Located in South East Asia, bordering Thailand in the north and Singapore in the south, Malaysia achieved its independence from British rule on the 31st of August 1957. With a population of approximately 23.5 million (58% Malays, 24% Chinese, 8% Indians and 10% others), Malaysia is rich in differing cultures and traditions. The uniqueness of Malaysia is that all these differing religions live alongside each other in harmony and peace.
You may be asking "What's there to do in Malaysia?". Malaysia offers natural beauties in tropical rainforest, scuba diving; Shopping haven in all major cities; Friendly citizens across the country. Whatever you want to do, ranging from being a potatoe couch at the hotel to extreme adventures, Malaysia has it all.
Having said that, I will now point out to you the essential visits that you should take part in order to make your trip whole (in no particular order):
Petronas Twin Towers
Towering at a height of 452 metres (1483 feet), the Petronas Twin Towers is the highest twin towers in the world. Built to 88 storeys and 32000 windows, the towers are connected via a skybridge. You must book your time to access the skybridge for an excellent birds-eye view of the Kuala Lumpur city. The towers were featured in the movie Entrapment starring Sean Connery and Caterine Zeta Jones. When visiting the towers, take a stroll at the KLCC park (20 hectares or 50 acres) located adjacent to the towers and indulge yourself in shopping at the Suria KLCC located inside the towers.
Pulau Pinang (Penang Island)
Affectionately known as Pearl of the Orient, Penang is famous for its natural beauty and exotic heritage. Located at the northern part of Malaysia, Penang, a bustling island, has a large variety of culture, people and food within the 285 square kilometres enclave. So diversed, you will be able to find churches, Chinese temples, Indian temples and Muslim mosques all within a five minutes walk. Colonial buildings still exist and are constantly being restored to its former glory. When you are at the Pearl of the Orient, you must sample the hawker food found at abundance, take a ferry ride (especially at night) and stroll along the beaches of Batu Ferringi.
Sipadan Island
Located on the north-eastern part of Borneo Island, Sipadan is one of the world's best dive spots. White sandy beaches borders this 12ha island. The island was formed from a undersea volcano and is raised 650meters from the sea floor. Sipadan is famous for its reef wall, rare reef creatures and the regular appearance of sea turtles. If you are a diver, this is one place that you would not want to miss.
East Coast Islands
On the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, an abundance of idyllic white sandy beaches. To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, hop over to the east coast, put on a sarong, grab yourself a coconut, relax and enjoy the pounding of the waves. Out in the sea, islands such as Perhentian, Tioman and Redang are famous for their dive spots and family getaway.
Cameron Highlands
This 1800 meters above sea level region is a popular getaway from the tropical heat for Malaysians and tourist alike. Cameron Highlands was discovered by a British surveyor named William Cameron in 1885. This highlands resembles England as old English inns, chalets and bungalows still exists today. Attraction in Cameron Highlands includes mountain and jungle hikings, tea plantations, fruits and vegetable farms, flower nurseries and its people. Cameron Highlands has two golf courses if you are game.
Proboscis Monkeys
Living exclusively in Borneo island, proboscis monkeys have the largest nose amongst all primates. Reaching up to 17.5cm long, the reason for the elongated nose is unknown. Another distinctive feature of this unique creature is its pot belly. The proboscis monkey is an endangered species and is listed under the IUCN Red List. Visiting these creatures in its natural habitat is well worth the journey.
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Have you ever thought of where to travel in Malaysia? The best place would be Langkawi. Langkawi is commonly known as the Jewel of Kedah, is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Adaman Sea. It is a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. It also has a rich heritage and many magical attractions.
One can never imagine the joy and excitement when you are at the peak of Mount Mat Cincang (you can get there by cable car at the Oriental Village). I skipped and hopped on the suspension bridge! During my first visit, we waited a couple of hours for the sunset. However, it was such a disappointment as the sky was quite cloudy and even by 6.30pm, the sun was still smiling sweetly and was very much awake.
