Port Dickson

Located 34km from Seremban, the state capital, Port Dickson has one of the longest beaches in Malaysia, offering holiday makers ample room to frolic and have fun in the sun. With 18km of beachfront, you can stop anywhere along its coastal road and enjoy sandy beaches lined with tall casuarinas trees, coconut palms and the spreading branches of Banyan trees.

Port Dickson is easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur and Seremban by bus or taxi. Malayan Railway operates a commuter train service to Seremban from the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Once in Seremban, you can take a taxi or rent a car to the many points of interest in Port Dickson.

Source: http://www.malaysiahotels.com.my/hotel/malaysia/nsb/port_dickson.htm

Sipadan Island

The internationally famous island of Sipadan lies five degrees north of the equator in the Sulawesi Sea (Celebes Sea). Lying 35km south of Semporna, on Sabah's mainland, like many tropical islands it is thickly forested and surrounded by sandy beaches. Sipadan is an oceanic island and was formed by living corals growing on top of an extinct undersea volcano, which rises 600m from the seabed.

The geographic position of Sipadan puts it in the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world, the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin. More than 3000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species have been classified in this richest of ecosystems. Sipadan is well known for its unusually large numbers of green and hawksbill turtles which gather there to mate and nest and it is not unusual for a diver to see more then 70 turtles on each dive. Another unique feature to divers visiting Sipadan is the turtle tomb, an underwater limestone cave with a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that contain many skeletal remains of tribes that became disoriented and then drowned.

The residential schooling barracuda and big- eye trevally are one of the highlights on every divers wish-list which often gather in thousands forming spectacular tornado-like formations. With the possibility of seeing pelagics such as mantas, eagle rays, scalloped hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, each dive at Sipadan is a highly anticipated event. Its not only the frogfish that amaze divers coming to Sipadan, the macro life is equally mesmerizing. Garden eels, leaf scorpionfish. mantis shrimps, fire graces and various pipefish are guaranteed at various dive sites. The diversity and abundance of marine life found at Sipadan gives it its reputation of being one of the ten best dive locations in the world.

Announcement: Presently, the island is in the care of Wildlife Department, which has stationed several park rangers to oversee the state of nature of the island. To protect the world unique flora & fauna on the island as well as the underwater world the Malaysian Government has decided that from 2005 no more overnight facilities shall be on Sipadan itself. This means that all dive operators on Sipadan have to move; diving Sipadan will be conducted from other destinations, such as Mabul and Kapalai. It is likely that Sipadan will be designated a marine reserve under Sabah Parks, and there are plans for a World Heritage Site listing.Source:

http://www.sabahtravelguide.com

Pulau Redang

Pulau Redang, located 45km off the coast of Kuala Terengganu, is the largest of a group of nine protected islands dotting the South China Sea off the Terengganu coast. The island offers crystal clear waters and numerous dive sites for enthusiasts. Sheltered within the Pulau Redang Marine Park, the waters here are rich in marine life. At midday when sun rays penetrate the sea, brilliant hues of coral, anemones and fish can be seen.

The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks: The H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse, which sank here at the start of World War II, setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya. This paradise island is perfect for snorkelling, swimming, scuba-diving, jungle trekking, boating and canoeing. No fishing is allowed within a 3.2km radius of the island as Pulau Redang is gazetted as a marine park. The collection of corals and other aquatic life is also strictly prohibited. Berjaya Resort offers a golf course in an idyllic setting.

Key Tips
Pulau Redang is larger and has more activity on it, the two Pulau Perhentian islands are smaller and quieter.

How to get there
By Boat
Begin your island-hopping adventure by catching a boat at any of the jetties in Kuala Terengganu and Merang. Travelling time to Redang is one hour from Kuala Terengganu and 50 minutes from Merang.

Accommodation Overview
This marine park offers an astounding range of accommodation, from budget guesthouses to a 5-star resort. If you are here for diving, it is best to book them as part of an organised dive tour so that meals, diving and accommodation are all-inclusive.

