A walk in the clouds
By Lee Tai Wah
Wednesday April 29, 2009
THE year was 1983. I was among a group of students up in Cameron Highlands to study the habitat of the Bluebottle fly at the farming village of Kampung Raja. We stayed the night in a small town called Brinchang. It was a cold night and I woke up early the next morning to answer nature’s call. As I gazed out of the window, I saw a thick white cloud enveloping the whole valley.
I quickly put on my shoes and jacket, and stepped out. The street was deserted and all was quiet as the whole town continued to slumber. Even the cicadas and birds were quiet, as if frozen by the cold.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Orang Asli in Malaysia
In danger of dying out
Stories by Martin Vengadesan
Sunday April 26, 2009
With various orang asli tribes dwindling in numbers, the need to document their cultures becomes even more pressing.
UNTIL very recently, I was unaware of the rich diversity among the cultures of the orang asli tribes that inhabit Peninsula Malaysia. All that changed when I followed a team from Muzium Negara charged with documenting the traditions of the Semai, an orang asli tribe found largely in north-western Pahang.
I stayed for a couple of days at Kampung Kabang. a Semai village on the outskirts of the Kuala Lipis district. During that time I was able to observe some of the unique traditions of the Semai, including communal dancing and the playing of instruments such as the nose flute. However, due to the demise of a neighbouring village elder, many of the festivities planned specially for our visit were scrapped. Nonetheless, I was determined to find out more about the orang asli. After speaking to a number of experts, I realise their situation is critical.
Stories by Martin Vengadesan
Sunday April 26, 2009
With various orang asli tribes dwindling in numbers, the need to document their cultures becomes even more pressing.
UNTIL very recently, I was unaware of the rich diversity among the cultures of the orang asli tribes that inhabit Peninsula Malaysia. All that changed when I followed a team from Muzium Negara charged with documenting the traditions of the Semai, an orang asli tribe found largely in north-western Pahang.
I stayed for a couple of days at Kampung Kabang. a Semai village on the outskirts of the Kuala Lipis district. During that time I was able to observe some of the unique traditions of the Semai, including communal dancing and the playing of instruments such as the nose flute. However, due to the demise of a neighbouring village elder, many of the festivities planned specially for our visit were scrapped. Nonetheless, I was determined to find out more about the orang asli. After speaking to a number of experts, I realise their situation is critical.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Govt to develop tourism Malaysia aggressively
Minister: Govt to develop tourism aggressively
By Krystle Low
Wednesday April 22, 2009
KUANTAN: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has said that the Federal Government will initiate aggressive measures to attract tourists, particularly to Pahang.
She said the industry’s players could carry out three types of promotional activities namely overall, product and rural.
“Each of the categories can be promoted individually, depending on creativity and foresight. For example, rural promotion can be done in Kuantan as there are a lot of iconic places in rural areas unknown to outsiders.
By Krystle Low
Wednesday April 22, 2009
KUANTAN: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has said that the Federal Government will initiate aggressive measures to attract tourists, particularly to Pahang.
She said the industry’s players could carry out three types of promotional activities namely overall, product and rural.
“Each of the categories can be promoted individually, depending on creativity and foresight. For example, rural promotion can be done in Kuantan as there are a lot of iconic places in rural areas unknown to outsiders.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sabah Tea Garden
Care for a spot of tea?
By Lydia Lau
Saturday April 18, 2009
Offering close-to-nature activities, lush greens, coupled with amazing views of Mt Kinabalu, Sabah Tea Garden is a great place to get close to nature and have a relaxing holiday — all in one place.
Nestled in the lush tropical wilderness of Mt Kinabalu on 2,509ha and at 692m above sea level, Sabah Tea Garden’s cool and refreshing atmosphere renders it perfect for anyone who wants to get away for the weekend or a holiday.
Here are some six must-dos while there:
By Lydia Lau
Saturday April 18, 2009
Misty Fields
Offering close-to-nature activities, lush greens, coupled with amazing views of Mt Kinabalu, Sabah Tea Garden is a great place to get close to nature and have a relaxing holiday — all in one place.
Nestled in the lush tropical wilderness of Mt Kinabalu on 2,509ha and at 692m above sea level, Sabah Tea Garden’s cool and refreshing atmosphere renders it perfect for anyone who wants to get away for the weekend or a holiday.
Here are some six must-dos while there:
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Make a pit stop at Bidor
Make a pit stop at Bidor
Story and Photos by Grace Chen
Sunday April 12, 2009
Bidor town is a favourite stopover for travellers seeking fruits and local snacks.
LAI Yoke Kuan, the owner of Ah Yew Fruit Shop, stopped us dead in our tracks when she jumped out and playfully hollered, “Halt! Who goes there? Friend or foe?”