The Mangrove Swamp Boat ride was another breath-taking activity. The Mangrove Swamp in Langkawi is the second largest in Asia. You could not believe your eyes - witnessing all the long roots wrestling against one another, sprouting up above the sea level, grasping for survival and tourists' attention. As part of the activity, we were ferried to a secluded private beach for a short break. On our way back to the jetty, we were often greeted by the most famous wildlife of Langkawi, the Eagles.
Other interesting things to do (must do!) in Langkawi include the following:
(1) Seven Wells Waterfall (Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls) (2) Go shopping in Kuah Town (Probably to buy a luggage and some sun-dresses) (3) Pray at the Wa Run Temple (4) Island hopping (5) Take lots and lots of pics (6) Catch the sunset on peak of Mount Mat Cincang
Langkawi has a lot of 2 to 3 stars hotels. Be sensible to choose a hotel that is near to the airport. As all of its beautiful beaches are near to the airport. Have Fun.
Juway have been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his blogs more often for tips and advice that helps people with the interest for prescott inn medan tuanku and great passion and knowledge for prescott inn kl and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here besthotelmalaysia.org
According to the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index, the price of Irish hotel rooms fell an additional 4% in the first six months of 2010. This is in addition to the massive drop of 21% experienced in 2009. While the fall of 4% in 2010 shows a vast improvement in the outlook compared to 2009, it lags behind the global recovery with global hotel prices actually increasing by 2% in the first half of 2010.
This should not come as too much of a shock to any of us as the Irish economy as a whole is recovering slower than many of our international counterparts.
The report on Hotel prices makes for very interesting reading. With an average room rate of €79, Ireland is now ranked as the least expensive destination in Western Europe and is beaten on price only by the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary in Europe as a whole.
Dublin Hotels the cheapest in Western Europe
Given that Dublin in particular has long been regarded as one of the most expensive cities in Europe, it will come as a welcome surprise to visitors to learn that Dublin hotels now boast the cheapest room rate in Western Europe with an average overnight rate of €73. That's a full 43% cheaper than London, 36% cheaper than Rome and 38% cheaper than Paris.
Internationally Monte Carlo perhaps unsurprisingly tops the list as the most expensive city in the world with an average rate of €180 per night. Interestingly in a World Cup year, host town Cape Town saw an increase of 35% to an average rate of €108 per night but still remains cheaper than London, Rome, Paris and Copenhagen even during this peak.
"Staycations" drive up prices outside of Dublin
A combination of Ash Cloud disruptions and tighter household budgets led to many Dubs electing to go for a "Staycation" (holidaying at home instead of a foreign holiday) rather than a sun holiday this year. This increase in domestic tourism (along with other factors) has led to locations like Castlebar and Sligo experiencing an increase in average room rates with rooms in Castlebar increasing by 4% and Sligo by 5%. Campaigns like Discover Ireland's "The Fun Starts Here" and the Tourist Boards have begun turning their attention towards the domestic market in the last year or so in an attempt to build on this increase in Staycations.
There has been a huge drop in international travel as a result of the economic downturn and alarmingly visitors from Britain, Ireland's largest tourist market are down 30% on 2009 figures. The result of this is that hotels in Ireland are having to compete even harder with each other on price to try to grab their share of a decreasing market.
Affordable Luxury
A perfect example of this is in 5 Star hotels in Ireland. In years gone by the clientele of Ireland's 5 star hotels would have been exclusively found on the "Rich List". Now though there is increasingly good value to be found among the renovated castles and stately homes. The perfect example of this is Cork's first ever 5 star hotel the Hayfield Manor. The Hayfield Manor has played host to an impressive list of celebrities and even royalty with the King of Jordan and the King of Malaysia joining a guestbook that already includes Diana Ross, Piece Brosnan, Lionel Ritchie and Irish Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.
The Hayfield Manor currently has a special offer of a 2 night bed & breakfast package with a four course dinner on one evening and complimentary spa treatment vouchers all from only €240 per person. According to the hotel, the same package would have cost somewhere in the region of €350+ in 2008.
From a consumer's point of view this is great news as there has never been better value for hotels in Ireland and Dublin hotels in particular. So for anyone looking for a weekend break... perhaps the fun really does start here!
