Malaysia Travel

I just come back from Loy Kratong Celebration in Chetawan Temple, PJ. Today is the loy kratong day - 24 November 2007.

There are lots of people that went there. Each of them will bring the kratong to ‘release’ it in the nearby lake, the Taman Tasik Jaya.

The ceremony start with the chanting by the monk and followed by the loy kratong ceremony. I manage to take some photo but not much of it as my camera is out of battery

I heard that tomorrow, there are one more ceremony which will be organize by PESILA at a lake in Kepong area (a lake nearby MRR2).

There are many belief about the loy kratong ceremony. Some people believed that it is a way to avoid bad luck, some belief that this ceremony is to make a respect for the river while some other belief that it is to show a respect for Buddha.

Here is some photo that I take during the visit:

During my visit to FRIM, I manage to take the canopy walk. It is a nice experiance as you will able to walk through the canopy walk which is very high. It is 200 meter long from the fist point to the end… the view is very nice.

The canopy walk will only operate from 9.30am to 2.30pm. It is not everyday that they open (I forget which day is their rest day, sorry..) but they will operate during weekend, except if the weather is not good or they do some maintainence work.

Based on one of the instructor at the entry point, they just do some maintenance in the fasting month this year, where they change some cable and also repair the third ‘rest station’.

I would like to share the photo to all of you here. Enjoy!

I visit the place about noon and there are not many people if compared to morning. But, I will have to wait for about 30-40 minute. It is school holiday, so many school will bring their student here.

At the entrance of the canopy walk, there are some map and information about the trails. The payment to enter this canopy can be made here as there are some instructor at the entrance to tech you how to walk. She will cover about the space that each person have to take, how many person that each ‘rest station’. By the way, the ‘rest station’ is actually a platform that they do on top of a big trees. It is only a small platform and you will still feel it moving when the wind coming to you.

There are many corner of the canopy walk. The photo below is the first corner. If you are a first timer, you may feel a bit nervous as it will be ‘moving’ when you reach this point. However, the tip is down look down (it is high.. if you afraid of high, you might not able to move on if you look down)

On the ‘resting point’ platform, there will be an information board about what kind of animals some might able to see from the platform. But during my visit, I didn’t see anything special though

The photo below show some people are resting on the platform. There are limitation of the number of people that can use the platform at one time. The first platform can hold 4 person, the second which is the largest platform can hold 8 people and the last platform can hold 4 person.

The photo below show the view of the third platform, this is actually the lowest platform, compared to the first two.

Two station from KL Railway Station is the Rawang Station where you can take a taxi to FRIM. Spreading about 1,258 hectares, you can take a walk on this beautiful landscapes decorated with waterfall, river, jungle trails and the overlooking Canopy Walk 30m above stretches 200m across the forest.

What you can do here?

There are many activities that you can do here in FRIM. One of the activities is to relax. The environment here very nice, the air is very fresh and the scene is very green. It is not very hot and in a windy days, you will feel very fresh. It is a good place to release, you can forget about the busy life of the city and just relax here.

I also found that this place is a good place, actually a beautiful place to take wedding photography. During my visit, actually saw some wedding photography session is taking place… some photographer also will bring their model here to take the photo.

Jungle tracking is also one of the activities that you can do here. I think if someone is from Kuala Lumpur city and would like to experiance a good jungle tracking, FRIM is one of the best place to do so. The jungle track here will be sufficient for most of the jungle trackker and there are lots of beautiful flora and fauna can be seen here. If you are lucky you might able to see some of the animals like monkeys, deers, lizards and many more.

Just beside the Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC Shopping Complex, the 20 hectare park was designd by the late Roberto Burl Marx. Other than the flora n fauna found here, a prominent feature of the park is Lake Symphony two musical fountains located at esplanade outside the shopping centre.

All the photo is taken in the early morning… (not so early though)… In the afternoon or late evening, there are too many people visit this place. Somehow I think KLCC park is a lung of KL especially in the middle of the city… there are many building that benefited from from this park namely Exxonmobil building, Hotel Mandarin Building, and some apartment that located just next to the park.

