PENANG CITY
In CITYThursday, October 14, 2010
|
KUALA LUMPUR
In CITYMore than any other spot in the country, Kuala Lumpur, or "KL" as it is commonly known, is the focal point of new Malaysia. While the city's past is still present in the evocative British colonial buildings of the Dataran Merdeka and the midnight lamps of the Petaling Street nightmarket, that past is everywhere met with insistent reminders of KL's present and future. The city's bustling streets, its shining, modern office towers, and its cosmopolitan air project an unbounded spirit of progress and symbolize Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. To some, this spirit seems to have been gained at the loss of ancient cultural traditions, but in many ways KL marks the continuation rather than the loss of Malaysia's rich past. Like Malacca five hundred years before, KL's commercial centre is a grand meeting place for merchants and travelers from all over the world.
In the same way, the city brings together Malaysia's past and present, its many constituent cultures, and even its remarkable natural treasures, allowing first-time visitors an invaluable opportunity to see Malaysia as a whole before setting off to explore its parts. In the botanical and bird parks of the Lake Gardens one is treated to a first glimpse of the unsurpassed beauty and variety of Malaysia's plants and animals. In the vibrant Central Market, music, crafts, and cultural practices from Kelantan to Sarawak can be explored and experienced. And in the National Museum, the dizzying multiplicity of Malaysia's cultural history comes into focus. As the entry point for most visitors and the meeting point of the country's many attractions, Kuala Lumpur is a grand gateway to a fascinating destination.
Malaysia Tourist Information Complex (MATIC)
A good place to begin any visit to Kuala Lumpur is the one-stop information centre, which provides a general picture of what the city and Malaysia have to offer. Audio-visual equipment provides background information on each state in the country. You can book a tour, arrange to go on a trishaw ride in the city, change your money, and book air or bus tickets to various destinations in Malaysia. International calls, facsimile and telex services are also offered. For your first taste of Malaysian cuisine, there is a restaurant in the right wing of the building. Cultural performances are held daily.
Central Market
Fifty years ago this site was occupied by a wet market. Today, the art-deco structure of the Central Market is a centre for the display and development of Malaysian culture, arts and crafts. There are many performances, demonstrations, and activities offered here, including batik painting, fortune telling, shadow puppet plays, glass blowing, dance classes, art classes, and many others. The building won the Coronation Architecture Design Award in 1953.
The center of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown. Petaling Street maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors spread their wares out on the street. While it is possible to purchase anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts here, enjoying the night market is really a matter of just wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds, and energy.
In the same way, the city brings together Malaysia's past and present, its many constituent cultures, and even its remarkable natural treasures, allowing first-time visitors an invaluable opportunity to see Malaysia as a whole before setting off to explore its parts. In the botanical and bird parks of the Lake Gardens one is treated to a first glimpse of the unsurpassed beauty and variety of Malaysia's plants and animals. In the vibrant Central Market, music, crafts, and cultural practices from Kelantan to Sarawak can be explored and experienced. And in the National Museum, the dizzying multiplicity of Malaysia's cultural history comes into focus. As the entry point for most visitors and the meeting point of the country's many attractions, Kuala Lumpur is a grand gateway to a fascinating destination.
Petronas Towers | |
Kuala Lumpur in the morning. | Petronas Towers at night |
With a height of 1,453 feet, one of the world's tallest buildings rise above the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. They are called the Petronas Towers, and, inevitably, they have become the symbols for the astounding growth that has taken place in Malaysia over the last two decades.
LOCATION
Kuala Lumpur is situated midway along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, at the confluence of the Klang and Gombek rivers. It is approximately 35 km from the coast and sits at the centre of the Peninsula's extensive and modern transportation network. Kuala Lumpur is easily the largest city in the nation, possessing a population of over one and a half million people drawn from all of Malaysia's many ethnic group
RECOMMENDED TOURS Please view our tours to Kuala Lumpur, including City Highlights, Batu Cave and the suburbs (starting from USD $11 per person).Geographia has partnered with Viator to provide exciting adventure experiences in Malaysia. | © Tour East Malaysia |
A good place to begin any visit to Kuala Lumpur is the one-stop information centre, which provides a general picture of what the city and Malaysia have to offer. Audio-visual equipment provides background information on each state in the country. You can book a tour, arrange to go on a trishaw ride in the city, change your money, and book air or bus tickets to various destinations in Malaysia. International calls, facsimile and telex services are also offered. For your first taste of Malaysian cuisine, there is a restaurant in the right wing of the building. Cultural performances are held daily.