Beverly have been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his blogs more often for tips and advice that helps people with the interest for prescott inn medan tuanku and great passion and knowledge for hotel medan tuanku and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here besthotelmalaysia.org
You can find a hotel to suit your needs in Kulai. Kulai is a small town in the state of Johor, Malaysia. The alternative name for this town is Kuli. The town is encircled by rubber and oil palm estates. The locals of this town are mostly involved in the work that these estates have to offer.
The town can be accessed by road, rail and through air transport facilities. The town has a small railway station and the closest airport is the Senai international airport. The local population is a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian people.
Kulai town is the biggest producer of palm oil in Malaysia due to the large number of Oil Palm estates. It also exports lots of vegetables to Singapore everyday. There are plenty of factories that have provided a boost to the economy of the town. Some public listed companies in Malaysia have their offices in this town. There are possibilities of a High Tech park being built near this town in the future.
The town is connected to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru via the old trunk road. Many people work in small retail shops, located around the trunk road in near this town. There are lots of housing estates in this town to provide shelter to the local residents. The Chinese population is present in both Senai and also in some parts of this town. The Malay population is concentrated in the Felda scheme settlements.
The town has some churches and temples to serve the needs of the Chinese community. The most famous ones are the "Thousand Fairies" and the "Seven Sisters" Temples. Along with the temples and churches there exists a masjid to serve the needs of the Muslim folks living in the town. Thus the town boasts of a wide variety of religious followings.
There are lots of great hotels in and around Kulai for tourists. They offer a good mix of convenience and facilities. These places also have business and conference related amenities and are close to the International airport. The tourist can indulge in a lot of recreational activities while enjoying their stay in these hotels.
There are facilities to play golf or try out horse riding to have some great outdoor fun. Professional riding instructors are available to ensure maximum enjoyment while trying out the horse riding activity. The other activities for tourists include bird watching, trekking, hiking, and fishing in the lake. The hotels also provide the wonderful experience in countryside living.
If you like to eat then there is a great variety of seafood available to delight your taste buds. Some of the delicacies are steamed Big head prawns, Quaker oats prawns, Black pepper crab, Salted egg crab with onions to name a few. Food lovers can also indulge in the Cantonese cuisine to satisfy their appetite. In case you want to have some really awesome deserts then Chendol, Cheng Ting, and Ice Kachang are the ones to try out. So whatever is your plan, enjoy the host of amenities available at the hotels in Kulai and have a great time.
John have been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his blogs more often for tips and advice that helps people with the interest for prescott inn medan tuanku and great passion and knowledge for prescott inn kl and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here besthotelmalaysia.org
1. The huge golden statue is the famous Hindu god, Lord Murugan. It is at 42.7 meters and took 3 years to construct and was unveiled in 2006. It is the tallest Lord Murugan statue in the world.
2. 'Batu' means 'stone'. 'Batu Caves' means 'stone caves'.
3. An Indian trader was inspired by the 'spear'-shaped entrance of the main cave. The spear is the divine weapon of Lord Murugan. Apparently, he saw that the entrance of the main cave was shaped like a spear- to see that, you might need to stretch your imagination a little.
4. It is an excruciating 272-steps climb to the top of the stairs.
When you're at Guan Di Temple...
1. Also known as the Kwong Siew Association temple, which is a clan association, referring to a gathering of Chinese immigrants who had come from the same province in China. Think of it as a club for people whose ancestors came from the same area, or a place where people with the same family name gather.
2. At the main entrance arch, look up and you will see a red fish right in the middle of the entrance arch. Strain your eyes and you will see that the fish is actually spouting water from its mouth and balancing a giant pearl. The fish is a symbol of prosperity in Chinese culture. This is because the word for fish in Chinese, which is 'yu', sounds like the word for riches or abundance.
3. At the door there are two fierce looking Chinese soldiers- they are the guardians of the door and they protect the temple from demons. Each of them holds a weapon and a pearl.
4. There are also two stone lions. They are the Chinese guardian lions, and their job is also to protect the temple from demons. Look carefully at both and you will see that they actually strike very different poses. Guardian lions are always made in pairs- one female and one male. The one on the left is the female guardian lion, and she has a cub in her paws, representing the circle of life. The one on the right is the male guardian lion, and he has a paw on a globe to represent his feeling the 'pulse of the earth'. Symbolically, the female guards those who live inside, and the male guards the structure of the temple. And if you look closely, you can see a pearl in their mouths.