The photo above show some of the activity that can be done in the park. By the way, the pool is for kids only… adult can only go there and look after the kids..

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur stands the 88 storey Petronas Twin Towers at an astonishing height of 451.9 metres and is currently one of the world tallest buildings.

The building, which was inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam, is where the Petronas Philharmonic Hall located housing both the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Petronas Performing Arts Group.Not forgetting Suria KLCC, the shopping complex at the base of the towers is another shopping paradise for the shopaholics. You can also pop by Petronas Sciene Centre at level 4 to learn about Malaysia’s oil and gas industry.Opening hours : Tuesday to Thursday from 9.30 am to 6 pm, Fri from 1.30 pm to 6pm and Sun & public Holidays from 9.30am to 7 pm.Closed on Monday & Hari Raya Puasa. Tel no : 03-233 1818. Website : www.petrosains.com.my

The photo was taken in the early morning … in the afternoon or late morning, there are lots of people visit this place especially during weekend. It is difficult to take good photo when the crowd is large.

Recently I went to Ulu Yam, in Selangor. It is a very beautiful place especially if you like nature. Ulu Yam is located very near from the town, about 30-45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur only. It is located near to Batu Caves.

I heard a lots about Ulu Yam previously but I haven’t had any chances to visit this place. This is the first time I visit this place and it is worth visit (btw, I am a person that like nature, trees, waterfall, and greenaries)

There are a Dam in Ulu Yam. The dam is Batu Dam, a very beautiful place where you can sit down and watch amazing scenery. Here, you will feel the like you are at a beautiful ocean, where there are lots of water, surround by hilly and green scenary.

Other than the Batu Dam, Ulu Yam also a home of lots of crystal clear water fall which you can take a bath. It is a very good place to relax, picnic, conduct team meeting/team building, camping or even study natures.

How to go there

Well, I think there are not many option if you want to visit this place. It is either you drive your own car or hire a taxi or take a tour package. Ulu yam is a place that only jungle and not many people that stay near this place. The road that passed this area will go further until the hilly area up to Genting Highland.

What can you/do when you visit this place

well, other than bathing, relaxing or other activities that I share ealier. There are some other interesting activities that you can see at this area. One of the activities that, at some place, you can see lots of people sit on the roadside… no their are not begger, they actually go there to take the minerals water that flow from the mountain in the area… sometimes there are lots of people and they need to queue up and take turn to fill the water into their water container that they bring.

Waterfall in Ulu Yam

Path to go to the river

You will use this to cross the river

View of a river in Ulu Yam

Do you know that bamboo also have flower? You can see it here in Ulu Yam… above is the bamboo flower.

Other than that, during my visit, I also saw some people practise their motocross at this place. Seem like they conduct the training every days… the interesting part of it is that at that time I saw some kids riding the bikes. the kids that I saw most probably only 3-4 years old… it is cute to see those kids do the practise session.

The Kids look cute… I guess he is only about 3-4 years old.

Pantai Sri Tujuh is one of the famous beach in Kelantan. There are many changes in the shape and condition of this beach since ten of years back. I used to visit this beach many times in the past, and recently I have a chance to visit this place again.

During my recent visit, there are many people near the chalet and around chalet area. however, there are not many people in the beach area… maybe it is noon and it is very hot, sunny day.

If you visit kelantan, and if you love beach, other than Pantai Cahaya Bulan near Kota Bharu, this place is also a good choices. It is because it only located about 7 km from Kota Bharu Town. There are few resort at this beach (located not so near to the beach) because normally during the monsoon, the wind is very strong and sometimes the beach is flooded.

From Kota Bharu town, you can take bus to this beach. The bus is Bus No 27A and also No 43. Inform the driver that you want to go to Pantai Sri Tujuh. He will able to assist you and let you know where.

In this beach, i heard that they always organise Flying Kites Competition. However, i haven’t had any chances to visit it.

During the visit, I manage to take some photo to share with all of you.

