially after a long flight, and the cosiness is enhanced with the addition of a daybed in front of the windows, allowing guests to admire the outdoors while reclining in the comfort of their personal space on a lazy afternoon.

A flat screen television, high-speed Wi-Fi and the usual perks to be found in the rooms of a luxurious resort are the standards met by Club Med Bali.

For parents who long for ‘me’ time during vacation, they will be glad to know that Club Med offers one of the best resort childcare services in the world. The resort welcomes children and teenagers with programmed activities for each age group, all coordinated by the resort’s professional Gentil Organisateurs (G.Os). There are plenty of fun activities designed for any child’s preferences including circus and handicrafts, carried

out according to the child’s schedule.

Club Med Bali offers an array of international culinary experiences such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Western and local delights, each one served in a corner of its own in the main restaurant. Besides, guests are also invited to dine at the gourmet lounge called The Deck, which is intimate and exclusive, with strong emphasis on personal service. This is the place where guests can catch snacks in between meals. They can also experience a fourcourse fine dining dinner here by making their reservation before 8:00 p.m. All of the food and beverages, including liquor, are already included in Club Med Bali’s package. The Deck is open from midday to midnight.

Further enriching guests’ stay at Club Med Bali is the resort’s large serene and secluded Zen Pool, which encapsulates calmness and stress-free tranquillity. The remarkable design of the adults-only Zen space is based around a grand staircase entrance that gives way to the pool that is lined with inviting sun loungers shaded by overhead permanent canopy supported by imposing columns and four-poster beds at the lawn.

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Despite the resort’s top-notch facilities, what Gaya Travel finds remarkably impressive are the hotel’s fun G.Os, who personify the hotel’s sense of vibrancy and conviviality. They are the first faces that guests will meet upon arrival, all smiling and eager to show guests around the property. During meal time, the G.Os sit with the guests not only to initiate relationships but also to obtain feedback on guests’ experience. Needless to say, they are the epitome of what Club Med is all about and stands for.

These G.Os are specially trained in various fields including sport activities that guests may join at their own pace.

Activities available include windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking, boat cruise, archery, golf and the immensely popular flying trapeze.

When the sun sets, Club Med Bali transforms into an amusing entertainment centre with lively performances from none other than the multi-talented G.Os themselves. The overall atmosphere for the night follows a special theme that comprises shows, buffets and parties.

The revelry is infectious - guests are bound to be caught up with it in no time.

Interestingly, in taking the excitement up another notch, guests are invited to play dress-up by following the Dress Code for the night as part of Club Med tradition.

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But if cultural or outdoor activities are more guests’ forte, Club Med Bali offers a comprehensive range of excursions outside the resort that include rafting, visiting Mengwi and Tanah Lot, riding elephants, exploring Uluwatu Temple, watching kechak dance, spotting dolphins, cruising to Crystal Bay or Lembongan Island, and discovering rice fields by jeep. These excursions, which are not included in the package, cost between Rp396,000 to Rp2,762,000.

Should guests prefer thrill-seeking activities, they should try whitewaterrafting down the nine-kilometre Ayung River near Ubud. The two-hour adventure was not only exhilarating but also brought us closer to Ubud’s pristine nature.

To us, The White Sensation night was by far the most spectacular evening themes, which started off with spectacular fireworks, followed by remarkable acrobatic stunts by the G.O Circus team members who perform to Michael Jackson’s beats. The night truly revealed Club Med Bali’s legendary ability in creating memorable carnival-like atmosphere that guests will never forget.

For those who prefer a more relaxed ambience, they can easily retreat to The Deck and area around the Zen Pool.

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Whether guests choose to relax and do nothing, or decide to participate in all of Club Med Baliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities, they can do so with peace of mind knowing that everything is well taken care of. In fact, Club Med on the whole is the pioneer of the premium all-inclusive concept believing that hassle-free preparation leads to a contented holiday with lesser worries and even lesser risk of unfavourable surprises. Mind you, the price of the package is also value for money; as a matter of fact, Club Med Bali is currently running an irresistible promotion at the starting price of RM1,288 per adult for an all-inclusive three-night stay. Please check Club Med 156

Baliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website on the latest updates.