5. On the top of the door with the blue frame, you will see 4 big Chinese words that mean Kwong Siew Association, and you read from right to left. Strain your eyes on the six little characters on each side. They tell you the name of the writer and when it was written.
6. Every year, a divine sword is brought out so that worshippers can touch and lift this very heavy 59-kilogramme weapon for good luck and protection. The sword is said to have special powers, and if you lift it three times, you will be protected. Provided if you have a pure and righteous heart.
When you're at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple...
1. The temple resembles the human body on its back, with its head positioned towards the west and the feet towards the east.
2. Mariamman is the goddess of rain, and she is very popular in South India. In Tamil, one of the many languages of India, 'mari' means rain, referring to her association with rain. But 'mari' also means change, referring to her changing forms into many other gods. She is also the god of diseases. During the summer months in South India, in March to June, people walk miles carrying pots of water mixed with turmeric and neem leaves to ward off illnesses like measles and chicken pox.
3. Lining up to worship Shiva, one of the main gods in the temple, are 65 statues of deities; each has a story to their own. One of the deities was Nadaraja. After years of prayers and devotion in the jungle, Shiva finally appeared to him. But one of Shiva's eyes was bleeding so Nadaraja plucked out the bleeding eye and replaced it with his own eye. Then the other eye started to bleed as well, but Nadaraja could not offer his other eye or else he could see no more, so he offered his leg, and as soon as he did that, he disappeared.
4. At the right side you will see the Navagrahas, loosely translated as the cosmic influencers. There, you will see the English translation as Nine Planets, but in reality, it really refers to the nine markers of influence. That's why you see the sun and moon there as well.
When you're at the Chan See Shu Yuen Temple...
1. The temple is sometimes known as The Green Temple.
2. On the red pillars on both sides are Chinese characters that remind the current generation not to forget their ancestors. Chinese people remember their ancestors through a unique tradition called ancestor worship. They would put up pictures or inscriptions about their ancestors and offer food and joss sticks as a way to seek their blessings. It's similar to the Catholic practice of seeking intervention from the saints, upright people who have passed away.
3. The first thing that will strike you is the open space concept. You will realize that the courtyard is inside the building as opposed to the outside.
When you're at Petaling Street...
1. Yap Ah Loy, a powerful Chinese leader opened a tapioca mill in Petaling Street where tubers from his farms were brought to be ground into flour. This is why even till today, Petaling Street is called 'Chee Cheong Kai' which means 'starch factory street' in the Cantonese dialect.
2. Petaling Street is famous for it's the street food. Try a local fruit called the 'air mata kucing' which means 'cat's eye', mixed with syrup and ice. 'Air mata kucing' makes a good icy drink on a hot day. Other stalls offer a variety of Chinese pancakes, chessnuts, 'tau foo fah' which is a soy bean dessert, and a host of other interesting Chinese street food.
3. The most important phrase to keep in mind when haggling is 'Kurang lagi!' which means, 'lower the price'.
When you're in Masjid Jamek...
1. Jamek, or Jumaat means Friday in the Malay language. It is significant because prayers are held every Friday afternoon. Prayers on Friday afternoons are as important to Muslims as Saturdays are to Jews, and Sundays are to Christians. Masjid, as you may have guessed, means mosque.
2. Look out for the two red and white striped minarets. They have small chatris or umbrella-shaped cupolas on top. There are a large number of small chatris at the top of the entrance and at the corners of the mosque.
3. On the minarets, speakers are placed high up and they are used broadcast the azan, or the Muslim call to prayer.
When you're at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building...
1. It was named after the reigning Sultan of Selangor at that time, Sultan Abdul Samad.
2. It was built with the 'Mahometan' style of building, also known as 'Neo-Saracenic'.
3. It is constructed entirely of brick.
4. The clock tower is sometimes known as the Big Ben of Kuala Lumpur. On 1 January 1982, the clock tower became the venue for a historic event when the time between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore were standardized. On December 31, 1981, at 23:30 hours local time, citizens in Peninsular Malaysia adjusted their clocks and watches ahead by 30 minutes to match the time in East Malaysia, which was 00:00 hours of January 1, 1982. In a blink of an eye; the Malaysian Standard Time is now +8 GMT!
