The Cuban Embassy in Malaysia is giving an idea of the unique blend of culture by the Casa Cuba, a showroom in Bukit Peringgit, Melaka.

The Cuban ambassador to Malaysia, Carlos A. Amores and Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam at the Melaka launch of The Friends of Cuba Association Malaysia in Casa Cuba, Bukit Peringgit on April 21. Photo source: cubadiplomatica.cu

The gallery, founded in June 2007 as the residence of former senior government officials during the British colonial. This is one of Malacca’s historical sites.

Second Secretary (Political Affairs) in Malaysia Cuban Embassy Nestor Tores, told that the Casa Cuba has an important role in the introducing Malaysia to Cuban culture.

The beauty of Cuba’s art gallery with various forms of art by Cuban artists, including paintings, prints and ceramic works.

Tores said the embassy has more than 80 works of renowned Cuban artists such as Nelson Dominguez and Belkis Ayón Manso.

Belkis is a Cuban artist and lithographer who worked on the basis of Afro-Cuban religion, brings the myth and tradition of Abakuá man secret society.

Since her death, the Cuban government said it was a heritage, and therefore not allowed to leave the country.

“Therefore, it is a privilege that his works were allowed to be in Malaysia, as part of the exhibition,” says Tores.

The main exhibition room features paintings, including portraits of Fidel Castro, and photos of youth baseball game, a very popular sport in the Republic.

In addition to paintings, the gallery also has many forms of prints. An interesting feature of the exhibition of prints on silk.

In Malaysia, one of the favorites in the traditional art of batik textiles are usually printed on silk. It’s like in Cuba where the silk print is one of the most popular traditional arts.

He said that the gallery featured miniatures that describes life in Cuba. Among them are those that describe the environment in a traditional snuff mill, and the Cuban popular entertainment.

When asked why Melaka chosen as the venue for the Casa Cuba, Tores said it was just a tourist attraction because of Malacca is well developed.

It is hoped that the establishment of the Casa Cuba in Melaka will bring more local and foreign visitors to the gallery, and their interest towards the republic.

Tores said that besides the introduction of Cuban culture, the gallery is also where the embassy held various activities to create closer ties between Cuba and Malaysia.

“We are grateful to the Melaka government to help bring more tourists to the gallery, so they can learn more about Cuba,” he said.

Melaka Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said there are historic buildings on Bukit Peringgit. Most of them came from colonial times.

“If possible, I want all the embassies in the country to build their “home” here. Besides the creation of a gallery, they can also organize the program to introduce their country. More appropriate for this area is to be known as “Bukit Antarabangsa” he said.

He said, Casa Cuba is an initiative to strengthen ties between Malaysia and Cuba through cultural exchanges.

Casa Cuba is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00.

Sibu Island blue sky. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwc909/

Come to Johor’s Sibu Island Resort and you will get that Aloha welcome. Next, picture yourself on Fantasy Island. Yes, imagine Mr Roarke, the mysterious owner of the fantasy island, where for a price, people could come to realise their lifelong fantasies.

On this island, `Mr Roarke’ is without his able sidekick, Tattoo. Meet Encik Roslan Abdul Rahman, Sibu Island Resort General Manager, who together with his staff, greet all guests to his resort ala Hawaii and with a touch of Mr Roarke’s style.

Guests to the resort do not arrive by plane as on Fantasy Island. Only half-an-hour’s boat ride from Tanjung Leman jetty will take you to this `FantaSibu’, located in Pulau Sibu Tengah, off the east coast of Mersing, Johor. The jetty is a two-hour drive from Johor Bahru.

Roslan is not here to grant all sorts of wishes to people who want to see what their lives would have been as Roarke had done. Neither does the resort promise glamour and excitement for ordinary people whose lives normally had none. In other words, Roslan is not here to realise your fantasies.

But what the 20-acre island resort, owned by listed Johor Corporation Bhd, can offer is a retreat that’s exclusively private for both business and leisure. For those who want to take their mind off things, this idyllic resort is just perfect and a peaceful getaway.

“There are already many popular islands in Malaysia such as Penang, Langkawi and Tioman, all with their own attractions. But I believe Sibu Island itself has its own unique features … nature, crystal clear ocean, white sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs,” says Roslan.