Without doubt, Club Med Bali is the embodiment of what a fun-filled, worryfree and world class resort should be, which all travellers must experience at least once in their lives.

Club Med Bali Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua BTDC Nusa Dua, Bali 80363 Indonesia Tel: +62 361 771521

Kindly log on to www.clubmed.com for the best available rates.

10 minutes with Mr. Quentin Briard, VP Regional Marketing ESAP and Sales for SEA, Commercial 1. What are the unique selling points that make Club Med Bali stands out from the rest of the luxurious properties in the area?

Apart from being the premium all-inclusive destination, Club Med is also well-known for our ‘Gentil Organisateurs’ (G.Os). They are very important as they are the face of our brand, portraying the core values that we believe in. These G.Os comes from all over the world and trained in a certain standard in order to give our guests the best experience during their stay.

Besides these two factors, it is also important to feel the vibe and energy from the design. Let’s take 5-star hotels in this case, everywhere you go, you’ll find similarity in terms of its design. But Club Med Bali on the other hand, embraces the local culture and thus enforcing a more personalised feel to the resort.

2. What makes a good G.O? Recruiting a G.O is no easy task. Here in the resort, we are looking for skills. But most importantly, we are also looking for personality. We need to find special people that truly embodies Club Med’s values that are multicultural, pioneering, kind, independent and responsible.

3. While we understand that Club Med Bali appeals as an ideal family destination, is there any other market segments that will find the resort equally interesting?

Club Med Bali, of course, caters to families and couples the best. But, there is also a potential for incentive groups because what’s important for a successful incentive programme is the ability for the team members to bond. They want to go back to work feeling motivated and happy. And in Club Med, those qualities are just our strengths.

4. How does Club Med Bali look at the whole South East Asia region? Is the resort expecting a strong growth from this region especially after the recent refurbishment?

The trend has been good so far. While majority of the guests are Australians and Chinese, we see a growing number of guests from Malaysia and Singapore in the past year.

5. What is the general message that Club Med (Club Med Bali in particular) is intending to deliver to the public?

Happiness – that is our only goal. We want to make our guests smile. For that, we have a good all-inclusive product that offers functional benefits with zero surprises on the bill.

It’s simply the pleasure to be hassle-free on your holiday.

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Simply Stylish

ibis Styles Ipoh TEXT | Shad Sakeri IMAGES | ibis Styles Ipoh

Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality operators, strengthens its presence in the country by opening the first international hotel in Ipoh called ibis Styles Ipoh Hotel. Located right in the commercial hub of The Town that Tin Built, ibis Styles Ipoh promises an efficient premium economy stay amidst the hustle and bustle of city.

An All-inclusive Price By ‘all-inclusive’, it means guests will receive a package that includes the room, free buffet breakfast, high-speed Wi-Fi access and lots of little extras like the conviviality area where guests can enjoy complimentary beverages during their stay.

Family Oriented So who goes to ibis Styles Ipoh? The property is popular among corporate guests due to its high tech facilities such as well-designed meeting rooms and selfservice business centre, but this does not mean that the leisure guests are sidelined.

As a matter of fact, leisure travellers, especially those travelling with children, will find the hotel family-friendly since it also has a Children’s Play Area close to the hotel’s all-day dining outlet called sTREATs. 158

Vibrant Colours If travellers intend to escape from the dull cookie-cutter hotel rooms that appear with identical colour scheme all throughout the property, they will definitely love ibis Styles Ipoh’s sense of style because the hotel’s 113 rooms and suites features bright and bold interior – think beige-and-white walls with a splash of strong colours ranging from green, red and yellow on the furnishings – decorated by an Australia-based architect and interior designer Chin S Chin of SCHIN Architects. ibis Styles Ipoh employs the Pomelo as the theme for its interior since the city is famous for it.