5. Beneath the tower is the word 'Merdeka'. Merdeka means Independence. Every year, during Hari Merdeka or Independence Day, thousands of spectators gather here to watch the colourful parade along the streets and performances held at the field opposite of the road.
When you're at the old National History Museum...
1. The arches are intended to make the façade more complementary to the nearby Mogul-styled buildings.
2. The two corner domes high above are made from a precious wood called 'belian' timber, and it is said to be the hardest wood found in East Malaysia. It is very valuable because it does not succumb to rot or insects. In fact, in East Malaysia, it is often used to build longhouses for its superior strength and longevity. The belian timber is now illegal to be exported.
3. During the great floods of 1926, the bank's vaults were flooded up to 1 metre above the floor. Business was handled upstairs in the living quarters and the bank staff came to work by sampan, or wooden boats! Eventually, millions of dollars of soggy bank notes were laid out on the field, or Padang to dry, under the watchful eye of the police!
When you're at Merdeka Square...
1. It is here that the immortalized proud declaration of 'Merdeka' by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia was heard when Malaysia achieved its independence from colonial rule on 31 August 1957. Here, the Union Jack was first lowered and replaced with the flag of Malaysia. Later the National Anthem called 'Negaraku' was played for the very first time, heard by the peoples of a newly independent nation.
2. On a windy day, you will be able to see the flag of Malaysia, or Jalur Gemilang fluffing in the breeze. Jalur Gemilang or Stripes of Glory is the name of the Malaysian flag.
When you're at the Royal Selangor Club...
1. A popular drink of British officers here was the 'stengah'. 'Stengah' means 'half' in Malay, referring to half a measure of soda water, and half of whisky, served over ice.
2. The club was nicknamed "The Spotted Dog" because two Dalmatians belonging to the wife of one of the club founders guarded the entrance whenever they visited. The club is also sometimes referred to as "The Dog".
3. The Long Bar, a portion of the club is off limits to women even until today. Apparently, according to its club president, men would 'drink and get very excited when they watch the games and they didn't want the ladies to see their exuberant behaviour, hence they decided to bar women visitors from the Long Bar."
4. The club is also the birthplace of the Hash House Harriers, a world famous running club where at the end of the run, participants are treated with icy cold beer and cigarettes.
When you're at St. Mary's Cathedral...
1. This Anglican Church was consecrated in February 1895 and was elevated to the status of a cathedral on 8 September 1983.
2. From the inside, you will see the nave, or the centre walkway that leads to the altar, has an open-timbered roof constructed of Malaysian merbau and seriah wood, two precious Malaysian woods.
When You're At Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
1. Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is often mistakenly thought to be named after Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. It's actually named after Malaysia's first King, Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Tunku is an honorific, while Tuanku refers to the monarchy.
2. Among the famous patrons of the Coliseum Cafe was Somerset Maugham.
While You're At Market Square...
1. The arty Central Market used to be a wet market.
2. Jalan Hang Kasturi was named after Hang Kasturi, one of the five famous warriors during the time of the Malaccan Sultanate, who was rumoured to have had an affair with one of the Sultan's concubines. The Sultan ordered Hang Tuah, another great warrior to kill his best friend, Hang Kasturi to prove his loyalty to him.
3. If you look carefully, the main corner of the OCBC building is not sharp and accentuated; instead it is slightly curved.
4. The Sin Seng Nam restaurant behind Central Market used to be called the Red House, due to the distinctive exposed red bricks.
5. The clock tower at Market Square was erected in 1937 in honour of King George VI of Britain.
6. Look closely at the Old Gian Singh building. Different sections of the building were built by different owners; hence as you run your eyes along the building, you can see how the architecture changes from left to right moving from Dutch to English to Islamic.
