SABAH THE LAND BELOW THE WINDS
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Sabah is one of the most culturally diverse states in Malaysia. Its population of about 2.5 million is a mix of native groups (who are usually divided into Muslim and non-Muslim groups), Chinese, and other smaller ethnic groups such as Indians and Eurasians.
The main native groups are the Kadazandusun, Murut, Bajau, Suluk, Bisaya and Orang Sungai. Most of the Chinese who migrated to the state during the British era, belong to the Hakka dialect group although there are also large numbers of Cantonese especially in Sandakan. There are also many Filipinos and Indonesians, many of whom entered Sabah illegally and later became naturalised under a controversial state policy. The most important festival among the non-Muslim native groups of Sabah is Kaamatan or Harvest Festival. This usually takes place in May and the last two days of the month are public holidays in the state. The most popular event is the unduk ngadau or Harvest Queen in Kadazan, where girls throughout the state compete for the crown. A lot of drinking and general merry-making accompanies the festival.
3D2N Mount Kinabalu Explorer Package
Sabah, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Mount Kinabalu is in Kinabalu Park in the Malaysian state of Sabah, some 80 km east of Kota Kinabalu. Mount Kinabalu is Borneo's tallest mountain. You can climb to the top of Low's Peak (4,095.2m or 13,435.7ft above sea level). The height of the mountain is often given as 4,101m but recent satellite imaging has proven this to be incorrect. The mountain is sacred to locals. They believe that spirits of their ancestors inhabit the top of the mountain. Previously, a chicken was sacrificed at the peak every time a climb was made but these days this ceremony only happens once a year when only seven chickens are needed to appease the spirits.
Mount Kinabalu is known to be one of the most accessible mountains in the world. No specialized mountain climbing skills are required to ascend it. The trail that most tourists use is described as a 'trek and scramble'. Locals begin climbing the mountain from the age of 3 and the oldest person to reach the peak was 80 years old. However, how much one enjoys the climb depends strongly on how fit you are and how well you acclimatise to the thin air at the higher levels.
Nevertheless, the mountain can be a dangerous place, especially during the rain or when there is mist. On average, every year one person gets into severe difficulty out of the estimated 20,000 people who attempt the climb. The higher slopes can be very slippery when it rains and dense fog reduces visibility to a few feet.
Although it is possible to climb to the top and back in less than four hours, most climbers take two days, with an overnight break at Laban Rata (3,272.7m above sea level). The final attack on the peak takes place in the early hours of the second day (most begin at 2:30AM) in order to catch the sunrise at the top. By mid-morning the mist begins to roll in, obscuring the breath-taking views.
Climbing weather is best around the month of April while November and December brings rain. The temperature ranges from a comfortable 20-25°C at the main park to something approaching freezing near the top (depending on the weather). Bring clothing appropriate or else you will get cold and be miserable. If possible, climb during the full moon as it helps illuminate the white rope that marks out the climbing path.
Discover Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
SARAWAK THE LAND OF THE HORNBILLS
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Sarawak is Malaysia's largest state. It lies in East Malaysia and shares the island of Borneo with the eastern state of Sabah, the separate country of Brunei and the Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan. One of the stranger episodes in Malaysian history began in 1841 when James Brooke, an English adventurer armed only with a single ship (the Royalist) and diplomatic skills, was made Rajah of Sarawak by the Sultan of Brunei. James and his nephew and successor Charles expanded their private colony to cover much of the state.
The third Rajah, Vyner, continued to develop the colony but fled from the invading Japanese in 1941, ending the Brooke dynasty after precisely 100 years. After the end of the Japanese occupation, Vyner returned to Sarawak in April 1946, but ceded the colony to the British in July of the same year. Sarawak joined together with Singapore, Federation of Malaya and North Borneo (today Sabah) to form the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
Even by Malaysian standards Sarawak has an extraordinary mix of peoples: the largest ethnic group is neither Chinese (26%) nor Malay (21%), but the Iban (29%), who gained worldwide notoriety as the fiercest headhunters on Borneo. Back in the bad old days, an Iban lad couldn't hope for the hand of a fair maiden without the shrunken head of an enemy to call his own, and bunches of totemic skulls still decorate the eaves of many a jungle longhouse.