Neatly tucked among lush tropical vegetation of Pulau Sibu Tengah, the resort has a setting that is awesomely natural, tranquil and pleasantly invigorating amidst a world uniquely its own.

There are no villages on Pulau Sibu Tengah. Guests who have come for a `real’ retreat can expect some privacy at this four-star resort, which exudes its own brand of charm and comfort.

There are 121 units of chalets, air-conditioned and tastefully furnished – all majestically overlooking the vast emerald ocean and guests will get to enjoy the cool and rejuvenating breeze during their getaway holiday at the resort.

So, how do tourists come to know about the resort, or, Sibu Island?

“Initially we had difficulties in promoting our resort to the domestic market, but thanks to joint promotion by Johor Corp, the state government, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines and our travel agents, we have been able to promote Sibu Island as a tourist destination in Johor,” he says.

Sibu Island itself has been commonly mistaken for Sibu in Sarawak and Cebu Islands in the Philippines. Even among Malaysians, says Roslan, many still do not know the existence of this island in Johor.

Besides Pulau Sibu Tengah, there are also other nearby islands which have their own unique features such as Pulau Sibu Besar, Pulau Sibu Kukus, Pulau Sibu Hujung and Pulau Lima.

Sibu Island beach, sky and the other islands. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwc909/

This Pulau Sibu area, which has been gazetted as a marine park by the state government, is endowed with hard coral reefs, all known among snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts, mainly from neighbouring Singapore and Europe.

It is not surprising that Sibu Island has been the choice location for filming of the Robinson Survivor Series, which cater to the Scandinavian market such as Sweden, Norway, Belgium and Denmark.

“It is not just the island that has attracted the group to come here. They have surveyed several places, but this has been found to be the most suitable as they do not face any red tape,” says Roslan.

Although filming took place in Pulau Sibu Kukus and Pulau Sibu Besar, majority of the crew, participants, as well as the media covering the series, stayed at the Sibu Island Resort in Pulau Sibu Tengah. The fifth Survivor Series are expected to be filmed in Pulau Sibu Besar soon.

The popularity of the Survivor Series, has been a boon to the island resort, which has seen an encouraging number of tourists from Scandinavian countries, adds Roslan.

Aggressive overseas promotion by selling Sibu Island as a tourist destination has also worked to the resort’s advantage. Roslan has participated in the Internationale Tourismus Bourse in Berlin, Germany, World Travel Mart in London, ASEAN Tourism Forum in Indonesia and Natas Fair in Singapore.

Since its official opening in 2001, Sibu Island Resort has seen a steady rise in the number of guests. In 2001, it attracted 18,725 tourists from domestic and overseas markets, but the figure however declined to 15,109 last year, and dropped further to 3,910 up till April this year.

Singaporeans have so far formed the bulk of foreign tourists to the resort, accounting for about 40 percent of the total number of visitors. No thanks to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, economic downturn and rising unemployment, visitor arrivals from Singapore nose-dived 48 percent up till April this year.

One encouraging note is that the number of Malaysian visitors to the resort saw a dramatic rise of 61.5 percent up to the four months of this year, a 23 percent increase over last year. In 2002, Malaysians made up 51.3 percent of the visitors to the resort from 43.3 percent in 2001.

Within Asia, visitors to the resort rose to 7.4 percent as of April this year, as against 4.0 percent last year and 3.4 percent in 2001. Figures from Europe dropped to 6.3 percent up till April this year, from 8.9 percent last year and 6.8 percent in 2001.

Within Malaysia, promotions on the resort are also done through the MATTA Fair, Cuti-Cuti Malaysia and Visit Johor Year 2003 organised by Tourism Malaysia and Johor Tourism in Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

Developed as early as 1997, the resort which owns 65 acres of land in Pulau Sibu Tengah, has enjoyed a steady stream of visitors especially from Singapore since it was officially opened to the public in 2001.

“Since September 11 and more recently SARS, we have received travel cancellations and postponements from not only Singapore but also other tourists abroad. However, despite stiff competition from other resorts and hotels in Malaysia, we have seen a 15 percent improvement in our tourist arrivals,” says Roslan.