7. The Oriental Building looks like a radio from the 30s.
8. Lebuh Ampang used to be called Chettiar Street. Chettiars are a south Indian caste of moneylenders. Money lending business is so closely associated with the Chettiars that in Malaysia, if you ask someone for the money that they owe you, they might call you a Chettiar as a joke. Look for the elusive house number 85. It's a Chettiar house.
9. Many shops at Jalan Tun H.S Lee hang feng shui mirrors to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. It was believed that when evil spirits looked into the mirror, they will be frightened by their own image and will run away.
10. Look carefully at the angle of Sze Ya temple. Set at an awkward angle to Jalan Tun HS Lee and Lebuh Pudu, the temple is built according to feng shui principles.
11. In 1859, a war broke out between the Malays and the Chinese. In this conflict, Kapitan Shin Kap, the head of Sungei Ujong, south of Kuala Lumpur, was captured by the Malays and beheaded. His death became sensational because according to local legend, when Kapitan Shin Kap's head was chopped off, white blood flew out. The Malays believe that the spilling of white blood indicates that the person is a saint. They begged for forgiveness and allowed the Chinese to retrieve his body for burial. As a result of this miracle, the Chinese began worshipping him as the deity of Chinese miners in Malaya and Kapitan Yap Ah Loy built Sze Ya temple in his honour.
When you're at the National Monument (Tugu Negara)...
1. Standing 15 metres or almost 50 feet high, it is made of bronze and was designed by the famous Austrian sculptor Felix de Weldon. De Weldon also sculpted the famed Iwo Jima Memorial in Virginia, United States.
2. On August 27th 1975, a communist terrorist set an explosion at the monument and it suffered extensive damage. It was later restored and a fence was erected around the place. This area was declared a protected area between sunset and dawn. Everyday at dawn, a soldier raises the national flag and lowers in at dusk.
3. Each figure symbolizes the seven virtues of the fallen heroes: leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice.
4. The figure holding the flag is the only figure that does not hold a gun.
5. The two fallen soldiers represent two dead communists. You can differentiate them with the hats they wear.
While you're at the National Mosque (Masjid Negara)...
1. If you stand far enough, the roofs look like two umbrellas- one open and one folded.
2. Many tour guides say that the 18 points on the roof symbolize the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 pillars of Islam. This is not true, and one of the architects has already confirmed that. However, the story still goes around among locals and tourists alike.
3. The mosque was to symbolize the newly achieved independence and there was a proposal to name it the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj Mosque, to recognize the efforts of the first Prime Minister of Malaysia in achieving independence from the British. However, the humble Tunku declined the honour. The mosque was later named 'Masjid Negara' or National Mosque.
4. Where the tourist counter is, you will see several clocks over your head. These are 'salat times' or Islamic prayer times.
5. Since art that shows human figures is considered idolatrous, calligraphy and abstract depictions are the main artistic expression in Islam,
6.. The construction that juts out of the wall, which is shaped like an archway is the 'mihrab', and it indicates the 'qibla', which is the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
7. Islamic architecture is often called the 'architecture of the veil' because the beauty of these creations is often found in the inner spaces, and is not visible from the outside.
8. The Heroes' Mausoleum is the resting place of several major political figures in Malaysia.
When You're At The Petronas Twin Towers...
1. It has 88 storeys, reaching a height of 379 metres. The height of the towers is measured to the top of its structural components. The pinnacles at the top of each tower give them another 73 metres. The overall height of the towers is 452 metres, which is the official height of the Petronas Twin Towers.
2. Initially, the idea of making the towers the world's tallest building was not the plan, but right before construction, that became a goal and the architect added the two tall cones that you see on top of the towers.
3. Tower One was built by a Korean company, while Tower Two was built by a Japanese company. Korean and Japanese national flags were put on each building, and a friendly competition began as the flags rose higher and higher as the towers were being built. The friendly competition was finally won by the Koreans by a thin margin.
4. The base is actually in the shape of an eight-pointed star. This is the Islamic Rub El Hizb symbol.
5. The sky bridge is vital structural component. During high winds, the towers can sway up to 30 centimetres, and the bridge allows the towers to sway individually, yet remain connected and aligned. It is the highest sky bridge in the world.