Fortunately for visitors, headhunting hasn't been practiced for a while, although some of the skulls date from as late as World War II when, with British support, Iban mercenaries fought against the occupying Japanese. Other tribes of note include the Bidayuh (8%) and the Melanau (5%), as well as a smattering of Kenyah, Kayan and a group of tiny tribes in the deep heartland known collectively as the Orang Ulu (Malay for "upriver people"). Kuching is the capital and largest city of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak and the district of Kuching, as well as the largest city on the island of Borneo.
3D2N / 4D3N Kuching Free & Easy Tour
Sarawak, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Magnificent Sarawak Fullboard Package
Sarawak, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
3D2N Kuching Honeymoon Package
Sarawak, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
4D3N Mesmerizing Kuching Fullboard Package
Sarawak, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
4D3N Kuching Discovery Fullboard Package
Sarawak, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Endau-Rompin National Park is the second designated national park in Peninsular Malaysia. And rightly so, as it contains the one of world's oldest rainforests and the volcanic rocks there date back 240 million years. Its name is derived from the two rivers through the park; the Endau river in the south in the state of Johor and the Rompin river in the state of Pahang in the north.
It also has some unique flora and fauna, including the endangered Sumatran Rhino. It has some of Malaysia's best waterfalls namely Buaya Sangkut, Upeh Guling and Batu Hampar all within 2 hours trek of each other. Also you'll get a chance to meet the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia, known locally as Orang Asli. The major tribe that call the park home is the Jakun. A proper trip to see all the major highlights of Endau-Rompin National Park should take 3 days. Of course it's not hard to spend a week to get lost amidst the breathtaking rivers and forests. Unless you're an experienced jungle trekker, it's best to stick to the packages offered – the Johor National Parks Corporation organises the most reasonably priced ones.
The Orang Hulu (Indigenous people) of the area tells a story of an old crocodile that lived in the pools above the waterfall. One day it floated downriver and got itself trapped between the boulders where its body formed the cascades of the fall. (buaya = crocodile, sangkut = trapped).
Another less popular story but entertaining all the same tells of a family who lived by the banks of Sungai Jasin. The father dreamt of his son's death in the jaws of a crocodile that lived in the river. He took it as a warning and with that, moved his family upstream. The recurring dream drove the family further upstream pass the waterfall.
True to the premonitions of these dreams, the crocodile had followed them. On climbing the fall, the croc lodged itself between the boulders and the father took this opportune moment to kill it. He made a drum from the leather of the crocodile and hung the drum high in the house. One day as the son was playing below the drum, it fell on him killing him instantly.
3D2N Endau-Rompin
Nature Splendour Tour
Johor / Pahang, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
PAHANG DARUL MAKMUR
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Pahang is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia. Kuantan is the state capital of Pahang, on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.With over 500,000 people, Kuantan is the largest city on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. There are a number of places in and around Kuantan that are worth visiting.
Pekan, the Royal town of Pahang, is an interesting place to visit. It is situated 45km south of Kuantan, or approximately 130km north of Mersing. You may reach Pekan by a direct bus from Pudu Raya Terminal-Utama express, twice a day or by another option, take a bus from Kuantan. It takes approximately 1 hour to reach Pekan from Kuantan. There are many buses from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan daily.
The Cameron Highlands is situated in Pahang, West Malaysia. It is approximately 85 km from Ipoh or about 200 km from Kuala Lumpur. The retreat has a diverse population of more than 43,000 people.
The Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most extensive hill stations. It covers an area of 712² km, about the size of Singapore, At 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is also the highest point in Malaysia accessible by road. During the day, the temperature seldom rises above 25°C; at night, it can drop to as low as 12°C.
3D2N / 2D1N Nature Explorer
Pahang National Park
Pahang, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Taman Negara was established in Malaysia in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after independence, which literally means "national park" in Malay. Taman Negara (total area 4,343 km²) has a reputation as the world's oldest tropical rainforest.