Once she got our attention, the 46-year-old mother of five broke into a charming smile and handed out slices of red, juicy bell fruit for sampling. Lai’s shock tactic worked because when we left, she had managed to sell us two packets of bell fruit, a few kilos of seedless guavas, a bag of tamarind pods and a few stalks of lotus fruit.
Story and Photos by Grace Chen
Sunday April 12, 2009
Bidor town is a favourite stopover for travellers seeking fruits and local snacks.
LAI Yoke Kuan, the owner of Ah Yew Fruit Shop, stopped us dead in our tracks when she jumped out and playfully hollered, “Halt! Who goes there? Friend or foe?”
Once she got our attention, the 46-year-old mother of five broke into a charming smile and handed out slices of red, juicy bell fruit for sampling. Lai’s shock tactic worked because when we left, she had managed to sell us two packets of bell fruit, a few kilos of seedless guavas, a bag of tamarind pods and a few stalks of lotus fruit.
Khong Siew Kit of Pun Chun showing the restaurant’s famous chicken biscuits and shat ke ma.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Homestay a good way to see country
Homestay a good way to see country
Thursday March 26, 2009
I AM all for the support of any initiative to bolster the rural economy, especially during this period of economic uncertainties. Thus the report, “Tourism Ministry pushes homestay concept” (The Star, March 17) is a welcome move.
Homestay for tourists as a tourism product and a Malaysian attraction should be given due emphasis as it does not incur a big sum of money. It does not need to construct any infrastructure, except for promotions to “sell” our fast disappearing Malaysian way of life.
Thursday March 26, 2009
I AM all for the support of any initiative to bolster the rural economy, especially during this period of economic uncertainties. Thus the report, “Tourism Ministry pushes homestay concept” (The Star, March 17) is a welcome move.
Homestay for tourists as a tourism product and a Malaysian attraction should be given due emphasis as it does not incur a big sum of money. It does not need to construct any infrastructure, except for promotions to “sell” our fast disappearing Malaysian way of life.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Mayflower Restaurant Steamboat
Mayflower Restaurant Steamboat:
Steaming out in the highlands
Story and photos by Grace Chen
Sunday March 22, 2009
To keep warm in Cameron Highlands, a steamboat dinner may just be the answer
The one point that Swee Pooi Choy wanted to push across was “honesty”.
To prove it, the 64-year-old owner of a steamboat restaurant who had just transferred his 21-year-old business to his two sons, would point to the signboard at his restaurant front.
Steaming out in the highlands
Story and photos by Grace Chen
Sunday March 22, 2009
To keep warm in Cameron Highlands, a steamboat dinner may just be the answer
The one point that Swee Pooi Choy wanted to push across was “honesty”.
United: (Left) A family that cooks together, stays together, insisted Swee Pooi Choy (far left) of Mayflower Restaurant. He is joined by his elder son, Kuan Wei, wife, Yoon Ah Ying, 62, (standing) and Kuan Hoe (with glasses).
To prove it, the 64-year-old owner of a steamboat restaurant who had just transferred his 21-year-old business to his two sons, would point to the signboard at his restaurant front.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Nepenthes Pitcher Plant - epitome of exotica
Epitome of exotica
Stories by Tan Cheng Li
Tuesday March 17, 2009
Exotic and enigmatic, the pitcher plant is a deadly beauty that has been mesmerising enthusiasts for centuries.
IMAGINE a plant whose leaves can grow into elongated cups complete with lids; cups that ooze sweet nectar to draw in insects which are then feasted upon by the plant. That is the carnivorous pitcher plant, or Nepenthes, for you.
This enigmatic plant, with its bizarre characteristics and wide-ranging colours and shapes, has besotted people ever since a species in Madagascar first caught the attention of Europeans in 1658.
Stories by Tan Cheng Li
Tuesday March 17, 2009
Exotic and enigmatic, the pitcher plant is a deadly beauty that has been mesmerising enthusiasts for centuries.
IMAGINE a plant whose leaves can grow into elongated cups complete with lids; cups that ooze sweet nectar to draw in insects which are then feasted upon by the plant. That is the carnivorous pitcher plant, or Nepenthes, for you.
This enigmatic plant, with its bizarre characteristics and wide-ranging colours and shapes, has besotted people ever since a species in Madagascar first caught the attention of Europeans in 1658.
Nepenthes enthusiast Mohd Fauzi Abu Bakar started growing the carnivorous plant in 2002 and has since turned his hobby into an income-generator.
Nepenthes pitcher plant - Growing nepenthes market
Growing nepenthes market
Tuesday March 17, 2009
GOOGLE “nepenthes” and you will get a string of hits on companies selling the plant. Fascination with Nepenthes has always been great but with the Internet, it has grown immense and selling the plant has never been easier.