German tourists are also lured to the island resort. Based on a promotion conducted jointl
y with Tourism Malaysia, Roslan says, his yearly participation at the Berlin exhibition in March, now in its third year, has yielded results. This year, he has been able to bring 250 Germans to the resort.

One such case is a German couple, who stayed at the resort for 21 days.

Pohl Wolfgang, 63 and his 61-year-old wife, Pohl Hildegard, have just ended their 21-day stay at the resort on May 25.

What attracted them to Sibu Island Resort?

Wolfgang says: “We love the island, the resort, and friendly people. You have such beautiful nature, and this is our third time in Malaysia.” The couple, who enjoy snorkelling, have been to Sarawak and Terengganu. They have also visited Taman Negara twice.

At the resort, time was spent snorkelling, brisk walking, jungle trekking, and strangely, Wolfgang’s wife, Hildegard, loves to catch spiders.

Despite the SARS scare, the couple said they were unfazed. Although at the KLIA, airport staff were seen donned with face masks, the situation was normal upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur.

“As we can see, things are normal in Malaysia despite concerns over SARS.

“We have such fond memories of Malaysia during our stay here. People are friendly, you have such beautiful nature, and we enjoy your food, too. We will come again to Malaysia, probably in autumn, next year,” says Wolgang.

His wife, Hildegard nodded in agreement. Her parting words were: “Jumpa lagi.”

- Bernama

He said according to coral expert Dr Douglas Flenner, there are far more coral species in the Miri waters that in the Caribbean, which has about 60 identified hard coral species.

The soft and hard corals are pristine and undamaged, unlike those found in many locations in the country, he said, adding that the popular sites include Eve's Garden, Anemone Garden, Batu Belais and Siwa Reef.

Long known as the booming oil town in Sarawak, Miri had a low profile start to a new fame as a diving haven.

It may have a diversity of coral species comparable to any other locations in the world, but not many people know this secret of Miri outside of Sarawak.

The "Land of the Hornbills" is only well known for its Mulu National Park, the Niah caves and longhouses which attract thousands of tourists every year.

But if Voo has his way, Miri will be the top diving destination in the country in the future.

"Sipadan, the most popular diving location in the country, do not have the corals like ours," said Voo.

Sipadan's main attractions, he said, are the many big fishes.

Aggressive marketing of Miri as a diving location started few years ago through write-up in magazines and newspapers. It was also featured in a local television programme, said Voo, a retired police officer, and now the dive manager of Tropical Dives, a diving outfit.

The promotions this year would include participation at the Asia Diving Expo in Singapore in April, he said, adding that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak had caused the company to cancel its participation at the expo in Thailand last year.

The most effective promotion, Voo said, is still by word of mouth.

"Diving is a peculiar type of travel. People will not go just because there are advertisements. Since they will spend a substantial sum for travelling and a few days diving, they will not go to a place unless they already heard something about it from other people who had already gone there," he said.

However, the word of mouth is slow to spread and Voo is counting on the more adventurous divers who seek different experiences and challenges.

He is glad that he has many happy divers who came back for more.

Tropical Dives, the dive outfit of Seridan Mulu Tour & Travel Services Sdn Bhd, is a pioneer in offering diving packages in Miri, starting from a one-day fun dive of two sites for RM280 per person.

The peak period is from April to October.

Last year, it took about 800 divers from outside Miri to over 20 sites.

He said most of the divers are from Germany and Holland, but there is growing interest from diving fans from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia.

At the moment, the majority of the divers are expatriates working in Miri, said Voo who took diving as a hobby and started diving in the Miri waters in
1995.

He said the locals are slow to take up diving as a hobby and sports because they regarded it as dangerous and expensive.

Seridan Mulu's general manager, James Wan, said divers in the Miri waters might have the chance to see the migratory whale sharks which come around March to April.

- Bernama

Robust development on the island, with scant regard for environmental conservation, has apparently stripped Penang of its natural assets which had been the main tourist draw for so many years.

"We can no longer promise the crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches while doing promotions abroad," State Executive Councillor For Tourism, Culture, Arts and Women's Development Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen told travel agents some time ago.