Taman Negara encompasses three states, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, each with its own legislation. The Taman Negara Enactment (Pahang) No. 2 of 1939 is enforced in the state of Pahang, the Taman Negara Enactment (Kelantan) No. 14 of 1938 in the state of Kelantan and the Taman Negara Enactment (Terengganu) No. 6 of 1939 in the state of Terengganu. The enactments have similar contents.
Taman Negara Pahang is the largest at 2,477 km², followed by Taman Negara Kelantan at 1,043 km² and Taman Negara Terengganu at 853 km².
The park has been developed into a famous ecotourism destination in Malaysia. There are several geological and biological attractions in the park. Gunung Tahan is the highest point of the Malay Peninsula; climbers can use Kuala Tahan or Merapoh as their departure point. Taman Negara is the home of some rare mammals, such as the Malayan Tiger, Crab-eating macaque, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Great Argus, Red Junglefowl, Malayan Gaur (seladang) and Asian Elephant. Among the birdlife, the rare Malayan Peacock-pheasant is still found here in some numbers. Tahan River has been preserved to protect the Malaysian mahseer (ikan kelah in Malay), a type of game fish.
Others attractions found near Kuala Tahan (Park headquarters for Pahang) include a canopy walkway, Gua Telinga (cave system), Lata Berkoh (rapid). Visitors can enjoy the tropical rain forest, birdwatching or jungle trekking (e.g. Tenor Rentis) and the river views along the Tahan River.
All visitors to the park must get permits from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. There are many hostels and hotels nearby.
KEDAH DARUL AMAN
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Kedah is a state in the northern part of the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The state is famed for its padi fields and is known as "The rice bowl" of the country. Langkawi officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah) is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide) in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia.
The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On July 15, 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his Golden Jubilee Celebration. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 64,792, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba. Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as the capital and largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.
MALACCA HISTORICAL CITY
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Modern-day Malacca is a vibrant old city that belies its wealth of history. Visiting Malacca is a unique experience; its rich historical background earned it a World Heritage Site designation in July 2008. Before the arrival of the first Sultan, Malacca was a simple fishing village inhabited by local Malays. Malacca was founded by Parameswara, also called Iskandar Shah or Sri Majara, the last Raja of Singapura (now known as Singapore) following a Majapahit attack in 1377. Parameswara found his way to Malacca in 1400 where he found a port, accessible in all seasons and on the strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Strait. This later became Malacca.
There are some interesting legends surrounding the foundation and naming of Malacca. According to the 16th century Malay Annals, the city was founded by Parameswara. Some believe it more likely that he was a Hindu prince and political fugitive from nearby Java. The legend goes that Parameswara was out on a hunt in the region and had stopped to refresh himself near what is now the Malacca River.
Standing near a melaka (Indian gooseberry) tree he was surprised to witness one of his hunting dogs so startled by a mouse deer that it fell into the river. Parameswara took this as a propitious sign of the weak overcoming the powerful and decided to build the capital of his new kingdom where he stood, naming it for the tree under which he had been resting. Another account says Malacca is derived from the Arabic word Malakat, meaning market. Malacca had a navigable harbor sheltered by nearby Sumatra across the narrow straits.
The location was supplied with an ample quantity of fresh water, enjoyed a prime location relative to the shifting monsoon winds, and had a central location in regional trade patterns, all of which soon made it a prosperous trading town. Its fortunes increased with its official adoption of Islam in the 14th century. The Sultans of Malacca were soon attracting Arab traders from far afield. However, Malacca continued to trade with merchants of all races and religions.
After the visit of the Chinese Muslim Admiral Cheng Ho in the mid-15th century, contact between China and Malacca intensified. In exchange for protection against Siam, Malacca became a vassal state to Ming China. To ensure Malacca's safety, a new and powerful kingdom was founded by the Sultan of Samudra-Pasai.
The power of the Malays began to rise through the 15th century. In the Malay Annals,the sultan Mansur Shah was mentioned as having 6 wives and the fifth was stated to be a daughter of the Ming Emperor. However, in the Chinese chronicles, no such event was recorded.