For more information, please contact Terengganu Tourism Office Tel: +609-622 1433 / 1893
Website: http://malaysia.travel/consumer/destinations/item.asp?item=redang

Danga Bay

Located along the banks of the Straits of Johor is Danga Bay, previously known as Lido beach. This is a popular spot for relaxing, and on clear days, you can even catch a good view of Singapore. However, using a pair of binoculars would be even better, as it's quite a distance from Johor Bahru.

Danga Bay stretches for about 3km, and is actually the waterfront of Johor Bahru. To view the causeway that links Johor to Singapore, try a boat ride. However, you are not allowed to go beyond 300m from the banks of Johor Bahru. Optionally, you can also go on a cruise along the straits up to Kg. Melayu. On this trip, you can see the kelong (huge fish trap built on stilts) and visit fish farms or aquaculture centres where sea bass, garoupa and mussels are bred.

Getting There
Travelling via taxi is the best choice to get here form Johor Bahru city centre. The fare is about RM4 to RM5, depending on traffic conditions. But if you prefer to take a leisure walk from the city centre, just follow the pedestrian path along the straits for about 2km.

Source: http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/

Pangkor

Largely inhabited by fisher-folk who live in fishing settlements scattered along the coast, Pangkor - in stark contrast to Malaysia's fast-paced progress - remains a haven for those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Here, visitors can bask in the sun on her golden beaches and catch sights of fishing boats rocking gently on calm blue waters. Situated 7km from historic Lumut town across the Straits of Malacca, it has for centuries enthralled visitors with her charming beauty, idyllic bays, pristine beaches, and vibrant tropical forests. Hence it comes as no surprise that she has been a welcome stopover for the sea weary, pirates, and adventurers in the old days. In fact, it was at one time ruled by European conquerors such as the Dutch and British yet her natural wonders have remained unscarred and her environment as tranquil and harmonious as ever. Today's Pangkor is a thriving tourist destination that does not reflect her turbulent past.

Getting There
Pangkor is a 40 minute ferry ride from Lumut, a coastal town, which is 84km from Ipoh city or a 3 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. The ferry fare costs a mere few ringgit depending on which part of Pangkor you are going to. There are also scheduled flights via Kuala Lumpur operated by Berjaya Air. This flight is 5 times a week except Thuesday and Thurday. Once there, taxis (Van) are available for most part of the day to take you around. However, please be forewarned that the taxis have no meters, hence you should check the fare before embarking on a ride.

Sources: http://www.marimari.com

Perhentian Island

Located : 21 km off the coast of Terengganu, consists of two islands : Pulau Perhentian Besar and Pulau Perhentian Kecil. 5 nm to northwest, there are large rocky outcrops garlanded with beautiful reefs. Those are another beautiful islands which surrounding the Perhentian Island. Every island has their own unique name like Susu Dara Island, Tokong Kemudi Barat Island, Dara Kecil(Little Virgin) Island, Burong (Bird) Island, Serenggeh Island, Rawa Island and Tokong Kemudi Island.

How to get there : From Kuala Terengganu(the capital city) you may get a taxi or go by bus to Kampung Kuala Besut which is the post for all boat rides to these islands.From there, it takes abaout one and a half hours journey.

Pride Of A Nation

Some call it Malaysia's new icon. To others, it is the symbol of Malaysia's great leap forward.

With PETRONAS, Malaysia's national petroleum corporation as its anchor tenant, the 88-storey PETRONAS Twin Towers is the new unmistakable identity for Malaysia.

The PETRONAS Twin Towers is set against the backdrop of the beautifully landscaped Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) park. The development, built based on a holistic approach, combining business with art, science and nature also included a symphonic concert hall at the podium between the twin towers, an international class art gallery and an interactive petroleum science discovery centre in the adjoining Suria KLCC Mall.