National Zoo and Aquarium
Thirteen kilometers north-east of Kuala Lumpur is the National Zoo. It contains hundreds of different species of animals, birds, and reptiles. The aquarium has an extensive collection of marine and freshwater species. Both the Zoo and Aquarium are open daily from 9am to 6pm.
Thirteen kilometers north-east of Kuala Lumpur is the National Zoo. It contains hundreds of different species of animals, birds, and reptiles. The aquarium has an extensive collection of marine and freshwater species. Both the Zoo and Aquarium are open daily from 9am to 6pm.
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
Located at Jalan Hishamuddin, this Moorish-style terminal was designed by architect A.B. Hubbock, who also designed the Masjid Jam. Built in 1910, it underwent extensive renovations in 1986. It is equipped with air-conditioned waiting halls, snack kiosks, money changing booths, souvenir shops, restaurants and a tourist information counter. Across the street is the Malayan Railway Administration Building, another fine example of the British colonial adaptation of Moorish architecture. It is linked to the station by an underground thoroughfare.
Located at Jalan Hishamuddin, this Moorish-style terminal was designed by architect A.B. Hubbock, who also designed the Masjid Jam. Built in 1910, it underwent extensive renovations in 1986. It is equipped with air-conditioned waiting halls, snack kiosks, money changing booths, souvenir shops, restaurants and a tourist information counter. Across the street is the Malayan Railway Administration Building, another fine example of the British colonial adaptation of Moorish architecture. It is linked to the station by an underground thoroughfare.
Central Market
Fifty years ago this site was occupied by a wet market. Today, the art-deco structure of the Central Market is a centre for the display and development of Malaysian culture, arts and crafts. There are many performances, demonstrations, and activities offered here, including batik painting, fortune telling, shadow puppet plays, glass blowing, dance classes, art classes, and many others. The building won the Coronation Architecture Design Award in 1953.
National Library
Located at Jalan Tun Razak. The blue-roofed building was inspired by a tengkolok, the traditional Malay headgear, and songtet, a richly-designed brocade fabric. The library is a very recent addition to Kuala Lumpur, having opened only in 1992. The extensive holdings include a collection of publications on Malaysia by Malaysian authors as well as ancient Malay manuscripts. Open: 1Oam-5pm (Sat-Sun), Closed on Monday.
Petaling StreetLocated at Jalan Tun Razak. The blue-roofed building was inspired by a tengkolok, the traditional Malay headgear, and songtet, a richly-designed brocade fabric. The library is a very recent addition to Kuala Lumpur, having opened only in 1992. The extensive holdings include a collection of publications on Malaysia by Malaysian authors as well as ancient Malay manuscripts. Open: 1Oam-5pm (Sat-Sun), Closed on Monday.
The center of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown. Petaling Street maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors spread their wares out on the street. While it is possible to purchase anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts here, enjoying the night market is really a matter of just wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds, and energy.