Things started to change with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1509. They were at first welcomed, but Indian traders soon turned the sultan against the Portuguese and they had to flee. In 1511 the Portuguese returned, and at their second attempt seized the city. This marked the start of the formation of a large Eurasian community. The Portuguese turned the city into a massive walled fortress complete with a tower bristling with cannon. It was believed that such fortifications could withstand the encroachments of other European powers eager for a slice of the Asian luxury goods trade.
An alliance between the Dutch and the Sultanate of Johor Bahru saw the loss much of Malacca's power. In 1641 the Dutch navy put a blockade on Malacca and they seized the city after six months. During the siege much of the Portuguese city was destroyed.
Only after 150 years did the Dutch lose their hold on Malacca. In 1795 The Netherlands was conquered by the French, and the British were keen to take over the Dutch holdings in Malacca. By that time, Malacca had lost most of its former importance although it remained an important part of Asian trade routes.
The A Famosa gate is all that remains of the old Portuguese and Dutch forts. As the Napoleonic Wars wound down the British knew Malacca would be returned to Dutch control. In order to make the city indefensible the city walls were blown down. A last minute intervention by a British officer, the young Sir Stamford Raffles (founder of British Singapore) saved the gate. Shortly after its return to Dutch rule, the Dutch and British governments swapped colonies - British Bencoolen in Sumatra for Dutch Malacca.
Malacca is a center of Peranakan culture. When Chinese settlers originally came to Malacca as miners, traders and coolies, they took local brides (of Javanese, Batak, Achenese, etc descent) and adopted many local customs. The result of this is an interesting fusion of local and Chinese cultures. The men are addressed as Babas and the women Nonyas by their servants meaning Master and Mistress. A small group of Eurasians of Portuguese descent continue to speak their unique creole, known as Cristão or Kristang.
PENANG PEARL OF THE ORIENT
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Penang is an island off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is also the name of the Malaysian state which is made up of Penang Island and the facing strip of territory on the mainland called Seberang Perai (formerly Province Wellesley). Penang's beaches are nice, though a little lackluster when compared to those in some other Malaysian states, but this is more than compensated for by the island's rich multicultural history which is full of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences. Penang is also well known for being the "food paradise" of Malaysia.
PERLIS INDERA KAYANGAN
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Padang Besar is a border town in the north of Perlis, the northern-most state in Malaysia.Although there are several attractions in the state, Perlis is more often used as a transit point to Langkawi and Thailand. Perlis is the northern-most state in the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is also Malaysia's smallest state.
The Padang Besar border crossing is the only direct rail link between Malaysia and Thailand, and a quieter and less direct road crossing than Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah. The town on the Thai side of the border, in Songkhla province, is also called Padang Besar - however Malaysians differentiate between the two by calling the Thai town "Pekan Siam" or "Siamese Town".
Much more tame and sanitized than its Thai counterpart, Malaysia's Padang Besar still attracts many Malaysians who come to shop for items imported from Thailand which are available in abundance at lower prices.
NEGERI SEMBILAN DARUL KHUSUS
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Negeri Sembilan is a state in the west coast region of Peninsular Malaysia. Seremban is the state capital of Negeri Sembilan, on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Port Dickson is a popular beach destination in Malaysia's Negri Sembilan state. About 60 kilometers from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson, or PD to locals, in an hour's drive from KL along the North-South Highway. Port Dickson or "PD" to locals is a beach and holiday destination situated about 32 km from Seremban and 60 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is located in the state of Negri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia. It takes approximately one hour by car to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson along the North-South Expressway.
Mount Datuk located at Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The highest point of this mountain is around 2000 feet (<>885m). Mount Datuk is one of a favorite place for nature lovers and adventure seekers to do some exercise or relaxing during their weekend. It holds many treasures of the natural tropical rainforests. As you can see in the picture, there's a formation of big rocks at the summit.
The trail is not so tough that require trekkers to overnight somewhere. From Intake/Starting Point, it takes about 2-3 hours for a non-hiker to reach the summit. Regular hiker that is fit enough easily can make it in 45 minutes to the summit. It is recommended for you to hire a guide if you're new in this activities.