One company is offering the N. platychila, described only in 2002 and known only from Hose Mountain in central Sarawak, for US$72 (RM266) for a small plant and US$144 (RM420), a large one. This species is prized for its funnel-shaped pitchers with unusually wide and flat peristome (the rim at the mouth of the pitcher) which is beautifully striped with red, yellow and purple.
Tuesday March 17, 2009
GOOGLE “nepenthes” and you will get a string of hits on companies selling the plant. Fascination with Nepenthes has always been great but with the Internet, it has grown immense and selling the plant has never been easier.
One company is offering the N. platychila, described only in 2002 and known only from Hose Mountain in central Sarawak, for US$72 (RM266) for a small plant and US$144 (RM420), a large one. This species is prized for its funnel-shaped pitchers with unusually wide and flat peristome (the rim at the mouth of the pitcher) which is beautifully striped with red, yellow and purple.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Earth Hour - message of hope against global warming
Special menus and activities lined-up for Earth Hour
By Fazleena Aziz
Monday March 16, 2009
IN conjunction with the Earth Hour 2009, YTL Corporation will switch off the lights at 20 landmarks across the country and Singapore from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 28.
The one-hour lights off event is aimed at sending a message of hope and action against global warming.
The YTL establishments that will be part of the Earth Hour 2009 are — Starhill Galllery, JW Marriot KL, The Ritz-Carlton KL, The Residences at The Ritz Carlton KL, Lot 10, YTL Corporation Headquarters, One Oriental place, Sentul Park, Sentul Park Koi Centre, Vistana Kuala Lumpur, Vistana Penang, Vistana Kuantan, Pangkor Laut Resort, Tanjong Jara Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort, The Majestic Malacca, The KL Performing Arts Centre, Lake Edge-Puchong, Pantai Hillpark, The Maple at Sentul West, The Tamarind at Sentul East, The Saffron at Sentul East, Spa Village Kuala Lumpur and Wisma Atria Singapore.
By Fazleena Aziz
Monday March 16, 2009
IN conjunction with the Earth Hour 2009, YTL Corporation will switch off the lights at 20 landmarks across the country and Singapore from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 28.
The one-hour lights off event is aimed at sending a message of hope and action against global warming.
The YTL establishments that will be part of the Earth Hour 2009 are — Starhill Galllery, JW Marriot KL, The Ritz-Carlton KL, The Residences at The Ritz Carlton KL, Lot 10, YTL Corporation Headquarters, One Oriental place, Sentul Park, Sentul Park Koi Centre, Vistana Kuala Lumpur, Vistana Penang, Vistana Kuantan, Pangkor Laut Resort, Tanjong Jara Resort, Cameron Highlands Resort, The Majestic Malacca, The KL Performing Arts Centre, Lake Edge-Puchong, Pantai Hillpark, The Maple at Sentul West, The Tamarind at Sentul East, The Saffron at Sentul East, Spa Village Kuala Lumpur and Wisma Atria Singapore.
Boh Teh-O Ais in a can
FRET not when you are craving for a sip of Teh-O-Ais and there is no mamak stall in sight. BOH Plantations Sdn Bhd (BOH) and Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad have launched this authentically Malaysian beverage in a ready-to-drink form, called Boh Teh-O-Ais.
Boh Teh-O-Ais is made from freshly brewed tea from Cameron Highlands and is fused with honey, making it a refreshing drink. Served chilled, it is the ideal thirst quencher for our hot weather.
The drink comes in vibrant orange coloured 300ml cans and 250ml tetra brik packs for consumers’ convenience.
The drink is available in Teh-O-Ais Original, but if you prefer a tangy twist, go for the Teh-O-Ais Lemon or Teh-O-Ais Passion Fruit.
Boh Teh-O-Ais is made from freshly brewed tea from Cameron Highlands and is fused with honey, making it a refreshing drink. Served chilled, it is the ideal thirst quencher for our hot weather.
The drink comes in vibrant orange coloured 300ml cans and 250ml tetra brik packs for consumers’ convenience.
The drink is available in Teh-O-Ais Original, but if you prefer a tangy twist, go for the Teh-O-Ais Lemon or Teh-O-Ais Passion Fruit.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Tourism Malaysia top Travel Destinations
Which states in Malaysia has the most tourist? Let see which tops the tourism Malaysia travel destinations for tourist arrivals.
1. Kuala Lumpur - 16.3 million
2. Pahang - 10.1 million
3. Sabah - 6.2 million
4. Penang - 5.2 - 6.3 million
Cheers!