Penang National Park
In NATIONAL PARKThursday, September 16, 2010
A Beacon of Hope
The Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang) is one of the few natural forested areas left on the island. It is also currently the world's smallest national park. The Park is located at the north-western corner of Penang Island, on what resembles the side profile of a face, hence the name Muka Head (muka literally means face). With 1181 hectares of forest and 1381 hectares of wetlands, the Park's ecosystem is a diversity of habitats with hills, sandy and rocky beaches, streams and coastal forests - representing much of the natural habitats of Penang. | |||||||||||||||||||
Way back in 1958, the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve was first proposed as a nature conservation area by a group called the "Committee for the Preservation of Natural Beauty". Since that time, both nature interest groups and even government reports have proposed that the Reserve be turned into some kind of park and conservation area. The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) made several representations to the state and federal governments to turn Pantai Acheh into a national park. It was on 4 April 2003 when Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve was finally declared the Penang National Park by the then deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The Penang National Park is the first protected area legally gazetted under the National Park Act of 1980, signifying the State and Federal Governments' efforts in protecting the environment. It goes without saying that funds will be allocated to develop the Penang National Park, within guidelines. All logging activities stopped since 1996. Part of the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve had been logged before 1955; none have been logged since. | |||||||||||||||||||
The Park is unique as it contains several different types of habitat including a meromictic lake, wetlands, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs and turtle nesting beaches. A survey conducted by the MNS, together with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) indicated a reasonable rich fauna. Small mammals such as tree shrews (tupai glis), slow loris, flying lemur (Cynocephalus variegates), civet cats, lepoard cats, sea otters and pangolins have been spotted. If you're lucky, some of these shy creatures make an occasional appearance at Pantai Keracut, where the meromictic lake is located. Besides mammals, the Park is also home to many birds, reptiles, amphibians and of course the famous turtles, especially the Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), the Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), the Leatherback turtles and the Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricate). When you are at the Park, look up and see if you can spot a Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle or the Crested Serpent-eagle that are commonly seen soaring gracefully above. If you come across any snakes along your path, you would be happy to know that most of the snakes at the Park are non-poisonous. However, take note that there is no sure way to tell a poisonous from a non-poisonous snake, thus it is best to keep your distance from them. Did you know that spiders, scorpions, centipedes and millipedes belong to the same group - Arthropada? They are, however, from different classes. Keep an eye out for these little creatures along your hiking trail. Insects, by far, are the most numerous denizens of the Park. The flora at the Park is one which is characteristic of the coastal dipterocarp (or winged seeds) forest. 'Wings' help seeds to have a better chance of being blown far from the parent. Some trees from the Dipterocarp family are Chengal, Meranti Seraya, Jelutong, Gaharu and Bintangor. When cultivated, these trees provide valuable and aesthetic hardwood. Other plants that populate the Park include ferns, palms, pitcher plants, meromictic flora, climbers, fungi and mangrove. There are altogether an estimated 417 flora and 143 fauna species, according to a local daily report in May 2006. | |||||||||||||||||||
Facilities at the Park Penang National Park only receives daily visitors. For camping, visitors are requested to seek permission from the management. Camping and weekend programmes organised by the National Park are also available for students who are interested in this activity. However, accommodation is not provided in the National Park. Visitors are recommended to stay at the nearest hotels around Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang. Visitors are also reminded the deposit their litter in the 'monkey-proof' trash bins where one has to push a leaver to open the hatch. The bins are located along popular hiking trails. Remember, pick nothing up (except rubbish!) and leave nothing behind. Rest stops equipped with picnic tables are also strategically placed throughout the Park for your enjoyment. Penang National Park offers vast opportunities for research, education, recreation and ecotourism activities such as climbing, trekking, swimming, wildlife observation or simply enjoying the natural environment, which is a combination of the forest and sea. Rich in biodiversity and wildlife, the park has attracted world-renowned scientists, researchers and even the National Geographic crew to study and learn from its pristine surroundings. In this pocket of undisturbed natural beauty, we must learn to appreciate the natural heritage and help to promote their conservation for future generations. |
Lang Tengah Island
In ISLANDSLang Tengah Island (Pulau Lang Tengah)
Lang Tengah Island or Pulau Lang Tengah off the coast of Terengganu is one of the nation's well-kept secrets. Its arresting beauty can easily captivate you while you are there. Crystal clear sea-water, pristine beaches and untouched tropical jungle. Its arresting beauty lingers forever in your memory. An island you can call your own, private and tranquil.
Take a stroll along the whitewashed, sandy beaches or bath in the sun for that coveted golden tan. Explore the wonders of nature, and you'll be surprised of what you'll discover. Whatever you do, we'll make sure that your stay with us is an enjoyable one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)