She said in terms of maintaining the natural beauty, which is the island's traditional tourism product, Penang was being overtaken by the other resort islands in the region.

The island's beaches are strewn with garbage, to the extent that the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) are forced to clean up the beaches four times a week, each time netting between seven and 10 tonnes of solid wastes at 34 stretches.

Apart from the garbage, the presence of jelly fish off Penang's coast, is the other factor which bars tourists from enjoying swims at the beaches.

Aware of this drawback which sticks out like a sore thumb in its tourism industry, Penang is taking steps to unveil "new products" to woo visitors.

Local travel agents are now focussing on more creative packages as they can no longer rely on attractions like Penang Hill, Butterfly Park, Snake Temple, Kek Lok Si Temple, Botanical Garden and Pulau Aman to bring in tourists, 60 percent of whom are foreigners.

More attractive and value-added packages focusing on niche market, coupled with the roadshows held by Tourism Malaysia abroad, are earmarked to boost tourist arrival.

The niche market comprises "long-stay" programmes at hotels, health tourism as well as meeting, incentives, convention and exhibition (MICE) activities apart from education tourism.

Kee said the promotions were being aggressively held in the United Kingdom which presents a huge market, as well as Europe, West Asia, Japan, Australia and United States to compensate for the drastic drop in tourist arrival from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong following the global outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) earlier this year.

To review the marketing strategies, the state government set up the Penang State Tourism Action Council (Tourism Penang) in April this year.

With Kee as the chairperson, the council has representatives from the Culture, Arts and Tourism Ministry, state government and its agencies like the MPPP, Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and the corporate sector.

She said Penang was ready to embark on several tourism projects, to be implemented under the current Eighth Malaysia Plan, like the re-development of Church Street Pier, Swettenham and Weld quays, clean-up of Sungai Pinang and and gazetting the Penang National Park.

Six clan "jetties" at Weld Quay, – Seh Lim, Chew, Tan, Lee, Yeoh and Mixed
Seh jetties – all of which have historical significance, will be given a major facelift, she said.

Kee said UNESCO experts had advised the state government to include these clan jetties into zones categorised as the "Historic Island Post Settlement of Penang" in line with the nomination of Georgetown's inner city into the world body's list of global heritage.

She said the MPPP planned to turn the jetties into tourist attractions in Georgetown like the Khoo Kongsi, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Armenian Street and Acheh Street.

"We are looking into the modes of conservation like restoring houses at the jetties, cleaning up the seabed in their vicinity, installation of sewerage pipes and allowing economic activities like seafood restaurants and tea houses to operate at the jetty-ends," she said.

Kee said the MPPP was looking into the jetties' re-development plan in line with the conservation concept for the "historic waterfront stretch" between Swettenham and Weld quays.

She said priority would also be given to the conservation of other heritage structures like the Khoo Kongsi, which has been known to be popular among tourists from China, while spots like Armenian Street, which has "close historic links" to the struggle of Dr Sun Yat Sen, is a destination popular with visitors from Taiwan and China.

Kee also reminded the travel agents that Penang's tourism industry should be diversified instead of them relying on a few packages which have been existence for some time.

She said a new chapter of the state's eco-tourism concept, like the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve which blends a unique sea and forest scenario with its unblemished sandy beaches, virgin swamp jungles and lake, should be brought to the fore.

The waters off the forest reserve, which is known to have 417 flora and 143 fauna species, is a sanctuary to otters, dolphins and turtles. It has three scenic beaches – Pantai Kerachut, Pantai Telok Kampai and Pantai Mas – which are landing spots for the Olive-Ridley turtles.

Kee said efforts were in progress to gazette the area as the Penang National Park and would be promoted as the first national park under the National Park Act 1980.

Meanwhile, the former penal colony of Pulau Jerejak is being re-developed as a tourist spot by Tropical Island Resort Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture firm between UDA Holdings Berhad which holds 51 percent equity and PDC, 49 percent.

Kee said the island's re-development was divided into three phases – the first phase is the construction of two dormitory blocks which can accommodate 200 beds, 13 chalets, a camping site as well as a jetty and boarding terminal which are expected to be ready before end of the year.

The second phase comprises the construction of a food court, budget hotel and a prison's museum, due for completion next year.