Innovative Bedding

Dining Options

ibis Styles Ipoh strives to ensure that all guests enjoy a good night’s sleep on its patented ‘Sweet Bed’ that has been fully designed, tested and developed by the Design and Innovation team for the cosiest and most exclusive comfort, made specifically for ibis properties only.

Its duvet is airy and large. The bed also comes with extra-large fluffy microfibre pillows that ergonomically support guests’ head.

ibis Styles Ipoh’s all-day dining outlet, sTREATs, intends to recreate the atmosphere of Ipoh’s bustling night markets and traditional coffee shops within its space while serving a wide spread of traditional Malaysian, Indian, Chinese and Western cuisines that cater to various palates. But for a more intimate and exclusive experience, do stop by at the hotel’s beautiful Mù bar at the rooftop that offers spectacular panoramic view of Ipoh’s skyline. Guests are also spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options since there are many good places to eat within the hotel’s neighbourhood.

The published room rate at the ibis Styles Ipoh starts at RM185 per night. ibis Styles Ipoh Hotel 18, Jalan Chung On Siew 30250 Ipoh, Perak Tel: +6 05 240 6888 Web: www.accordhotels.com/8650

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A walk into dreamland

They Got Us at

‘Apa Khabar’

TEXT | Nawar Anisah IMAGES | Azizul Arkaan & The Viceroy Bali

It takes about one hour and forty five minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport to The Viceroy Bali, criss-crossing the typically harum-scarum Bali traffic, from the wide dual-lanes to single-lane traffic. The cold towels and bottles of chilled water prepared for us in the hotel car offered a bit of relief from the tropical island heat. The journey was, nonetheless, thrilling.

The landscape gradually changed as we travelled deeper into central Bali. The view of massive buildings and structures vanished and sights of smaller houses and lush greenery emerged. We passed through a plane of paddy fields before reaching the hotel lobby. We were greeted by the warm, smiling faces of the staff who eagerly hanged a garland of fresh frangipani around each of our necks while offering us refreshing orange juice. We were charmed – The Viceroy Bali definitely got us at ‘Apa Khabar’!

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‘Viceroy’ means a ruler exercising authority on behalf of the king. We found the property aptly named since it sits along what the locals call the Valley of the Kings, where generations of Balinese royalty used to reside. Perched on a steep hillside, The Viceroy Bali is designed according to its natural topography and made to blend with its surroundings. It brings pleasant harmony between nature and man, tempting guests to explore more of its surroundings. Its architectural design is a blend between contemporary and native Balinese – a mix of modern design using materials such as wood, water and stone structures, including thatch roofing with bamboo poles.

The landscape are well-maintained, bedecked with variety of flowers that are accustomed to colder climate than the other parts of Bali. There is also a river that passes through the valley, which is inaccessible to tourists due to safety reasons.

Exploring the resort on foot requires some degree of fitness, given its hillside landscape with steep walkways and flights of staircases. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t stop guests from starting their morning with a brisk walk around the property while savouring the fresh, unpolluted air. Better still, take a stroll outside to relish the view of the yellowish green paddy fields. For the less abled, worry not – the hotel does provide an oncall buggy service to ferry guests around.

Sleep like a king Viceroy takes great pride in its luxurious private villas. Built in terraced format, the private villas offer unobstructed

view of the area’s stunning landscape, comprising mainly of lush, unblemished green forest. Each villa is equipped with sofa set, king-size bed, sun loungers, bath tub and private infinity pool facing the dense forest. There are two separate dressing areas to give couples more space. The standard deluxe villa is luxuriously spacious, leaving guests breathless. The pool is only a mere feet away from the bed that guests can literally roll into right after they wake up in the morning.

stay.

The villas are ideal for those who seek calm, tranquil and restful atmosphere.

Each of the twenty five private villas has its own private pool. The gazebo, which the locals call baleh-baleh, is our favourite spot, occupying one of the corners close to the pool. We can sit there all day, tuning in to nature, listening to the sounds of the running stream accompanied by the chirping birds and gibbering monkeys. Savouring the afternoon coffee and staring at the mesmerising greenery while lazing at the gazebo was indeed the highlight of our

The Viceroy Bali’s painstaking attention to detail is notable. The scents from petals of frangipani on the mattress runner filled the room as we entered.