Soaring 452 metres into the sky, the PETRONAS Twin Towers is a national pride to the people of Malaysia.

It is testimony to the capabilities and determination of Malaysians in making a project of such a mammoth scale a reality, an engineering feat yet unparalleled in the country.

Source: http://www.petronas.com.my/

Welcome To Langkawi

Welcome to mylangkawi.com, the official travel Website of Langkawi, islands of legends and folklore in Malaysia

Renowned internationally as the archipelago of 99 tropical islands in Malaysia, Langkawi is the ultimate holiday paradise that offers modern accommodation facilities and amenities set against the natural backdrop of sun-drenched beaches and ancient rainforests teeming with exotic plant and animal life. Be transported back in time with the enthralling folklore and fascinating legends of Langkawi.

More detail please visit: http://www.mylangkawi.com/

Travel Malaysia: Kelantan Nature Activities

NATURE
Waterfalls in Kelantan are major attractions for picnics and swimming. Jeram Pasu is just off the Kota Bharu-Pasir Putih road while Jeram Lenang is off the Pasir Putih-Machang Road. Lata Beringin, with its 120 metre drop, cool waters and lush vegetation is certainly one of the most spectacular. It is found off the Kuala Krai-Gua Musang Highway.

Gunung Stong
One of Kelantan's highest mountains, at 1,442 metres, is reputed to hold hidden treasure in Gua Ikan (Fish Cave), named after a solitary fish-shaped rock. The treasure is said to have been hidden during the Japanese Occupation.

Other Nature Activities
With something to suit all tastes, Kelantan's many offerings range from simple river cruises, rafting and bird watching to jungle trekking.

River Cruise
Beginning at Kuala Krai, the River Cruise winds its way upriver to the town of Dabong. Passing through ancient tropical forests and a number riverine communities, you may catch a glimpse of shy jungle wildlife. Kingfishers, eagles and hornbills are readily seen, along with various species of monkeys.

Jelawang Waterfalls
From Dabong, you can return to Kota Bharu by train, or head to Jelawang for jungle trekking. Chalets are available and jungle trekking of varying levels of difficulty can be organised by several operators easily found in the immediate area.

Chalets are available and various jungle trails have been laid. A 1.5 hour trek will take you to the spectacular Jelawang Waterfalls.

Gua Musang is another alternative which can also be reached by train. Well-known for its limestone caves, cave temple and the Lata Bringin Waterfalls, Gua Musang is only a 2-hour drive from Taman Negara (The National Park). The Kedasar Inn, located in Gua Musang's old town can arrange visits to a goldmine, a deer park, an ethno-botanical garden and aboriginal settlements as well as organise river rafting and cave explorations.

A summer camp near town, complete with various obstacle and fitness courses, provides leadership and youth training programs.

Kuala Koh Entry Point to Taman Negara
Kuala Koh, two-hour's drive from Gua Musang is the northern entrance to Taman Negara and serves as the Park Headquarters in Kelantan. Chalets are available at Kuala Koh, if required.

For bird watching enthusiasts, it is possible to see quite a variety of birds in a couple of days, and for anglers, the pristine rivers offer some excellent sport-fishing. The whole area offers superb opportunities for photographers. The diverse flora and fauna in the surrounding emerald rainforest provides perfect settings, colours and contrasts.

Source: http://www.about-malaysia.com/

Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang (Also known as Star Hill) is the name of the famous shopping and entertainment district and tourist haven in Kuala Lumpur, and the road that runs through it, Jalan Bukit Bintang. The area is home to many landmark shopping centres, cafés, clubs, shops, malls and specialty shops.
Geography

Bukit Bintang is a shopping district located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The shopping district is located within three main roads: Jalan Bukit Bintang starts from Jalan Pudu and intersects with Jalan Sultan Ismail. There are a number of hotels and restaurants located on Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Tengkat Tong Shin. Magnificent eateries are available on Jalan Alor adjacent to Bukit Bintang, where hawkers provide excellent quality and cheap dishes in a laid back atmosphere. The area extends into Jalan Tengkat Tong Shin in which venerable heritage structures, hailing from Kuala Lumpur's colonial past, have been modernized into fashionable night spots and restaurants where tourists and locals blend in a colourful urban tapestry.