Construction of an exclusive resort constitutes the third and final phase of Pulau Jerejak, with work commencing in 2006 and due for completion within one year.

When these projects are fully completed, Kee said more foreign and local tourists are expected to make a return to the "Pearl of the Orient".

- Bernama

The park is also home to many wild animals, such as leopards and serows (or mountain goats), along with various types of reptiles and more than 200 species of birds, including the hornbill.

Have you seen a stump-tailed Macaque or "beruk kentoi"? Like the proboscis monkeys or "kera Belanda" which can only be found in Sabah, the stump-tailed Macaque (scientific name "Macaca Arctoides") can only be found in this state's park, a reason why many nature lovers love to go there.

The red-faced monkey may be a shy animal but can be easily found in this 5,000-hectare park, a large portion of which is located in the country's longest limestone range, the Nakawan range.

If you happened to be one of those who had set foot there, be proud that you had been to the northern-most jungle in Peninsular Malaysia.

Among the interesting features of the park is its 2.8-metre high border wall separating Malaysia and Thailand. The wall can be clearly seen once visitors are close to the border gate at Wang Kelian.

You can also be proud that you had seen the Nakawan range which is among the oldest limestone formation in the country besides being the longest.

The limestone formation found in the Nakawan range is known as Setul limestone formation, which is about 500 million years old.

The main characteristic of the Setul formation is its cliff-shaping process, where a closed crater-like valley known as "wang" (a Thai word which means hollow in between stones) is later created.

Since people in the old days named places after their natural features, it is not surprising that Perlis has several settlements in the valleys named "wang". For example, "Kampung Wang Kelian" has about 150 families, most of whom are farmers.

Besides Wang Kelian, there are several quiet and uninhabited valleys around the park like "Wang Tangga" and "Wang Mu" which were popular tin mining areas when rich ore were found in their caves.

A cave also known as Gua Wang Burma is a favourite of nature lovers because of the natural beauty of its stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Exploring the cave requires patience, strength and stamina as certain sections of the cave require one to crawl.

For a more challenging feat, the visitor can explore the jungle for five hours in order to climb Perlis mountain, which is part of the park.

The mountain, standing at 733 metres, promises a cool and refreshing respite.

Still at the park and not very far from Kaki Bukit town is a lake called "Tasik Meranti". But to get there, you have to walk for about one hour from the car park.

Visiting the state park will not be complete without going to Gua Kelam, a recreatio
nal area. The cave is a naturally-formed tunnel, a rare archaeological find. Only two of such naturally-formed tunnels exist in the world – here in Perlis and the other in Brasilia, Brazil.

Also interesting to note about the cave in Perlis is a stream flowing along the length of its walls, apparently a result of years of tin mining in the area.

A "hanging bridge" that runs along the tunnel has been built to provide convenience to visitors.

To get to the Perlis State Park, you can either drive or book a taxi from Wang Kelian and register yourself at the Park's Visitors Centre which is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

The centre is located just 41 km from Kangar, and throughout the journey to the Park from the state's capital, you can have a panoramic view over parts of northern Perlis. You can also view this from Kangar's tower called "Menara Kayangan".

Perched on a more than 100-metre high hill, the tower enables you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Bukit Chabang, better known in the state as the "Twin Peaks of Perlis", besides other hills like Bukit Keteri, Bukit Jernih and Bukit Cuping.

From there too, you can see part of Timah Tasoh lake which is one of the state's new tourist attractions.

The state government is planning to upgrade the Park's infrastructure to include chalets that can be rented by the public.

Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the state government is also planning to provide duty-free shops in Wang Kelian for the convenience of tourists.

At present, Wang Kelian receives 30,000 to 50,000 visitors every Sunday because of its weekend market.

- Bernama

Simplicity is the order of the day when it comes to Sentral Station. The KLIA Express, the raised railway (LRT) and the KTM which is a long distance commuter train run from here in separate sections of the building. The mono rail is situated just outside of the building. In between all of this there are shops, cafes and restaurants.