Personal greeting message from the hotel manager was a delightful touch.

Umbrellas are readily placed outside the room for immediate use. The cheery staff personally briefed us on some key pointers about the villa, and had us laughing when he described the toilet as a ‘meditation space in the morning’. They even lit the mosquito coils around the hotels at dusk.

The villas are built to be self-sufficient, nullifying any reason to leave the hotel. Satellite TV, DVD players with latest array of movies, iPhone docking station and speakers, full mini bar and a startlingly easy-to-operate espresso machine are the few essentials provided.

Personal grooming needs are neatly arranged in custom-made wooden box.

Laundry and buggy services are a phone call away.

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Sumptuous dining experience CasCades Restaurant is dubbed as one of the most perfect dining venue for lovebirds and honeymooners in Ubud.

The location is strategic and offers the diners an equal share of the view of the lush green forest that carpets the valley.

The combination of dimly lit space, scented candles, decorated flower petals and gentle evening breeze creates a stunning romantic atmosphere.

CasCades Restaurant is helmed by Executive Chef Nic Vanderbeeken who puts out complex, refined fusion of traditional European cuisine and unique Asian flavours. Nic’s twenty-year culinary experience in Belgium, France, U.S. and Vietnam has allowed him to seamlessly create a menu selectively infused with unique Asian touches.

A great chef, an amazing venue – both are key recipes for excellent fine-dining experience. And we can vouch for it. We started off our meal with tomato follies, which are thinly sliced tomato carpaccio and marinated cherry tomatoes topped with parmesan panna cotta as appetiser.

Next was the freshly seasoned seared scallops with a touch of belimbing wulluh, a local fruit. The dish was followed by asparagus veloute dipped in truffle oil and rich crème.

But the star of the dinner was the main course: roasted squab, a slow-cooked house farm pigeon marinated with tasty blend of seasoning and spice, with pumpkin and beetroot on the side, smothered with raspberry honey sauce.

Bits of expensive black truffle shavings on the meal elevated the taste to a different level. This fowl is traditionally a Chinese delicacy.

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Another main course that we recommend is the crispy barramundi, skinned sea bass fillet on avocado tomato salsa, which is made up of shreds of Sumatran crab meat served with intensely-flavoured basil mash potato and typically South Indian savoury tomato chutney. We finished off the meal with red bell pepper sorbet, common in the Mediterranean, with delicious strawberry crumble and beetroot sauce. Another set of dessert that guests can try is the sweet and rich chocolate and caramel mousse served with meringue made from egg white and sugar.

For wine lovers, CasCades boasts a selection of superb quality wines from various parts of the world. Its wine variety fits a wide array of tastes and budgets. As a glowing testimonial of its success, the restaurant received the prestigious Award of Excellence by Wine Spectacular USA for its quality wines.

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The green mile One of the true charms of The Viceroy Bali has long been its role as the venue to witness sunrise. Try to wake up early in the morning and ask the friendly staff to guide you to the nearest open space.

While waiting for sunrise, guests should breathe in the crisp air and do a bit of stretching. For yoga enthusiasts, they can lay out their mattresses and get ready to indulge yourself with one of the best therapies that nature has to offer.

Over the eastern horizon, the upper edge of the sun gradually appears. The rays of yellow light slowly emerges in between the hills â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the border of darkness steadily retreats as the sun nonchalantly surfaces.

As the heat begins to caress the skin, it sends a momentary jolt of joy, much to guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gratification. To us, the sunrise was indeed a spellbinding experience.

If you prefer a more rigorous workout, the gymnasium in the hotel provides a descent array of cardio and musclebuilding equipment: treadmills, swing machines, exercise bikes, weights and dumbbells. It is also equipped with airconditioning and cable TV to take your mind away while working out. Clean towels and water bottles are included.

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Alternatively, you can head to the swimming pool near to the restaurant.