Last Sunday I manage to visit the famous Batu Caves. There are not many tourist at the time that I visit it, however there are still few hundreds of people at that place. i think most of them went there to pray. I saw many people standing in one of the temple which seem like a wedding ceremony is held at that time (during the visit). I didn’t go near them but just observed is from far.

Batu caves is one of the must visit if you come to Malaysia- Selangor especially. There are many Hindus temple, however the main one is inside the caves - The Batu Caves! The cave entrance is located a bit fruther up. You need to climb up a steep flight of 272 steps to reach the entrance.

During the hindus festival which will be conduct every year around January (the date will varry from year to year) which they called Thaipussam, there are thousand of Hindus devotees come to this place. Some of them carry kavadi, a metal frame attaching to the body, dancing in worshipping to their gods.

How to go there

The easiest way is by Taxi. Just take any taxi from your hotel or anywhere in Kuala Lumpur and inform the driver that you want to visit Batu caves. Every taxi driver will know this place as this place is very famous and it exist very long time ago.

I saw some buses passed by this place. However, I am not sure it is from where or how much is the fare.

What you can do here

Batu Caves contain lots of Hindus temple. therefore, you will able to see lots of temple buildings and figures at this place. All of them is unique to Hindus religion. I found that it is very attractive and beautiful.

The cave here is also very nice. There are lots of beautiful scenery that you can see in this cave. Btw, if you visit Batu cave and you don’t mind a bit tracking, you can try to visit Gua Gelap (Dark Caves). the price for a tour guides is RM35, which will take about 20 minute to finish exploring the caves. It is said that the rock formation is this cave aged up to thousand of years! The entrance to Gua Gelap (Dark Caves). The entrance of this cave is in the middle of the 272 steps that you need to take to visit Batu Caves.

During my visit, there are a fortune teller which use ring neck parakeet to pick to ‘topic’ for you. I try it and it cost RM3.00 per times the parrots pick the card for you.

There are many indian restaurant in this place. I didn’t try any of the food but one thing that attract me is the restaurant that sell fresh coconut. It cost RM2.00 per coconut. The worker that cut the coconut for you (to drink) have a very good skilled. It is fascinating to see him cut the coconut.

Last week I have a chance to visit Genting Highland (again) and this time I take some photo to share and upload to this blog.

Well, This time I went there by car, so it is very fast and convenience. However, I find that due to the public holiday at that time, the traffic at the Genting, especially at their parking bay is not very good.

Genting Highland is actually the most developed hill resort in Malaysia which is founded in 1965. It is located about 2000 feet from the sea level. It attract lots and lots of tourist every year .

What is interesting in Genting?

There are many thing that you can do when you visit Genting Highland. Many people associate Genting with their casino, but the fact is there are many interesting things that you can do in Genting Highland even if you didn’t visit their Casino.

Genting Outdoor Theme Park

Genting Highland Theme Park is the Malaysia Premiere theme Park and there are lots of fun activities that the visitor can do here. It contain lots of facilities, here is the list of some of them:

Family Rides Categories

- Monorial

-Double Deck Carousel

-Tea Cup

-Astro Fighter

-Flying Jumbo

-Pirate Train

-Boating

-Antique Car

-Mini Train

-Crazy Space Lab

-Dinasaur land

-Matahari

Thrill Rides Category:

-Pirate Ship

-Spinner

-Super Toboggan

-Cyclone

-Rolling Thundermine Train

-Sungai Rejang Flume Ride

-Corkscrew

-Grand Prix Fun Kart

-Space Shot

-Bumper Boat

-Flying Dragon

Signature Attraction Category:

- Flying Coaster

-Rainforest Splash Pool

I think the main different between the Genting Higland Theme park and other Theme Park is that the location. Genting is actually located on top of a hill, so the weather overthere is very calm, fresh and cool. During my visit the weather overthere is only 15 C. It is pretty cool even during the midday / noon.

