When mascots come out to play

When mascots come out to play
Wednesday December 31, 2008
By Jade Chang

CAMERAS clicked and flashbulbs popped as the “stars”, accompanied by a school band, posed and walked down the red carpet for the Genting Giant Mascot Party 2008 at the Genting Outdoor Theme Park.

The fun-filled event, themed The Wonderful World of Balloons, was hosted by Genting Theme Park’s own adorable mascots Tabby and Friends.

Larger than life: (From right) Captain Charlie, Abbie and Toby from Star Cruises, and Kimo were among the mascots featured at the event.

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Malaysian food -- Pineapple Tarts

Malaysian favourite
Sunday December 14, 2008
By Faridah Begum

Sinful they may be but pineapple tarts are irresistible to us.

THERE is nothing more decadent than popping pineapple tarts into your mouth, one at a time. Imagine biting into buttery and crumbly pastry only to hit a soft centre of fibrous sweetness.

Pineapple tarts are certainly an all-time Malaysian favourite.

All year round, name any festival, and pineapple tarts is sure to be on hand or at least part of the baking plan.

How the cookie crumbles: Good pineapple tarts taste divine.

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It is difficult to imagine a festive table devoid of these luscious and absolutely sinful morsels of delight. No good host or hostess would be caught dead without them, either homemade or store-bought.

The origins of pineapple tarts is said to be truly Malaysian while the art of making the dough look like pineapples is something the Baba Nyonya have perfected.

Very popular in Malacca as a tourist must-have, it is next to impossible to miss the trays or containers of pineapple tarts on Jonker Street.

About tea, Boh tea and tea tasting job

Care for a Cameron cuppa?
Saturday December 13, 2008
By Louisa Lim

Mention ‘tea’ and images of prettily dressed ladies sitting around a plate of dainty sandwiches spring to mind. But one company shows how tea is as manly as it gets.

It’s only 2pm but the sun is struggling to shine in Cameron Highlands. Shrouded in swirling fog, everything looks the same as it did several years ago, and yet it is different enough to make Jim Thompson turn in his unmarked grave.

For one, the highlands have been taken over by flies, which are having a good time hovering tirelessly over humans and food. Heaps of rubbish lay carelessly around, from the hills to the rivers to the roads.

The old, mould-encrusted buildings, meanwhile, look even older, but lack the rustic charm of age.

Nevertheless, there is still something special in that faux-English atmosphere which makes Cameron Highlands a favourite hideaway among city dwellers. They are, after all, willing to risk the stomach-churning ascent time and again in a bid to do nothing more than laze around over a cup of tea and scones.

Be alert on hillslopes

Be alert on hillslopes
Wednesday December 10, 2008
By Simon Khoo

KUANTAN: Residents living near hillslopes should alert local authorities if they spot any earth movements, says state Health, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun.

He said, due to a shortage in manpower, the local councils could not carry out regular inspections at all hilly areas.

“Due to the current rainy season, I urge all residents in hilly areas to be more vigilant as they are exposed to the danger of landslides.

“If there are any reports of earth movements, we will send in an inspection team and take the necessary action promptly,” he said in an interview.

Landslides in Malaysia this year

Landslides in Malaysia this year
Saturday, 6/Dec/2008

Dec 4 - 300 people were forced to evacuate two buildings when a landslide caused part of the retaining wall of a car park to collapse in Jalan Semantan, Kuala Lumpur.

Nov 30 - Two sisters were buried alive when a landslide hit their bungalow in Ulu Yam Perdana near Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor.

Oct 22 - Tonnes of earth came crashing down a hill onto the grounds of the Taman Terubong Jaya apartments in Butterworth where over 1,000 residents were staying.

Oct 19 - Four families evacuated from houses along the banks of Sungai Kayu Ara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, after landslide there.

Oct 17 - Two Indonesians were killed after they were buried alive by tonnes of sand in a landslide in Ganesan Quarry, Hulu Langat near Kajang, Selangor.

Oct 15 - A landslide after a downpour at Pinggir Bukit Segar, Cheras, Selangor caused a family to move out as they feared for their safety.

Sept 6 - Roads from the George Town to Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau in Penang were cut off due to landslides and fallen trees.

Jan 17 - Two foreign workers were killed after they were buried in a landslide while working at a plantation in Cameron Highlands. -- The Star.

Hurdlers heading to the hills

Hurdlers heading to the hills
By Ng Wei Loon
Thursday December 4, 2008

AFTER a week-long break, the junior hurdlers under former Olympian Ishtiaq Mobarak are beginning to increase their workload in training over the year-end school holidays as they build up to face new challenges next season.

They will be heading to Cameron Highlands for a 10-day training stint on Dec 11 to go through the paces under more conducive weather.

Ishtiaq said they were aiming to complete 30 units of training over the period.

“They missed out on the outing last year but they are prepared and look forward to undergoing tougher sessions. We will be pushing them hard and they will have adequate time to recover during the Christmas and New Year break.

Taman Negara Eco-Challenge via Cameron Highlands

New route spurs sportsmen
By Nik Naizi Husin
Tuesday December 2, 2008

THE Banjaran Titiwangsa hilly crag from Cameron Highlands that narrows down to Kuala Medang was explored recently in the Taman Negara Eco-Challenge.

Spurred by the theme Trans-Titiwangsa, 56 participants from 14 teams and 20 others, including four women representing local and foreign media, found that their skills were put to the test in what was deemed the toughest race of the eco-challenge since its inception.

The event, organised by the Pahang Tourism Action Council (MTPN) and Temerloh Outdoor Sport Management and Service, was supported by Pahang Tourism Malaysia, state tourism agency Bukit Fraser Development Corpo­ration, Kuantan Municipal Council, Lipis District Council and Cameron Highlands District Council.

Uphill task: Singaporeans pariticipants running through the Boh Tea Plantation in Habu, Cameron Highlands, in the Taman Negara Eco-Challenge 2008 recently.

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The challenge, an effort to promote Taman Negara’s popular flora and fauna in Pahang’s forestry areas, was in its third year.

Wild orchid found in Cameron Highlands

Wild orchid found in Cameron Highlands
By Christina Koh
Monday December 1, 2008

IPOH: The rare flowering of a mountain “leafless orchid” has sparked excitement among a group of friends who spotted it in the Cameron Highlands jungle of Gu­­nung Jasar, Tanah Rata.

Local environmentalist and or­­chid enthusiast Embi Abdullah, 60, said it had been five years since he had seen the Aphyllorchis montana or­­chid blooming in the area.

Commonly known as the “leafless orchid”, the plant only reveals itself when it flowers, producing a 1.2m tall stem of butter-yellow or­­chids with brown specks, he said.

“It is very difficult to find them because this mountain species usually flowers once every two or three years,” said Embi.