Accommodation
Bukit Bintang provides budget and luxurious accommodation services to tourists from outside the city. Among the notable hotels are JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Royale Bintang, Federal Hotel and Novotel.

Shopping
Bukit Bintang is indisputably one of the city's foremost shopping districts offering a multitude of merchandise to suit every taste and budget. The cities major shopping outlets are located in this area namely:
-Bukit Bintang Plaza
-Imbi Plaza
-Kuala Lumpur Plaza
-Lot 10
-Low Yat Plaza
-The Pavillion- scheduled to open on 2007
-StarHill Gallery- www.bintangwalk.com
-Sungei Wang Plaza

The face of Bukit Bintang is about to change by the year of 2007 as the opening of The Pavillion which is located at the opposite of Starhill gallery. It will create a better retail therapy enviroment which defines the true meaning of shopping haven.

Bintang Walk is located along Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping spread. This place has transformed over the last 5 years to be one of the busiest tourist/local hangout and shopping haven. Cafes, restaurants, Clubs, Shops, Malls and more fill up this street. On weekends, thousands of people walk pass to get to other shopping malls within the area. Bintang Walk is the place that defines 'lepak' culture and it's totally contagious. Almost every major nightlife event happens here such as the New Year’s countdown, Merdeka eve celebrations, as well as fashion shows, street concerts and parties.

Entertainment
There are a number of cafés and nightclubs in the Bukit Bintang. Notable establishments include Nouva, Espanda, The Beach Club, Atmosphere, Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Starbucks, Dome café and Zouk.

Transport
There are many taxis and buses that go through Bukit Bintang. The KL Monorail also has four stations that are situated conveniently in the area. The stations are Hang Tuah, Imbi, Bukit Bintang and Raja Chulan.

Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/bukit-bintang

The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa

Formerly the Sheraton Perdana Resort, the newly rebranded 5-Star Deluxe Resort was launched by the Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor on 19 December 2006

The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa features 202 rooms and suites, with 20 ultra luxury ocean view pool villas, boasting panoramic views of the Andaman Sea.

All guestrooms and suites offer modern amenities inclusive of 42’ plasma TV with satellite channels, DVD player and surround sound system. High-speed broadband Internet access is also available at all rooms, food &beverage outlets, lobby, lounge, the infinity pool area and all ballrooms.

The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa
Jalan Pantai Dato’ Syed Omar
07000 Pulau Langkawi
Kedah

Tel: 604 9608871/8872/8873
Fax: 604 960 3097
E-mail: westin.langkawi@westin.com
Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/

Cameron Highland Resort

Cameron highland resort situated on the largest hill resort in Malaysia is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, lush greenery, rolling hills and Tudor-style cottages.

The luxurious boutique resort features 56 well-appointed rooms and suites, and fronts Cameron highland’s magnificient 18-hole golf course. It also houses the third wellness center of the award-winning spa village, which offers exotic treatments focusing on the healing restorative properties of tea.

For food and beverage, the Dining Room has all-day dining, the Jim Thompson Tea Room offers afternoon English tea, and the Gonbei serves authentic Japanese cuisine.

YTL Travel Centre
Tel: 603 2783 1000
E-mail: travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my
Website: http://www.ytltravel.com/

Singgahsana Lodge Offers Accommodation

Near the Kuching Waterfront in Sarawak, the Singgahsana Lodge offers accommodation options ranging from dormitory beds to private rooms (twin share, double or family rooms).