The pool is actually one of the hotel’s signature. Designed as infinity edged, it produces the illusion that the water extends to the horizon, vanishing into infinity. Connected to the pool is the bar that offers variety of refreshing beverages within guests’ reach. Guests are encouraged to get a bit of tan by this pool while sipping freshly served fruit juice and enjoying the lull.

Unique healing experience The name Ubud, where The Viceroy Bali is located, is synonymous to the word obat, which means herbs or medicine.

This probably explains why Ubud is known as the centre of healing in Bali, given its reputation amongst spa practitioners worldwide.

Based on this underlying spirit, The Viceroy Bali has been constantly pushing hard to showcase their very own Lembah

Spa, a sun-drenched sanctuary facing the unobstructed landscape of captivating greenery overlooking the Petanu River gorge. The opulent stonework, soaring atrium, rare cantilevered patio with infinity pool and fountain creates a heady and entrancing brew. The spa houses treatment rooms, dressing room, dry sauna rooms, a Jacuzzi pool, private couple’s soaking tub and warming pool.

Lembah Spa offers a refreshing and uplifting experience. The spa packages are plenty, but we decided for the one that includes traditional massage, body scrub with lulur, yoghurt cream bath, warm flower bath, steam bath and Jacuzzi pool.

We were truly hoping to emerge brighter and shining at the end of the session.

Guests need to fill in a simple form before their session, which spells out the kind of massage oil that guests prefer (jasmine, rose, frangipani, lavender, nutmeg, clove, ginger or orange), areas of the body that needed focussing and the kind of pressure needed to apply. Lembah Spa attempts to personalise the spa experience for each of its guests.

The treatment room is clean, cosy and dimly-lit, creating a Zen-like feeling.

The therapists were attentive, constantly checking on our comfort and pressing ahead with minimal interruption and noise. We could tell that the therapists are well trained based on their touch.

The finger-and-palm massage is delicate through the use of varying techniques such as acupressure, skin rolling and flicking, firm and gentle stroking. The massage was relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time that we both hoped it wouldn’t have to end. The closure was memorable: by laying down on the relaxation deck overlooking the Petanu Valley, while slowly sipping cold, fresh juice. The experience, like the rest of The Viceroy Bali, was magical.

In summary, if you’re looking for a bespoke, exclusive and luxurious escapade, look no further. The Viceroy Bali offers an experience like no other.

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Sentosa Villa,

Where Peace and Privacy Meet TEXT | Shad Sakeri IMAGES | Sentosa Villa

Upon entering Sentosa Villa, guests are quickly enveloped in a serene setting where the faint burbling of moving water and whistling sound of crickets tickle the senses, giving hint to the body and brain to hurry up and hit the relax button â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this charming retreat at the foot of Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill) is the perfect base for a relaxing getaway. Guests should take a deep breath and take it all in.

Sentosa Villa is a breath-taking property that preserves the natural beauty of its landscape while providing guests a perfect setting in which to relax and embrace Mother Earth. Inspired by nature, its interiors feature rock and wooden elements, bringing the splendour of the tropical outdoors in.

Also, thanks to its strategic proximity to the Taiping Lake Gardens, guests of Sentosa Villa has quick access to many places of interest such as Taiping Zoo and Night Safari, Burmese Pool and the Taiping Museum.

Sentosa Villa offers two types of accommodation, which are rooms and villas that are scattered throughout the property. They all are comfortable, well-maintained and complete with basic amenities like satellite LCD television, strong Wi-Fi signal and complimentary toiletries. Each room, too, has a comfortable outside balcony where one can sit and just let the surrounding greenery soothe and lull them into a blissful state.

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Moreover, a meeting room is also available at guests’ disposal, offering them the chance to utilise the property for both leisure and business purposes. The meeting room at Sentosa Villa – which can fit up to 60 persons set in classroom style – is well-equipped to ensure the smooth running of the occasion. The meeting room is available for rent at RM55 per day, for the minimum of 15 persons.