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Selangor is a state in the west coast of Malaysia. Shah Alam has a similar urban layout to Petaling Jaya or Subang Jaya. Housing areas occupy most of the city with commercial centres making up most of the rest of the total of 56 city sections (Seksyen). The city has a number of shopping malls (Plaza Alam Sentral, (also known as PAS), SACC Mall, Plaza Shah Alam (formerly known as Shah Alam Mall (also known as Plaza Masalam), Ole-Ole Seksyen 18, Anggerik Mall and Kompleks PKNS). The district has many significant recreational areas and there are also many schools, shops, banks, eateries, cafes, hotels, medical centres, clinics and large hypermarkets (notably Tesco, Giant and Tesco Extra). Vibrant commercial areas are situated mostly at the city centre sections of (Seksyen 14), Seksyen 13 and Seksyen 9. There is a conspicuous absence of cinemas in the city as the city government has been discouraging of their development.
Main roads and streets in Shah Alam, including the new townships such as Setia Alam and Kota Kemuning all have signs with their names shown in both Roman and Jawi scripts. Kuala Selangor is a city in Selangor State. Literally, Kuala means rivermouth in the Malay language, and thus this is a small town where the Selangor River (Sungai Selangor) meets the sea. It was the old royal capital of Selangor prior to moving to Klang, and finally to Kuala Lumpur. This small town was conquered by the Dutch when they invaded Selangor in 1784. It is located well off the normal tourism route and hence, still maintains its traditional "kampung" (village) atmosphere.
KELANTAN DARUL NAIM
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Kelantan Darul Naim means "Land of Lightning". This state is managed by 10 administrative jurisdictions: Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Kuala Krai, Machang, Tanah Merah, Jeli, and Gua Musang. Kota Bharu (also Kota Bahru or Kota Baru) is the state capital of Kelantan, on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Many travellers simply pass through on their way to the Perhentian Islands, but those who spend a few days in KB have the chance to go to some of the museums mentioned below, eat some delicious food, look at a unique style of traditional architecture, and get a little bit of the feel of a city that has an interesting cultural identity all its own.
Kota Bharu is a very socially conservative city in a state ruled by the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS). Be respectful of the cultural and religious sensibilities of its primarily Muslim inhabitants. There is no need for non-Muslim women to wear a tudung (scarf over the hair), but both men and women should consider wearing clothing which covers their torso completely. Also, be prepared for breaks to be taken in many places, including the Pasar Malam (Night Market) during Islamic prayer times.
Rantau Panjang is a town in Kelantan, Malaysia. It is the major border crossing between Malaysia and Thailand for the East Coast of Malaysia. The town on the Thai side across the Golok River which forms the boundary between the two countries is Sungai Kolok. The town has a duty-free shopping area where you can find electronic goods, cigarettes and clothes.
Terengganu is a state on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia in Malaysia. The primary attractions of the state are the beautiful tropical Perhentian and Redang Islands. The Perhentian Islands are a small group of beautiful, coral-fringed islands off the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, not far from the Thai border. The Perhentian Islands (pronounced Perhen-TEE-AHN, not Perhen-SHEN) lay approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) offshore the coast of northeastern Malaysia in the state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles (64 km) south of the Thai border. The name Perhentian means "stopping point" in Malay. This is because the islands became a staging point used by traders traveling from Malaysia to Bangkok.
3D2N Wonders of Nature
Mount Stong Expedition
Kelantan, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Mount Stong State Park (Jelawang Jungle)
The rugged landscape of Kelantan’s interiors offers many exciting adventures for anyone who loves the great outdoors. From limestone hills to rushing rapids, from thick tropical jungles to cool cavernous caves, Kelantan is a pleasure to experience.
The best way to enter the interiors of Kelantan and, at the same time, get a first-hand look at the typical village life, is to take the KTM train – once romantically known as the Jungle Train in the spirit of adventure and exploration – right through the state. One of the stops along the way is in the quaint village of Dabong, about 155 kilometers from Kota Bharu, the state capital.