More tourists visiting Penang last year, says CM
Tuesday March 3, 2009
PENANG’S tourist arrivals saw a jump of 21.6% last year compared to 2007 and the numbers could have been higher if not for the global economic situation, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“The state was the fourth most visited state in the country after Kuala Lumpur, Pahang and Sabah.
1. Kuala Lumpur - 16.3 million
2. Pahang - 10.1 million
3. Sabah - 6.2 million
4. Penang - 5.2 - 6.3 million
Cheers!
More tourists visiting Penang last year, says CM
Tuesday March 3, 2009
PENANG’S tourist arrivals saw a jump of 21.6% last year compared to 2007 and the numbers could have been higher if not for the global economic situation, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“The state was the fourth most visited state in the country after Kuala Lumpur, Pahang and Sabah.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Enviromental issues - Preserving a borrowed legacy
Preserving a borrowed legacy
By Melati Mohd Ariff
Monday March 2, 2009
This is the final feature of a series of three on Cameron Highlands
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The water crisis that hit Cameron Highlands in the late 1990s prompted several concerned residents to form the Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH).
Against the many challenges that came its way, REACH continues to gain momentum, garnering support especially from the local residents in making its stance on the many environmental issues plaguing the highlands.
REACH president Ramakrishnan Ramasamy, 43, born and bred in Cameron Highlands, has been at the helm of this community-based body since the organisation took shape in 1998.
By Melati Mohd Ariff
Monday March 2, 2009
This is the final feature of a series of three on Cameron Highlands
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The water crisis that hit Cameron Highlands in the late 1990s prompted several concerned residents to form the Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH).
Against the many challenges that came its way, REACH continues to gain momentum, garnering support especially from the local residents in making its stance on the many environmental issues plaguing the highlands.
REACH president Ramakrishnan Ramasamy, 43, born and bred in Cameron Highlands, has been at the helm of this community-based body since the organisation took shape in 1998.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Pahang moves to boost service for tourists
Pahang moves to boost service for tourists
By Simon Khoo
Wednesday February 25, 2009
JERANTUT: Pahang will continue to find ways to enhance the knowledge and skills of tourist guides and supervisors of freshwater sanctuaries in the state, says State Culture, Arts, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif.
Shafik Fauzan said that people in the two professions needed to be equipped with information on the environment and aquaculture so that they could inform visitors.
A recent initiative adopted by the state was to take them on site visits to Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu, he said.
“The participants in the visits were guides for places like Taman Negara, Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands and Merapoh.
By Simon Khoo
Wednesday February 25, 2009
JERANTUT: Pahang will continue to find ways to enhance the knowledge and skills of tourist guides and supervisors of freshwater sanctuaries in the state, says State Culture, Arts, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif.
Shafik Fauzan said that people in the two professions needed to be equipped with information on the environment and aquaculture so that they could inform visitors.
A recent initiative adopted by the state was to take them on site visits to Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu, he said.
“The participants in the visits were guides for places like Taman Negara, Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands and Merapoh.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Finding the right strategies for tourism industry
Finding the right strategies
By Cecilia Kok
Saturday February 21, 2009
This 2009 is definitely going to be a tough year for the tourism industry across the world as the worsening economic crisis causes long-haul visitors to stay home and regional travellers to cut short their trips to cut back on spending.
And bracing for the challenges ahead, most tourism authorities across the Asian region have already set their tourist-arrival targets lower for 2009.
For instance, Hong Kong is expecting a shortfall of 1.6% in tourist arrivals for 2009 compared with 29.5 million in 2008, while Singapore anticipates its tourist arrivals this year to fall between 9 and 9.5 million, compared with 10.1 million last year. For Thailand, where tourism is one of the pillar industries to the economy, the number of foreign visitors is expected to fall from 14.24 million last year to 14 million in 2009.
In line with the regional trend, Malaysia’s tourist-arrival target of 20 million for 2009 represents a decline of 9% from the numbers achieved last year.
By Cecilia Kok
Saturday February 21, 2009
This 2009 is definitely going to be a tough year for the tourism industry across the world as the worsening economic crisis causes long-haul visitors to stay home and regional travellers to cut short their trips to cut back on spending.
And bracing for the challenges ahead, most tourism authorities across the Asian region have already set their tourist-arrival targets lower for 2009.
For instance, Hong Kong is expecting a shortfall of 1.6% in tourist arrivals for 2009 compared with 29.5 million in 2008, while Singapore anticipates its tourist arrivals this year to fall between 9 and 9.5 million, compared with 10.1 million last year. For Thailand, where tourism is one of the pillar industries to the economy, the number of foreign visitors is expected to fall from 14.24 million last year to 14 million in 2009.
In line with the regional trend, Malaysia’s tourist-arrival target of 20 million for 2009 represents a decline of 9% from the numbers achieved last year.
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