While Sentosa Villa’s peaceful seclusion is perfect for guests to have a rest and do nothing, there are still plenty of activities available for guests to enjoy such as fish-feeding, bird-watching, walking into the jungle on concrete paths and taking a splash in the streams. Should guests arrive during durian season, guests are more than welcome to go set up duriangatherings with loved ones. Guests can also seek help from the property’s accommodating and friendly staff for suggestions on possible outside-villa excursions.

The property’s all-day diner, on the other hand, is the perfect place to start the day the healthy way – it serves local breakfast comprising homemade fried rice/noodle, assorted bread with jams, eggs, seasonal selections of fruits, and coffee and tea.

For lunch and dinner, guests can simply choose from the restaurant’s AsianWestern Fusion menu.

In conclusion, Sentosa Villa offers solitude along with the necessary amenities for guests’ comfort and relaxation. It is an ideal getaway for honeymooners seeking privacy, couples wanting to explore the outdoors, and small families seeking quality bonding time.

Rooms rates at Sentosa Villa start at RM168.

Sentosa Villa Jalan 8, Taman Sentosa 34000 Taiping, Perak Tel: +6 05 805 1000 / +6 013 593 1000 Email: sentosavilla@live.com

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HAVEN SUITE ROOM With it’s sophisticated contemporary design, The HAVEN Bali Seminyak sits befittingly alongside the chic shopping strips and eclectic mixture of urban dining and party venues of Seminyak.

Being only a short distance from the ever-famous Seminyak Beach as well, where we have our very own exclusive Beach Club, this resort is made for the modern traveler coming to Bali, the Island of The Gods.

pool which can only be access by our suite room. Once you step in into Haven Suite Room, you will hypnotize by the generous space sits a 4 person dining table by a stylish kitchenette complete with an induction stove, large fridge and hot beverage facilities. It’s another perfect ways to stay with your family member. The bedrooms are simply sumptuous and display either a queen bed or twin beds, an LCD TV with international channel and a working desk.

One of our complex accommodation is our Haven Suite Room which is surrounded by verdant landscaped grounds and private area of swimming

The Suite bathrooms are grand and house a large bathtub with a rainfall shower, it is also has two wide spanning balconies, one of which has a cosy

daybed overlooking to the Haven pools.

If you are planning to bring your kids along, you can let them join to our kids activity on side pool whilst you can swimming around and look after your kids at the same time.

You can choose our Haven Suite - 1 bedroom with one master bed or twin for 96,8sqm or also available Haven Suite - 2 bedroom with 133,2 sqm to accommodate your family holiday.

ABOUT THE HAVEN Bali Seminyak THE HAVEN Bali Seminyak, a Four-Star Deluxe Resort, is a pioneering lifestyle accommodation in Bali offering a distinctive resort with 3 in 1 concept of hotel, suite, and villa consist of 96 hotel rooms, 60 suite rooms, as well as 7 units of pool villas. THE HAVEN Bali Seminyak is in walking distance of Bali’s hippest night, boutiques, restaurants, and the island’s famous beach, Double Six. THE HAVEN Bali Seminyak reveals a promise of real serenity ambience for all business and leisure travelers without losing its characteristic lifestyle.

The residence architecture is shaped in particular by Asian contemporary design and décor to create a far away home feeling, offering a real holiday experience while enjoying the Naturally Elegant services and the uniqueness of its character destination.

Check us at www.thehavenhotels.com.

For all media enquiries, please contact: Dina Indah – Marketing Communications Manager THE HAVEN Bali Seminyak Email: marcom@thehavenbali.com Website: www.thehavenhotels.com

DINA ZAMAN IN HER OWN WORDS...

I just set up a boutique research company with friends, which marries data, activism and communications.

It’s been crazy setting it up but fun too. I have a degree and Masters in Communications and English and am now toying with the idea of a post graduate career. I have been writing for the media for, wow, 20 years?! My main areas of focus is social issues and religion. As a daughter of a retired diplomat, travel is in my blood.

DINA ZAMAN Dina Zaman is an award-winning Malaysian writer well known for her work in non-fiction, fiction and poetry. She is recognised not only in Malaysia, but also internationally.