Dabong lies in the area dedicated as Mt.Stong State Park (formerly called Jelawang Jungle) and is situated on the fringes of Malaysia’s massive Titiwangsa range. The mountainous backdrop there is made up of a chain of majestic peaks, waiting to be conquered – Gunung Ayam, Gunung Stong, Gunung Tera, Gunung Saji, Gunung Koh, Gunung Baha, Gunung Beirut, Gunung Che Tahir. (Gunung is the local word for mountain).
One of the main attractions at the state park is Gunung Stong (1,422 meters), a dome-shaped granite complex more than 500 million years old. Here, the seven-tiered Stong Waterfalls, reputed to be the highest in Southeast Asia, drops from a height of about 990 metres. Reaching the peak of the falls takes two hours of trekking for about one kilometer on steep inclines of between 60 to 90 degrees.
The Mt.Stong State Park is listed among the top five unique ecotourism destinations in Malaysia. It covers an area of 21,950 hectares of land dotted with high peaks, dense forest, a variety of caves, rivers and waterfalls. Its thick jungle is home to elephants, tigers, bears, gibbons, hornbills and a range of other exotic wildlife, as well as a variety of flora and fauna including the world’s largest flower, the rafflesia of the kerii meyer species, and the endemic long-sectioned bamboo, a type of purple herb (Didymocarpus calcareous) and a unique palm species (Licuala stongesis).
With the assistance of a qualified and knowledgeable trekking guide, the journey uphill is made more meaningful as he points out species of wildlife sighted along the way. In good weather conditions, an experienced guide can take travelers along the scenic route of the waterfalls from the foot of Gunung Stong at least halfway before continuing inland for the rest of the hike up. This route showcases the waterfall cascading down from great heights along the solid granite rock structure, a breath-taking sight to behold.
At the peak of Stong Waterfalls is Baha’s Camp – and much-appreciated rest for tired legs. Weary travellers often make Baha’s Camp their pit stop for the night before continuing up Gunung Stong the following day. It has eight wooden huts and two camping grounds that can accommodate between 200 and 300 people at one time. From here, one can sit at the edge of smooth, large rocks and watch the crystal-clear waters of Stong river rush down over the steep edge of the mountain. In the mornings, a thick fog floats in the air creating the dreamy effect of walking on clouds. By noon, the fog clears to reveal a magical view of the lush green valley below. When night descends, snuggle up by the campfire as the mysterious legends and folklores about the origins of Gunung Stong are unraveled.
From Baha’s Camp, it only takes a minute to walk over to the Kolam Tuan Puteri (Princess Pool) where one can enjoy a refreshing dip by the falls. About 25 minutes trek from Baha’s Camp is the Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells), a series of smaller waterfalls that empty into mini pools.
Other places worth visiting and easily accessible from Baha’s Camp are:
- The Y Waterfalls, also known as the Last Waterfalls, where separate waterfalls from two mountains, Gunung Stong and Gunung Ayam, meet. Legends abound that it is the proverbial fountain of youth as those who drink from it are said to retain a youthful appearance ( 30 minutes away from Baha's Camp)
- Sungai Rantai @ Check Point One (1) to Mt.Stong & Mt.Ayam :- can be reach after 60-90 minutes walked.
- Benta Balak @ Check Point Two (2) to Mt.Stong & Mt.Ayam :- suitable for bird watching & camping. 60-90 minutes away from Sungai Rantai.
- Bogor Caves @ Check Point Three (3) to Mt.Stong :- a cave-like formation by two huge boulders and a suitable resting point for the night on the way to the peak of Gunung Stong. River & nature pool just next to the cave. 30-45 minutes from Benta Balak.
- Sungai Baha @ Check Point Three (3) to Mt.Ayam :- suitable for resting point (lunch) before climb up to Mt.Ayam peak. 60-90 minutes from Benta Balak.
- The summit of Gunung Stong (Mt.Stong), which can be reached within two (2) hours of trekking from Bogor Caves.