6. The towers provided a backdrop for many Hollywood movies; most notably in the film 'Entrapment', starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sean Connery.
7. The French building climber Alain Robert, nicknamed the French Spiderman, attempted to climb the towers three times by bare hands. The first time was on March 20th 1997, but the police stopped him when he reached the 60th floor, just 28 floors away from the top. He tried again exactly ten years later on Tower Two but again was arrested by the police when he reached the 60th floor. The third attempt on September 1st 2009, was successful as he eluded the police and after 1 hour and 40 minutes, managed to climb all the way to the summit of Tower Two. He took out a flag- not a French flag, but a Malaysian flag- and waved it from the top.
When You're At Thean Hou Temple...
1. At the entrance is the Chinese deity of Marriage, or a Chinese Cupid if you like. This celestial matchmaker is called Yue Xia Lao Ren or 'the old man in the moon light'. Instead of using arrows like Cupid, he uses a piece of red string that is tied to the man and the woman's feet.
2. A very unique feature of Thean Hou is the open space concept. The courtyard is inside the building as opposed to the outside.
3. Dragons are prominent here. The highest order is the five-clawed dragon, followed by the four-clawed and three-clawed dragon. Since the five-clawed dragon is considered an imperial dragon in China, the further from China a dragon went, the fewer claws it had. That's why Korean dragons have four claws and Japanese ones have three.
4. This temple is built to honour Mazu. According to legend, she was a real life person. When she was born, she did not cry; hence her name, which means 'silent girl'. She had many association with the sea. One tale tells of her wearing a bright red dress, standing on the shore during harsh weather to guide fishing boats home.
5. 'Kau chim' or Chinese fortune sticks are a fun thing to do here.
Carola have been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his blogs more often for tips and advice that helps people with the interest for prescott inn medan tuanku and great passion and knowledge for hotel medan tuanku and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here vhhotels.com
Genting Malaysia is a self proclaimed entertainment city situated approximately 2000 meters above sea level on a hilltop. Genting is just 50 km from Kuala Lumpur and the tourists will simply be spell bound by the lush green tropical rainforest of the Genting Highland in Malaysia. The travelers can enjoy their visit to this beautiful highland, comfortable with the thought that here they will be greeted with consistent temperatures ranging between 16 and 23 degrees which makes for natural air conditioning. The crispy refreshing air complemented by majestic scenery and what you get is a marvelous spread out before your eyes.
The travelers and visitors will be so enamored by the rich harvest of nature along with international standard facilities during their stay in Genting Highlands Hotels that it will be difficult for them to imagine that they are just minutes from the sweltering heat. The hilltop city has the country's only casino allowing for the travelers and tourists to gamble legally in Malaysia. A theme park and an entertainment center add to the fun and excitement package the hilltop is renowned for. The kids can enjoy non stop fun at the theme park. The theme park located up in the highlands has the benefit of providing a cooler environment than the steamy lowlands.
A stay in Genting is made pleasurable by a stay in wonderful Genting Hotels in the lap of pristine nature amidst comfortable surroundings. The large and spacious areas in the hotel allows for guests to enjoy walking indoors! Amongst the most distinguished of Genting Hotels is the 'Genting Hotel' which can be easily identified from the round observation deck and the red Genting logo on the top. The unique aspect of the highland city worth a look is, when, on most evenings, a strong cloud descends and visibility is transferred to a winter scene quite magically! The cool and hilly environment is one of the most pleasant getaways from the heat and humidity of the city life. The highland offers a promising holiday for everybody and there is no reason why anyone should miss out on a visit to this fabulous resort city. The visitors will like the many attractions the city has to offer. Experience the joys of shopping in the city known for an environment that is contagious in terms of non-stop entertainment amidst fresh and rejuvenating environs. Genting Hotels are perfectly located on the top of the Highlands and offer well-appointed guestrooms.
These guest rooms are all beautifully decorated and equipped with modern comforts. Most of the hotels being located in close proximity to the theme park ensure the kids do not have to exert themselves to enjoy the sights and fun of this exciting park. The décor of the rooms in the hotels will impress the guests, even the most discerning of guests. The international traveler will find services at these hotels up to their standards. The services of the hotel staff in this city are impeccable and superbly personalized. The city's restaurants offer highly tempting cuisine. The cuisine ranges from Asian to Western with of course, local specialties such as Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine as well! Leisure activities in most hotels include swimming pool, gymnasium, spa and sauna to rejuvenate mind, body and spirit.