Dina has contributed articles to her regular column in many Malaysian newspapers since 1994, which made her a household name with a strong following. She also has presence on several well known internet 170

portals such as Malaysiakini.com and The Malaysian Insider. She even published books, namely ‘I Am Muslim’, ‘King of the Sea’ and ‘Night and Day’.

Dina has extensive experience in public relations and the media industry as a consultant and a personality. She has worked on campaigns and events, and worked over the years as a volunteer for NGOs. Like writing, travelling is one of the things she enjoys. Having a diplomat father, Dina had spent her childhood in many foreign countries such as Japan and Russia. As an adult, Dina has been based overseas for studies and work commitments. Dina still travels quite extensively, be it for work or leisure.

DINA ZAMAN in 30seconds . Morning person or night person?

Morning! . Black or white?

Sometimes I’m grey. . Sing or dance?

Dance . Back to nature or city slicker?

Both . Drive or be driven (public transportation included)?

At my age, I need a driver. . Land or water?

Land . The glass is half full or half empty?

Depends on my mood . Eat to live or live to eat?

Can it be both?

PHOTO CREDIT: DINA ZAMAN

My favourite destination(s)...

I usually travel (with):

Easy! London and Indonesia.

..... with colouring books and a tasbih. For someone who loves travelling, I am dead scared of flying. So colouring books and zikir calm me down.

I love... ..... Georgetown because despite it being busy, there are so many pockets of calm here. You can work and just breathe. Food is good, my friends are here and it’s away from KL. (I don’t like KL. It’s just a place to work.)

I always pack.... ..... terribly. My husband is always on my case. I like travelling so I will start packing up like two weeks ahead. I’ll pack a lot of clothes, just in case, and medicine. You always need medicine. And books!

My dream holiday:

DiGize™. The latter saved me from food poisoning many times.

Malaysia is special because... ..... despite the crazy politics, it is a wealth of history, cultures and people.

..... will be in France. I want to go on the Anais Nin and Henry Miller trail.

My favourite Malaysian spots:

My most unforgettable holiday experience ...

My most treasured item bought / found during my travels:

..... are way too many. Let’s start with the latest: Lombok. Went there for work, but despite the long hours on the laptop, I felt so relaxed there!

Penang, Terengganu and Ipoh.

Jamu from Bali made by a healer. It tastes like rubbish no matter how much honey you put in but it’s good for detox.

Travelling Tips Get a good travel slingbag like Tumi or Kipling. They have compartments. Buy Zyrtec, Ibuprofen and Young Living’s

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The launch of Pasport ASEAN & Gaya Raya 2015 RUANG, Seksyen 16 Shah Alam

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AWARTA NUSA DUA LUXURY VILLAS AND SPA, BALI www.awartaresorts.com

QUESTIONS Name one of the food & beverage outlets that you wish to try at Awarta Nusa Dua Luxury Villas and Spa, and why?

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I love to stay at Awarta Nusa Dua Luxury Villas and Spa because…

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SILKA CHERAS, KUALA LUMPUR

silkahotels.com/cheras/

QUESTIONS Where is the hotel located?

What categories of rooms does the hotel offer?

How many minutes’ drive does it take to get to Kuala Lumpur city centre from Silka Cheras?

I love to stay at Silka Cheras because…

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON SANDAKAN, SABAH www.fourpointssandakan.com

QUESTIONS What is the name of the shopping mall that is connected to the hotel?

What are the facilities does the hotel provide?

What are the excursions available for guests to experience when staying in Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan?

I love to stay at Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan because…

DAYS STAY 2 X 32 NIGHTS

THE WESTIN KUALA LUMPUR, KUALA LUMPUR www.thewestinkualalumpur.com

QUESTIONS What is the name of the hotel’s signature bed?

What is the Westin Weekend initiative?

What is the name of The Westin Kuala Lumpur’s food and beverage outlet that offers Latin experience?

I love to stay at The Westin Kuala Lumpur because…

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