- Gunung Ayam (Mt.Ayam), the highest peak in the area, standing at 1,504 metres needs about six hours of trekking to reach its peak. It is the ideal spot to watch both sunset and sunrise. A campsite is available for overnight stays.
Kelantan, cloaked in dense jungles, high peaks, mysterious caves, swirling rapids and shrouded in mystery and folklore, hides the promise of romantic and thrilling adventures that will test your endurance, push your physical and mental limits, and simply take your breath away. It is an off-the-beaten destination that few travelers venture to but one that will definitely make you return for more.
TERENGGANU DARUL IMAN
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
The two main islands are Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil Island ("Small Perhentian"). Kecil attracts more travellers as it has cheaper accommodation, while Besar is a little more expensive and caters more to families and those who want to avoid the backpacker party scene. The small, uninhabited islands of Susu Dara, Seringgi and Rawa lie off Kecil. All the islands belong to a protected marine park, which means that fishing, collecting coral and littering are strictly prohibited, although in practice litter is one of the major problems that face the islands.
PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Perak, the fourth largest of Malaysia's thirteen states after Sarawak, Sabah and Pahang, is situated on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Its capital is the town of Ipoh (population: half a million). There are several tourist destinations of moderate interest within the state, but the main tourist destination would probably be Pangkor Island, about 85km from Ipoh, and Ipoh itself because of its great food.
Teluk Intan (formerly known as Teluk Anson) is a city in Perak, Malaysia. It is the center of Hilir Perak district and the third largest town of Perak state. Although the name means "Diamond Bay", the town is not located near a bay. It is founded around the oxbow meander of the Perak River, making the town looks like near a bay. The locals believes that in the future, the river’s flow will erode the narrow neck of the land between the loops of the meander and turning the town into an island.
Pasir Salak's main claim to fame is as the site of the assassination of J.W.W. Birch, the first British Resident of Perak, who was speared to death while bathing in the river. Birch's assassin, local chief Maharajalela, is now commemmorated as an anti-colonial hero, but the actual cause of the murder was rather more sordid: Maharajalela was a slave trader, whose livelihood depended on capturing and selling local Orang Asli aborigines, but Birch had abolished slavery.
Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak. It was here that the first rubber tree was planted in the then Malaya, by the English botanist Henry Nicholas Ridley. This rubber tree still stands today in the compound of the Kuala Kangsar City Hall (Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Kangsar).
Taiping is a town in Perak state, Malaysia. The name Taiping is made up of two Chinese characters (tai - 'great') and (ping - 'peace'). The discovery of tin deposits in the area in the 19th century attracted settlers from China, who were organised into two feuding groups around the Cantonese Ghee Hin society and the Hakka Hai San society. British intervention in the early 1870's put an end to the feuding and the town, which used to be known as Klian Pauh, acquired its present name. The British made Taiping the administrative centre for the state of Perak in 1875. The town served this function until 1937 when the state capital was moved to Ipoh.
The town sits on a coastal plain at the foothills of the Bintang Range. This topography is responsible for the copious rainfall for which the town is known. An umbrella is not needed though as most of the time; it is just a drizzle. Locals do not wonder whether it will rain on a particular day; they wonder what time it will rain.
3D2N Royal Belum
Nature Exploration Tour
Perak, Malaysia
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Belum-Temengor is the largest continuous forest complex in Peninsular Malaysia. Specifically, it is located in the Malaysian state of Perak and crosses into Southern Thailand. Belum-Temengor is divided into two sections. Belum is located at up north right by the Malaysia-Thailand border while Temengor is south of Belum. The Royal Belum State Park is entirely contained within the forest complex.
Belum-Temengor is believed to have been in existence for over 130 million years making it one of the world’s oldest rainforests, older than both the Amazon and the Congo. In the heart of the forest lies the manmade lake of Tasik Temenggor, covering 15,200 Hectares which is dotted with hundreds of islands.
The area has been identified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Rank 1 under the Malaysian National Physical Plan and recognized by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area. The Malaysian federal government has labelled the area as a whole as an essential water catchment area and part of Central Forest Spine and plans to protect the forest under the Malaysian National Forestry Act.