If you are traveling from Sentral Station to KLIA and are flying with Malaysian airlines you can check your baggage here and get your ticket before getting on the train. The KLIA Express leaves from the basement and costs RM35 one way. The journey takes 28 minutes and leaves on schedule to the second. If you do happen to miss it, don’t worry as in 20 mutes another one will arrive. This is a non stop service to KLIA.

The raised railway runs from upstairs and in places the train actually runs through the building on its way. This system is charged on a per stop basis and one of its most important stops is the Twin Towers otherwise known as KLCC or Kuala Lumpur City Center.

The mono rail runs from Brickfields – a mainly Indian area of Kuala Lumpur. Within minutes you can be in Times Square, Sultan Ismal or Butit Bingtang, some of the major shopping areas in Kuala Lumpur.

The railway systems in Kuala Lumpur are clean, cheap, fast and safe, although you should never let your guard down.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now sees it as his second home. Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: hotels in Singapore and hotels in Kuala Lumpur. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronan_Menton

For first time travelers to Malaysia there are several tips that will make your holiday less stressful and infinitely more enjoyable, such as:

Check Health Warnings Before leaving for Malaysia visit your family doctor to check health warnings for the area you intend to visit. If you intend to do any hiking or rainforest walks then you will need to start taking malaria tablets around a week before your departure. Your family doctor will be able to advise of any other precautions or medications that you need.

Airport Transfers By far the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport into the capital is via the KLIA Express (airport express train). The train is very modern with video screens showing points of interest and things to do in Malaysia while you enjoy a comfortable ride into Kuala Lumpur in around 35 minutes. Using a bus or taxi transfer will normally take around one hour by comparison and cost a little more. An added convenience when using the KLIA Express to connect with a departing flight is the facility to book your luggage onto your flight from the central train station in Kuala Lumpur (providing you do this at least 2.5 hours before your flight).

Taxi Fares Always ask how much the fare will be to get to your destination before getting into the taxi. Taxi fares in Malaysia are for the most part quite reasonable however at times a naive traveler can be easy pickings, especially on a return trip from an outlying area so be sure to ask for the cost of the fare beforehand and if it seems too high then you can usually find another taxi to get a better deal. The exception to this however is during peak hours in Kuala Lumpur when you will pay more because of traffic delays. Your hotel concierge can advise you on what the busiest traffic times are likely to be. Planning your movements around the capital outside of these times will save you money if you’re on a tight budget.

Don’t drink the tap water To reduce your chances of having your holiday ruined by tummy upsets it is wise not to consume the local tap water. During your stay keep these points in mind: 1) Clean your teeth and toothbrush with bottled water. 2) Remember to specify "No Ice" when ordering cocktails or mixer drinks. (Many of the more up-market resorts and hotels have ice that has been made using filtered or bottled water which is perfectly safe, however if you wish to be extra cautious then it is safer to forgo the ice).

Buy personal items from a supermarket Make purchases of personal care items such as sunscreen, toothpaste or bottled water from a local supermarket instead of the resort or hotel where you are staying. Although the pric
es of these items may not s
eem too expensive you will normally find a supermarket or small convenience store somewhere close to the resort where these items are up to a third of the price that you will pay at the resort. Any money you save on these purchases can be used for souvenir shopping instead.

Restaurants When you’re staying in regional areas and choosing somewhere to eat keep in mind that you are no longer in a western country. Malaysia is a relatively poor country which is more evident in outlying areas than it is in the capital. While in your home country a restaurant in a run down looking building could indicate a possible health risk this is not the case in regional areas of Malaysia as many of the buildings are old because of the general poverty of the population. The best guide for choosing a restaurant is if the local people are happy eating there it is a good indication that the food is safe.

Keep valuables concealed Always keep wallets, purses, mobile phones etc in your pockets or backpack to avoid the attention of pickpockets, especially in larger cities. Although not a major problem any large population has its share of thieving so it is best to keep your valuables secure. It is also wise to carry your backpack on the front of your body in certain areas such as the china town markets in Kuala Lumpur where it can be quite crowded giving pickpockets a chance to access valuables within the outer compartments of a backpack.

