Friday, November 26, 2010

Secrets of Kuala Lumpur - What You Don't Know If No One Told You



When you're at Batu Caves...

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


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Non-Stop Entertainment and Fun at Genting Malaysia




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.

Cionne 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

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Monorail - A Good Way to Explore Kuala Lumpur

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!

Donie 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

Sunday, November 14, 2010

What Places to Visit During Your Holidays in Malaysia

Many tourists visit Malaysia each year on their holidays. They are attracted by the beautiful diverse landscape and the cultural diversity that this popular country has to offer. Some holiday makers stay in self catering holiday accommodation in Malaysia and they use these holiday homes as a base to explore Malaysia.

There are some stunning holiday villas with swimming pools in the coastal regions of Malaysia. It is also possible to rent self catering holiday apartments in some of the bigger cities.

The name Malaysia itself suggests that the country is a minuscule of the large Asia. Truly Asia is not wrong in any aspect when we refer to Malaysia. The diversity of culture and the various tourist destinations make Malaysia a unique travel experience. This is a country full of tropical islands, hill stations in Gentry and Cameron Highlands, tropical rain forests, pristine pure beaches and not to forget the city of Kuala Lumpur.

Kelantan has a very long history, records of Kelantan dates back to 8000 to 3000 B.C. This state was ruled by many different countries and till 1941 was under the Japanese rule. In 1963 Kelantan became a part of Malaysia. Kelantan is well linked by road and rail. There are flights, which link Kelantan to Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Tourist attractions in Kelantan are Kota Bahru, which is its capital city. It is a bustling town famous for its culture and crafts. Jahan Mahmud has a cultural centre, which is the living heritage of Kelantan. The Royal Museum is called Istana Batu and was built during the reign of Sultan Ismail. It has a wide range of silverware, furniture and bedroom items on the display. The war museum in Kelantan dates back to 1912 and has many Japanese memorabilia and documents on display. The best time to visit Kelantan is February to May. The July Festival also attracts many tourists.

Malacca the seaside city is 147 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur. The culture here is a mix of Portuguese and Chinese. History says that Malacca was a strategic midway point that provided the link between China and India. It has therefore developed into an international commerce hub. The best time to visit Malaysia is from January to February. Malacca is well connected by road and rail. The airport is situated 9.5 kilometres north at Batu Berendam.

Penang is a small beautiful island state of Malaysia. It is a very popular holiday destination with tourists attracted to its golden beaches, delicious cuisine and warm seas. There are many places to visit in Penang namely Georgetown City, Clock Tower, First Cornwallis, Kromtan Tower, Wat Chayamangakaram Temple, Kek Lok Si, Snake Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Penang Hill, Khoo Kongri, and Penang Bridge. There are some luxurious holiday villas in Penang right next to the sea.

Sarawak the largest state in Malaysia is the land of the fabled white elephants. It is also the home of hornbills and orangutan and hornbill. Sarawak has a diverse ecosystem found nowhere else in the world and it attracts many tourists to see this ecosystem. There are many national parks which are very popular with tourists. Many tourists visit Musuem, Sunday Open Market, Kuching, Skrang River Safaru, Pepper Plantations, Cultural Village, Santuborg Fishing Village and the famous caves.

Malaysia is a beautiful country to visit on your holidays and you are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome from its people. It has some fabulous holiday home accommodation available to rent from their owners. It is said that some of the best holiday villas in the world are in Malasia.

Charley 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 in malaysia and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here besthotelmalaysia.org

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Why You Should Use Online Hotel Reservations

Before you head out on your next vacation avoid going the traditional route of booking a hotel over the phone. Many times you end up paying full price for a room that you can get for considerably cheaper online. Even beyond that you can be certain that you get the room you want by booking your reservation online as well. None of us likes to get to a hotel tired from our trip only to find out we've been accidentally booked into a smaller room.

Another great feature about using online hotel reservations is you can select from any hotel in the area that you want to stay at, even if your budget wouldn't normally allow you to afford it. With the online system you can browse the different hotels available in the area, and see if they have only a discounted price or if they will allow you to create your own price. This may sound strange, but especially during off peak times many hotels want people to spend something to stay in their rooms to help increase their annual revenue.

When you use an online hotel reservation system you also have the chance to explore the past experience of previous guests who have also booked rooms with the online system. While some may have enjoyed their stay there may be certain areas of concern they have. It could be from unfriendly customer service, to the hotel being in a bad neighborhood. Having access to all this information can help you to make a more educated decision on where you want to stay, as opposed to simply calling around to hotels and seeing who has a room open.

What could possibly be the best benefit of all is the fact that your hotel room is paid for in advance before you get there. The hotel can't change the dollar amount they agreed on at the last minute and demand you pay them more money. With the transaction finalized, you have the comfort of knowing the room is paid for, and that you were able to save considerable amounts of money.

All transactions that are done during the booking process are done on a secure server as well. When you give your credit card over the phone, you don't know the person you are giving your information to and you certainly don't know if anyone else is on the line listening. With the online transaction it is encrypted to a point where no one can access your information, thus protecting your account from any fraudulent charges.

Booking your hotel with an online hotel reservation system is a great and effective way of planning your vacation. Take the time to find the best prices that are available, and book in confidence that your lodging is covered for your trip.

Kisyl 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 in malaysia and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here besthotelmalaysia.org