Despite that, between the two, only part of Belum Forest Reserve has been gazette as a State Park while the rest are production forest open for development. Temenggor in particular is facing considerable deforestation due to logging. Environmental organizations such as Malaysian Nature Society and the World Wildlife Fund have been lobbying both the state and the federal government to gazette the area as a park. The state government of Perak however has resisted the effort citing that logging provides the state with more than RM 30 million in revenue. Nevertheless, the state government gazetted 1,175 square kilometres, part of the Belum forest reserve as state park on May 3 2007.
There is a plan to convert natural forest to plantation forest along the East-West Highway.
Belum-Temenggor's relatively untouched forest is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna including 14 of world's most threatened mammals including the Malaysian tiger, Asiatic elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, white handed gibbon, Malaysian sunbear and tapir. Other animals that also roam freely include seladang, wild boars, numerous species of deer, pythons and cobras.
Belum Temengor is ideal for bird watcher with over 300 avian species including the hornbill. It is the only existing forest where you can spot all 10 species of hornbill that inhabit Malaysia consisting of the white-crowned hornbill, bushy-crested hornbill, wrinkled hornbill, wreathed hornbill, plain-pouched hornbill, black hornbill, Oriental pied hornbill, rhinoceros hornbill, great hornbill and helmeted hornbill. In the forest you can also find 3,000 species of flowering plants, including 3 species of Rafflesia, the world's largest flower.
LABUAN THE GARDEN ISLAND OF BORNEO
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Labuan, the Pearl of Borneo, is a group of one large and six smaller islands in East Malaysia. Labuan is an Island with an estimated population of 100,000 people. It's quite a small community where everyone knows everyone. The main town is known as Labuan Town (Bandar Labuan in Malay)but was formerly known as Victoria during the colonial era.
Labuan Town is among the cleanest towns in Malaysia. You will observe the Labuan Corporation (local authority) workers diligently doing their job. Labuan was proclaimed a Federal Territory on 16/04/1984 and declared an International Offshore Financial Centre on 1/10/1990. A few of the major businesses that are run on the island include international offshore banking, steel mills, a methanol plant, floor tiles production, flour mills as well as offshore supplies. Because of these major businesses, Labuan has many non-Labuan natives that work here.
KUALA LUMPUR
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Kuala Lumpur is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — consider printing them all. Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL, is the capital of Malaysia. Literally meaning "muddy estuary" in Malay, Kuala Lumpur has grown from a small sleepy Chinese tin-mining village to a bustling metropolis of around 6.5 million (city-proper population of 1.8 million) in just 150 years. With some of the world's cheapest 5-star hotels, great shopping and even better food, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city.
Founded only in 1857 as a tin mining outpost, Kuala Lumpur is fairly new as far as Malaysian cities go and lacks the rich history of George Town or Malacca. After rough early years marked by gang fighting, Kuala Lumpur started to prosper and was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1896.
Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957 in front of huge crowds at what was later named Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), and Kuala Lumpur continued as the new nation's capital. The economic boom of the 1990s brought KL the standard trappings of a modern city, bristling with skyscrapers and modern transportation systems. Like most of Malaysia's big cities, about 55% of Kuala Lumpur's population is of Malaysian Chinese descent.
PUTRAJAYA
*kindly click on the poster for larger version
Putrajaya , an "Intelligent Garden City" and the federal administrative capital of Malaysia, is a showcase city under construction some 30 km south of the capital Kuala Lumpur. Her adjacent sister city, Cyberjaya, is built along the same lines, but is aimed at attracting the IT industry. The area was formerly known as Prang Besar.
Putrajaya covers a vast sprawl of 4,931 hectares, which were mostly palm plantations before the federal government purchased the lot from the surrounding state of Selangor. The city's masterplan is designed along an axial tangent which runs from the northeast to southeast, with gently undulating terrain. About 40% of Putrajaya is natural, but the landscape has been extensively reworked by man: lush greenery and botanical gardens are spread across the landscape, crisscrossed by large bodies of water and wetlands. Five confluences meet at the north forming a main waterway, the Putrajaya Lake, which flows across the city area.