Malaysia is a great holiday destination with excellent shopping, friendly people, wonderful scenery, and delicious food and by following these simple tips you’ll have such a memorable time you’ll want to return again and again

About the Author

For more Travel Articles by Ian Williamson please visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/Travel-Destinations/220

1. Satay – marinated chicken or beef skewered onto bamboo sticks and grilled over hot charcoal and served with ketupat (rice boiled in coconut leaves) and served with sliced cucumber, wedges onion and peanut sauce for dipping.

2. Beef Rendang – hot, dry spiced dish of coated meat with tangy spices and simmered and cooked in thick coconut milk. This dish is a must in all Malay homes during any festivals. To be eaten with rice or ketupat (rice cooked in coconut leaves).

3. Roti Canai – one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Malaysia. It is Indian origin. This pastry pancake is served with curry for dipping.

4. Fish Head Curry – usually head of red snappers, groupers, cooked in spices, curry powder, chillies and coconut milk.

5. Nasi Beriani – this is Indian style rice cooked with ghee and saffron. Served, layered with spiced cooked chicken, mutton or lamb garnished with almonds and raisins. Can get this dish in any mamak (Indian muslim) restaurant.

6. Tandoori Chicken – mildly spiced spring chicken cooked in traditional Indian clay oven.

7. Kurma – mutton or chicken, mild not hot compared to curry, cooked with mixture of spices. Can be eaten with plain rice or nasi beriani.

8. Chicken Rice – one of the most popular dishes among Malaysians. Whole chicken Roasted or poached. Cut to pieces when cooled. Eaten with rice cooked with chicken Broth. Always eaten with chilli sauce, ginger and lime juice as dipping.

9. Chilli Crab – fresh crabs fried with chilli sauce. Can be eaten on its own or with rice.

10. Indian Fried Mee – Indian fried noodle, which you cannot find in India. Fresh yellow noodles stir fried with tofu, eggs, bean sprout, fresh tomato and tomato sauce. Certain spices are added to give it the unique Indian flavour.

Try them and you will experience the uniqueness of Malalysian cuisine.

About the Author

Rohana Ismail is a cooking enthusiast. To discover about authentic recipes from Malaysia and traditional Malaysian dishes, please visit http://malaysianfoodtasty.com

Nevertheless, for a unique National Park Vacation in Borneo, you must make sure that you drop by at the lesser known Mesilau Nature Park, which is just about 30 minutes by road away from Kinabalu National Park. From Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, it only takes approximately 2.5 hour drive to reach Mesilau Nature Park.

Mesilau Nature Park is located within the vicinity of Kinabalu National Park on the Pinosok Plateau near Kundasang town. The stretch of the road from Kundasang town to Mesilau Nature Park, which is about 2,000 metres above sea level, is extremely steep and winding. However, the road condition has improved immensely in recent times, which makes the ascending ride a breeze.

On the way, you will surely be captivated by the spectacular views of the Kundasang valley with terraced hill slopes planted with highlands vegetables, and parts of the scenic beauty of the Kundasang Mount Kinabalu Golf Course, a challenging 18-hole golf course for avid golfers, undeniably, the highest golf course in South East Asia.

But once you get to Mesilau Nature Park, you will notice that the place is more natural and "virgin" than the now "commercialized" Kinabalu National Park. As the Park lies at the base of Mount Kinabalu, Mount Kinabalu will look even more spectacular with a sheer wall of granite towering a few thousand meters from the virgin forest floor and ending in jagged peaks. This breathtaking sight is aptly called the Mesilau Pinnacles.

To experience the best of what Mesilau can offer, you will need to spend a night or two at the eco-friendly Mesilau Nature Resort, which is nestled amongst the trees at the foot of the mountain within the Park. The Resort itself is amazing since it was carefully planned and built to blend into its natural surrounding.

The chalets are on slopes surrounded by trees with the full view of the Mesilau River flowing below. And for food, the Kedamaian Restaurant is famous for its piping hot steamboat, and barbecue dinners, which makes it a good excuse to stay overnight.

Mesilau Nature Park is also the starting point for the alternative and more challenging route up Mount Kinabalu. If you are of an adventurous kind, do trek the route up to a kilometres or two even if you are not planning to climb Mount Kinabalu. Since the Mesilau Summit Trail is relatively newer and less crowded than th
e old summit trail, your cha
nce of encountering (tamed) wildlife is also brighter.