Room rates start from RM30 per night (excluding peak periods) onwards inclusive of breakfast. Its facilities include air conditioning in all rooms, a coffee shop, safe deposit, laundry service, bicycle and motorcycle rentals, library, broadband internet, and cable television in the common areas.

Singgahsana Lodge
No 1, Temple Street
93000 Kuching, Sarawak
Tel: 6082 429277
Fax: 6082 429267
E-mail: info@singgahsana.com
Website: http://www.singgahsana.com/

Guinness World Record as the largest hotel in the world

Malaysia has another achievement to add to its name – the First World Hotel in Genting is now acknowledgement by the Guinness World Record as the largest hotel in the world.

The hotel consists of 6118 rooms, and is listed as the world’s largest under the “Feats of Engineering for Big Buildings’ section in the renowned book of the world’s best

The previous titleholder was MGM Grand Hotel and Casino at Las Vegas, Nevada, USA with 5005 rooms.

Among many other achievements, the First World Hotel was also awarded the certificate of being the world’s largest hotel by Ripley’s Believe It or Not in July 2006

World Reservation Centre
Tel: 603 2718 1118
Fax: 603 2718 1888
Website: http://www.genting.com.my/

Visit Malaysia Year 2007

To commemorate the country’s golden jubilee, 2007 has been designated as Visit Malaysia Year (VMY), the third edition of the VMY series, with the first in 1990 and the second in 1994.

The lineup of spectacular and exciting event reflects the nation’s unique array of cultures and traditions. The country will come alive with colorful parades, carnival and event that highlight Malaysia’s cultures and heritages, delicious cuisines, bustling cities, scenic countryside, and more. The events include a varied mix of sport, culture, cuisine, shopping, and sightseeing experiences.

The VMY 2007 promotional exercise was done was through foreign sales mission involving representatives of Tourism Ministry, Tourism Malaysia and key player in the tourism industry such as agent travel, tour operator, airlines representatives and others. Malaysia also participated in trade fairs and consumer exhibitions including the World Travel Mart in London, Arabian Travel Mart and also largest travel trade show, the ITB in Berlin.

Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY 2007) is an opportunity to reconsolidates and strengthen the tourism industry of Malaysia. It is a catalyst to spur the tourism industry through the setting of aggressive visitor arrival targets and enhancing the positions and perception of Malaysia as a travel and tourist destination.

According to Datuk Dr Victor Wee, the Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, VMY 2007 is a year-long golden celebration featuring world class event and activities. “It is our way of inviting the world to celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence with us. In fact we have lined up more than 240 events nationwide with 50 major events for all to enjoy in keeping with the significance of the number 50.”

He said that an immense amount of work, time and effort has gone into planning, organizing, implementing and coordinating VMY2007. Various teams have been set up and they include front-liner such as immigration officers, hoteliers, and transportation providers, the police force, state tourism boards, tourism Malaysia for promotions airlines, and tour operators and many others.

On the internet, two key websites, http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/ and http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/ provide information on Malaysia as a travel destination, shared experiences of various visitors from around the world, the tour packages available and events planned for VMY 2007. Tourism Malaysia information centers and offices around the world are also providing the latest information while brochures and leaflets are available at all point of entry, transportation hubs, hotels and key tourist spots.

Some of the special events comprise spectacular and never-been-done-before activities while others include gastronomic delight, music and arts festivals, world-class sports events and colourful religious celebrations.

To encourage a planned holiday culture among Malaysians, Tourism Malaysia has launched special domestic tour packages for Visit Malaysia Year 2007. Printed in Malays and English versions, the informative brochure list 100 affordable holiday packages available nationwide.

The offer from 1 January to 30 June, 2007 is valid for all Malaysians and permanent resident in the country. For more information, e-mail your queries to enquiries@tourism.gov.my or log on to http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/ and http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/

The programme is supported by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), Malaysia Airlines (MAS), AirAsia, Keretapi Tanah MElayu Berhad(KTMB), Bumiputra and Malayan Banking Berhad(Maybank)