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Jaded of catching the sights of Kuala Lumpur from your tour bus? Your feet are too weary to take you on a walkabout tour? An excellent alternative mode to exploring Kuala Lumpur is by monorail from the Stesen Sentral to its terminal in Chow Kit. The trip offers an eclectic mix of sightseeing, shopping and dining, and fare is more economical than traveling by a taxi.
After the train whizzes away, sit back and relax until it stops at the Maharajalela Station. Alight and take a five-minute stroll to see the Chan See Shu Yuen Temple. Built in 1906, its roof is decorated with terracotta figurines from Chinese mythology. Proceed to Jalan Balai Polis to admire another historical place of worship: Police Sikh Temple. It was built in the 1950's for the use of the Sikhs in the Federated Malay States Police. Another spot worth visiting is the Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Jalan Tun H.S. Lee. If time permits, go to Petaling Street, which is the main artery of Chinatown. In the morning, this enclave is a colourful riot of florists, hawkers, pet-shop owners, funeral suppliers, Gurkha gemologists and apothecaries plying their trade.
Return to the Maharajalela Station and continue the journey to the Imbi Station. You are now in the shopping district of the city, where Berjaya Times Square looms skyward with its 300 over stores, restaurants, posh hotel, and convention centre. Let your children play in Cosmos World, the country's largest indoor amusement centre. Across the road stands Imbi Plaza, renown for computer software and hardware.
A five-minute ride from the Imbi Station will deposit you in the Bukit Bintang Station. You can't miss the green facade of Lot 10 on your right and Sungei Wang on your left. Always stocked with the up-to-the-minute fashionwear from London, Paris and Milan, Lot 10 dazzles with the glitz and glitter of Versace, Hugo Boss, Liz Claiborn and Gucci, while Sungei Wang caters to high-quality, mid-priced products. Also in the vicinity are other shopping malls such as Starhill, BB Plaza, Low Yat Plaza, and KL Plaza. Don't forget the famous Bintang Walk, where freshly baked croissants and all kinds of South American and Italian coffee are consumed with gusto by trendy people in chic sidewalk cafes.
Onward to the Bukit Nenas Station! Alight and stroll to the Bukit Nenas Forest Reserve, where jungle trails, fresh air and lush greenery soothe your senses. Trees that are labeled proved an educational discovery in tropical hardwood. If you still have stamina after the trekking, tramp to the Telekom Museum at Jalan Raja Chulan, which chronicles the history of telecommunications in the country. More than 500 exhibits are housed in the historical and contemporary galleries.
Backtrack back to the Bukit Nenas Station and continue to the Medan Tuanku Station. Alight and head in the direction of the Sheraton Imperial Hotel to go to Asian Heritage Row. This enclave is noted for its chic restaurants serving Thai, Turkish, Nyonya, Western and Indochinese fare. Enjoy a sumptuous meal here. If you so desire, you can pamper yourself with traditional massage and other treatments in the spa of the Sheraton Imperial Hotel. Still want to do some shopping? Then take a 15-minute stroll to Maju Junction further north which offers a wide range of affordable products.
The surroundings of the second last station, Chow Kit, promises a melange of exciting colours, sights and smells. Go to the Chow Kit Market to see fish wriggling on stone slabs, chickens being dressed, bottled aphrodisiacs, basketful of greens, colourful batik sarongs and local handicrafts. Not a place for the faint-hearted! Your ears are bombarded with Malay pop music, the holler of traders and the chatter of housewives as they bargain for the best prices. Ah... the aroma of delicious nasi lemak and nasi padang tempt your palate, and the colours of Malay kuih (cakes) catches your eye. Go ahead...try these delicious Malay delicacies before we proceed back to the Stesen Sentral.
A trip such as this can take up a full day, depending on the amount of time you spend at each spot. Enjoy your trip on the KL Monorail!
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