One prominent feature of the route is the seemingly abundance of orchids (Rhododendrons) and pitcher plants. The world’s largest pitcher plant, the "Nepenthes Rajah", is recorded to grow in abundance here. For most visitors, a less taxing guided nature walk around the Park is recommended. It will leave you with lasting "natural" memories.

Mesilau will not fail to enchant you with its cool temperate climate (temperatures vary around 17-21 degree Celcius during the day and 10-15 degree Celcius at night) and serene surroundings as a truly astonishing nature’s paradise. Mesilau Nature Park and its Resort is an ideal venue for relaxation or retreat.

The bio-diversity of the flora and fauna found here makes Mesilau a haven for naturalists. It is one of the best locations in Borneo for an unforgettable National Park Vacation.

About the Author

Rich Adz is a writer for e-borneo.com, Borneo’s leading trip advisor and tour intermediary. Please also visit Borneo Tropical Vacation for more info on Sabah.

Malaysians of Indian descent comprise about 7% of the population and include Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. About 85% of the Indian community is ethnically Tamil, with the remainder including those of Telegu, Malayalam, Punjabi and Gujarati descent.

Non-Malay indigenous groups make up more than half of the Borneo state of Sarawak’s population and about 66% of the Borneo state of Sabah’s population. They are divided into dozens of ethnic groups, but they share some general patterns of living and culture. Until the 20th century, most practiced traditional beliefs, but many have become Christian or Muslim. The "other" category includes Malaysians of, inter alia, Thai, European and Middle Eastern descent. Population distribution is uneven, with some 20 million residents concentrated in the lowlands of peninsular Malaysia, an area slightly smaller than the state of Michigan.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, nominally headed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ("paramount ruler"), customarily referred to as the king. Kings are elected for 5-year terms from among the nine sultans of the peninsular Malaysian states. The king also is the leader of the Islamic faith in Malaysia.

Executive power is vested in the cabinet led by the prime minister; the Malaysian constitution stipulates that the prime minister must be a member of the lower house of parliament who, in the opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, commands a majority in parliament. The cabinet is chosen from among members of both houses of parliament and is responsible to that body.

The bicameral parliament consists of the Senate (Dewan Negara) and the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat). All 70 Senate members sit for 3-year terms, which are normally extended for an additional 3 years; 26 are elected by the 13 state assemblies, and 44 are appointed by the king. Representatives of the House are elected from single-member districts by universal adult suffrage. The 219 members of the House of Representatives are elected to parliamentary terms lasting up to 5 years. Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures.

The Malaysian legal system is based on English common law. The Federal Court reviews decisions referred from the Court of Appeal; it has original jurisdiction in constitutional matters and in disputes between states or between the federal government and a state. Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak each have a high court.

The federal government has authority over external affairs, defense, internal security, justice (except civil law cases among Malays or other Muslims and other indigenous peoples, adjudicated under Islamic and traditional law), federal citizenship, finance, commerce, industry, communications, transportation, and other matters.

People:

Nationality: Noun and adjective–Malaysian(s).

Population (2004): 25.6 million.
>
Annual growth rate: 2.4
%.

Ethnic groups: Malay 50.8%, Chinese 23.8%, Indigenous 10.9%, Indian 7.1%, non-Malaysian citizens 6.8 %, others 0.6%.

Religions: Islam (60.4%), Buddhism (19.2%), Christianity (9.1%), Hinduism (6.3%),Confucianism (2.6%), Animism (0.8%), others (including Taoism, Sikhism, Baha’i faith — 0.4%), none (2.8%).

Languages: Malay, Cantonese, Hokkien, Mandarin Chinese, English, Tamil, indigenous.

Education: Years compulsory–9. Attendance–98.5% (primary), 82% (secondary). Literacy (2002)–95%.

Health: Infant mortality rate (2003)–5.8 /1,000. Life expectancy (2003)–female 75.5 yrs., male 71.0 yrs.

Work force (10.6 million, 2003): Manufacturing 29.1%; other services–28.2%;; agriculture–13.8%; government services—9.8%; construction–7.6%; finance–6.4%; transportation and communications–5.2%; mining and petroleum–0.4%.