First World Plaza Indoor Theme Park

The first world plaza also one more interesting place in Genting Highland. There are lots of shops and facilities overhere. Some of the facilities inside First World Plaza will include restaurant (lots of it), cinema, family rides facility (ferries wheel reindeer cruiser, monorail, venice gondola). Some of the most interesting or is classified as signature attraction in the First World Plaza (actually the full name is First world Plaza Indoor Theme park) is Genting X-pedition Wall, Genting Sky Venture, ShowWorld and also Rainforest Splash Pool.

Casino

Of course casino is one more interesting place that you can visit when you visit Genting higland. Some people just visit this place when they go to Genting. Well, since I am ther, I do visit the Casino as well. There are two casino in Genting, one is in First World Plaza and another one is located near the Theme Park ( with the name of Casino De Genting). There are many games in the casino but as usual no camera is allowed, so no photo to share here…
Scenic Ride
If you happen to visit Genting Highland, i also would like to recommend you to try this. There are two facilities for this. One is the Genting Skyway. It is actually the ‘cable car’ which will bring you from the beginning of the hill to the top (to Genting Highland). It is said that more than 50 million people have take this. One of the best thing for this is that you can see the 100s years old jungle from above. Sometimes there are many birds species that you can see and sometimes there are many species of monkeys that can be seen. This skyway is the South East Asia’s Longest Canopy experiance… the length is 3.4 kilometer!

Awana Skyway is one more scenic ride in Genting Highland. It is actually the first cable car which operate here. The date is back to year 1974 and seem like it is still going strong until today.

How to go there

Public Transport:

By Bus and skyway: There are express buses from Puduraya bus station (Kuala Lumpur) and also Express Buses from Putra LRT terminal - Terminal Putra Gombak.

Their operation hour is:

Buses: 8.00am - 7.00pm

Skyway: 9.15am - 8.15pm

By Taxi: if you want to go by Taxi, it can be from anywhere… just tell them that you want to visit Genting Highland and they will able to help you out.

Kuala Lumpur Hibiscus Garden located in Kuala Lumpur Lake Garden Area. Kuala Lumpur Hibiscus Garden is a very attractive and beautiful place. Sometimes when I went there, I can see some couple taking their wedding photo overthere… It is definitely a very good place for wedding photo.

History

Kuala Lumpur Hibiscus Garden or in their Malays name Taman Bunga Raya is officiated  by Datin Sri Dr. Siti Hasmah binti Hj. mohd Ali on  Monday 16th October 1989. It is about 3 years after the Kuala Lumpur Orchid Garden is officially launched.

Operating Hour

Kuala Lumpur Hibiscus Garden is open everydays from 9.00am to 6.00 pm. On weekdays, it is free admission but visitor need to pay RM1.00 per entry on weekend and public holidays.  I am not sure if many know that actually KL Hibiscus Garden and KL orchid Garden is actually next to each other and if you pay for one you can visit both of them.

How to go to the Kuala Lumpur Hibiscus Garden

You can visit hibiscus garden when you go to Lake Garden. You can take a taxi from your hotel in kuala Lumpur or taking bus (in 2007  the KL hop on hop off is operated and you can take this bus)

Main Attraction

One of the main attraction in hibiscus garden is the place to do wedding photo shooting. Here is some of the photo that I take that I saw it happen (my photo is not as good that the proffessional though)

One more attraction at KL hibiscus garden is a studio/ shop in the garden. Well, the photo is very nice. I have visit it (but sorry no photo is allowed). The painting is by hand and the artist is there to help if you need any assistant about the paint. Most of the painting is about nature,  jungle and trees.

Hibiscus garden will not complete with hibiscus flower.. some said that in this garden there are about 2000 hibiscus over here… here is some of the photo of the flower that I take during my visit

Light yellow hibiscus flower

  Yellow hibiscus

  Red colour hibiscus

  Red colour hibiscus

  Very exotic looking hibiscus

The photo above is only a small fraction of the flower that is avaiable in the garden. If you want to visit the garden, i will recommend you to visit it from the morning because it is not so hot (Malaysia is very hot); the air is fresh in the morning and the flower is starting to bloom. You also will have enough time to visit both the hibiscus garden and orchid garden.